Lip-Sticking: Smart Woman Online: Kelly Gibbons

Before we get to our talented and interesting Smart Woman Online today-- Jane is just bursting to tell you the most exciting news! We just got off the phone (we are posting the night before our interview goes live) with Andy Wibbels from the Easy Bake Weblog, where we participated in Dickless Blogging, an interview done through podcasting. If Jane wasn't such a dingbat-- we would have invited ALL of our readers to join us--but Jane's mind is a bit fried these days, so please accept our apologies.

Meanwhile, we had a great time at Andy's. We spoke about Dickless Marketing and blogging and had loads of fun! Can anyone say Jabba the Cat? (that's a secret, just between me and Andy and the group). When Andy has the podcast ready and posts a link to it, we will announce it so you can all hear it in its entirety. Much thanks, Andy! It really was fun, but also, informative. Exactly what a podcast should be.

Now, onto our broadcast---ummm...we mean, our interview. This week we're bringing you a brand new friend. We found Kelly Gibbons after clicking through the NAWW (National Assoc. for Women Writers) blog, to another blog, to Kelly's Sunny Kind of Day blog. You'll see, when you visit her links, why we wrote and asked her for an interview. We think this is a real treat, dear readers. Find out why...

Lip-sticking: Jane feels as if we cannot give you a proper introduction, Kelly, since we only just met ourselves. We found you in a roundabout way-- from the blog at the NAWW, to a link on a post there, to a book you helped illustrate, and then, finally... to you. Whew! It tires us out thinking about it! What we
discovered, when we found you, was a blog of the most delightful illustrations! We know from doing our homework that you are also a writer. Tell our readers a little bit about your creativity-- such as, when did you start drawing? Which talent is your favorite-- the writing or the drawing? Why?

Kelly: Doing things in a roundabout way sort of describes my life, so I understand. I actually didn’t set out to be an artist, but a writer. The art thing just happened when I posted a doodle on my blog. I finally figured out how to post images to my blog, so I posted a picture and within twenty-four hours, Shelley Divnich Haggert contacted me to illustrate her book, Generation Xhausted. It floored me, because I did not consider myself an artist.

Once I started doing the book illustrations, my love of art flooded back to me. I decided I could be both an artist and a writer. The SunnyK character and blog evolved from all of this. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t draw, and as a child, I took art lessons. However, my immensely talented sister overshadowed my talents, so I never took my art serious. I can’t pick a favorite with art and writing, but I admit that art comes more naturally to me. My dream is earn a living by combining both in some way.

Lip-sticking: We are quite impressed with both of your blogs; the SunnyK and the Not Quite Grown-up. You have a flair for writing, and an eye for color (we are writers ourselves and can speak to that better than the illustrations--which only makes us jealous!) and have been generous to a fault by posting both online. Are you ever afraid visitors to a Sunny Kind of Day will steal your work?

Kelly: Other people have warned me about my work being stolen, but for some strange reason, I’m not worried about it. It must be my naïve nature. I think it has something to do with how I was raised. For a time, I lived with my
grandparents and my grandmother never locked her doors. When asked if she feared people stealing from her, she would say, “If someone needs it more than me, they can have it.”

It’s not that I want my work stolen, but if someone wants it bad enough, they will find a way to take it, and there isn’t a whole lot I can do to prevent it. I know people who have taken precautions, and it still didn’t help. I just don’t worry about it. I think someone would have a hard time passing my work off as their own anyway, especially the SunnyK stuff, because, really, it’s my life. Another reason it doesn’t bother me, is the copier test. I heard once that if a cartoon passes the copier test--meaning someone liked it enough to make a copy and pass it around-- it means it’s good. So, I’ll take it as a compliment, and free publicity! I would hope that they at least give me credit.

Lip-sticking: The header to A Sunny Kind of Day is marvelous! It says, "A single wish leads to a beautiful reality" and shows a girl blowing dandelion fluff in the wind. Your other blog, Kelly Gibbons, artist and writer, talks about things you would wish for. Like opening a bookstore. We like that wish. Tell us more.

Oh, thank you. I am very fond of that header. It is the one I was referring to earlier (the one Shelley saw)--the art that started it all. Of course, I “fixed” it up a bit for the blog. And, yes, I do have a dream of owning a bookstore. I have a vision of a quaint little store that looks like a French café. I’d call it Café du Rêveur, Dreamer’s Café. I’d sell new and used books, and it would be and artist and writer’s hangout. People could read, share ideas, and sit around in comfortable chairs or on the floor if they prefer. I would sell cappuccino, the cheap, sweet kind--French Vanilla--and I would have a gallery to showcase local artists. It would be an old-time coffee house with open-mic night for writer’s to share their work. I even contacted a man once about renting a store, but I’m not ready for that, yet. I still have the details to work out. Someday there will be a grand opening, and you are all invited! (Jane will be there. We hope some of you will come, too, dear readers!)

Lip-sticking: We see on your Kelly Gibbons blog that you're writing a book. Jane has many readers who are bookoholics...if we can be so blunt...and we think many of them are also writing books. What do you find hardest...finding time out of your busy day to actually sit down and write, or, the writing, itself?

How much time do you spend on your book? When do you think it will be done? Do you have any insight, or advice, to give newbies...folks who are hoping to write a book, or working on one, as you are?

Kelly: I combined #4 and #5.

In November 2004, I completed the first draft of a young adult novel, and right now, it’s in the editing stage. The working title is Buried Secrets, and I expect it to be ready for publishers later this year.

To be honest, now that I am editing it, I see that writing was the easy part. It took me a little less than three months to complete. I was in an online writing group, A Novel Plan (formed by my friend, Angela Giles Klocke), when I wrote it. It was a three-month plan, and it was a great motivator. I didn’t always follow the plan to the “T,” but I stuck with it enough to realize that the only way to write a book was to sit down and write. Looking back, I really didn’t spend that much time on it. Some days I would right for a few hours, but there were other days that I would only have fifteen minutes to write. The key was sticking with it, and continuing to write even if I only had a few minutes.

While I was writing the book, something happened that also kept me going. I walked past a bookstore one day, and thought, I can‘t wait until my book is sold there. Then I thought, if you don’t write it, it will never be there. That stuck with me, and whenever I lost steam, I reminded myself that if I didn’t write, I would never see my book at that store. Making the time was the hard part, once I did; the words just came to me. Now, if only I could sit down and EDIT! (hear! hear!)

Lip-sticking: Tell us about your two blogs. Which one is your favorite? Why not combine them into one?

Kelly: Gee, I never thought about a favorite. I guess they both are. It’s like children; they’re both my favorite for different reasons. I have thought about combining them, but I haven’t figured out the right way yet. I have a
feeling that eventually, as I evolve and find my place in the art and writing world, they’ll find a place together.

Lip-sticking: When Jane was writing her book, and decided afterwards to start a publishing company, some members of our family were very upportive...others were skeptical. We pushed forward, despite the opposition, and...we're glad
we did. Which member of your family is the most supportive, and...if this person weren't...how would it affect you?

Kelly: Everyone in my family is very supportive, especially my children and husband, Ray. My husband definitely gets the “Most Supportive” award. When I told him how much I disliked my job as a customer service rep, and told him
that I wanted to be a writer, he said, “Quit your job, and try it.” I didn’t have anything published, and I had no idea how to be a writer, or what to do, but his support and belief in me gave me the courage to take the leap. With his support, I was able to work from home for a year to get things going with my writing career. It was a year of learning and growing. When I decided to focus on novel writing, I went back to work part time to support my dreams. Without him, I could not be doing this. (Jane hears an echo, dear reader...who tells you this is so, on a regular basis???)

Lip-sticking: We like to ask folks how much shopping they do online, but we're going to do something different today. We're going to ask you what your favorite shopping site is...and what brings you back to buy? On the other hand, do you have a pet peeve about shopping online?

Kelly: I do like to shop online, because it is so convenient, and because I despise shopping. Yes, I’m a girl who doesn’t like to shop. There really are some of us in the world. Most of my online shopping is for others (clothes for teen girls, and auto parts for teen boy), but when I do shop for myself online, I buy books. My favorite place is Barnes and Noble, because they always have the books I want, and they offer new and used books at great prices. Their site is easy to use, they often have great promos, like free shipping, and using gift cards is a breeze. Yep, it’s always about books with me! (shopping for others...another echo, dear readers!)

Lip-sticking: We noticed you didn't list any classic literature on your favorites reading list at Kelly Gibbons...but we're sure you have at least one favorite. Or, an author you really like...who was among the classic lit writers of the day. Can you pull one out of your pen?

Kelly: That book list definitely needs updating, but it would take too much time, and would be far too long. I really don’t have any favorites. I love too many! I am not very picky when it comes to books; I’ll read anything. If it sounds good, I will give it a try. If I don’t like the ending of a novel, I’ll write my own. Yes, I have done that. As for favorite classics, the first thing that came to mind is Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. Is that a classic? (yes) Anyway, I love it because it is such a small book, but filled with incredible emotion. I always recommend it.

Others that popped into my head are The Secret Garden, and J. D. Salinger’s, The Catcher in the Rye. I also adore Shakespeare. I love that his work is so timeless. Plots he wrote about hundreds of years ago are still “in” today. That amazes me.

Lip-sticking: We must end the interview with a comment on how much we truly enjoy your Sunny Kind of Day blog. It's refreshing to see the originality and the colors...and the captions. Have you ever considered putting them into a small book, for sale, on your blog? Or turning them into greeting cards? We just think they're terrific. We think folks might, just maybe, be willing to pay you for them. What are your thoughts on that?

Kelly: Thank you for your compliments. I am blushing, really. I am one of those people who don’t take compliments well. I’m sitting here thinking, who me? Lack of confidence has always been an issue with me, but it is growing. I
have done some of the things you suggested. I had a holiday shop, but it was not very successful. Several friends have encouraged me to try again, and they mentioned greeting cards more than once. I have also thought about doing an inspirational card deck to encourage writers and artists. I definitely want to do something with that character, a SunnyK line. And, your idea about turning the blog into a book is making the wheels turn. Ooh, SunnyK, the Book, I love that idea; I’m picturing it right now.

Lip-sticking: That's good. Turn your thoughts into deeds and it will happen. Truly; if you can conceive it and believe it, you will achieve it. Hmmm...I think someone famous said that...dear readers?

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There you have it! We cannot bring you better stuff than this! Kelly has much talent, and is a marvelous lady. We wish her boatloads of success! As we wish each of you.

What's not to like about that?

p.s. Kelly's RSS feed is not working on her blogs. Can anyone out there check her sites and help her get them working. We want to add her to our bloglines list but bloglines keeps telling us there is no feed! Help!