Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiara Giles.
Hi Kiara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
At one point in time, I was just Kiara. Then I became Kiara, the girl who could write some really good poems. And now, I’m Author K. Giles, the poet, the proofreader, the published author. It all started in grade 7 when one of my friends showed me how to write and rhyme. It just stayed with me. I would journal my feelings about my life, my family, friendships, struggles, faith, and relationships. Reading and writing was always a passion of mine. Just something I seemed to be good at without second thought. I never thought about sharing my poetry. It was mine; it was personal. It was my therapy. However, suddenly I wondered if my words could be as therapeutic for someone else.
One day, I made a status on Facebook about being referred to someone who could help me maybe turn my poems into a book. I’ll never forget how much LaTonya, another author, believed in me. She gave me so much insight, shared her publisher with me, and some ins and outs of the literary industry. She, too, shared the idea of starting a blog. In 2016, I launched My KLOUD Blog to see what the reaction would be like towards my words. It was the best decision ever to help me gain readers and a following, it is something I am very proud of because it was the first step, I took towards following my dreams. This blog help set me up to one day becoming a great writer and published author. Then I got a mentor who had also published a book and she taught me how to self-publish, referred me to some business connections, and with research and determination, my first baby NOT So Lucky in Love was born.
Here I am, 8 books later, all because of the love, support, and feedback but most importantly the encouragement of others. So many friends, readers, fellow authors, even strangers from social media believe in me and in my writing, even when I don’t believe it myself. It is because of them that I am here, that I share my words. I also wanted to perfect my craft and branch out from poetry. Essays were always easy for me; I’d choose it over math any day. LOL. and give me a topic and I could whip up a poem in minutes, But I love fiction and live for a good romance and knew that I could one day write one too. That led me to enrolling in Liberty University’s Professional Writing Graduate Program. I learned so much about grammar, editing, layout, English, and even teaching writing and curriculum. I’ve always loved reading and had an eye for noticing things that most people skip over. With my newfound studies and knowledge, along with my gifts and passions, The Final Polish was birthed, where I offer superb proofreading with detailed feedback. So, between being an author and proofreading, let’s just say I try to stay writing or reading, and I love it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a published author has definitely had its struggles. I think the hardest part for me is getting people to read poetry. Many people think of poetry and are immediately turned off or discouraged because of its metaphorical imagery and dialect. However, all poetry is not hard to read and understand, especially mine. So, it’s me trying to get people to just give it a try. I have heard that my poetry reads like fiction; it tells a story, therefore, I keep sharing. If just one person reads it, relates, and is inspired, then it makes my heart smile.
Being consistent is also hard. Working a full-time job, being mommy, cheer, baking, proofreading, cooking, cleaning, and the list goes on, sometimes writing does not happen. I just don’t always have the time. I do make it my business though to write whenever an idea pops into my head or if I am in a writing mood. I truly believe that being consistent helps you to stay relevant. Which is why I blog in between releasing books. Releasing a book has become my biggest motivation. No, I don’t want to force it, yet I don’t want to leave my readers waiting.
Lastly, you have to have a passion for writing, honestly speaking, it does not always pay the money you may be hoping for. Some may notice that most authors offer editing, cover design, promotion, etc. or they release constantly. I mean, we have to pay the bills somehow. Having the passion and heart to be a writer is the reward in itself. To be able to see your name in print is the real joy. The struggle comes when that passion isn’t there when the words won’t come when the characters aren’t talking, and you’re trying to finish the book but the creativity is simply blocked. This can be a gift and curse for me though. This is when I use the moment to reset and offer proofreading services to get me back into the mood. I have to reset from writing and just become a reader. Reading offers that escape to get juices flowing again.
So, no, the road is not always smooth, but the bumps and curves are always worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I, Author K. Giles, as mentioned is a published poetry author and proofreader at The Final Polish. I like to say that it is poetry with a twist. Most of my books include poetry and narration, some books even include fiction. Because I wanted to be seen as a writer and not just as a poet, I participated in a fiction anthology called Heaux Tales. Believe you me, there is more fiction from me on the way, but poetry will always be my heart.
My books are known to encourage others, my key phrase is to inspire others through the transparency of my truths. I share my words to let people know that they have a voice, to see what strength looks like to make it over the bumps and through the valleys. I am always known to be real, open, and honest so that people believe in my words and gain something from my story. I write to give advice the best way I know how, which is through my writing.
I believe the transparency is what sets me apart. My books offer and promote self-love, growth, purpose, and happiness, it’s definitely the relatability that keeps the readers loyal. I write to show that I am human. I’ve been through some things too and I want people to read those words and feel free, to feel uplifted, and most importantly to not feel alone.
I am most proud of simply sharing my truths. I share my world with the world and am unapologetically me with no shame or guilt.
How do you think about luck?
The saying goes that. “No, I am not lucky, I am blessed.” I truly believe that. I use to say that if it wasn’t for back luck, I wouldn’t experience luck at all. I’ve had some not-so-fun or “lucky” experiences in life, but there is always a blessing in every lesson. That’s why I said I’m not lucky, I am blessed. I’ve used everything that has happened to me and turned it into a therapy session through written expression that later became a book.
One day someone asked me what inspires me to write and how do I come up with ideas and I remember telling them, “My life experiences, my journey, my need to vent and heal inspires me, and conversations, songs, surroundings, dating, friends, family, usually steams an idea. Almost always a new poem is created by something I’ve recently gone through, I wish to do, or a conversation I’ve had.” Case in point, I have learned to turn my mess into a message. I’ve taken all the bad luck and unfortunate situations and seen the joy it could produce and decided to share it with others in hopes that it could help someone else experience the same love, peace, joy, and happiness.
Contact Info:
- Email: kiladawnpoetry@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorkgiles
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorkgiles
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorkgiles
- Other: https://gum.co/WeEWa
