Do you ever wonder how other people come up with their witty creativity?
A few of the questions I get is how do I come up with my ideas, how do I get it all done, how do I handle unhappy clients and the list goes on. As for me, I love to get other people’s perspective and try out their techniques too.
Today, we are talking to the famous Kimi Clark.
When I came across Kimi, I giggled my britches off! She has a super sharp sense of humor and takes life easily with doses of chocolate. What is not to love. I know that when I trek over the Oregon Trail, I will be stopping at Kimi’s door with a personal coffee cup.
Welcome Kimi! *throws glitter confetti
Kimi Clark is a career stay at home mom turned writer and blogger for hire with a passion for business.
A native Oregonian who loves Jesus, her amazingly supportive husband, and her four beautiful children, she dreams of spending her days at the beach (her most favorite place), surrounded by the aforementioned people, coffee, and chocolate.
Lots and lots of chocolate.
Most days she settles for eating M&M’s while writing in her PJ’s.
Tell us who are you and what do you do?
My name is Kimi Clark and I’m a writer and blogger for hire with a passion for business.
As a writer, what is your area of expertise?
I specialize in blog posts about writing and entrepreneurship, as well as all things parenting and motherhood.
We know you are on the webs, where can we get a glimpse of your writing style?
You can visit my blog at www.writewriterwrite.com and my writer website at www.kimiclark.com.
ABOUT PRODUCTIVITY
When preparing for a writing project, how much time, per day, do you read or do research?
It depends on the project, but most blog posts take anywhere from an hour to several hours.
I would eat a large blueberry muffin before every basketball game (probably for a sugar rush). Before you start writing, do you have any rituals?
I get to a quiet space, usually shut in my bedroom with the blinds open to let the natural light in. And I definitely need that morning cup of coffee, (or two!) to get going!
Are you a music listener or do you prefer silence when you write?
I sooooooo love music but when I write I prefer the quiet.
Not counting email and social media, how many hours per day do you spend writing?
Hmmm, depends on the day and the number of projects. These days I’m doing more marketing and less writing, so maybe an hour or two? And contrary to popular opinion, I don’t always write every day.
I write best in the mornings. When do you feel is your most productive time of day to write?
Definitely morning, although I’m not really a morning person I’m much more creative in the morning hours. I usually write while I’m still in my PJ’s.
Do you write every day or have a certain schedule you follow?
Although I did answer this above will add that I did join a writing challenge and tried to write every day….it didn’t work for me. I wound up feeling guilty and overwhelmed that I couldn’t keep up. So even though I think writing daily is a great habit to get into, I gave myself permission to do what works for me. Some days I write, some days I don’t, again depending on what I have going on.
ABOUT YOUR CLIENT
Describe your ideal client.
High paying! Oh wait, you want more info, I’m sure. 🙂
My idea client is one that allows me to be creative and utilize my own ideas as well as their vision. (Doesn’t typically happen I know, but we’re talking ideal client here, not typical.)
Also one that respects the work I do and that primarily needs the type and style of writing that I offer.
How do you handle negative feedback from clients?
I send their names to my Italian family back East. (Yes, I’m kidding!)
I usually try to see things from their point of view, because after all, they could be right. And if I’m working for them then ultimately it’s my job to make them happy and give them what they want.
That being said, I won’t work with someone who is extremely negative and impossible to please. It’s a waste of my time, time that would be better spent working with the right people.
How do you handle the pressure of a client deadline?
Stress out, cry, text my best girlfriend for support, then eat chocolate….lots of chocolate.
After all of that I can usually sit and get stuff done!
What do you do if you are approached by someone who is not your ideal client?
Listen to what they have to say because things aren’t always as they appear, I don’t like to be quick to judge and many times I can work with people who aren’t my ideal clients. Impossible client from Hell is a different story though. I respectfully let them down gently, either letting them know why I don’t think we’re a good fit, or magically filling up my schedule so I simply don’t have room for another client! 😉
Do you have a specific client intake process that you have created (share the importance)?
I don’t as of yet, it’s pretty much if you want me, will pay me a fair wage and it’s work that I can do, (and don’t morally or ethically disagree with), I usually go for it…providing I have the availability.
ABOUT YOUR CREATIVITY
Define creativity.
Getting to do work that I love that allows me to be me, letting my thoughts and feelings come through in a way that no one else can.
How do you continuously grow your creatively (creativity?) as a writer?
I’m always learning. Always. Sometimes to the point that it’s detrimental and I have to scale back because I spend more time learning than I spend doing.
Also making sure I have a project (or ten!) that I’m working on that I enjoy and have total control over myself.
What makes a writer great?
I think what makes a writer great is the fact that you are following your dreams and giving of yourself. That looks different for everyone but I don’t believe in following the standards set by others. A writer is great because they are unique and have their own special something to offer the world.
Do you write handwritten notes or do you type everything up on your computer?
Both. I love typing, but have always been in love with pretty stationary, journals, note cards, heck…even Post-it Notes! (My family says I’m addicted to Post-its!) I’m definitely a note taker and all that is done by hand, while blog posts and creative writing are usually done on my laptop.
ABOUT WORKFLOW
Which tools, apps, notebooks or systems do you use to help you sort your writing ideas?
I’m really trying to get better about this, I know there are so many great apps out there. I tend to have tons of handwritten notes as well as about a million Microsoft Word documents. (Ok maybe not a million, but you get the picture!)
What is your secret to staying organized?
I’ll let you know when I find it, OK?
At the end of a writing day, how do you relax?
A good book, time with my kids, movies, or a little reality TV.
Thus far, what would you say is your greatest success as a writer?
My greatest success thus far is having the confidence to put myself out there and call myself a writer before I felt ready.
What’s your pet peeve at the moment – this could be writing related or not?
Writing related: People who act like you have to be a college educated pro and do everything exactly right to be successful at writing. (Those are usually the ones that I find the most misspellings and typos in their materials!)
I know people who are self taught and are making a fortune. We don’t have to be perfect or live up to anyone else’s standards!
Non writing related: Put things back where they go, and for goodness sake, put garbage in the trash can, not on the counter directly above it!
A LITTLE FUN
If you could pack ONE suitcase and board a plane anywhere in the world, where would you land (all expenses paid)?
This is a tough one as I haven’t really been many places and I really want to travel someday. I’d have to say Hawaii because it feels more attainable right now, but I guess my dream vacation would be Italy. (Those are my people!)
If you had to do it all over again, what advice would you give yourself?
I’d give myself the advice to start sooner, don’t listen to the naysayers, believe in myself and don’t let anyone discourage me or try and tell me what I’m capable of.
Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know?
That life is short, why spend it doing what you hate? Everyone has a dream, whether it’s to write, own a business, be a stay at home mom, learn a new skill or hobby. Find what you love, and then do it. (Or take the steps you can towards it, even if it’s just baby steps).
How can we connect with you online?
You can visit my writer website at www.kimiclark.com, my blog for writers at www.writewriterwrite.com, and find me on Facebook, www.facebook.com/writewriterwrite. Also email me anytime at contact@kimiclark.com.
WOW! Thank you Kimi for sharing your humor and giving us a peek behind your creativity.
Here is where Kimi gets down to business in her PJ’s with coffee in hand.
From our fingertips to your eyes