We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kristina Smeriglio a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kristina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, I am currently earning a full-time living from my creative work. My journey began when I accepted a position teaching reading and language arts to middle and high school students with a range of learning abilities and styles. Reflecting back, this position was a turning point for me, showing me the power of words and how to tailor my communication to meet varying needs. Gaining that experience would later lead me to becoming a reading and writing tutor, working one-one-one first with K-12 students and later also with college students. As a tutor, I guide my students in comprehending what they read and effectively expressing their thoughts and ideas in writing. After some time tutoring at the college level, I transitioned into becoming an English professor, applying that knowledge to a larger group of students. As an English professor, I teach students how to think critically while analyzing a variety of texts and how to communicate their ideas and researched conclusions effectively in writing. In all my classes, I emphasize the importance of details and how students can revise their work to ensure it aligns with the goals of the assignment and communicates their ideas honestly. Over time, with each role, I gained confidence in being able to teach the concepts I know to be essential in communicating what one is thinking, a life skill I value and believe to be one of the most important life skills we can master. Although I’m not currently sharing my creative work through one position alone, I am grateful to be immersing myself in all of these different positions as I turn my creative work of writing and communication into a full-time career and share that legacy with the next generation.

Kristina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am passionate about nurturing others and helping them discover their voice, equipping them with the skills needed to think critically and communicate their ideas honestly in writing. As an educator who has worked with students of varying levels of skill and intellectual abilities, I understand the importance and value of making content accessible no matter what challenges arise. In my work, I regularly assess others’ progress and adapt my approach to meet their individual needs. By using a variety of resources and techniques, I guide others in thinking critically and effectively communicating their well-reasoned and research-backed ideas in writing. Not only have I gained this experience as an educator, but I have gained expertise in the field as a professional writer and editor. In my experience, the most important part of my work has been getting to the truth of what someone is aiming to say, ensuring their writing is aligned with that message to foster understanding and effective communication. My bachelor’s degree in psychology, license in neuro-linguistic programming, and master’s degree in writing have come together seamlessly to inform this work that I have found great and meaningful purpose in. Through teaching, tutoring, coaching, and editing, I help others get to the heart of what they are trying to say and give them the skills needed to convey that message with others effectively.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Definitely. I wish I would’ve known about the Otter.ai app much earlier in my creative journey. This app has been a game-changer for me in capturing my ideas and allowing me to process them without worrying about revising as I go. Because verbal processing is different from writing, dictating through the app allows me to generate a wealth of content on the go and capture my creative ideas as they arise.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, my mission is to help others discover their voice and communicate that voice honestly and effectively in writing, with confidence. I believe everyone should feel empowered to embody and express their true selves, sharing their voice clearly and confidently with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kristysmeriglio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristysmeriglio/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinasmeriglio/

Image Credits

Rene Hernandez
Isaac Rendon