We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mackenzie Knight a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Mackenzie , thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
I am not, and have rarely been, someone that would be described as optimistic. I have struggled. For years I actually expected the worst, always. But it was my mom, who no matter how much I fought it, would believe in me and the best possible outcome. She would celebrate with me when things did work, even if not according to the original plan, and helped keep my spirits up by pointing out that it was a journey I was on, not a final destination I had already reached.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
The simplest answer is a write thrillers. I create characters with flaws and watch them battle it out to see who overcomes and who falls short. I like the complications of life and bringing real world aspects to my stories. I am in the middle of a big move right now as I prepare to launch an online store, am beginning a Youtube channel, and while writing one series and a few stand alone, I am also starting three new series.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The most important thing for me was passion. Whether I ever sold a single book or not, I love to write. That desire is what drives me. It isn’t about how much money I make, it is about connecting and sharing the stories with those who find the relatable and enjoyable. The second thing is a support system. Having people who love and believe in you around can be the difference between pushing forward or giving up. My team has watched me transition from a hobby to making a business out of it and when I fell down they helped pick me back up and keep me going with their encouragement. The last one is a solid plan. Know what you want to achieve and create a plan aimed to make it a reality. Understand it will take time and recognize you will have to adjust and pivot as you learn along the way. But having at least a basic idea of where you are going will save a lot of heartache later on.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
The biggest challenge is undoubtedly that there is still so much I don’t know. I have learned so much over the years but then I will find myself talking to another author and they will casually drop some information that seems to come out of nowhere. Then I find myself searching for even more on the subject. I love it. I love to learn. To make sure I am always gaining knowledge I attend conferences and conventions, network with other authors, and do my best to engage with the community and industry from as many angles as possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.writingforces.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_mackenzieknight/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mackenzie.knight.4727
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MackenzieKnight23
Image Credits
All of the images are mine
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
