Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Manos Penn.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kathy Manos. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Honestly, my becoming a writer has its roots in my being an avid reader, a bookworm, ever since I was a child. That led to a degree in English and a few years of teaching high school. Once I realized teaching wasn’t my lifelong ambition, I wound up in corporate America, where the powers that be discovered I could write. No matter my role, communications became part of my job. That’s when I first understood that not everyone could craft a well-written sentence.
Perhaps, because writing comes easily to me, I read something in the Dunwoody “Crier” and was inspired to submit an article. I wanted to tell the community how much the local paper meant to me, how it was invaluable as my connection to all things Dunwoody. That serendipitous inspiration led to a regular column in the “Crier” and in an NC newspaper, and, when I retired, two books.
How fortunate I am that a spur of the moment decision led me to discover my passion. Now, I write daily and feel incomplete if I miss a day.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been an easy path for two reasons:
First, I didn’t set out to write the great American novel. My columns have always been about whatever strikes my fancy, upbeat, occasionally solemn for Veterans’ Day or such, but most often humorous. That led naturally to publishing a collection of my columns. The second book grew out of blogs written by my dog Banjo, and it was fun to pull them together into a short book.
Second, because I had a long career in the corporate world, I don’t have to worry about earning a living from my writing, so I’m free to follow my passion wherever it leads.
What advice can I offer? Don’t fall prey to my younger self’s unfortunate tendency to ask myself, “What makes him/her think I can do that job? I’ve never done anything like that before.” As it turned out, I usually could do whatever was asked or offered. My advice is to believe in yourself. That’s why a mentor or a network can be critical to your success: they can often see you more clearly than you see yourself.
Just think, had I said to myself, “I’ve never written a column; I can’t send in something to the editor,” I wouldn’t be doing what I love today.
Please tell us about The Ink Penn.
I am an author and columnist. The Ink Penn started as the name of my column and blog as a play on my name, and my first book was a collection of my columns, “The Ink Penn: Celebrating the Magic in the Everyday.” Readers know what to expect when they see “The Ink Penn.” They know that whether I write about pets, family, local businesses or the deer nibbling my flowers, I focus on the joy — the simple pleasures — in day-to-day life.
There are plenty of places to find controversial, argumentative, and even hateful stories, but you won’t find those in my columns nor my books. That lighthearted style carries over in the book I co-wrote with my dog. I try not to say co-wrote when he can hear me, as he thinks he wrote it all by himself. “Lord Banjo the Royal Pooch” is his humorous take on discovering he is part Great Pyrenees and learning that his ancestors were once the Royal Dogs of the French Court.
I think of my books as books to make you smile.
Finding a mentor and building a network is often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I began building my network long before it became conventional wisdom to do so. To me, it was natural to stay in touch with people I’d previously worked with, so I made it a point to schedule touch-base phone calls with folks, or when I traveled to their cities, breakfasts, lunches or cocktails. I think of networking as nurturing your garden: you plant the seeds, and you water them, or the garden will wither.
Why are networks important? Because each individual you foster a relationship with has the insight to offer and they often see you in ways you don’t see yourself. The input may not be earth-shattering; it can be as simple as, “Why wouldn’t you consider that job?” or “I’ve heard that Susie Smith doesn’t respond to emails, but if you pick up the phone and call her, she’s very responsive.” I’ve given and heard advice like that. I’m especially thankful to the friend who steered me back to writing my second book in my usual style and helped me realize, I was losing my “voice” by trying to fit into a creative writing mold.
Pricing:
- “Lord Banjo the Royal Pooch” $10.99
- “The Ink Penn: Celebrating the Magic in the Everyday” $11.99
- “Coloring with Lord Banjo” $5.99
Contact Info:
- Website: theinkpenn.com
- Email: inkpenn119@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lordbanjotheroyalpooch/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathyManosPennAuthor/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KathyManosPenn
- Other: http://www.thecrier.net/our_columnists/ink_penn/
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
