We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Deborah Kelly a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Deborah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
As a Christian author, my mission is to edify the reader and honor God, through various forms of creative writing. This mission was the outgrowth of my personal journey of faith. I began writing poetry and fiction as a little girl during the 1960’s. As I saw and experienced those turbulent times, writing became both an outlet for my feelings and a way of escape. In 1989, when I received salvation, my writing was given a solid foundation and a new direction. At the age of 36, I had found my purpose in life. I knew the power of words and their impact. I believed God was leading me to demonstrate that good storytelling doesn’t have to defile in order to entertain. It can encourage, enthrall, inspire, and enlighten. Through tales of suspense, romance, triumphs and setbacks, laughter and tears, I bring a message of God’s love for us and our need for Him. The characters in my short stories represent those who have been written out of the popular Biblical tradition, and are often written off in this present age. Yet, God wants them, and the world, to know of their presence in Scripture and their importance to Him. My poetry invites the reader to view our relationship to God, our relationships with others, and the experiences of our past, all through new eyes. It’s a safe place for inner reflection and spiritual growth. Everything I write is grounded in my mission.
Deborah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My love for writing and my love for God’s Word first led me into ministry. I wrote and taught Bible study lessons, served as a small group leader, and preached in local church fellowships. I currently write a daily devotional on Face Book at IamDJKelly. My website, www.deborahjeankelly.com offers an After Birth page containing special devotionals with Bible Scriptures for further study, because our new birth in Christ should lead to spiritual growth. The Poetry Spotlight page offers insight into my poems, because this genre can be like hidden treasure, waiting to be revealed. The Shop page highlights my published works on Amazon. Songs from the Cross: Poetic Expressions from a Disciple of Christ, is the poetry collection. My poems invite us to examine our relationship to God, our relationships with others, and the experiences of our past, all through new eyes. The book contains an Appendix, where each poem has its own narrative, prayer, Scripture reference, and a question for the reader to ponder. My two books of fictional short stories entitled, Vertical Hold: Soulful Tales Of Our Keeping God, and its sequel, Vertical Hold II: More Soulful Tales Of Our Keeping God, are also available on Amazon. These stories proclaim the grace of God in the life of the believer, and His ability to uphold us through the journey. I use suspense, romance, and social commentary to bring the message home. My target audience is those who have been marginalized or devalued by society at large, although readers not belonging to this group have expressed their appreciation for these works. Both books contain an Appendix with Reading Group questions for each story. Everything I write is meant to edify the reader and bring glory to God. I experience contentment and gratitude when Jesus allows me to see how my obedience to Him has made a difference. When someone tells me that my story, poem, or devotional has blessed them, or that it was just what they needed to hear, I’m encouraged to keep sharing His message of love and grace.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
In 2015, at the age of 63, I retired due to work related stress hypertension. I had suffered five ministrokes, (three at my desk, and two after I’d made it home from work). Although my finances were not prepared for an early departure from my 9 to 5 job, I knew that God was calling me to step out in faith and trust Him. When I proclaim that Jesus is a keeping God, I’m talking from personal experience. My fixed income is much lower than my working paycheck had been, but I’m still in my house, and my expenses are being met. Most of all, my calling as a Christian writer now has my undivided attention. Over the past eight years I’ve written, revised, and published three books, updated my website, started writing a daily devotional. and fine-tuned my mission to reach my target audience. I know that God has more for me to do, and as my 71st birthday approaches, I can honestly say that these have been the most joyful and productive years of my life.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
As a Christian writer, I didn’t begin publishing my books with a business goal in mind. I wasn’t in pursuit of a great book deal, or a spot on the best-seller list, because I saw it as a ministry. Needless to say, the idea of building a platform or brand, or gaining subscribers never crossed my mind. I knew that I was gifted and called to write these books, but I had no idea what getting the finished products to the reader/customer would entail. I think God knew how much information His introverted child could handle in advance. This assignment was not like speaking at a local church fellowship. My editor and graphic designer couldn’t do this for me, and on my fixed income, I had no budget to hire someone. The thought of having to do live stream marketing made me uncomfortable to the point of discouragement, until I realized that God was calling me to a whole new level of trust in Him. This allowed me to rise up and move forward, because I didn’t come this far to quit, faint, or fail. Even as I write this, my journey into the world of video blogging is about to begin. So stay tuned.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.deborahjeankelly.com
- Facebook: IamDJKelly
Image Credits
Blue Hour Photography.