My debut novel, Unbroken Spirit, is set to release in
just a matter of days. It feels surreal, and I don’t think it’s quite hit me
yet that my dream is coming true. It’s been a long time coming. There were many
times that I felt like giving up. Rejection after rejection, and a failed contract
with what I thought was a reputable publishing company made me almost throw in
the towel. However, there’s a well-known quote that says “nothing worth having
ever comes easy,” and becoming a published author is no exception to that rule.
Thankfully, I got another chance with a wonderful publishing company, Mountain
Brook Ink.
A few
years ago, I self-published two novellas. I wasn’t expecting to sell millions
of copies or get rich off of them. I simply wanted to get my books out there
and see what happened. I received positive responses, and of course an
occasional negative one. But self-publishing didn’t make me feel like a real
author, because anybody can self-publish no matter how horrid the writing. I was
determined to one day get a novel traditionally published. Now it’s happening.
And it’s scary and exciting all rolled into one.
I look forward to hearing how my story touched
readers and how the messages portrayed will be applied in their own lives.
However, I’m frightened of the negative comments that will inevitably come. I’m
not so naïve as to believe everybody who reads it will love it. My hope is that
any bad reviews will be done so constructively and I’ll be able to learn from
them. It will be hard to not take the criticism to heart, because this book is
my baby. Literal sweat, tears, and almost blood went into creating it. My goal
is to focus on the positive remarks. As with anything in life, you can’t get
bogged down by the negative. It’s the encouraging comments and support that lift
you up and keep you going, reminding you why you do what you do.
So in the
midst of all the excitement and craziness that is to come, I have to remind
myself of why I write. I write because it’s in my blood. I can’t not write. I
find joy in writing something as simple as an e-mail. Writing a novel puts me
in my element and allows me to follow my calling. No matter one’s passion, it’s
important to remember why you got into it in the first place. Especially so
when you become discouraged and start to wonder if you can continue. Don’t let
the negativity of others prevent you from doing what you love.
About the
Author: Kelsey is a wife and mother from
Kansas. Through her novels, she hopes to allow an escape from reality by
getting her readers lost in a good book. Kelsey enjoys writing anything from
romance to fantasy. When Kelsey isn't writing, she
enjoys spending time with her family, doing crafts, dancing, and reading.
Unbroken Spirit: Nina
Anderson is lucky to be alive. After years of abuse at the hands
of her boyfriend,
she’s finally free. Determined to get back on her feet, she’s left her past
behind for a fresh start on her grandparents’ farm in Despair, Kansas. Even
though, Jeremy, the man who’d abused her is in prison fifteen-hundred miles
away, Nina is still haunted by dark memories.
Then a mysterious, unearthly man appears bringing her the respect she’s
always wanted—and maybe even a chance at love. Liam has been sent to
serve as Nina’s protector and to help her with an event that is to occur in the
near future. The catch is, Liam doesn’t know what it is or when it will take
place. Will he have the power to save her and restore Nina’s faith in
God?
Kelsey's book, Unbroken Spirit, sounds like a great book to read. The synopsis reminds me of survivors I have worked with in my counseling profession. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful. I am a survivor of an 18 year abusive marriage. I always knew God was with me and knew my needs. Praying your book does well.
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