A new blog has arrived…
I’m so excited to share about Kaley’s new blog! Keep scrolling to check out a Q&A I did with Kaley in celebration of her new blog…
Q: What made you want to start an author blog?
A: When I entered the Young Writer’s Workshop, I started to learn about platforms and why they matter. I tried to change my personal blog first but it was discouraging and almost ridiculous. It didn’t match who I was and the style I had on my blog. Then I got the idea from Ydubs to self publish my first book or two before shooting for traditional publishing and that got me really excited and determined to set up an author blog so I could have a place to fully focus on my passion for words and sharing it with others.
Q: Tell us about your current works-in-progress!
A:Ah yes, the ever-painful question that must be answered for anyone to read my work ever…. *deep breath* My main project is a YA realistic fiction story about three girls in their first year of high school who discover that other people don’t decide their worth. Really, your worth was predestined by Jesus. I don’t bring out this point, though, because I have a burden to speak to those who don’t already know the power of Jesus and who wouldn’t pick up a Christian book. I can’t imagine not having Him and the church to remind me of my worth, and so this is to help ease a little pain, clear a little vision, make some people laugh, and hopefully relate to some people. Jr. High and high school are confusing and I hope this story helps people. I’m also planning on some short stories coming up, which will likely be posted on one of my blogs.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about writing?
A: Writing is like releasing a flood of emotion, opinion, logic, and experience onto a page at its best. Sometimes it’s more of a word drought and it’s hard, but those moments when powerful words, beautiful words, and/or passionate words come bubbling out of me like they were a part of my soul waiting to reach the page are the best moments ever. Another favorite thing is when I can make someone else feel what I’m feeling or feel it even stronger. When someone says they laughed or cried or are able to discuss my characters in depth with me, I am so beyond happy. There’s no words to describe the magic of being an author, really. If there were, everyone would be a writer in some form. I sincerely believe that.
Q: How did you get started writing?
A: I started writing in 1st grade. As soon as I was reading chapter books I wanted to write them, really, because stories have always captured me. I can’t remember a time in my youngest years when I wasn’t playing pretend, creating some story or world, or reading. My mom used to have to trick me into thinking she’d read twenty books to me before nap time because I loved stories so much. I slept with a dictionary for a while. So I can’t say when I really started because I started as soon as I could make enough words on the page to tell a story that way.
Q: Where do you find inspiration for stories?
A: Everywhere and nowhere. A lot of my stories are inspired by dreams or the desire to test out a writing skill/concept. For example, What Matters Most was the combination of a desire to try writing four plots, three revolving around a central plot, and the urge to relate to one of the biggest struggles teens have. When I was little, I used to play “wouldn’t it be silly” with my grandpa and I’ve grown up thinking about interesting concepts. What if a cat could fly? What if weather was people? Wouldn’t that be interesting? So that’s kind of the mindset I have. Really anything can be a story!
Q: What are some of your favorite books? It’s hard to pick, I know 😉
A: And I thought “tell me about your book” was hard…. Well, as of right now I’m obsessed with almost every Gary D. Schmidt book. Wednesday Wars, Okay for Now, and Just Like That have amazing character building and you can tell the difference between the book about a 7th grader and the books about eighth graders. Orbiting Jupiter, also by him, is so skillful in that the narrator isn’t even the main character. It’s powerful, beautiful, and so so sad. Pay Attention, Carter Jones, meanwhile, is hilarious. Imagine Mary Poppins but instead a male British butler trying to control four American kids. It’s hilarious and also powerful. Then there’s Dust and Shadow by Kara Swanson. I love them! She captures the voice of a classic character and adds a depth and power to him and his story, as well as that of a very skeptical girl. And her book The Girl Who Could See is beyond belief. I can’t even talk about that one… just go read them.
Q: What’s your favorite way to relax?
A: Relax? What’s that? 
Q: What kind of content can your followers look forward to on your new blog?
A: Anything and everything word related! This blog is entirely devoted to words, what they mean, how to use them, how they’re used, and just admiring them, so lots of book posts, lots of samples of writing, and lots of help for writers. I also have a resources page for writers, will review programs to help writers write better, and might do short posts about single words that mean a lot to me. As a Christian, I’ll also talk about Jesus as the Living Word and the most beautiful story, Author, and Creator. He’s the model behind all we desire and all glory should go to Him, so I plan on sharing my enjoyment of Him. And, of course, there may be a few little snippets of randomness here and there…. You’ll just have to find out!
Kaley Kriesel is a 15-year-old Christian author from Oklahoma, USA, where she pursues Jesus and studies from her home. She has been writing for as long as she can remember, and when she isn’t writing, learning, or socializing, you can most often find her playing ukulele or reading a book. She has two blogs, Words and Sketch Scribble Scribe. This tour is for Words.
Be sure to check out Kaley’s website and the other tour stops! Thanks again to Kaley for doing a Q&A for us!
3 Comments
Thanks so much for being a part of my tour, Jenna!
My pleasure! 😀
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