Interview with Kristin Andress: Part 2

I am delighted to feature Kristin Andress on my blog! She is the author of Imagine Being In a Life You Love, available NOW at Amazon.com. Exciting plans are underway to celebrate its Summer Book Launch.

Kristin says: "Please order 1, 2 (or more copies) on July 15 and 16th as part of our bestseller campaign! Even if you have your copy, Imagine Being In a Life You Love makes a great gift for friends, family or as a differentiator in offering it to your clients. Also, please feel free to forward this info to those in your network and we would love it if you would add the Amazon link to Facebook and Twitter. Thank you for 'Being a Light' for us! We are certainly grateful for your help."


FREE giveaway! For the first 10 buyers who sign up for the newsletter at www.ImagineBeing.com and send their receipt number and contact information to Kristin@ImagineBeing.com, she will offer a free 45-minute consulting session and 25% off her 5-part Teleseminar series (available Aug 15). The first 100 who sign up and send Kristin an email will be put into a drawing for an iPod Nano!

Kristin was kind enough to answer some questions about her writing journey. Read Part One of our interview here.

How did you first discover your love for writing?

I have loved to write for as long as I have been able to hold a pen. I began filling spiral notebooks in first grade - stories of cowboys and horses! Also, my mom was a children's librarian for 23 years. I grew up around books and reading was my favorite hobby. I knew I could tell stories in my head and began translating them to paper. In second grade I wrote a play on Betsy Ross sewing the United States flag. In 7th grade I won an award for a poem. The love of writing and the response that it could reap from people kept me so passionate about continuing - and still does!

What is your writing routine? Do you write every day? Do you have a certain time or place you write?

I don't have a precise routine, though I keep a notepad by my bed and am often awake in the wee hours jotting down ideas. I probably write best on weekends when my phone isn't ringing and I can step away from emails. I love to Blog, and my co-author calls me the "Carrie Bradshaw of Imagine Being." I sit quietly on my patio (in the sunshine, of course!) and the ideas just flow. I enjoy writing fiction and non-fiction and eventually will have an Imagine Being series -- and a great American novel -- to my credit!

Is there anything you wish you could tell your younger self about your life? What is your biggest advice for kids and teens just starting out?

What a great question! I would tell my younger self to soak in all that I'm experiencing -- good and bad -- because it is causing me to become a person of depth, empathy and contribution in the world. In our book, we talk about the "Pings" of life -- the stuff that happens to us, which is often outside of our control. I'm been Pinged many times -- divorce, death of a brother and stepfather, my mom's breast cancer, an abusive relationship -- and as odd as it may sound, I would not change any of it. It has given me a perspective about how to best proceed in life and serve others, and it has provided an unshakeable belief system that I will be okay through all and ensure that I use life experience positively. My advice is to realize that YOU are the constant in your life, and you may not be able to control some circumstances you encounter, but you can control your response. Utilize what you learn to be a light in the life of another -- pay it forward.

In Imagine Being, you share many stories from your own personal life. What was that experience like for you? Would you recommend that others delve into their own lives in their writing?

Sharing my very raw and real story was fantastic, and a little nerve racking. It was great to "get it out" and it was daunting because I checked in with myself regarding how I felt about others knowing my "stuff." In asking others to share their stories in Imagine Being In a Life You Love, we came to realize that many people do not want others to know their life experiences, and even want to hide them. However, the telling of our stories connects us as people, and helps us realize that we are more similar than different. At www.ImagineBeing.com, we initiated a global community inviting people to share their stories so that we can participate together in the trials and triumphs! Please write us! It is refreshing to know that someone else has gone through what you have -- and survived and thrived through it! It is important to be the authentic you.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle people face in creating lives they love?

I think a primary obstacle includes the excuses that we tell ourselves. Typically, these excuses revolve around time, money, energy and people. We call these the TEMP excuses, and they truly are temporary if you exercise your creativity and put in the work. Designing the life you love is not a one-stop shot -- it is a journey that you need to be conscious of along the way. You will need to declare your intentions, create your plan, reach out to your lifelines and make course corrections along the way. In Imagine Being In A Life You Love we offer within a very specific planning guide. No excuses now for not knowing how to get started -- or whether to continue!

You mention the importance of "paying forward" (something I am very passionate about as well!) Can you expand on that?

There is no greater gift that you can give than helping and serving another person. As you live and learn through life, reach out to others and share your wisdom, your knowledge or even your smile. Paying it forward and being a light in the lives of others has a ripple effect. You will encourage others to do the same and as members of humanity, we need to be there for each other.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you, Dallas, for this opportunity!! I am so passionate about helping people to imagine living a life they love! I hope all readers will join our community at www.ImagineBeing.com. And, please pick up your copy and even a gift copy of Imagine Being In a Life You Love at http://amzn.to/d3U9vj. Enjoy your life!!


Connect with Kristin on Facebook and Twitter.