As a multi-published author, Kim shares her love of nature, animals, living with PTSD, and her mission of tossing Nuggets of Hope into the world through writing and her podcast, Let Fear Bounce.
She is the lead author and coordinator of a collaborative 3-book series titled When Grace Found Me and two stand-alone anthologies, When Hope Found Me (released November 2022) and Paw Prints on the Couch (released August 2023.)
In addition to writing, she hosts the podcast Let Fear Bounce, spotlighting people who make a positive difference in the world, whether by writing, film production, philanthropy, teaching, founding non-profits, and more.
You can regularly find Kim drinking copious amounts of coffee and taking long walks with her dog.
Hello Kim, welcome to Brand Education! Where do you find inspiration for your books?
My inspiration is deeply rooted in nature. I immerse myself in the outdoors, whether taking long walks with my dog, working in my yard, or reading a good book on my deck. The changing seasons in my area each have their unique charm, and I find myself drawn to the distinct personality each season brings.
I find myself sinking into the feel of each season. Inevitably, snippets of an idea or a short story will form, and I’ll have to quickly get the idea in one of the many notebooks around my house. The trick is to remember which notebook that brilliant idea was put in!
How do you choose the titles for your books?
My last two books, Paw Prints on the Couch and Paw Prints on the Kitchen Floor came to me naturally.
As a pet parent, I’m familiar with the telltale signs of my dog- his paw prints. With a large dog in my house, our shared time outdoors often results in paw prints on the couch and the kitchen floor.
When working out the details for my books, both anthologies with stories of pets, it seemed inevitable that Paw Prints would be part of the title. With those two words on my mind, I looked around my house and thought, “There you have it! Paw Prints on the Couch!” And then I thought, “If I do another book like this, it will be Paw Prints on the Kitchen Floor.” In a way, the titles chose themselves, reflecting the everyday experiences of a pet parent like me.
What themes or messages do you hope readers will take away from your work?
I’ve coordinated and published six anthologies and one book solely of my own.
I’ve tried to keep a theme of inspiration and hope within each book. I want readers to pick up a book, read one of the stories, and have it sit with them for a while. Maybe a specific story will bring forth a memory or cause laughter. Perhaps a story will bring some tears, not from sadness, but from being able to relate to the story and recall something from their past that resonates with them.
Feeling. I want the readers to feel.
What do you enjoy when you are not writing?
I read—a lot! I average two to three books per week. I enjoy finding new authors; when they are good, I get a kick out of reading all their published works.
I enjoy spending time outside in any season. That is where my inspiration comes from, and I can breathe freely and deeply. It is where I pray and work things out that may be on my mind.
I enjoy crocheting in the winter months. My family members have at least one afghan (or two!) that I have crocheted. I’m self-taught and like to learn new stitches. At times, I make up patterns to see how they turn out.
I volunteer within my local veteran community and have been a co-chair of a project wherein my veteran post sends care packages to active-duty military each month of the year. We are entering our 24th year of doing this, which is extremely rewarding.
I also have a podcast called Let Fear Bounce that I genuinely enjoy hosting. The people I have met over the 300 episodes I’ve recorded have each been a blessing in some way, and I’ve learned so much from the diverse array of guests I’ve had the privilege of having on my show.
Oh! I also love thrifting. Going to garage sales, estate sales or flea markets. You never know what you’ll find!
What challenges have you faced as a writer, and how have you overcome them?
Hmm, challenges. I’ve been asked that question before, and I find it difficult to answer.
I’m not sure if I’ve faced challenges per se. I’ve experienced times when I had to make a choice or a decision I wasn’t anticipating.
As an example. Do I want to self-publish or try to go the traditional route? Not long ago, and still some today, self-publishing is looked down upon. The thing is, I’ve found some fantastic self-published authors, and I read all their books. I know some self-published authors who have been able to create something extraordinary and make a living doing what they love! Writing and publishing their books.I was self-published when I began coordinating the anthologies, but I have since moved on to publishing through my own small imprint.
Challenges? Maybe, but turning that narrative around to call it decisions and choices makes it easier to move forward—at least, it does for me. The power of positive thinking!
Are there any particular genres or topics you enjoy writing about the most?
I lean toward non-fiction or creative nonfiction with the underlying theme of hope and inspiration.
I have found, as a person who lives with PTSD, that I need positive influences in my life. I don’t want to surround myself, read, or listen to negative or dark things. Now, that doesn’t mean I am putting my head in the sand of what is happening in the world around me, but it does mean I make a conscious effort to keep all the dark chatter to a minimum.
I prefer to provide little Nuggets of Hope and toss those into the world through my books and my podcast. I want to remind people that we can all make a positive difference in our own small slices of the world.
My writing reflects small parts of my personal journey, often centered around themes of hope, inspiration, and kindness. I am drawn to narratives that uplift and inspire, and I strive to share these sentiments with my readers.
I have a fiction book in my head; hopefully, one day, I will get that down on paper. But until then, I’ll continue tossing out my Nuggets of Hope through the written and spoken word.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors looking to publish their first book?
Keep an open mind. Don’t get bogged down in how other people are doing things. This is your writing journey. Do you think you have a book in you? Write it!
Do your research and find the best route for publication for you. Again, don’t get bogged down in what others are doing. I can’t stress that enough. You are not on their journey; you are on your own. Make the best of it, learn, watch videos, read, and find a coach if you want to, but above all, enjoy the ride!
Do you have any upcoming projects or future writing plans?
Oh, I always have ideas simmering away on the back burner!
I am working on ideas for books I’d like to release in 2025. Possibly one more anthology and another non-fiction book that may or may not include pets!
How has your writing evolved or changed over the course of your career?
Oh goodness! I hope my writing has improved! HA!
My view of life and the world has changed as I age. How I engage or what I choose to engage in has changed, and I think that has changed how I write.
I’ve found ways to help me with my writing. I’ve picked up tips from other authors, at writers’ conferences I have attended, and in online groups. There are many ways a writer can improve, and hopefully, you always want to improve! I know I do.
Are there any books or authors you revisit or re-read for inspiration or comfort?
There are several. It’s interesting. I prefer to write nonfiction or creative nonfiction, but I don’t typically read that genre.
I enjoy reading historical fiction, fantasy, and some paranormal fiction. Through Kindle Unlimited I have found some great authors.
I enjoy finding an author whose writing leaves me wanting more. I love it when I find a series that I can go back and reread! I keep those books and re-read them once a year.
Thanks so much for this interview! Chatting about writing is always fun, and I appreciate the opportunity you’ve given me!
Find out more at https://www.kimlenglingauthor.com/.