We’re different, and while that may mean that we’re not “cool”, it also means we can find other people who think the same way.
When I was in fourth or fifth grade, a new girl came to my church. Even though I tried several times to make friends with her, she slowly began to bully me. When I was in seventh grade my family decided to leave that church for one closer to home. Visiting our new church was a little scary, and the first day there wasn’t great. But the second time we visited, one of the eighth graders told me I was really cool, and that I should come back. Through our friendship, I made a lot of new friends at church. After a few years at our new church, I was back to believing that I was awesome the way I was, and God loved me the way I was.
I’ve had many mentors on my path to becoming a writer, many of whom are fellow YA and/or independently published authors themselves. My parents have also been very encouraging on this journey, and my youth leaders at church have been loads of help, too. I actually met my illustrator through a youth leader at my church!
My best advice for girls who would like to follow in my footsteps and chase their dreams is to stay focused and don’t let people tell you you’re too young or you’re not good enough. You are good enough and you can do it! I meet so many authors who have been turned down by publishing companies because their stories “aren’t going to be ‘big’ in the next year.” They alter their story and its message so much that it just isn’t the same to squeeze their way into being published. Don’t let those people deceive you, you’re perfect the way you are.
I hope to finish my projected five-book series in the upcoming future, starting with the second book, “The Apostasy.” It’s very close to being finished at nearly 50,000 words already!
You can purchase a copy of “The Prophesied” at almost any online store that sells books. Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and more. You can also buy it straight from the publisher at FriesenPress.com for a lower price!
The readers of Girl Power can follow me on Instagram (kathrynelenaofficial), Facebook (Kathryn Friesen, YA Author), Google+ (The Power of Legends) and on my author website, Theprophesied.weebly.com. I like to post drawings I’ve done of different characters and add extra tidbits you might not see in the series itself.