Blessings and Curses is a Christian mystery infused with romance and spiritual longing, following seminary graduate Olivia Douglass—secretly burdened by a lifelong curse—as her prayers with a death-row inmate unravel a truth about her past that threatens her faith, her calling, and the life she thought she knew. Author Judy Kelly talks to Book Glow about the book.
Describe the book in one sentence.
Blessings and Curses is an action-packed unforgettable story about a woman who overcomes all odds including a horrid background to become the woman she needs to be.
What led you to write it?
One of the themes in the novel is to believe in yourself. When I taught high school, many of my students didn’t believe in themselves because they came from other countries and didn’t feel welcomed in the United States. It was difficult for me to watch them do to each other what others did to them, or watch them belittle themselves, not try, and just give up. I want my readers to see what can happen when people don’t accept others and mistreat them. The mistreatment made my students feel dehumanized rather than empowered.
Which authors or books most influenced your voice and why?
I have always loved to read. My mother was always reading, and she taught me how to read before I entered Kindergarten. When I began writing and after reading so many stories, I knew I had to establish my own voice. I saw the importance of it through authors I love such as Danielle Steel, Nicholas Sparks, Sue Grafton, Nora Roberts, George Pelecanos, Lisa Wingate, Jodi Picoult and others. I noticed they all had a different voice in their writing. I’ve also noticed that the voice is not created by the author. Voice is part of the author’s personality. The author uses his or her personality to tell their story.
How do you organize your writing day—do you have rituals or routines?
I have no rituals. I begin a routine by following my plan. The plan can be to complete a chapter, begin a chapter, reread a scene from the day before and see how it can be enhanced. I look for the purpose of the scene and how it fits into the story. I try not to give myself too many things to do because that seems to be discouraging. I move forward by writing two or three chapters. If this is a new story, I try not to go back and rewrite anything. I keep moving ahead until the entire story is written. Then I go back to the beginning to add something, take out something, or rewrite something.
What does your research process look like (for historical settings, technical details, etc.)?
I love libraries. When I need to do research which happens with every novel whether historical or not, I start online and I end up in the public library. Libraries have complete details, descriptions, pictures of what’s needed and just about anything an author needs to keep history authentic.
Which character in your book was the most fun (or challenging) to write, and what made them so?
The most challenging character was the inmate on death row. I tried not to overdo the character. Some people commented on the language he used but he was an inmate on death row. He would use curse words. I needed to represent him as who he was in the novel. I wanted the readers to feel sorry for him, hate him, and at the same time care for him. I wanted Olivia to fear him but also understand him. Many readers told me they felt for him.
What themes or questions are you most interested in exploring through your work?
The major theme is that if there is something in life a person wants, then go after it, don’t give up on yourself, and love one another. Reviewers have pulled out several others as well.
Is there any one thing that especially frustrates you about the writing process?
I enjoy writing more than anything at this point in my life. There are many changes I make but I understand that’s part of the process. It is also frustrating and takes time. Though the changes enhance the story, I also wish I could think of the changes first. As I grow, I understand better what I need and want in a story, and I don’t make as many changes anymore.
What’s the toughest hurdle you’ve faced during your writing career, and how did you overcome it?
The toughest thing is marketing. There are so many people who want to help market the novel. But there are questions to be answered. Who is that person? Can I trust that person? Do I want to invest money with this person. Checking out the website doesn’t say they are honest or can market your novel. Readers have to know about the novel, but the big question is how?
Any advice for novice writers?
My advice is to attend conferences, classes and read articles before beginning to write. Get an idea of what story telling is about, the genre you want, etc. If you strongly feel you want to write, then write, but know your first story may be a “practice” novel. Let that be that, but don’t stop there. Grow your skill.
What do you hope readers take away from your book?
I want people to see their strengths, know others have the same experience, there is always more than one choice and don’t mistreat people.
What’s next?
A Change of Heart is next.
I hope this is helpful. Thank you for reading this interview. Now, take that next step. Purchase Blessings and Curses from Blackrosewriting.com. Be sure to let me know how you feel about it.
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