Welcome to the newest post in Writing While Healing, a series where I speak with indie authors who’ve found light through writing during their darkest times.
Please introduce yourself!
Hi! I'm Kendall, mental health advocate, mother, turned author.
Please tell us a little about yourself and the kind of stories you write.
I wrote the children's book I couldn't find. A story about PPD, depression, ang big feelings- to talk to my daughter about why Mom had a hard day, without clinical language. Our Cloudy Day story, showed it wasn't her fault, I love her, but Mom had a cloud. She helped me write Mom's Cloud and the Beach Adventure- and my son helped me write Mom's Cloud and the Park Adventure, with their love and understanding for what I was going though.
Please share a bit about your mental health journey, as much as you are comfortable with :)
I never expected to be a parent. I thought depression was all I was, hidden beneath the surface. But later, becoming a parent because I saw my strengths, I am a parent who is open with my kids about big feelings- and it teaches them empathy & compassion. I still have dark cloudy days, but I have a way to tell people I need help & support that puts less guilt and shame on me, and that's my grounder.
How has your mental health influenced your writing process or creativity?
I wouldn't have wrote this book if I didn't need it to raise awareness and advocacy. I never dreamed of being a writer, but I dreamed of being a mother.
Do you find writing to be healing, challenging, or a bit of both?
It was both- It was healing to be authentic, but challenging to process all the emotions of the truth.
Has your experience with mental health shaped the themes or characters in your stories?
It is literally us :) My kids helped create their lines- my husband picked his lines out of options- I wrote the stories in my head. It is us on the page.
Are there any writing routines, boundaries, or self-care habits that help you stay grounded?
It came from talking to my daughter about our day at night, what was the best part of our day, what was a cloudy part- and we keep that up beyond the book.
What advice would you give to other writers who have similar struggles as you?
It's okay to not be okay, it's not all of you- only a part of you.
Have you ever taken breaks from writing to focus on your mental health?
Yes, I had to stop with book two for a few months to walk away then come back.
What’s something you wish more people understood about being a writer with mental health struggles?
When I tried the traditional market, I was told, we only want happy animals doing happy things, and I wish that was all I could give my kids, but I needed this story- and that's the truth of many authors- so my advice is be kind, try to see where stories come from and what they mean. I've been at events where I tell people, it's a book about big feelings in parents for kids to understand, & I've been laughed at- if it's not for you great it's not for you but be kind.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with the readers?
With our book, selling via our website, we pay it forward- a portion of our proceeds go to mental health agencies, and acts of kindness, to make a positive impact in the world.
Where can readers connect with you and your work? (Socials, website, books, etc.)
Instagram - cloudydaychronicles
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Thank you for reading!
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