Kelly's First Book Reading

The thing that I've loved and enjoyed about writing is the ability to share simple stories that have a lot of heart. I feel like every "good" story should pull some sort of emotion from the reader or the listener whether it's tears or laughter or an endearing smile. Most of the time when I begin writing a story or a blog, I never know what direction it will go and how the story will end. It's like going on a car ride to the great unknown without GPS to tell me which way to go...it's kind of a thrill ride for me! Throughout my writing process, I'm entirely guided by my own emotions throughout the first draft. I know that if I laugh or cry about something I write, my story is headed in the right direction.

The "gift of gab" comes quite naturally to me as my Grandpa was quite the story teller himself. According to his long winded tales, he was quite the troublemaker with his pals in the National Guard, he loved laughing about the good ole' days with his fellow service men. He could also talk anyone's ear off with farm/tractor talk. Most of my childhood was spent waiting for Grandpa to finish telling his stories to anyone who would listen whether we were out to lunch at his favorite place, Jim Dandy, or at the Hamilton Country 4-H Fair looking at antique tractors. As a child I used to get impatient with his never-ending stories, but now I wish I would have paid more attention to what he was saying. I wish I had written down each and every one of his stories so I could repeat them to my own kids. The fond memories of his long embellished stories are still talked about at every family get-together, even now, years after his death. It's our way of keeping Grandpa with us.

My "gift for gab" didn't really start until I became a mom and I began to see the world through the eyes of my children. With my three kids, I played again and make-believed again...and the stories started pouring from me.  It was like my imagination reignited after being in hibernation throughout my "serious" young adult life. I couldn't stop writing, my imagination knew no bounds. My kids and the students that I get to teach at church and at school continue to be the inspiration for most of my stories.

The sunrise in 2018 that inspired Painter of the Sky.

Because of my faith, I truly believe God "nudged" me to write. Eight years ago, I came up with the idea for my first book called Painter of the Sky one morning while eating breakfast with my kids. Our kitchen window faced the east, and the sunrise that morning absolutely took my breath away. My kids and I couldn't stop staring and pointing at all the beautiful colors in the sky. It almost looked like the sky was catching on fire! That breakfast permanently became a beloved memory for me and became the seed for planting Painter of the Sky, because God painted the sky for my kids and me that morning. We couldn't stop talking about how much He loved us to paint the sky so perfectly and beautifully!

For More Information About The Book Signing: https://events.getlocalhop.com/meeting-room-reservation-local-author-storytime-and-book-talk/event/a3jp1ha4Lj/

Last year, I strongly felt that out of the 20+ stories I have saved on my computer, Painter of the Sky should be my very first self-published book. I wanted to give God the honor and recognition of pushing me to write and to tell stories. It was also important to me to thank my two wonderful parents on the dedication page for leading me to love and follow God throughout my life.

This week on Thursday, I have the privilege of reading Painter of the Sky to children at my library in South Lyon, Michigan. As a children's author, this is a HUGE bucketlist check-off item for me. To say I'm excited about my first book signing at a public library is a wee bit of an understatement....I'm ecstatic! After the reading my book, I'm offering an art project for the kids to paint...just like my main character in Painter of the Sky.

Some of you might be thinking, Hold...the...Phone! Isn't Kelly's Country Squawk about chickens? Well, yes I definitely have a LOT to say about chickens! But The Squawk is also about my journey to become a published author. My computer is filled to the brim with stories just waiting for their turn to get published and into the hands of my little friends.

I'm currently working on a book series called Jasper and Carrot which is about five stories short from being complete....then move over Pete the Cat, there's a new cat moving onto your bookshelves. Jasper isn't a normal black cat, this cat has an unusual best friend named Carrot who has oogly, googly eyes. Together they love to discover new and unusual things happening on Bessie's Farm (which includes occasional silly interactions with chickens). I'm hoping to have Jasper and Carrot's eggciting farm adventures to be available in 2026.

But my BIG news for 2025...drum roll please...my next book will be published around September of this year called Pastor Jay. Pastor Jay is a story inspired by one of my kindergarten students and her love for her younger brother. Stay tuned for more....

Thank you for reading my Country Squawk,

Kelly