We were lucky to catch up with Kerriann Ostlund recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kerriann, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I ever worked on was my novel, “Good Enough,” that was published back in 2018. “Good Enough” originally started as a healing narrative I had started for myself after leaving an abusive relationship. After telling some friends about what I was doing, I was encouraged to consider publishing my story in order to raise awareness to this prevalent issue. The point was raised that sharing my story could be impactful in providing insight into what emotionally abusive relationships can look like.

Since publishing “Good Enough,” I have gotten to speak at local high schools and middle schools, guest lectured for college classes, and provided in-services at local community mental health centers and hospitals on emotional abuse and how to look for signs someone may be in an unsafe relationship. In 2021, I was fortunate to present at the NASW-MA Chapter’s Annual Symposium on dating violence in young adults in addition to sharing my story. No matter where I have presented, I have always had at least one person approach me to share a story of a family member, friend, or even the person themselves going through a similar situation that I had gone through. It has been humbling to hear others’ stories and to realize we are not alone.

Kerriann, 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?

I have always loved reading from a young age, and once I became old enough to hold a pen, I was writing my own stories! I collaborated with a friend on creating a short chapter book in first grade, and wrote my first multi-chapter book by the time I was in fifth grade (all via notebook at the time). I had big dreams way back then of being an author.

In high school, at the age of seventeen, I self-published my first novel, “We Are.” I adapted it into a play which was performed by my high school at the Massachusetts Annual Regional Drama Festival in 2011. Once I got to college, I initially minored in creative writing and attended an honorary banquet with a local author for my achievements in writing with other young, aspiring writers/poets. I transitioned to a different school where minoring in writing was not an option. As a result, I focused solely on my studies in becoming a social worker. Therefore, I wrote off and on throughout college and graduate school, and did not seriously start pursuing writing a novel again until I survived the abusive relationship I was in. Since “Good Enough” was published in 2018, I have continued writing, and I am currently working on my third novel.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson that I have had to unlearn (and continue to unlearn) is the idea that my story is “not worth telling,” or that no one wants to hear my story. That has usually been what has held me back from pursuing certain networking opportunities because I lack the confidence that I “belong” with other authors. I think this comes from an “old wound” from my past that I am consistently unlearning. What I have found historically is when I push myself to take a risk, I am often met with positive feedback or gratitude for my vulnerability in sharing my experiences. I have to consistently remind myself that my story and my voice have power, no matter what I have been told to believe in the past, and my story can help someone. All I have ever wanted as a writer is for my storytelling to be impactful to change someone’s life for the better in some way, and I have seen the positive outcomes from connecting with others in sharing their stories. It seems that has been impactful and meaningful and I hope my story can continue to bring meaning to those who need it, and I will continue to believe that it can!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

A particular goal driving my creative journey is to assist with bringing more education and awareness to dating violence, particularly in teenagers. It’s important to understand some of the dating “trends” that exist and how there is oftentimes glamorization of toxic relationships through different forms of media. It’s important to be aware of these factors when thinking about how teens and young adults conceptualize relationships. It’s important to know how to have conversations around teens’ sense of safety in their relationships, and how they might be able to tell if a partner could be unsafe in any way. My goal in telling my story is to start to open these lines of communication and to start having these types of conversations through “Good Enough.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kerriannostlundauthor.com/
• Instagram: @authorkerriannostlund
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100064300650907/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerriann-ostlund-licsw-78076766

Image Credits
Cover photo for “Good Enough,” courtesy of Chris Kiesel of Tasher Studio of Photography Mixed Plate Press provided graphics for “Author Spotlight” Instagram post in which I was featured for the month of December.