Clint authored and edited a number of books (Good Reads). The most recent one is called: The Boys of Everest: The Tragic Story of Climbing's Greatest Generation.

Clint and I immediately sparked a conversation about spirituality, meditation and what it means to live a meaningful life.

When I was a little girl growing up in Beijing, I dreamed of living a Californian life. At the age of 27, I asked Clint: "What if I want to surf?" He responded, "You surf."

Before we get down to business, here are a few fun facts about Clint:

• An avid surfer who discovered surfing at the age of 50
• Worked as an editor at Times in NYC before founding The Writing Company in 1983
• Regularly practices medication, yoga and surfs as much as he can near his home in Portland, Maine

In Part 1 of our interview, Clint dissects the construction of his company, The Writing Company, and answers questions such as:

1. How to create and sustain a collaborative environment?
2. What is the process to promote and regularly practice collaboration among writers?
3. How does Clint create an effective peer review system?
4. What is the hiring process?
5. What does it take to continue his legacy and embrace the company's unique culture?
6. How does Clint  recognize good vs. bad writing? What does "bad writing" mean to Clint?
7. How did Clint come across surfing (at age 50!)?