We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kimberly Novak a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kimberly, appreciate you joining us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

Bella’s journey began to unfold long before it ever became a “story.” It all began during a women’s retreat, where a sudden urge to seek spiritual direction was instilled within me by a force greater than myself. During a talk given by the speaker on butterflies, I found myself drawn to the subject matter, and my interest was piqued. It wasn’t until I reviewed my prayer journal that same week that I realized I had written down the words “spiritual direction” and “butterfly,” and I knew God was trying to guide me towards a certain path.

A year later, I decided to enroll in the Ignatian Spirituality Institute, completely unaware that this would also be Bella’s journey. During my time in school, I found myself collecting prayers, files, and sentences on sticky notes. These were scattered throughout my living spaces, stuck on my mirror, piled up on my desk, or stored in various files. I often found myself chuckling at God’s timing, as I had always desired to write extensively, but school had demanded too much of my time.

Approximately seven months after graduation, I realized how much God enjoyed the humor in my life. It was then that I had just undergone surgery for rotator cuff and bicep repairs and was three days post-op when an uncontrollable urge to write overtook me. I was confused by this sudden desire to write, given that I only had the use of one functioning arm and couldn’t type. However, the Holy Spirit persisted, tapping me on my good shoulder until I gave in. And thus, I began dictating words and phrases into my phone, which soon turned into a beautiful start and a finished manuscript seven months later. During this writing process, I discovered the true significance of my spiritual direction journey – without it, Bella’s story would have remained incomplete.

Kimberly, 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 am grateful for the gift of writing about faith-related topics God has bestowed upon me. As a Christian author, I utilize my strengths and experiences gained from my involvement in the spiritual direction ministry. Recently, I was appointed as the Chaplain for Inspire Christian Writers, where I engage in activities such as accompanying others on their spiritual journey, nurturing the spiritual needs of the writer, and conducting online prayer sessions. A few years ago, I sensed the Holy Spirit nudging me to create a Facebook group called A Little God Time for my online friends who could benefit from spiritual encouragement. This online ministry has surpassed my expectations with regular Lectio Divina, Liturgical, and scriptural reflections. My motto is “Butterflies everywhere!” However, while researching for my book Bella’s Beautiful Miracle, I was drawn to the struggles of the caterpillar, and it was there that I discovered the true beauty of transformation that continues to inspire me.

I feel incredibly blessed to be on a spiritual journey that fills my heart with joy daily. My primary purpose for writing about spirituality is to share that light with others and help them experience the same happiness. Christian Fiction is an essential tool for all generations, especially our youth. To fulfill my calling and spread God’s message through this medium, I contribute as a writer to various organizations, including Inspire Christian Writers, The Catholic Writer’s Guild, and Holy Cross Ministries Catholic Mom.

Bella’s Beautiful Miracle, my debut work of Christian Fiction, is an excellent example of how God works in mysterious ways and how we can find comfort and inspiration in even the most difficult situations. Through Bella’s journey, we see the power of prayer and the importance of embracing a child-like faith. The characters in the story represent different aspects of our spiritual journey and the people who help us along the way. Andy, the happy caterpillar, reminds us of the importance of having a supportive community, while Gracie, the musical grasshopper, represents the beauty of worship and praise.

As we read Bella’s story, we are reminded that God has a plan for every one of us and that even in our darkest moments, He is always with us, guiding us toward the light. I hope this story will touch the hearts of many and inspire them to seek God’s love and grace. Thank you for allowing me to share this beautiful story with you.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

As a Christian writer, my most fulfilling aspect is answering God’s call and using my God-given gifts to spread His light and love to others. Witnessing the joy in a child’s eyes as they respond to the cover of my book, Bella’s Beautiful Miracle, brings me immense happiness. My conversations with parents, grandparents, and friends who understand the importance of positive influence in shaping our youth are equally rewarding.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My primary objective in sharing Bella’s story and writing on spirituality is to inspire minds and hearts with the light of Jesus. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate to our youth the power of prayer and to remind the older generation that prayer need not be complex. It can be as simple as planting a seed, nurturing it, and witnessing its growth. I aspire for children and adults to adopt a child-like faith and cultivate a long-lasting connection with God that will permeate future generations.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kimberlynovak.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knovakauthor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimberlynovakauthor
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-novak/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/knovakauthor
• Other: A Little God Time Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/546983189380096

Image Credits
All images credit – Kimberly Novak