MEET SARAH BLOODWORTH: A WRITER WHO LIKES TO SHAKE UP IDEAS
This is InnovatorsBox’s “IB Backstage“ series, where in celebration of InnovatorsBox’s 6th year anniversary that’s coming up in November 2021, we are highlighting the stories of our incredible team members.
Sarah Bloodworth is a creative content writer who writes with passion, purpose and impact. Her sincerity and ‘duty-of-care’ shows in the work she produces and more importantly, it shows that she was having fun creating.
Being an environmental science graduate, Sarah’s love for impactful projects and her passion for people and the planet manifests beautifully in her words.
Sarah had already been working on a number of InnovatorsBox projects as a part of Kree’s team, and knowing that Sarah is someone who knows how to simplify the complex, I am so excited to be continuing to work with her more.
In my Q&A with Sarah, we cover topics ranging from why creativity is an essential aspect of what she does and why it’s important to her, what motivates and where she finds her inspiration from, to what tips she has for others who’re looking to build their creative writing muscle!
MONICA: How would you describe yourself in three words?
Sarah: “A Nerdy Rebel”
I’m a rebel, not in the “ride a motorcycle into the sunset” sort of way, but in a “I like to shake up ideas and ways of communicating” kind of way. I love to evolve and learn and challenge ideas as a communicator (both personally and professionally). Also, I’m a total nerd. I read research journals for fun.
MONICA: Why is creativity important to you?
Sarah: Creativity not only solves problems, but makes life and work fun! A lot of people may not classify the technical articles, event summaries, and press releases I write as “creative” but simplifying the complex takes a LOT of creativity (just in a different sense). And in general, creativity brings joy.
MONICA: What was your favorite project, experience or memory working at InnovatorsBox?
Sarah: Having the freedom to write about my personal strategies for overcoming mental blocks was a really fun project. I got a bit vulnerable in it, which took a bit of courage. Also I got some feedback that many of the strategies actually helped people / inspired people to try the strategies! Knowing my work actually impacted even just one person always makes it extra special.
Trends about work:
MONICA: What drove your interest into writing and content writing?
Sarah: A dead British man who wrote about witches inspired me to start writing. And by that I mean, Roald Dahl, the creator of Fantastic Mr. Fox, Charlie The Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and a lesser known book called “The Witches” (the first one I picked up). I remember feeling so inspired by the goofy yet meaningful worlds he created in his books. It inspired me to start writing in general, and then I never stopped. I still write fiction (quite secretly) but love the opportunity to tell REAL LIFE stories and make impact through my passions as a content writer working for mission-driven organizations.
Great writers are sensitive to the nuances of writing for others.
MONICA: Writing is hard work. What helps you be a better writer? How do you hone to be a better writer?
Sarah: Honing the writer’s skill-set is all about consuming and listening and thinking. Like we all consume food to nourish our bodies, writers consume content to nourish our brains. I read a lot of news. I read a lot of books. I watch a lot of Youtube and listen to a lot of podcasts. When I’m not doing that, I’m listening to music – music inspires me to write A LOT! Writers naturally listen and observe all the time and digest that content in our brains. Then we sit and stare at blank papers for a while until we finally write.
MONICA: One tip you’ll share with others on how to write better?
Sarah: Write terrible first drafts. Never try to write a perfect first draft of something — just get your thoughts on paper, knowing it’s crap. You can’t edit a blank page.
MONICA: There are a lot of skills that are key in writing, copyediting, journalism and more. What skills are most important for you to be the writer you are? Why?
Sarah: Curiosity – I’m curious not only about the topics that I write about, but the world around me and the role I’m playing within it. Without curiosity, I’ll start writing about things that nobody cares about.
Sensitivity – I write for a lot of different audiences, and I intentionally set aside time in my planning process to think about the audience I’m writing for. To me great writers are sensitive to the nuances of writing for others. Sometimes I must admit, I even write things to myself, which leads me to my next point.
Just the Right Amount of Crazy – Writing doesn’t get easier over time…it gets harder. Writers constantly throw themselves into new projects, new methods, new stories and we torture ourselves over them … but we’re sort of obsessed with the torture. When I was a journalist I had people literally call my writing “scum” and throw a printed copy in the trash can (now I’m more mad that it wasn’t recycled or composted). But I kept writing, and others will keep writing even if people don’t read it. Why? We’re crazy. But someone has to do it.
MONICA: What are you worried and excited about how the pandemic changed how we think about digital content, writing and more?
Sarah: One thing I’m excited about is how the pandemic has helped “revive” in a way the book industry. People stuck at home started reverting to “old school” ways – baking, gardening, and reading books on *gasp* physical paper (but digital is great too!!). I’m also so excited about how creative everyone got with digital content as a result of the pandemic.
At the same time, I’m worried about the increase of digital content. More content in general means more misinformation. A lot of people tried to take advantage of the pandemic to release manipulative copy and campaigns. But I’m inspired everyday by the business I work with and the upcoming generations who are not only pressuring others to be more ethical, but see through a lot of the manipulation.
Writers constantly throw themselves into new projects, new methods, new stories and we torture ourselves over them... but we’re sort of obsessed with the torture.
Getting to know Sarah
MONICA: What advice would you give your younger self?
Sarah: Stop being so serious, there’s too much fun to be had.
MONICA: What is a book that you couldn’t stop reading?
Sarah: I reread “A Love Letter to a Texas Woman” by Sarah Bird all the time. It’s the shortest book ever, and yet a little smug (okay a lotta smug) but I love it. It reminds me of my small-town Southern roots and always makes me laugh.
MONICA: What are you watching lately that you are enjoying?
Sarah: I love horror. I’m rewatching American Horror Story (the first season – Murder House) since it’s “spooky season” October. To me, the characters always make the series, and the characters in the whole American Horror Story franchise are so captivating. None of them are 100% evil or 100% good.
MONICA: What is your favorite way to decompress? Why?
Sarah: I love natural spaces! I’m so lucky to live in Austin, Texas where there are hikes, lakes, forests, etc. around every corner. And of course I have to take my dog Pepper along as well. Humans are not designed to sit at computers all day. Getting on my feet and taking my eyes off the screen is so refreshing to me, and honestly makes me feel more HUMAN.
MONICA: If someone is visiting Austin for the first time, where would you recommend they go, eat, or do?
Sarah: Alright alright alright y’all here’s my little “What do in Austin from a Local” List:
For Food: Matt’s “Famous” El Rancho – a “TexMex” restaurant founded by two Austintines who started their careers selling tamales outside the Texas capitol. Now it’s a must-see establishment with a rich history and the best margaritas (if you’re into that)
They have vegetarian options but I also recommend Bouldin Creek Cafe, the whole menu is plant-based, super affordable, and it’s in one of the most culture-rich neighborhoods in the city.
For Fun (Indoors): Terra Toys, this toy store is literally for everyone. It has a cafe, amazing, unique local finds and a super fun staff.
For Fun (Outdoors): Zilker Park, this natural space has a great view of downtown and good vibes always. There’s always amazing events happening over there as well (and a train!)
Shopping: South Congress Avenue, old-fashioned candy stores, luxury boutiques, live concerts, a costume shop called “Lucy in Disguise” – what else could you ask for
For History: Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, explore amazing exhibits and events around Mexican-american cultural arts and heritage.
For The Classic “Keep Austin Weird” Vibe: See the bats at Congress Bridge. It’s sort of a ritual, a lot of Austintes go onto the bridge overlooking the city and watch our hundreds of thousands of Mexican-Free tailed bats fly into the night. We even have a “bat festival” on the bridge once a year to celebrate our thriving bat populations.
MONICA: If you could travel anywhere and do anything, where would you go and what would you want to do?
Sarah: The ethical part of me wants to travel back in time and do something to undo global warming and many social injustices — but the other side of me is saying that I want to go see a David Bowie concert…no! A Beatles concert! No…I’ll just say Spain. I really want to go to Spain and eat tapas and immerse myself in that culture.
MONICA: Anything else you want to share?
Sarah: Thanks Monica, Kree, and the whole team at InnovatorsBox for having me! I truly get inspired everyday here. More than that, I feel very appreciated here 🙂
Thank you, Sarah for doing what you do, continuing to bring your authentic and passionate self at work and more importantly for being who you are – a nerdy rebel, with just the right amount of crazy! 🙂
To connect with Sarah:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bloodworth/
About the Author
Monica H. Kang
Monica H. Kang, Founder, and CEO of InnovatorsBox® and Author of Rethink Creativity is transforming today’s workforce through the power of creativity. She helps companies rethink culture, leadership, and team development by making creativity practical and relatable regardless of industry or job title. She has worked with clients worldwide including Fortune 500 companies, higher education, government, and nonprofits. Monica’s work has been recognized by The White House, Ashoka Changemakers, National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), and Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Prior to InnovatorsBox®, Monica was a nuclear nonproliferation policy expert. She holds an M.A. from SAIS Johns Hopkins University in Strategic Studies and International Economics and a B.A. from Boston University.
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