Interview With Army Drill Sergeant & Author Kimberly Mae

 Author of A Drill Sergeant’s Fame

1.      Kimberly, after serving three years in the Army, what led you to pen a book of poetry about that experience?  My incentive for creating the book, “A Drill Sergeant’s Fame,” came after I had written most of my poems which started in Basic Training.  As my military training and career advanced, I kept writing and later in Afghanistan a friend showed me that the words I wrote empowered others. He took copies of my poems with him when he went on R&R (Rest &Relaxation or vacation), had his family members read them and when He came back, he gave me their written reviews. After reading how my words impacted their lives and thinking about the females I helped through basic training, I realized then that there was a meaning to my writing. It was more than an outlet for my emotions and more than the sum of my essence. My words and experiences were meant to help others and to entertain through inspiration. I then began to assemble everything I wrote since I joined the Army and started the publication process, creating “A Drill Sergeant’s Fame.”

2.      What was your experience like, to be in the armed forces during wartime, as a woman?
Some of my experiences as a female in the military were similar to those of males while other times proved to be as different as virtuous and malevolence.  A similarity is during training and how we were treated or expected to complete a task.  During war time I experienced the difference in genders and our role as a soldier though. One night while stationed at Orgun-E in Afghanistan we lost a soldier, literally.  Females were given tasks within our walls of protection, the base.  We helped and supported male soldiers get ready for their missions.  A lot of us wanted to be out there with the Infantry guys and now that females are allowed to be infantry soldiers, instances like these will change.

3.      What was it about the training that you received from your drill sergeants that left a lasting impression?  The training that left a lasting impression was the intellectual aspect mostly, it was more like mind expanding than brainwashing which is what most people think.  I gained confidence in myself and my ability to complete a task, more than I ever had before.  I also am much more aware of the health of my body and how to keep it fit.

4.      What should America be doing to combat terrorism?  I think that keeping our military strong and up to date with its abilities and resources has a key role in combating terrorism.

5.      Do you miss the rigors and rhythm of the army?  I do miss a lot of the social interaction I think, the constant go for it positive attitudes I was around all the time.  A part of me does miss being overseas too.  It was an amazing experience. 

6.      What techniques or approaches to life did you learn in the Army that you find you can apply to civilian life?  The constant go for it positive attitudes as I stated above is what spilled out into my civilian life after serving in the Army.  I learned how to turn a situation around in your mind to help it come to pass in reality.  And how to keep up your stamina through it all to see the finished outcome.

7.      How challenging was it to put together a book of poetry? Writing wasn’t real challenging but arranging the book was time consuming part.  I love to write and poetry is a form that flows out most of the time.  Organizing it with the chapters I chose was a bit trying though.  I wanted my readers to feel a constant flow of change and progression throughout the book, much like I experienced myself.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

2016 Book Marketing & Book Publicity Toolkit For Publicists & Authors
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Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2015