We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sarahbeth Caplin. Check out our conversation below.
Sarahbeth, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Watching my daughter learn to walk and discover more of the world around her.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a freelance writer and editor based in northern Colorado. I have a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Kent State University, and a master’s in Creative Nonfiction from Colorado State University. I got my start in the writing world by self-publishing a memoir about my journey from Judaism to Christianity, and eventually went on to publish more works of fiction, essay, and poetry (some independently, others with Booktrope Publishing). In between writing my own manuscripts, I started editing them for other writers, and branched out into website SEO and other forms of online marketing.
Today, I work from home as a stay-at-home mom to a toddler and part-time content creator for a marketing firm in Florida. I don’t have any ideas for future books at the moment, but I remain passionate about helping other people share their skills with the world by helping them polish their websites and other promotional materials.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that desired to be famous for my writing. In today’s world, using the right keywords and hashtags are important for getting your work noticed, but often we are competing against an ever-changing algorithm that works against us. “Going viral” is rarely something you can plan for. The few times it’s happened to me, it was a tweet or Instagram post that was intentionally silly, not any of my deeper, thoughtful writings I’d rather have seen by the world.
I used to crave fame not so much because I believed I had important things to say, but simply to feel important. But external recognition isn’t a healthy measuring stick for measuring worth and value. I have learned that the right people will find my writing as they are meant to find it. That hasn’t earned me fame or lots of money, but relationships that are far more valuable.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has a way of showing you what matters. It reveals your true values, and whether they are strong enough to carry you through a season of pain and uncertainty. Suffering humbles you. It softens the heart in a way that the pride of success simply can’t.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Jesus Christ, my husband and daughter, the written word, good coffee, and making environmentally conscious decisions.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Getting published and seeing my book on a shelf at Barnes and Noble thrilled me, but there’s really no end point in this industry that settles every insecurity or desire. You’ll always worry how that book is selling. You’ll fret about 1-star reviews, especially those from readers who seemed to misunderstand the message you were trying to convey. You’ll worry about other books in your genre selling better than yours, if you have enough followers to buy the book and keep rankings up. It never ends. And you realize that you need something much bigger, outside of yourself, to hinge your hope on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sbethcaplin.com
- Instagram: @sbethcaplin
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-caplin-stoneburner-6b790286/
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/sbethcaplinwriter
Image Credits
Kimberly Orrison
