Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaci Curtis.
Kaci , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a proud KC Native. I grew up here – I graduated from Park Hill, then community college, and worked as a 911 operator for KCPD for almost 6 years. After marrying my husband, we had to move to follow his military career. Since then, our family has lived in California, Mississippi (twice!), the island of Guam, and Virginia. Through all the moves and transitions, we still call KC home.
I’ve loved reading and writing for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first short story in second grade. My teacher, (shout out to Mrs. Gustafson!) laminated it for me, and even helped me glue one of my school pictures to an ‘About the Author’ section on the back page.
I’ve stopped laminating my work since then, but my love for storytelling remains. My debut novel, Along the Trail, released with the Wild Rose Press on October 22nd. Readers can expect strong female characters, forming complex relationships while crossing a brutal and beautiful land. They can expect some romance with a cowboy who’s brave, kind, and hard-working. Perhaps most of all, I hope that I inspire readers to go experience their own adventures, and to help protect the few wild places that remain.
The KC metro area has a unique connection to the Oregon Trail – Independence, MO was the starting point of the 3 main westward trails. The history of the trail still echoes here, as does the spirit of those who dared to cross the continent and follow their dreams of a better life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road toward traditional publication has been anything but smooth, and yet, I’ve learned so much from the challenges, that I don’t think I would change anything.
As a military spouse, there’ve been times (lots of them) that I was the only available parent for my kids. With my husband gone and family far away, most of the burden fell to me to hold everything together. Often, the time left over for writing or querying at the end of a long day was next to none. Sometimes, I’d have the time, but feel drained of all creative energy, and the cursor would just blink at me, waiting for words that never came.
Sometimes, I’d make the time, and have the energy, but then my anxiety would make an appearance, muttering over my shoulder about wasted time and impossible dreams, and who did I think would read my book, anyway?
Still, when I trusted nothing else, I trusted that writing was something I loved to do, and that I would eventually find a way to make it happen.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a writer, but I’m also a mom and a military spouse. My first love is writing fiction, especially fantasy & historical fiction, but I’ve also grown to enjoy writing about being part of a military family, and the unique challenges and joys that come with it.
I contributed blogs for the non-profit, Mission:Milspouse, for a little over a year, and I loved hearing from other milspouses that they felt validated, or that something I’d written resonated with their own experiences.
I am most proud of my first book, Along the Trail, which released on October 22 with the Wild Rose Press. It’s a tangible reminder that belief is the most important force behind achievement. I received a lot of rejections when I first started querying in an attempt to get it published, and in low moments, I had doubts that this day would ever come. But when it comes to pursuing a dream, giving up is the only way to guarantee failure.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson that I’ve learned is about persistence. I think that as a culture, everything seems to be moving so fast, and people often don’t try hard enough or long enough at something before throwing in the towel and giving up on their dream. Too often, it seems that if it doesn’t happen quickly, then it’s “impossible,” or “not meant to be.”
The only thing that will ensure success is persistence. If you refuse to give in to the doubts, and if you continue to believe in your craft and continue to try, then eventually, you will succeed. In my case, it took years. But I learned so much in the process, and all of it has shaped me into a better writer.
Pricing:
- $19.99 paperback
- $5.99 eBook
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kacicurtisauthor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kacicurtisauthor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCurtisWriter
