About Me—KiKi Walter
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Kristina?
Prologue
In another life, let’s say about 15 years back, I was part of the blogging wave that was popular at the time. I started my blog as a way to workshop my essays for traditional publishing—I didn’t really expect my dark humorist memoir style to take off as well as it did.
With some of life’s bumps and bruises over the years, I reached a point when I decided to take down my blog and stopped writing. Completely. The bruises were taking too much out of me; they were too painful. Also, as an essayist it made me feel even more vulnerable to what I was facing at the time.
It’s difficult to put down your pen when you’re a writer; how do you channel your thoughts and emotions when you aren’t writing? How do you communicate effectively to the world when you can’t form the words vocally the same way?
Luckily, writing is part of my day job. No…it isn’t the same. But I could effectively hit pause for a good amount of time and pretend it was OK. Even if I wasn’t feeding the person I truly am deep down.
Chapter 1: “A flibbertigibbet! A will-o’-the wisp! A clown!”
I was born a coal miner’s daughter.
No, just kidding.
I was born in Saranac Lake, New York—in the heart of the Adirondacks. I grew up in the 1970s and 80s with a large extended family. I’ve recounted my adventures in many past stories of dropping my baton all the way down Main Street in Winter Carnival parades to calling Mike Hunt to the office at the Fair. Mature writing like that. But more so, I like to recall the characters that have touched me along the way (not a euphemism, dirty bird).
I was a blonde-haired, bright-eyed, sassy-spirited little thing. In the first grade, my school Principal nicknamed me “Flibbertigibbet” — and it stuck throughout elementary school. He’d holler through his megaphone, “Flibbertigibbet!” when my bus arrived. This ultimately became the name of my blog back in the olden days.
Beyond that, I was goofy, giggly, and a theatre kid. Oh, I loved to act. My high school life consisted of acting, writing rage poetry, and posing for dramatic movie posters in my dresser mirror.
Chapter 2: That Said…
My goofy, giggly self was sincere but it also masked a deeper person. I masked my depression and anxiety. I was hurt when other kids called me “different.” I masked my true introverted nature for fear I would be an outcast. I felt most comfortable on stage where I could pretend to be someone I wasn’t, reading where I could disappear, and writing where I could create an adventure.
Chapter 3: Fast Forward (AKA “Tina! Bring. Me. The. Axe.”)
Is this the part I should have just jumped to an hour ago? Maybe. Some quick facts about me:
- I am the Patron Saint of Small Needy Dogs—I have two…a Min Pin named Otto and a Shiba Chi named Sam.
- I am the mother of two children — a now grown-up son, and a daughter in 5th grade.
- I like to collect vinyl albums and cookbooks. I also love anything vintage. I’d say my personal style is urban vintage bohemian if that’s a thing.
- In the past, I explored various styles of writing when it came to my personal work, but memoir was always my sweet spot. I like to infuse my work with humor, a variety of emotions, and weave a thread of familiarity for my readers that will hopefully transport them to a similar time and place in their lives.
- Greatest writing influences: David Sedaris & Dorothy Parker
- I believe in one space after a period.
- I believe in the Oxford Comma.
- I’m an introvert, hate the phone, prefer texting, and I’m OK with this.
- I pretty much only use pictures of myself that are 100 years old. Sorry.
- I’ve had some crazy adventures, but I’ll leave those for other stories.
- Most repeated phrase: “My diet starts tomorrow.”
- Favorite place I’ve ever traveled: Bali.
- Cheap thrill: When Diet Coke or Starbucks gets my name right!
Epilogue
I’m in a place today where many things in my life have fallen in line in a positive way and now I’m exploring giving a little snack to that part of myself I’ve starved for so many years now.
I think it could be good to have an outlet again. Nah…I know it would be good.
If you stuck with me through this, thank you for reading! See you around town…my handle pretty much everywhere is @kikiwalter.
Book II
Hello! Me again. Here is a list of my current pubs:
- The Memoirist. This is my baby. It is a popular niche publication with extraordinary storytellers and the most amazing crew of editors in the history of ever. If you write memoirs, please check us out. The stories are longer than your typical Medium article, but absolutely top-notch pieces for writers who like to read.
- QuickTalk. QuickTalk is a publication about the writing experience on Medium. It’s a place to find writing tips and advice, spotlights on your favorite publications and writers, and weekly fireside chats (interviews) with other writers.
- Age of Empathy. Age of Empathy produces high-end, quality essays from experienced writers with the mission of bringing people together to learn, experience, and grow.
- Black Bear. Black Bear shares informative articles, interviews, and personal stories about struggling with mental health and substance use disorders.
- Dear KiKi. Medium’s favorite columnist. Not your mama’s Dear Abby!
- The Mayhem. Providing exclusive humor and satire content.
- The Writing Pub. Stuff about writing by writers.
- If you’re a NewsBreak writer, give me a follow over there.
Come read, follow, and play!
PS: Find out even more about me here:
