Enjoy this exclusive interview with one of my new author buddies, Kayla E. Green!
Kayla E. Green is a middle school English Language Arts teacher. Kayla has a BS in middle grades education, a BA in history, and an MA in history. She has recently signed a contract to publish a collection of poetry and is actively seeking representation for her YA fantasy novel. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her husband and their 4 dogs and cat. Kayla also enjoys living a healthy lifestyle and doing Barre through Beachbody.
You are an English teacher, just like me! I’m so glad to find a
fellow educator, and as an educator, I feel like I have to ask this question.
What is one piece of advice you have for any young, aspiring author?
My advice for young, aspiring authors is don’t be afraid to write your story. Whatever God has placed on your heart, write it. Your story told in your voice needs to be shared with the world. Your words will resonate with someone in a way that other words have not. Never give up on your dreams, because your story is needed in this world. Set monthly and weekly goals for your writing, and adjust as necessary as life happens. It is a tedious process, but so worth it.
I also noticed you are a history nerd (something my husband can relate to!).
How do you feel your knowledge of history has influenced your writing?
I currently have two WIPs, one of which is a historical novella with the working title From One Woman to Another. It follows two women including Queen Isabella of Portugal. The idea for this project stems from my MA research that focused on Spanish women being recruited to leave Spain for present-day Mexico to teach and convert indigenous women. I’m really excited about this project and hope to have it finished by July.
What books do you have available or will you have available and what are they about?
I am currently working with Wipf & Stock publishers to publish a collection of religious poetry entitled Metamorphosis. Metamorphosis begins with topics of depression, anxiety, and searching for something more. But, as I discovered through my personal relationship with Christ, life does not have to be consumed by darkness. Through faith and God’s love, we can undergo a transformation or a metamorphosis. Anyone who needs help turning to the one true Light when faced with darkness will resonate with this collection of poems. There are poems about God’s promises, poems that discuss what it means to be a warrior of God, poems that explore what it means to be a strong Christian woman, and poems on how to find hope when you feel broken. The poetry collection is my testimony on what God CAN and WILL do to help you, mentally and emotionally. More information on publication will be released later in the year and posted on my blog and Facebook page.
In addition to my poetry collection, I have completed a YA fantasy novel entitled The Goodness of Unicorns. To sum up this novel I will say: Believing in yourself is oftentimes easier said than done. Young Rowan Tritonia has never believed in herself. She is a magicless witch in a magical world, and she has been told all her life she will never be good enough. Rowan struggles to accept herself and find acceptance in a world she desperately wants to belong to. What makes matters worse is that she begins to be plagued by a demon, and darkness threatens the world. Will Rowan be able to discover the magic within her and help the Light prevail?
As I mentioned earlier, I have two WIPs. In addition to my historical novella, my other WIP is a women’s fiction novel about a young girl Adara Mae living in rural North Carolina. Life pushes her to her breaking point, but an unexpected bond with a shelter dog named Jon will save Adara in more ways than one. I hope to finish this WIP by the beginning of summer, and then begin the publication process.
How does your faith influence your writing?
I believe that everything that I write was placed on my heart by God. Some of my writing is clearly religious, such as my poetry collection and a historical novella, while some of my writing is more symbolic, such as my YA fantasy novel. In The Goodness of Unicorns, the light represents the light of God. I’m really excited about my women’s fiction WIP that will follow Adara Mae on her life’s journey wherein the shelter dog Jon will help guide her to the Christian faith.
What are your favorite books or shows?
I really enjoy fantasy and anime. Some of my favorite anime includes Naruto, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, and Fairy Tail. My husband and I recently enjoyed binge-watching “The Witcher” on Netflix. One of my all-time favorite books is Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede. Outside of the fantasy realm, I enjoy reading fiction, especially about animals. A Dog’s Purpose by Bruce Cameron is in my top five books.
Follow Her:
Blog: https://theunicornwriter.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theunicornwriter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunicornwriter93
