About Kelly Wilson:
Kelly Wilson is a Portland author and comedian who entertains and inspires with stories of humor, healing, and hope. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Kelly writes and speaks about finding hope in the process of recovery. Through both stand-up and improv comedy, she brings laughter to audiences of all ages using a wide range of subject matter, including silly songs, parenting stories, and jokes and anecdotes revolving around mental health issues.
Kelly Wilson is the author of Live Cheap & Free, Don’t Punch People in the Junk, and Kelly Wilson’s The Art of Seduction: Nine Easy Ways to Get Sex From Your Mate. She has also written and published numerous articles and short stories for children and adults. Her latest book, Caskets From Costco, is a finalist in the 18th annual Foreword Reviews’ INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards, a finalist in the 10th annual National Indie Excellence Book Awards, and has also been chosen as a finalist in the and a Finalist in the 2016 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest.
Kelly also works with Stand Up For Mental Health in Portland, teaching and performing comedy centered around mental health. She is currently a Portland author and comedian who writes for a living and lives with her Magically Delicious husband, junk-punching children, dog, cat, and stereotypical minivan in Portland, Oregon.
What inspires you to write?
I have two main inspirations to keep writing. The first is that writing is like breathing. I'm inspired to write by my need to figure out what's going on in my head and heart. The best way I have found to do that is to write, write, write!
The second is that writing is a skill and art that can always be improved. No matter how much or often I write, there's always something to learn.
Tell us about your writing process.
I do a lot of "head writing." As I'm walking or driving or putting laundry away, I am writing something inside my head. I can't do this for too long without writing it all down – my memory is not what it used to be – but I can work out a range of details when "head writing." And I don't have to sit down to write all the time!
When I'm ready (read: before I forget), I like to write either by longhand or on my computer. It's really an issue of what's at hand at the time. I've even written outlines of entire essays or stories on the back of receipts, along with any good lines. Once it's all down, I wait a few days or weeks and then come back to the piece for revisions and edits.
What advice would you give other writers?
The most important piece of advice I received when I first started writing for publication was to focus on the craft of writing. I have transferred this idea to other parts of my life, approaching life as a learner. Then I focus on a quote from Steve Martin: "Be so good they can't ignore you."
How did you decide how to publish your books?
Several years ago, I was laid off. My husband and I lived for a year on only one income, and I specialized in finding the best deals. I started sharing my expertise with friends and family. One of my best friends looked me in the eye one day and said, "You are really good at this. You should market yourself."
A few nights later, I woke from a dead sleep and thought, "Well, I *am* a writer. I suppose I could write all of this saving money stuff down." That "saving money stuff" turned into my first book. Once I started sharing my stories to help others, I couldn't stop.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
Instead of an end in itself, I think book publishing will become more of a means to an end. Having a book published is becoming more of an overall platform, and authors have to diversify in order to make money. For example, I'm a comedian and inspirational speaker, which helps me sell more books, which helps me build my career.
What genres do you write?: memoir, self-help, humor
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Kelly Wilson Home Page Link
Link To Kelly Wilson Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Instagram
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
