Kimberly Beasley is a devoted wife, mother, and community engager. She was an entrepreneur early in life owning her own beauty salon for 27 years and served on the Arkansas State Board of Cosmetology as a Board member and Examiner. She recently completed a long-held goal of obtaining her bachelor’s degree in American Studies with a minor in Truth and Reconciliation, and another goal of becoming a published author. Kimberly’s favorite quote is Proverbs 3:6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, lean not to thine own understanding but in all thine ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths.” Kimberly wants you to know it is never too late to follow your dreams.
Facebook: Kimberly Beasley
Instagram: msrevdoc
Twitter: @Kimberl09332198
Author Website: Coming Soon
When did you know that writing is what you were called to do? What is it about being a writer that you love the most? What about being a writer frustrates you the most?
I didn’t, writing just happened for me. I had a story in me for so long and was afraid to tell it because of its content. We live a world that has a line drawn down the middle that some dare not to cross, whether you are black or white, period. There is nothing for children or adults of mixed lineage to fit in. The other box is almost taboo to check. This has bothered me for a long time and caused angst among me and my sisters, so I finally penned the words in a way that both children and adults can relate. Writing my story allowed me to tell my story my way, unapologetically. Everyone has a story to tell and there is no right or wrong way to tell it. The beauty of it is you can be as creative as you want, and every story is not for everybody, either you like it or you don’t, there are no hard feelings. But if it resonates with the reader mission accomplished. There is something to be learned and valued in every book written, one just must have an open mind while reading it.
On the flip side, the worst part of writing I would have to say when no one buys your book. Being a new author that is somewhat to be expected because you are learning the ropes of exposure, marketing, and getting your name out there. But with God’s timing, knowing the right people, networking, and hard work I believe sales will come. Being biracial and deriving from mixed lineage is a topic that affects a lot of people in our country and world, especially now with voices being more vocal and inclusivity being recognized more prevalently. On another note, the fact that children of mixed lineage statistically are more prone to be picked on in schools or social settings, bullied, and sadly some attempt suicide, cannot be ignored.
Can you tell us a little about your book(s) and where our readers can find out more about them and you?
Searching for Me can be purchased on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HalWSO This is the first book I have ever written, and being a writer was never on my agenda in life. My profession was in the beauty industry where I owned and operated a Salon for over twenty years. But, through life’s experiences, we all end up with stories to tell. With that I am in the process of thinking of other books I can write to encourage children that can address other important issues that children deal with that will piggyback off Searching for Me. For this little book has opened a whole conversation about race, identity, self-worth, image, belonging, etc. Children deal with a lot of emotions and because they a young, they most times are overlooked and not heard when trying to express themselves, so a lot of times they just don’t say anything. I figure if children can read a book they can relate to, can read and feel the emotions they are trying to express, this can make a world of difference in a child’s self-perception, they can tell an adult hey this is how I’m feeling I just didn’t know how to say it.
Where do you draw your inspiration from for the stories that you write? How long does it generally take you to finish a novel? What projects are you currently working on?
Searching for Me was based on my own life, along with my two sisters, as we grew up in a small rural town with a hue different from our mothers. This was due to my mother being African American with a brown skin hue and my father being of mixed decent with a very fair hue which caused our fair competition. It caused great confusion and hardships with our peers and within our community having to prove our race to others. As children, this was an unfair subject to explain especially when you are too young to understand it yourself. My sisters and I felt like we were almost made to pick a race, we couldn’t be both, whether we were biracial or multicultural. I am not currently working on another book but am seriously contemplating a series of book that deals with self-esteem and image for children.
Do you have a schedule for when you write? Do you outline your novels? How long does it generally take you to finish a novel? What projects are you currently working on?
My writing is strictly by inspiration. Being that this is my first Children’s book it was based on a lived experience, with a little fiction added in of course. But moving forward having a writing schedule is a good idea to set time aside to give you room to think without interruption, and process thoughts. It’s really an individual decision on what works best for you. Having an outline also helps me organize thoughts and keeps the storyline moving along, as well as if I need to add or take away content.
What was the first book I ever read that moved you emotionally? Who is your favorite author to read?
A Raisin in the Sun. I was moved by the bias in selling a home to a Black family as opposed to a White one. I was disturbed as a child when I learned that people were not treated equally based on race. I do not have a favorite author, for I have many. Right now I am reading Perfect Peace, by Daniel Black.
What has been your most significant achievement as a writer thus far? Where do you see yourself within your career in the next five years?
My most significant achievement is writing the book itself. It has just been a thought and a dream within me for so long, and now to finally have it written on pages, on Amazon, in the hands of people is a dream come true. In the next five years, I plan to have written at least two more books, a sequel, or at least more books that can encourage children to feel good about themselves and not to seek the approval of others.
How have you dealt with rejection within your writing career? What is your advice for others to better be able to cope or navigate their way through the publishing process, be it traditional or self-publishing?
I don’t view things as rejection, I see it as a chance to do more research in ways to improve. When things do not go as you think they should there is a reason why. Learn why that is and try to make it better. Rejection keeps you in a state of stagnation and is a time killer. Find ways to improve. When it comes to publishing, whether it be self or professional, do your research on both. They both can be beneficial and costly if you do not know what you are doing. As well hiring the wrong person can be detrimental to the success of your book.
Do you find it hard to juggle the creative side of being a writer, in terms of marketing and promotion and things of that nature? How hard has it been (or easy) for you to build up your author platform?
Marketing and promotion have just now begun to build momentum for me. Writing the book was the easy part, but getting your book promoted and in peoples’ hands for purchase is another. Not taking any classes in publishing a marketing leaves you without the skills necessary to have successful book sales at the very beginning of your book launch. At least for me, it did.
What unique quality is there about you, about your art, that you feel represents your authenticity? How does writing help you to be more empowered in your purpose?
I don’t know if there is anything unique about me per se. I would say that my book is authentic in that I was bold enough to talk about a subject in a children’s book that most wouldn’t. But that is who this subject affects most, they just don’t know how to verbalize the complexities of multicultural lineage and the hardships that the box that no one understands can place you in. Writing gives me a voice that I didn’t know I had, and no one can silence me.
- How can readers find you and your books?
Searching for Me can be found on Amazon: https://amz.to/3HalWSO, or email me at Kimberly.beasley427@gmail.com
