What inspires you to write?

I honestly just have a drive to tell and share stories; I always have. Stories have an incredible power behind them, to make us imagine, feel, and understand things that we otherwise wouldn’t or couldn’t. I love to get lost in a good book, and I can’t remember a time I didn’t want to be someone who created those worlds for others.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

First grade. No, really. I wrote short stories, and my school library invited me to put a few in their student works section. So I wrote and illustrated a short series called Care Cats, a cross between Care Bears and Cam Jansen Mysteries, and the library laminated them and put barcodes on them. From that moment on, I considered myself a writer and knew I wanted to truly publish books one day.

Are you a full-time or part-time writer, and how does that affect your writing?

I’m a part-time writer and I wish beyond wishes to become a full-time writer one day. Unfortunately, bills need to be paid and kids need to be sent to college, so the majority of my time is spent editing other people’s books instead of my own! It means that my own writing takes a back seat and I can’t publish much or often, but I also feel like editing for others is making me a stronger writer, and I count myself very lucky to be able to surround myself with the indie author world.

What role does research play in your writing?

I’m a total nerd, and I love to look up little bits and pieces. My debut takes place in a turn-of-the-century world, and I did a lot of poking around at fashion, technology, and other aspects of what life was like around 1900, then riffed on it with a sprinkle of magic and fae. Writing fantasy, I enjoy the ability to make things up, but I feel like the best fantasies have one toe in reality.

Did you independently or “self” publish, or did you go the “traditional” publishing route, and why?

At first I thought I was going to go traditional, because it’s what I’d had in my mind since I was little. But the more I involved myself in the indie/self-pub community, the more I realized I loved the idea of going it on my own. I’ve made some amazing friends and connections, have the ability to pivot and change, and most importantly for me, the ability to go at my own schedule and pace. My life is chaotic sometimes, and having constantly looming deadlines would be awful for me.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Never give up. Seriously, I know it sounds trite, but I’m talking long term here. There are going to be seasons where you barely have time to write because life interjects, and that’s ok. Never feel bad about carving out time to write, but also give yourself grace when it just doesn’t happen for a few weeks, months, or even years. Use that down time to flex your creative muscles in other ways – be it storytelling in your mind or exploring other pursuits like art or music. Creativity of all kinds will feed your writing.

Can you share a little bit about your latest book?

Of course! Taking Flight, releasing February 25, 2025, has been in my head for decades. Literally decades. The world is at a turning point as magic begins to fade, replaced by technology and inventions. The Fae have retreated from human society, becoming distant memories to older generations and myths to younger. Sira, who is training to become an airship pilot, straddles the merchant and noble societies—but all she wants to do is fly airships, which she fell in love with as a child. When her flight exam is shot down by pirates, she finds herself stranded in the forest with a mage she doesn’t know or trust. There’s mercenaries chasing them, Fae in the woods, and someone powerful trying to keep them from getting home alive. It’s truly young adult, but packed with action, mystery, and a sprinkle of slow burn romance.

Who is your least favorite character and why? 

I love this question, because so often we just focus on the favorites but I feel like the least favorites can be fun too! As both a reader and a writer, Sam, my main character’s brother, frustrates the heck out of me. He’s a confident know-it-all and one of those people who has known since he was little exactly how he wanted his life to go…and made it happen. I love his relationship with Sira and the goofy/tender moments they have, but on principle he just annoys me, LOL.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

Fleshing out the magic system has been just a blast to me. I knew I wanted something that was a little different, but still fit into core magic inspirations like gaming and other fantasy books. I was able to take little bits and pieces of inspiration from all over the place and work them together in a way that I like to think works fairly well … and there’s more to it that I didn’t get to explore much until the second book that I’m excited to share down the road!

Who are some of your favorite authors that you feel were influential in your work?

Christopher Pike was a huge influence on my young life, both as a reader and a writer. I loved how he enjoyed taking traditional ideas in his genres and flipping them on their head, playing with ingrained reader expectations to surprise you. Not a particular author, but the Forgotten Realms series of fantasy books also is a big part of my early writing. I enjoy the fantasies today, filled with princes and princesses and chosen ones, but I adore the stories that are just ordinary people in ordinary circumstances who have to rise to the occasion. They aren’t saving the world, but they’re saving someone’s world, and that’s just as important.

Want to learn more about Kelly and the book?

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