Kimberly Richardson Interview : Page 3 of 3

Creating a Fabulous Career in the Arts

An Interview with Viridian Books Owner & Author Kimberly Richardson

By Molly Anderson-Childers

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Q: What are your goals for the future?

A: My ultimate goal is to be a full-time writer. When I tell people that’s what I want to do, they say, “You're gonna make so much money, maybe get a movie deal!” Right — I’m in it for the big money. We both laugh. I try to write at least once a day. As soon as my fingers hit the keyboard, I just go… then I look up and realize I was supposed to be at work an hour ago. My overall goal is to make my life 100% about the written word. I’m not where I want to be, but I’m on the path, and that right there is enough. I keep going, and I won’t let anything deter me.

Q: If you could travel backwards in time — without destroying the fabric of the universe — to give your thirteen-year-old-self some words of advice about the future, what would you say?

A: It’s interesting you would ask that, because thirteen was the age I started writing poetry… I would say, “You have no idea… but you‘re there.” I would be very cryptic. What’s strange is… me, at thirteen, would get it.

Q: Kimberly, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. Is there anything you would like to add? Do you have a few “famous last words” for our readers to delight and inspire them as they move through the world today?

A: Graham Joyce, a British novelist, wrote a book I love called Indigo. One line a character says is translated from the Latin, “I hold the wolf by the ears.” My interpretation of that is whatever fear you have, you stare that fear fright in the face, and let it know you are the stronger one, or you’re the better person… fear is not a tangible thing. If you turn and face that fear and hold it by the ears, and say “I know what I’m doing, I was meant to be a writer,” that fear diminishes. You realize you are strong, and that you can do anything. •

Author’s Notes: This is only a mere fraction of our interview. We had a deep conversation about books, Kimberly’s exciting new projects, and ways to help the burgeoning libraries and schools in Memphis who are in desperate need of infusions of fresh books! It also includes a live broadcast of Kimberly reading her original poem, “Bittersweet Sylvanus.“ Lots of extras — you don’t want to miss it! Please email Kimberly for more details about her work or upcoming projects, or listen to our podcast, recorded live in June of 2008. For the full and unexpurgated version of this interview, please listen here .

Kimberly Richardson, Owner and Resident Muse of Viridian Books, Bookstore for the Strange and Unusual Reader, can be reached online at her website, www.viridianbooks.com. There, you can find information about Viridian’s catalog of eclectic, freaky and otherwise unique books, sign up for a free e-newsletter, visit links to sister sites, view her blogs, online bookstore, and more! Please visit Kimberly’s MySpace page or check out her blog online for some great poetry and journal entries about a day in the life of a Goth-Girl Book Goddess.

© 2008 Molly Anderson-Childers. All rights reserved.

Please respect the creator's copyright by not duplicating this material on your Web site, blog, or print publication without the author's permission.

About the Author | More by Molly Anderson-Childers
Molly J. Anderson-Childers is a wildly creative soul living in Durango, CO. She is a writer, artist, and creative arts instructor. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Fort Lewis College with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, and successfully completed their Elementary Teacher Education Program. Her work has appeared in various publications, including The Durango Telegraph, Southwest Colorado Arts Perspective, Images, Voice Be Heard, The Four Corners Business Journal and On the Wings of Poetry. To contact Ms. Childers, please email her at: stealingplums@yahoo.com or send a snail mail to P.O. Box 4281, Durango, CO 81302-4281.

09/03/08