Meet Tiffany Grimes | Writer, Book Editor, & Writing Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiffany Grimes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiffany, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I grew up in foster care, so school was never a priority. I was behind so much and wasn’t the strongest reader, and I’d never had anyone read stories to me as a kid. We didn’t even have a television, so storytelling just wasn’t a part of my early life. But then I found a book with a character I could relate to, and stories became a safe space for me to explore emotions and problems. Fiction became my escape. I especially loved contemporary stories where kids just got to exist—where their biggest problem was where to sit at lunch or how to navigate friendships. Those types of stories just felt like such a fairy tale to me more than real fairy tales because there were larger than life villains in my own reality.

And then I started writing my own stories. I studied writing and psychology, because I wanted to dig even deeper and break down what makes characters who they are, what makes readers care. I love how editing marries the art of storytelling with the analytical puzzling that helps us feel in control of the magic we write. I can’t imagine not being in a creative field. Creativity is hope–it’s lifesaving.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I write speculative fiction for young adults that centers around slightly feral, very lonely girls and enbies. I could never find stories with characters like me when I was a teen–stories with messy, problematic queer characters that don’t center on a coming out narrative, so I very much write with Past Tiffany in mind.

Being a writer isn’t easy and there are always people who like to remind you that writing is just a hobby, that a successful career in writing is unlikely or will be a struggle (really giving into the starving artist narrative). But while challenging, writing has been so rewarding. When we write, we not only get to explore questions and topics, but we also get to embrace hope through escapism. While I never had the kind of voice my characters do, I get to change my teen narrative and give my past self a voice. I absolutely love that I get to have a career where I have the privilege of guiding writers throughout the writing and editing process and that I get to help them find their own voice too.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a big hiker, so rain or shine I always take friends to Silver Falls State Park where there’s a hike with 10 gorgeous waterfalls. I love tea lattes and cocktails, so I take folks to coffee shops and cocktail bars–my favorites in Salem are Archive Coffee & Bar and Ritters Housemade Foods.

I also love exploring shops and vintage stores, and most importantly, local bookstores!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been so many amazing teachers, instructors, and advisors in my life who have helped me find my voice as a writer: Susan Phillipps, Robin Blake, Nita Lent, Laura Ruby, Swati Avasti, Anne Ursu, and Nina LaCour.

I’d also love to shout out friends who have been along for the ride with me and help keep me sane: Tashi Saheb-Ettaba, Judi Marcin, Veronica Alley, Sasha Wetmore, Veronica Spake, Averill Frankes, Samantha Claire, Jessica Meza-Torres, Sione Aeschliman, Tiffany Clarke Harrison, Hannah VanVels Ausbury, and Katie McCoach.

And the book that changed my life and sparked my love for reading was The Broccoli Tapes by Jan Slepian.

Website: www.tiffanynicolegrimes.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/burgeondesignandeditorial

Twitter: www.twitter.com/theqtiffany

Other: www.burgeondesignandeditorial.com

Image Credits
Feature image: Miranda Kelton Photography