Welcome @SallyMcGraw and everyone following today’s @MNMOmag Twitterview! Lets learn about Sally and what she’s been up to.
Sally: Delighted to be here!
Share with us a little bit about your background. Where you grew up, what kinds of things were you interested in?
Sally: I grew up in Chicago suburbs. Back then I was very studious, but also a big performer: Singing, drama, band …
I loved writing from an early age. At 8, I had a teacher tell me I was talented. From then, pro writing was a goal.
So you new early on what you wanted to do. Where did you go to college and what did you major in? Good student?
Sally: I went to @binghamtonu in upstate NY. Studied creative writing, which was a BLAST. Terrific program. I had a 3.9 GPA!
@binghamtonu I did learn that I suck at fiction. Ended up doing some journalism courses, which were more my speed.
Good for you! So when did you get into writing, and how did you choose to be a style & body-image writer?
Sally: I worked as a copy editor and web producer right out of college. But I did some album reviews for http://Amazon.com
It wasn’t until I moved to MN that I wrote seriously. For local free papers. It was frustrating, tho, and I stopped
Around 2005 I kinda gave up. Then a friend suggested I blog about style in 2007, and I launched http://www.alreadypretty.com/
For me, style & body image are married. When I dress in ways that make me feel good, my body image soars. I love that.
And I wanted to share my ideas about the overlap with other women. Many of whom struggle with body image.
Share what you know or have experienced. Awesome! Who do you write for now, and any book news?
Sally: I contribute fashion features to @StarTribune & posts to @TheFrisky, & continue my work on http://www.alreadypretty.com/
And yes! My first book is now available! Via Amazon: Book
It’s structured as a fun and accessible self-guided makeover. Non-judgmental, reader-friendly, and body-positive!
Is it new content, points from your blog or a combination of both? Were you overwhelmed by working on a book?
Sally: I’d say that 10% is drawn from the blog, 15% from my work with individual style consult clients, & the rest original.
Working on the book while juggling writing, consulting, and various other work duties was overwhelming. But worth it!
I’ve wanted to publish a book since I was just a kid, and it’s amazing to have achieved that goal.
Oh! We’ll be having a launch party for the book @ArcValueVillage on August 17! More details on the blog soon.
Congratulations! Who would you say is the target audience for your book?
Sally: Target audience for the book is anyone who feels excluded from traditional style guides.
Or hates being told that there are “right” and “wrong” ways to do style and fashion. The book is customizable.
I hope the book will help women see that they CAN be stylish in unique ways, and no matter their size/shape.
What are 2 simple tips you’d suggest women could apply to gain more confidence in their look?
Sally: Find out if your body works better with skirts or pants. If you’ve been wearing one, try the other. See how you feel.
Some bodies work naturally with pants, others with skirts. Knowing which flatters your figure is key.
Tip #2 would be learn to accessorize. It takes time and practice, but it’s SO worth it! Accessories add polish.
Nearly all of my style consult clients omit accessories entirely. Until I show them how transformative they can be!
Good suggestions! To close, what can your blog readers expect from the next few posts?
Sally: Later this week I’ll be talking about wardrobe multi-taskers – ways to use garments and accessories in unexpected ways.
And also the double-edged sword of non-conformism. Benefits to standing our and blending in, sartorially speaking.
Joel: Good. Well thanks for your time and sharing your book release news! I hope that your launch party goes well.
Sally: Thanks for a great Twitterview!