Meet Kristen Kessler | Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristen Kessler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristen, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I didn’t let myself pursue something creative as a career until I realized I was unfulfilled without it. Even though I’ve wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember, I am also pragmatic. When I was in college and making career choices, I wanted financial stability and considered creative writing a luxury. I didn’t think I’d enjoy my life if I had to struggle in adulthood like I did in childhood, so I focused on practical work instead. What I didn’t know was that the artist part of you will struggle too, if you don’t let it out.

Last year, I started to make a change. I’d been connecting with similar people through the planner and journal community on Instagram, and realized I was not alone! It was validating to see others out there, making space for their own type of art among the pages of to-do lists and schedules. They’re making space for themselves, by doing that.

I knew deep down that I wanted to be a writer, and journals weren’t scratching that itch for me like they always had. I started writing a novel, and have since been attending writer’s conferences and pitching it to literary agents. It’s going great and I’m on the path to making it my career now, and I feel like a much better version of myself because of it.

In the meantime, I still work my normal job, take care of my family, see my friends… but the difference now is that I keep a sacred part of each day carved out for my creative work. It’s allowed me to be more balanced and in tune with that “flow” that happens when you’re tending to that part of yourself. It isn’t easy to maintain and it means I have to get up a 4am most days. Sometimes I’m writing on napkins in my purse or a waterproof notepad in the shower. I do it because I need to, though, and I know I won’t regret that.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
They say to write what you know, so I do. I started my career as a psychotherapist and also studied theology, so I use that background to build endearingly flawed characters in fiction. I want them to surprise you and make you look at the world through their lens.

My genre is speculative thrillers, which means I tell fast-paced stories with psychological and sometimes supernatural elements. I want the characters to deliver a message to the reader, and the goal is usually to shed light on a dark state. I appreciate the sharp edges in people and have a drive to know more about that. I think a lot of us have an interest in psychology, so I hope my writing appeals to that.

My first novel is called You’re My Hell, and it’s about two people stuck in the afterlife together without knowing why. Their task is to go back to witness their lives on earth and decide whether they can defend their choices. It’s based on a concept of self-compassion I learned from studying ancient Greek, which has various words for types of love. The meaning of this one is that a person must take significant, dedicated time to know themselves, and to forgive themselves for mistakes by comprehending why they were made. By doing this, they are practicing a fundamental form of love and it makes them able to love someone else at that same level. I thought it was a unique way to approach a novel, and wanted to do something more avant-garde than a simple love story.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My best day in Atlanta started with the Botanical Garden. By arriving when it opened in the morning, I felt such peace as I walked through in solitude. It was quiet, beautiful, and restorative. Take your time, take photos, bring a journal. There were benches places strategically in areas with the best views. Every turn brings you to a new experience – with so many different sections, it’s like taking a walk around the world. Don’t pass by the indoor greenhouse without going in. The Garden is adjacent to Piedmont Park, which is a must-see. I love the coffee and fresh food at Sean’s Heart of the Park there.

For time with friends, Ponce City Market is my favorite spot. The ease of having shops, restaurants, and bars all in one walkable area is hard to beat. Uber pick-up/drop-off is easy to find, too. I recently met up with someone at Archer Paper there and we shopped for all things stationery, then moved on to the bookstores with a stop for Japanese beer in between. Bellina Alimentari has amazing cocktails and Italian food, too.

I can’t leave out SkyView Atlanta, especially since my husband worked on the team that brought the Ferris wheel there. They all had this vision of the skyline and made it happen. Seeing the city from up high helps you get your bearings, and personally I love the thrill of heights. The VIP gondola is worth the splurge, if a glass floor appeals to you!

I spent some time doing apple picking and living the cabin life just outside the city in October, and that was really special to me. It felt like the world slowed down for a few days, and it’s unique to have that so close to a big city. Atlanta has a lot to offer in that way.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Atlanta Writer’s Club and Writer’s Digest have been instrumental in helping move my dream into reality. I came away from the recent Atlanta Writer’s Club Conference with a sense of being understood and connected, and got such practical tips for my manuscript from successful authors (Alex Finlay, Anthony Grooms, and Samantha Jane Allen all spoke at the November 2022 conference). Not a minute of my time was wasted there and the motivation I’ve had since has been priceless! I can’t wait to go to the next conference in May. They also have monthly events and an e-newsletter.

I mentioned the planner and journal community on Instagram, which has been a source of support and encouragement in many ways. If you have an interest in exploring your creativity on paper like that, I recommend searching the #plannercommunity or #journalingcommunity hashtags on IG to find some kindred spirits out there. #writersofig is another good way to find other aspiring and established authors, as well.

Finally, the book 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest was a wake-up call when I started the process of writing a book. We’ve all heard quotes along the lines of “living the life you imagined”, etc., but her essays made me take a look at what had been holding me back. Breaking down those mental barriers is an essential step and she was fearless in addressing it.

Website: https://kristenswritings.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenswritings/

Other: kristen@kristenswritings.com