Author Kimberlee Mallett
On Her Young Adult Novel
Color Me Beautiful!
I sat down with Kimberlee a few weeks back, on March 14th, at our local Barnes & Noble. I've had quite a few meetings at that Barnes & Noble with various authors I've worked with. I like the atmosphere there; it's quiet but has just enough energy and inspiration to tap into anyone's creative side.We sat in the Cafe area where she shared a few of her books and discussed her writing journey with me. Kimberlee is a very talented creative. Not only does she illustrate her own children's picture books, but she is also a celebrated artist with an Instagram account and website where you can purchase her work. From greeting cards to full portraits, Kimberlee does it all. She is even a songwriter, so keep an eye out for her work.
For Kimberlee, it's a little of both, but I'm going to let Kimberlee tell that story. So let's get started.
Cynthia: Tell me, Kimberlee: What is your professional background?
Kimberlee: I am a multidisciplinary creative: an author, artist, and songwriter whose work transforms personal experiences with disability, grief, and challenges into art that inspires and connects with others. My writing blends authentic life experiences with imaginative storytelling. My visual art explores the emotional landscapes of identity and resilience, and my music channels nuanced human experiences into compelling songs. Across all disciplines, I strive to create work that is authentic, empathetic, and impactful.
Cynthia: Weaving in life experiences truly makes an artist's work unique. It also tugs at the heartstrings. What made you decide to become a writer?
Kimberlee: I’ve always been drawn to creativity, whether through writing, visual art, or music. My father was a profound influence; he encouraged me to explore my imagination and to embrace storytelling as a way to make sense of the world. That early guidance shaped my path as an author, artist, and songwriter, helping me turn personal experiences and challenges into work that connects, inspires, and resonates with others.
Cynthia: That is truly wonderful of your father. I'm happy to hear he was so supportive of you. How long have you been writing?
Kimberlee: Since I was 5 years old. I’m 26 now.
Cynthia: That is a long time. How do you get over writer’s block?
Kimberlee: I have seldom experienced writer's block; my challenges typically arise only when I allow external influences to disrupt my focus or creative process.
Cynthia: I completely understand. I always hear authors ask, "What do you listen to when you write?" All I can think is, "How can I listen to anything?" I need complete silence when I write. Where do your story ideas come from?
Kimberlee: My story ideas come from my head, of course (laughs), but more deeply, they come from my past experiences, struggles, and the small moments that leave lasting impressions. I like to think of my stories as reflections of what I’ve lived, observed, and felt, which allows readers to connect in authentic ways. This balances lightheartedness with seriousness, conveying a thoughtful approach to writing.
Cynthia: Where did the idea for this book come from?
Kimberlee: Color Me Beautiful shows how deeply personal experiences like living with disabilities, bullying, understanding true friendships/relationships, and much more can fuel storytelling that resonates universally. Observing how they shape individual struggles and emotions into rich narratives to inspire your own approach, encouraging you to explore memory and emotion as powerful story sources.
Cynthia: Writing from experience can take a lot out of you. Do you have a writing routine to help you through it?
Kimberlee: Not really. Just intersections of memory, observation, and imagination. Embracing this balance of playful spontaneity and introspection keeps creativity alive. I just let the creative juices flow.
Cynthia: Do you have a writing partner or editor?
Kimberlee: No, I don’t. I do all the writing, illustrating, and editing. However, I would like to collaborate with someone on their project. My publishers help with my editing.
Cynthia: What would you tell your younger self when it comes to becoming an author?
Kimberlee: Be curious, resilient, and intentional in both action and reflection; treat failures as experiments, relationships as assets, and yourself as a project worth patient care.
Cynthia: That is very good advice. I think everyone needs to learn to be a little kinder to themselves. Having patience with ourselves is so important. Speaking of patience, how long did it take you to write this book?
Kimberlee: Well, def not overnight, LOL. However, it did take a good 10 years.
Cynthia: Ten years is a long time, yet it can be gone in the blink of an eye. It must have felt like it would never be complete, especially during the editing process. How many revisions did you go through?
Kimberlee: I went through several iterations, incorporating feedback from my team, which helped refine the final product to meet both quality and timeline goals. Through each iteration, I explored alternative approaches to simplify complex data and improve user experience.
Cynthia: Sounds in-depth. What was the editing process like for you with this book?
Kimberlee: Not gonna lie. It was a hassle. Editing my draft was a rigorous challenge, as each paragraph demanded careful attention to retain meaning while sharpening clarity, but seeing the final manuscript come alive with a stronger, more expressive voice made every moment worthwhile.
Cynthia: Congratulations on diving that deeply into such emotional material. You're an artist. Did you do your own illustrations for this book, or did you pick your illustrator?
Kimberlee: I hand-draw and paint my illustrations. However, I use Canva and Storyjumper (where I also create audio echo-friendly children's books) because they align perfectly with how I like to work and what I aim to create. I appreciate precision and scalability in my designs, and Illustrator’s vector tools let me control every curve and shape exactly as I envision them. Its features, like the Pen tool and Artboards, naturally fit my creative process, allowing me to experiment while maintaining clarity.
Cynthia: Wow, that is so over my head. Sounds complicated. I'd love to learn more about it, which leads me to my next question. Can you tell us about your experience with the illustration process for this book?
Kimberlee: I enjoyed the creative exploration; while some techniques were initially tricky, navigating them helped me refine my skills and my problem-solving approach. I found the illustration process both engaging and challenging. Exploring tools such as blurring an image (painting or drawing from observation) instead of old habits of outlining hand drawings allowed me to experiment and be creative, but some aspects required careful problem-solving and some learning along the way.
Cynthia: We are all learning every day, aren't we? I think it's important to stay curious. What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Kimberlee: I hope everyone who reads any of my books, especially Color Me Beautiful, reflects on their own experiences, such as overcoming health challenges, facing social obstacles, or navigating societal expectations.
I hope everyone cultivates a growth mindset. Don’t let anyone stop you (especially your disability) from being you. There are many ways to bully. Walk away, be the better person, don't show them any attention. Karma is real bullying and only happens because people who were bullied turn into bullies and think it’s ok.
If I can do it, you can. Also check out my song New Abilities, which explains how I learned to let things go, and believe to achieve! Also, build resilience, empower yourselves!
Cynthia: That is a great attitude. Always believe in yourself. What are you working on now?
Kimberlee: I’m working on a few projects. I’m releasing a poetry book called “How I’m Heard,” which expresses being heard through poetry, along with a music video to follow. I am also releasing a book called Disabilities: Life as a Disabled, which explains different aspects of living with disabilities, how to prevent suicide, and self-esteem, etc.
Cynthia: Where can readers find you?
Kimberlee: Besides being out in public at local fairs and markets, you can find me at Barnes & Noble, Libraries, and much more.
Cynthia: Do you have a website and social media handles?
Kimberlee: Yes, I do. Including Instagram and Facebook.
Cynthia: Where can your books be purchased?
Kimberlee: My website, local book stores, Stillwater Bookstore, and Amazon.
Cynthia: Anything you would like to add before we go?
Kimberlee: I just want everyone to remember, don’t let anybody get into your head. Go after what you want.
For my upcoming project on disabilities, I'd like to hear your input. I welcome the opportunity to tell your story. Hit me up at Kimnkhoko@mail.com or find my business card.
If you believe it, you can achieve it!! Also, check out my other books on Amazon and songs.
Would love to hear your feedback and what you would like to see written about in the future. Part 2 of Color Me Beautiful is coming out soon, so stay tuned.
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