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Writing is My Therapy: Changing Lives With Books

How One Author Overcame the Odds and Re-Wrote Her Own Story

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One of the wonderful things about being in this business is getting to hear from authors who have put themselves out there and found success.

And every now and again, a story hits my inbox and makes a real impact.

We all deal with personal issues, and it’s a common theme on this blog that often “life gets in the way” of building up a readership or growing a business. Whether that’s kids, day jobs, family issues, whatever it might be – there is always something standing in the way.

But as I’ve said countless times before, everyone will hit roadblocks from time to time. It’s how you deal with them that sets you apart from the 99.99% of other people who give up.

But what if those roadblocks never go away? What if it feels like you can never overcome them?

Today’s article is the perfect example of someone who never gave up. Kelly Strenge, a children’s author from Iowa, USA, dealt with unimaginable family trauma, childhood tragedy, and her husband’s cancer to come out the other end swinging hard.

In the middle of it all was Kelly’s unshakeable dream of becoming an author. A dream that she made come true for herself – despite everything that happened.

This is Kelly’s story…

Writing is My Therapy – How I Re-Wrote my Own Story

By Kelly Strenge

Out of necessity, I have always had a very active imagination. I grew up in a small town in Iowa with a population of about 80 and I was the only little girl. I spent most of my days riding bike by myself or swinging at the playground by myself. Occasionally I played a game of baseball with the boys in town, but they were never very excited to have me around.

I had a loving mother that I did not see very often because she worked the night shift. My Dad instilled fear in all of us for as long as I can remember. He was verbally and sometimes physically abusive. We learned early to walk on eggshells.

I further discovered there was a big difference between me and my two brothers. Dad would say horrible things to them or hit them, and the next day it was like nothing ever happened. They were best buds again. It was not that way for me. I was stubborn from a young age and I didn’t forgive or forget so easily. When Dad screwed up, I held him accountable and he didn’t like that. I waited a long time for apologies that never came. I daydreamed to survive.

 

Then, a month before my ninth birthday, my world changed with a phone call.

My older brother, Nick, was killed in a hunting accident at the age of 11. He was shot in the neck and killed instantly, and my Dad was the one responsible. Needless to say, things went downhill from there. We were all trying to handle our own grief and it was hard to be there for anyone else. My Dad had a very hard time living with the guilt and attempted suicide two times that I know of. Still, after all of this, he never treated his two remaining children any better.

When times got tough, I turned to writing.

I would write in my diary because I could say anything I wanted to and not get in trouble. I also wrote short stories that always had a theme of a white knight coming to rescue the little girl.

Eventually, I grew up, forgave my dad, got a “real job” working as a paralegal, and got married to my high school sweetheart. Little did I know the hard times were not over. My husband, Brett, was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on June 7, 2007. Our son had just turned one. I have summarized Brett’s battle with cancer for you below to give you an idea of what we have gone through. Not all cancer battles are created equally.

  • June 2007 – My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 27 years old. What began as swollen glands in the throat had turned out to be cancer. He began ABVD Chemo.
  • November 2007 – He began ICE chemo at Mayo Clinic
  • December 26, 2007 – Began process of autologous stem cell transplant.
  • April 2008 – Scan showed the lymphoma found a way to survive the transplant.
  • July 2008 – Began process of donor stem cell transplant. Had to rent a house in Rochester, MN for 3 months because we were required to be in town and at the clinic and/or hospital every day.
  • November 2008 – Scan showed that the cancer was gone, and my husband was in remission.
  • February 2009 – Scan showed the lymphoma was back. The word cure was officially taken off the table. Brett was put on a clinical study program through Mayo Clinic.
  • August 2009 – Scan showed cancer gone again, in complete remission.
  • January 2014 – Scan showed cancer was back again. Began Brentuximab chemo.
  • October 2014 PET scan showed a new spot in his back.  We discontinued the Brentuximab and started a new clinical trial.
  • On April 10, 2015 there was no evidence of lymphoma. He was again in remission.
  • July 2015 – Lymphoma mass discovered that was partially collapsing his right lung. Began Brendamustine chemo.
  • September 17, 2015 – Scan showed he was once again in remission. He continued Brendamustine for 3 more rounds followed by 10 treatments of radiation.
  • December 11, 2015 – Last radiation treatment was completed, and he has been in remission ever since.

I have always loved writing and used to dream about being an author someday, but my parents told me to “get real.” But now I was an adult and there was no one there to tell me I couldn’t do it. I brought a notebook with me to one of Brett’s checkups and started writing down ideas as we were waiting to see the doctor. It’s amazing the creativity that comes to you when you put away all your devices and just be still and silent.

I continued to write and revise whenever I had downtime, which admittedly was sparse.

At this point though, I wasn’t really taking myself seriously because I didn’t really believe I could ever get published. It was just kind of a daydream that I entertained occasionally.

When Brett’s cancer came back in 2014, all I could think about was how to tell the kids. Braeden was so young when Brett was first diagnosed that he didn’t understand or ask questions. Now Braeden was 8 years old and in 2nd grade and our daughter, Julia, was 3 and picked up on everything.

We decided that honesty was the best route, so we told them the truth in a very gentle way hoping not to scare them.

Julia seemed to take away that Daddy had this thing called cancer and needed medicine but not much beyond that. Braeden was thinking pretty hard but didn’t say much. I reminded him that he could talk to us and ask questions whenever he wanted. He came to me the next day and asked if he could catch cancer from his dad like you could catch a cold. So, we had another long talk about how people get cancer and the fact that it is not contagious no matter what kind you have.

After this, I sat and reflected on how little kids know about cancer and how much a book like mine was needed. I began to really focus on my writing and it was very therapeutic to channel my energy into something positive instead of focusing on Brett’s relapse and how frightening the unknown is.

I wanted to write a book that would help the children who read it.

Whether they were the ones diagnosed with cancer or if they just knew someone with cancer. Secondly, I wanted to write a book that would support cancer patients and their families by giving half of all my profits back to cancer charities and research that would benefit them. I needed something positive to come out of all the pain I have endured.

I was very naïve and didn’t know anything when I signed a contract in May of 2014 to publish my book with a vanity press. However, the process of publishing a book provided a great outlet and distraction for me and for the first time in my life, I feel like this is what I was called to do.

At the time, I thought maybe it will sell a million copies and I will raise a nice chunk of change for cancer charities and research.

Or maybe it will sell 100 copies but either way it would help educate and inspire the children who have read it. Even if it only helps one kid, it would be worth it.

In the summer of 2016, The Truth About Cancer had been on the market for a little over a year and after a great start the sales were dwindling. I was feeling defeated and full of doubt. I so desperately wanted to get books out there that would help kids. I contacted my publisher several times because they were supposed to be doing publicity for my book according to our contract. Instead, I had to beg to get book signings set up and do most of the phone calls myself. I thought, “this is it, I loved making this book but maybe I wasn’t meant to do this after all.”

I was sitting in the bleachers at one of my son’s baseball games…

…talking to a good friend about my frustrations. She mentioned that she might know someone that could help. She got me in touch with Jade Eby, who is an author of romance novels but also owns her own company called Author Accelerator to help people make their dream of writing become a reality.

Overall, I have made a lot of mistakes but next came the great part. She filled me with hope. She gave me a lot of great information to keep going and not give up on this dream of mine because she knew how important this was to me. Furthermore, she believed in what I was trying to accomplish. And the best news was that self-publishing didn’t have to cost thousands to do. There were lots of different ways to make it happen. So I cut ties with the vanity press and decided to give self-publishing a try.

I found out how incredibly naive I was when my first book published. I settled on a lot of things because I didn’t have a choice if I wanted them to publish my book.

I acted desperate, instead of confident. That is why after I talked to Jade I knew that one thing I had to do was re-make The Truth About Cancer on my terms this time.

For example, my publisher wanted me to lay out all the pictures that I wanted in the book and then they only used a few of my ideas and the rest they just filled in with their ideas and told me that was how it was going to be. Now I have put all new illustrations in the second edition, and have a much more visually interesting layout. Today, I am proud to have my name on it. Throughout this process I learned that sometimes dreams aren’t dead, they just need woken up.

In an effort to continue to learn everything I could about writing and publishing…

…I would look for all the free webinars that I could because honestly, money has probably been the biggest obstacle holding me back. We reach our max out of pocket on our health insurance every year even when Brett is healthy because of test, scans, and checkups that he needs. I also took a job working at my children’s elementary school that I love but it was a pay cut and we continue to live paycheck to paycheck.

Anyway, I watched webinars from JoAnna Penn and Joel Friedlander and this is where I discovered Nick Stephenson. After a lot of prayer and thought on the matter I decided to take a risk and purchase his Your First 10,000 Readers learning modules. Which, by the way, I would have never been able to do without his monthly payment plan, so I am very thankful for that.

I can’t even quantify how much I have learned from these modules. I continue to put them into practice whenever I can. But, to be honest the progress has been slow because, like I said I have very limited resources to put into my writing.

There is a great Victor Fankl quote that says, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

I have worked very hard to overcome my wounds.  Unfortunately, kids don’t have the power to change their situation but with our help they can change themselves and their outlook on life. I am determined to use my books to spread as much positivity, faith, and hope that I can.

Life is messy, and kids need a hand up. Parents don’t always have the strength, knowledge, or resources to give them the help that they need. Sometimes that help must come from outside the family. I have now written children’s books on the topic of cancer, divorce, and autism. In addition, I wrote a book about what all the iconic symbols we see at Christmas time mean.

Next, I have a Christian fiction series called Princess Faith

Where each book focuses on a different bible verse and how it is relevant to a child’s life. My faith has been growing and changing dramatically over the last year and a half and I am constantly thinking I wish I had this faith when I was young. I feel it would have helped me greatly through my brother’s death, the abuse, the divorce, high school bullies and peer pressure, the list goes on and on.

I also feel these books are a preemptive strike because if they develop a strong faith before something difficult arises, maybe they wouldn’t need my other books to help them cope. I personally think that if more people had a stronger faith and closer relationship to God that there wouldn’t be near as much stress, anxiety, and depression in this country.

I truly am on a mission to improve the lives of children with these books, along with helping better communication between parents and their children. Writing has helped me heal and it is my wish that it will do the same for the children that read it or maybe even prevent the pain before it happens.

 

 

Today, I continue to make my writing a priority along with growing my email list.

I currently have an 11-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter how love sports and make a lot of demands on my time. I also work full time as their school librarian. Further, I am a wife, a Sunday School teacher, and a circle leader at my church. I have very little down time, but I soak up every minute of writing time I can during the evenings, weekends, and on school breaks.

I will never give up on my dream of writing. It is my therapy. And then there are those moments where someone comes up to you and tells you how much your book has meant to them, these moments are priceless.

I may not of had a great start in this life, but I will have a great finish.

Kelly Strenge was inspired to begin writing children’s books during a relapse of her husband’s cancer. Since then, she has written children’s books on a wide variety of challenging topics to educate children and help them cope, and to help improve communication between parents and their children. Find out more about Kelly and get some free resources right here at her website.

 

And now we’d love to hear from you. Have you battled adversity in your life and come out swinging? How does writing help you deal with personal issues in your life? Leave a comment if you’d like to share (we read and reply to every single one).

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61 Comments
  1. Jenny says:

    Thanks Nick, and Kelly, for sharing this great story. Such an encouragement to not give up on the dreams of getting my own book published 🙂 Writing is total therapy for me and so I love the reframe from Kelly about how it can also help others.

    1. Kelly Strenge says:

      I’m glad you liked the article. Never give up on your dream!

  2. Jenny says:

    Thanks Nick, and Kelly, for sharing this great story. Such an encouragement to not give up on the dreams of getting my own book published 🙂 Writing is total therapy for me and so I love the reframe from Kelly about how it can also help others.

  3. Jeanette S. Hall says:

    I have been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis since grade school, local doctors just told me I was nuts. Escaped to a different state, Missouri to attend college at 17 years old. Got married the day after I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree.

    After our first year together, got my diagnoses of Relapsing / Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. We have lived in many different locations MO, IL, CO,WI, MN

    1. Kelly Strenge says:

      I’m sorry to hear that you have had to go through that. However, I am guessing you are stronger because of it. I am reminded of this quote, “I am strong because I was weak. I am fearless because I was afraid.” I hope that writing will help you like it did me. I have always felt that keeping a journal was healing also.

  4. Jeanette S. Hall says:

    I have been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis since grade school, local doctors just told me I was nuts. Escaped to a different state, Missouri to attend college at 17 years old. Got married the day after I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree.

    After our first year together, got my diagnoses of Relapsing / Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. We have lived in many different locations MO, IL, CO,WI, MN

  5. Darragh Metzger says:

    Thanks, Kelly. I’m glad your Life is turning around and that nothing has killed your love of writing.

    1. Kelly Strenge says:

      Thanks for listening!

  6. Darragh Metzger says:

    Thanks, Kelly. I’m glad your Life is turning around and that nothing has killed your love of writing.

  7. suz says:

    Wow, that’s quite a story. Glad your writing is finally taking off.

  8. suz says:

    Wow, that’s quite a story. Glad your writing is finally taking off.

  9. Ilenya Marrin says:

    How wonderful that learning, growing and writing from your heart are so interwoven through your persistence and faith. Thanks for sharing your story!

    1. Kelly Strenge says:

      Thank you for the kind words.

  10. Ilenya Marrin says:

    How wonderful that learning, growing and writing from your heart are so interwoven through your persistence and faith. Thanks for sharing your story!

  11. Linda says:

    Until recently I didn’t consider myself a writer. I wrote reports about people; their lives; their strengths and weaknesses; everything about them, for medical and court purposes. But I never thought of them as biographies.

    A young friend found himself in a very difficult situation just before Christmas 2017. The only way I could help him, was by writing his story for him. As a ghost-writer and professional psychologist, it has been fascinating reading and watching him work through his ‘childhood issues’ in the way he presents information and his relationship with me.. I have been his friend; his mentor; his mother; his Mum; and now I’m his ‘mummy’.

    I don’t think he realises how he is addressing me differently according to the issues we are covering. At the moment he’s in an incredibly difficult situation that he can’t control – I’m his ‘mummy’. At times I have had to remind him of his responsibilities – I was his Mum. And so on it goes.

    I couldn’t make up my mind whether to hold out for an agent and publish traditionally or indie – I was ‘Mother’…..

    Writing – even on behalf of someone else – really is therapeutic.

    1. Kelly Strenge says:

      I’m glad it has been good for you too.

  12. Linda says:

    Until recently I didn’t consider myself a writer. I wrote reports about people; their lives; their strengths and weaknesses; everything about them, for medical and court purposes. But I never thought of them as biographies.

    A young friend found himself in a very difficult situation just before Christmas 2017. The only way I could help him, was by writing his story for him. As a ghost-writer and professional psychologist, it has been fascinating reading and watching him work through his ‘childhood issues’ in the way he presents information and his relationship with me.. I have been his friend; his mentor; his mother; his Mum; and now I’m his ‘mummy’.

    I don’t think he realises how he is addressing me differently according to the issues we are covering. At the moment he’s in an incredibly difficult situation that he can’t control – I’m his ‘mummy’. At times I have had to remind him of his responsibilities – I was his Mum. And so on it goes.

    I couldn’t make up my mind whether to hold out for an agent and publish traditionally or indie – I was ‘Mother’…..

    Writing – even on behalf of someone else – really is therapeutic.

  13. Hilary Walker says:

    I haven’t been through nearly the same traumas as you, Kelly, but my son’s continuing battle with ulcerative colitis inspired me to write a Christian Inspirational Fiction trilogy. The ‘hero’ has UC and I use the books to educate people about what they can do naturally and without harmful medicine if they, or someone they love, have/has UC.
    The trilogy got picked up by a Christian publisher and I’m on the third book of the next one.
    As it is for you, writing is my therapy and my way of evangelizing to bring people to God despite adversity.
    My books also include a healthy dose of horses, my other big passion, and I’m happy that most of my readers like that!
    Well done for using your own struggles to help children. I wish you enormous success with your book series!

    1. Kelly Strenge says:

      Thank you and I wish you great success as well. What an amazing idea for a trilogy!

  14. Hilary Walker says:

    I haven’t been through nearly the same traumas as you, Kelly, but my son’s continuing battle with ulcerative colitis inspired me to write a Christian Inspirational Fiction trilogy. The ‘hero’ has UC and I use the books to educate people about what they can do naturally and without harmful medicine if they, or someone they love, have/has UC.
    The trilogy got picked up by a Christian publisher and I’m on the third book of the next one.
    As it is for you, writing is my therapy and my way of evangelizing to bring people to God despite adversity.
    My books also include a healthy dose of horses, my other big passion, and I’m happy that most of my readers like that!
    Well done for using your own struggles to help children. I wish you enormous success with your book series!

  15. Elise Loyacano Perl says:

    So good to see how you use writing to help others and how you have kept the faith. God bless you and your family!

    1. Kelly Strenge says:

      Thank you.

  16. Elise Loyacano Perl says:

    So good to see how you use writing to help others and how you have kept the faith. God bless you and your family!

  17. Angelina says:

    Wow, this was so inspiring!
    I just subscribed to your email list! I’m really interested in your book “The Truth about Autism”. My brother has Asperger syndrome and my kids (3 and 5) are starting to notice he’s different.
    I’m looking forward to hearing more about your work! It’s so good to know you use your experience to help children and parents. I started out that way too, but I realized that it’s the parents who need to understand that they need to be the best examples for their children, and above all treat them with respect, not dominate them.
    I’m writing for different age groups now 🙂
    Wishing you all the best!

    1. Kelly Strenge says:

      Thanks for joining my list. I hope you find this book helpful.

  18. Angelina says:

    Wow, this was so inspiring!
    I just subscribed to your email list! I’m really interested in your book “The Truth about Autism”. My brother has Asperger syndrome and my kids (3 and 5) are starting to notice he’s different.
    I’m looking forward to hearing more about your work! It’s so good to know you use your experience to help children and parents. I started out that way too, but I realized that it’s the parents who need to understand that they need to be the best examples for their children, and above all treat them with respect, not dominate them.
    I’m writing for different age groups now 🙂
    Wishing you all the best!

  19. Joy Lennick says:

    Hi Kelly, What an amazing young woman you are! To have overcome such adversity and persisted with your writing is admirable and awesome. May you and your husband have a less stressful and healthier life in the years to come. Upwards and onwards!
    I’m an ancient, eclectic writer (born of my love of reading when separated from my parents in WW11 (UK/Wales). Abysmal education lead to taking my English Lit. exam at the age of 66! Now retired (but not from writing…) I love the craft and remain as curious and committed as ever. Writers Unite! x.

    1. Kelly Strenge says:

      You sound pretty courageous yourself!

  20. Joy Lennick says:

    Hi Kelly, What an amazing young woman you are! To have overcome such adversity and persisted with your writing is admirable and awesome. May you and your husband have a less stressful and healthier life in the years to come. Upwards and onwards!
    I’m an ancient, eclectic writer (born of my love of reading when separated from my parents in WW11 (UK/Wales). Abysmal education lead to taking my English Lit. exam at the age of 66! Now retired (but not from writing…) I love the craft and remain as curious and committed as ever. Writers Unite! x.

  21. Marcy McKay says:

    You’re officially my new hero, Kelly Strange. I indie published my first novel in 2015 and it’s been well received. It’s sold over 1,000 copies and has over 200 reviews, but I’ve been stuck in fear.

    My family had a house fire in August of 2017 (long story…we’re fine). That trauma woke me up and made me get busy on Book #2, which I’ll publish it this summer, then I’ll get straight to work on Book #3. Dreams DO come true, but you have to do the work.

    THANK YOU for sharing your incredible story + THANK YOU to Nick Stephenson for making Your First 10K Readers available (+ monthly payments)!

    1. Kelly Strenge says:

      Wow. I can’t imagine what that was like for you. I’m glad you are OK and I’m glad you are finding purpose from your pain.

  22. Marcy McKay says:

    You’re officially my new hero, Kelly Strange. I indie published my first novel in 2015 and it’s been well received. It’s sold over 1,000 copies and has over 200 reviews, but I’ve been stuck in fear.

    My family had a house fire in August of 2017 (long story…we’re fine). That trauma woke me up and made me get busy on Book #2, which I’ll publish it this summer, then I’ll get straight to work on Book #3. Dreams DO come true, but you have to do the work.

    THANK YOU for sharing your incredible story + THANK YOU to Nick Stephenson for making Your First 10K Readers available (+ monthly payments)!

  23. Amanda Geard says:

    Wow! What a story, Kelly! I agree. Writing really is therapy. I’ve been writing on and off since I was twelve, as that was the only way I could express myself. I haven’t been through quite as much as you have, but it’s one of the things that keeps me sane. I also recently discovered a church I liked, and that I attend regularly. Jehovah God helps us all, and I pray to him regularly too. I’m not published yet, but am working very hard at it, and hope that it’ll happen soon. Thank you, Nick, for providing this forum for fellow writers. It’s very much appreciated!

    1. Kelly Strenge says:

      Never give up on your faith or your writing!

  24. Amanda Geard says:

    Wow! What a story, Kelly! I agree. Writing really is therapy. I’ve been writing on and off since I was twelve, as that was the only way I could express myself. I haven’t been through quite as much as you have, but it’s one of the things that keeps me sane. I also recently discovered a church I liked, and that I attend regularly. Jehovah God helps us all, and I pray to him regularly too. I’m not published yet, but am working very hard at it, and hope that it’ll happen soon. Thank you, Nick, for providing this forum for fellow writers. It’s very much appreciated!

  25. Cindy Massey says:

    Hi Kelly,
    Your story is probably one of the most inspirational ones I have heard in a long time along with the readers who responded. I am writing to encourage you not to give up and I say that to your husband also. The fact he has come back so many times and won tells me he is in for the long haul. I know that this may sound like a weird suggestion, but has he ever talked to his body and asked why it keeps going back to cancer? healing cancer naturally-type in Google. Just a thought!

    1. Kelly Strenge says:

      Thanks

  26. Cindy Massey says:

    Hi Kelly,
    Your story is probably one of the most inspirational ones I have heard in a long time along with the readers who responded. I am writing to encourage you not to give up and I say that to your husband also. The fact he has come back so many times and won tells me he is in for the long haul. I know that this may sound like a weird suggestion, but has he ever talked to his body and asked why it keeps going back to cancer? healing cancer naturally-type in Google. Just a thought!

  27. Jade says:

    Kelly, I’m SO proud of you and all you’ve accomplished since our talk. You deserve ALL the amazing things and I LOVE that you never gave up despite all the hardships thrown your way. You are such an inspiration and I couldn’t be happier to see you doing well. Let’s meet up for coffee soon!

    1. Kelly Strenge says:

      Thanks. I owe a large part to you. Would love to meet with you again.

  28. Jade says:

    Kelly, I’m SO proud of you and all you’ve accomplished since our talk. You deserve ALL the amazing things and I LOVE that you never gave up despite all the hardships thrown your way. You are such an inspiration and I couldn’t be happier to see you doing well. Let’s meet up for coffee soon!

  29. Emma Kathryn says:

    Hi Nick, and Kelly- ooh, I really loved your story! Yes, I’ve had a similar experience in a way. I’ve lived below the poverty line all my adult life due to autism, undiagnosed till I was forty-five. My first novel is finally self-published. It’s about an autistic woman who is, mysteriously, very much like me. It was a great feeling to pay the rent, after the novel being out about two months, and realizing I would have had to reach for my credit card if not for money I’d earned from the novel! 😉 Finally my “disorder,” which has held me back all my life, is earning a trickle of dough to help me survive. Whew! It’s been a long time. I am not someone with natural big business abilities. I’ve been out and about though, selling this book at every opportunity I can get. It was aeons before I could be persuaded to enter the business of self-publishing. I have real hope, though, that your techniques, Nick, are going to help me. I’m not the greatest or most ingenious marketer, but I’m not afraid of hard work. So I trust I’m getting there 😉

    1. Kelly Strenge says:

      Wow! Your story sounds pretty amazing. Congratulations on your success and I wish you the best in the future.

  30. Emma Kathryn says:

    Hi Nick, and Kelly- ooh, I really loved your story! Yes, I’ve had a similar experience in a way. I’ve lived below the poverty line all my adult life due to autism, undiagnosed till I was forty-five. My first novel is finally self-published. It’s about an autistic woman who is, mysteriously, very much like me. It was a great feeling to pay the rent, after the novel being out about two months, and realizing I would have had to reach for my credit card if not for money I’d earned from the novel! 😉 Finally my “disorder,” which has held me back all my life, is earning a trickle of dough to help me survive. Whew! It’s been a long time. I am not someone with natural big business abilities. I’ve been out and about though, selling this book at every opportunity I can get. It was aeons before I could be persuaded to enter the business of self-publishing. I have real hope, though, that your techniques, Nick, are going to help me. I’m not the greatest or most ingenious marketer, but I’m not afraid of hard work. So I trust I’m getting there 😉

  31. Alison T Smith says:

    Wow Kelly, what an amazing and inspiring story, how far you’ve come too!

    I have a similar tale and have also written a book, called ‘My Reason & ME’. It’s a memoir, which I originally started writing just for my son but has developed into more.

    I suffered for years on and off with burnout due to my lifestyle choices and then when our son was just 16 months old my husband was diagnosed with cancer, he had a brain tumour. I nursed him at home until he passed away 11 months later.

    I started writing my book for no other reason than to give to my son when he was an adult, so that he could get to know the daddy he never really got to know.

    However, in the years after my husband’s passing, the bouts of burnout got worse and I was later diagnosed with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

    My son was my biggest reason to get out of bed, not only when his daddy died but again when I was suffering the debilitating symptoms of ME.

    It took me 4 years of taking responsibility for my own health and wellbeing but I recovered completely and my book turned into something more.

    Not only does my son feel like he now knows his daddy much better from reading it but it also inspires others to know that they can transform from a life of Chronic Fatigue and depression and also know that life does go on after the death of a loved one.

    It was a very emotional day when I held my book launch in London in my son’s 21st birthday!

    I self-published and, as you are aware, it takes a lot of effort and commitment to get your book out there and I’ve been focusing on other parts of my business, which is coaching those with ME/CFS and Burnout, which has meant the book doesn’t get promoted enough.

    I am now writing my second book, which is a self-help book and is based around the System I created to help those with ME/CFS or burnout.

    I love your idea for books for children Kelly! One of the best books I was given when my husband died was for my son. It was called Waterbugs to Dragonflies, and it is a children’s story for explaining death to young children.

    This book had such an impact on our lives that I have used a dragonfly as my brand logo. A dragonfly is all about transformation!

    Keep up the good work Kelly and very well done on everything you have survived and achieved so far! You’re amazing!

    1. Kelly Strenge says:

      Thank you for the kind words and sharing your story. You sound like an amazing and strong woman! God bless you for all you are doing to help others. I wish you all the best in all that you do!

  32. Alison T Smith says:

    Wow Kelly, what an amazing and inspiring story, how far you’ve come too!

    I have a similar tale and have also written a book, called ‘My Reason & ME’. It’s a memoir, which I originally started writing just for my son but has developed into more.

    I suffered for years on and off with burnout due to my lifestyle choices and then when our son was just 16 months old my husband was diagnosed with cancer, he had a brain tumour. I nursed him at home until he passed away 11 months later.

    I started writing my book for no other reason than to give to my son when he was an adult, so that he could get to know the daddy he never really got to know.

    However, in the years after my husband’s passing, the bouts of burnout got worse and I was later diagnosed with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

    My son was my biggest reason to get out of bed, not only when his daddy died but again when I was suffering the debilitating symptoms of ME.

    It took me 4 years of taking responsibility for my own health and wellbeing but I recovered completely and my book turned into something more.

    Not only does my son feel like he now knows his daddy much better from reading it but it also inspires others to know that they can transform from a life of Chronic Fatigue and depression and also know that life does go on after the death of a loved one.

    It was a very emotional day when I held my book launch in London in my son’s 21st birthday!

    I self-published and, as you are aware, it takes a lot of effort and commitment to get your book out there and I’ve been focusing on other parts of my business, which is coaching those with ME/CFS and Burnout, which has meant the book doesn’t get promoted enough.

    I am now writing my second book, which is a self-help book and is based around the System I created to help those with ME/CFS or burnout.

    I love your idea for books for children Kelly! One of the best books I was given when my husband died was for my son. It was called Waterbugs to Dragonflies, and it is a children’s story for explaining death to young children.

    This book had such an impact on our lives that I have used a dragonfly as my brand logo. A dragonfly is all about transformation!

    Keep up the good work Kelly and very well done on everything you have survived and achieved so far! You’re amazing!

  33. Bobbie says:

    In the past 4 years I’ve lost my Mother-in-law, my Mom, my Dad and my aunt. I started writing a couple of years ago, wrote a book in the process and trying to get it self-published presently.
    I have been in a lull and dry patch for the past 8 months and feeling stuck. Thanks for the encouragement! Thanks for your willingness to put yourself out there and tell your story! Blessings!

  34. Bobbie says:

    In the past 4 years I’ve lost my Mother-in-law, my Mom, my Dad and my aunt. I started writing a couple of years ago, wrote a book in the process and trying to get it self-published presently.
    I have been in a lull and dry patch for the past 8 months and feeling stuck. Thanks for the encouragement! Thanks for your willingness to put yourself out there and tell your story! Blessings!

  35. Kelly Strenge says:

    I can’t imagine the grief you must be going through. I wish you the best and hope you can turn that pain into a purpose. I will add you to my prayer list.

  36. Kelly Strenge says:

    I can’t imagine the grief you must be going through. I wish you the best and hope you can turn that pain into a purpose. I will add you to my prayer list.

  37. thiaBasilia says:

    From the Journal of my life in the Presence of my Heavenly Father….
    The day is at its end, and so I am at the end of my insidious complains against the wicked carnal nature in human kind.
    After all! Who am I to question anything above my understanding? I do not understand anything.
    NO NEED TO UNDERSTAND FOR MY OWN SELFISH PURPOSES.
    That’s the gist of the lesson You, my Father have forever ingrained within my being in the last few days of my journey in Your Presence.
    Only two minutes before the cry of the Groom’s arrival. Am I ready to meet the Groom, my Father? Is there oil in my lamp? My Father’s reply. Quote:
    “O My precious thiaBasilia! Yes! I have replenished unlimited oil to keep your lamp lit for eternity. Yes! Your lamp is lit.
    Yes I have done the work. My work is finished for your triumphal entrance in a glorious chamber yet unknown to you.
    Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at 12:20 am.
    It’s midnight. A new day has arrived. I am still with you. I never leave nor forsake you.
    Your fruitful life is now the reality of your existence in the Secret Chamber of My Being.
    Rejoice! Be glad! Rest underneath My everlasting arms, My precious child. Rest. All your struggles are now ending.
    My watchful eye is always on you. No harm shall ever touch you anymore. Whatever is meant to harm you? I will turn it for your good.
    It’s now Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at 12:49 am. Time for you to head for bed to enjoy the much needed sleep to restore your body.” End of quote.
    In awe of Your Being? I am heading for bed. In silence, I worship You.
    Wednesday, August 29, 2018 now at 5:10 am. I woke up about an hour ago. I heard: “Go fix you a cup of coffee.”
    While fixing the coffee it came to me to prepare my food for the day. I did. Then? I heard:
    “Go check your emails. I have something for you there.” I headed for my inbox. Nothing at first sight.
    I started to leave the inbox thinking, perhaps I have not heard right, but! It came to me to check again. This time?
    ‘Writing as therapy?‘ clicked in my mind. I clicked. I began to read. Same marketing rhetoric to sell a course. Even so?
    I was compelled to keep reading. Wow! O my Father? You are so real to me! I read, quote:
    I personally think that if more people had a stronger faith and closer relationship to God that there wouldn’t be near as much stress, anxiety, and depression in this country.’ …..
    Amazing truth! Show me, my Father how to post this comment to make the impression of Your choice; that the readers may see our good works and praise Your name not ours. Quote:
    “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 AMPC+
    On to post as it is Your will for me to post this comment. Hoping for the best for us all. Much love, your sister, thia. 🙂

  38. thiaBasilia says:

    From the Journal of my life in the Presence of my Heavenly Father….
    The day is at its end, and so I am at the end of my insidious complains against the wicked carnal nature in human kind.
    After all! Who am I to question anything above my understanding? I do not understand anything.
    NO NEED TO UNDERSTAND FOR MY OWN SELFISH PURPOSES.
    That’s the gist of the lesson You, my Father have forever ingrained within my being in the last few days of my journey in Your Presence.
    Only two minutes before the cry of the Groom’s arrival. Am I ready to meet the Groom, my Father? Is there oil in my lamp? My Father’s reply. Quote:
    “O My precious thiaBasilia! Yes! I have replenished unlimited oil to keep your lamp lit for eternity. Yes! Your lamp is lit.
    Yes I have done the work. My work is finished for your triumphal entrance in a glorious chamber yet unknown to you.
    Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at 12:20 am.
    It’s midnight. A new day has arrived. I am still with you. I never leave nor forsake you.
    Your fruitful life is now the reality of your existence in the Secret Chamber of My Being.
    Rejoice! Be glad! Rest underneath My everlasting arms, My precious child. Rest. All your struggles are now ending.
    My watchful eye is always on you. No harm shall ever touch you anymore. Whatever is meant to harm you? I will turn it for your good.
    It’s now Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at 12:49 am. Time for you to head for bed to enjoy the much needed sleep to restore your body.” End of quote.
    In awe of Your Being? I am heading for bed. In silence, I worship You.
    Wednesday, August 29, 2018 now at 5:10 am. I woke up about an hour ago. I heard: “Go fix you a cup of coffee.”
    While fixing the coffee it came to me to prepare my food for the day. I did. Then? I heard:
    “Go check your emails. I have something for you there.” I headed for my inbox. Nothing at first sight.
    I started to leave the inbox thinking, perhaps I have not heard right, but! It came to me to check again. This time?
    ‘Writing as therapy?’ clicked in my mind. I clicked. I began to read. Same marketing rhetoric to sell a course. Even so?
    I was compelled to keep reading. Wow! O my Father? You are so real to me! I read, quote:
    I personally think that if more people had a stronger faith and closer relationship to God that there wouldn’t be near as much stress, anxiety, and depression in this country.’ …..
    Amazing truth! Show me, my Father how to post this comment to make the impression of Your choice; that the readers may see our good works and praise Your name not ours. Quote:
    “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 AMPC+
    On to post as it is Your will for me to post this comment. Hoping for the best for us all. Much love, your sister, thia. 🙂

  39. Nicola says:

    Inspiring story. A compelling read. It was helpful to put the cancer story in bullet points for a blog. My writing is about therapy that brought about healing but it gives me anxiety attacks often when I write about it. But know God has called me to it so am not giving up after getting stuck then starting back again.

  40. Nicola says:

    Inspiring story. A compelling read. It was helpful to put the cancer story in bullet points for a blog. My writing is about therapy that brought about healing but it gives me anxiety attacks often when I write about it. But know God has called me to it so am not giving up after getting stuck then starting back again.

  41. Christine Brooks says:

    Brilliant story. The part about your late working mother and abusive father rang very familiar bells. Congratulations and good luck 😀

  42. Christine Brooks says:

    Brilliant story. The part about your late working mother and abusive father rang very familiar bells. Congratulations and good luck 😀

  43. Sue Wickstead says:

    A great blog which hit home for me.
    My husband battled with Non-Hodgkin cancer for many years and he too contracted it at an early age (late 20’s) and underwent all clear ant then back it came again.
    My two children were very young and coped with it all, although my daughter was hit the hardest (she is younger than my son), she suffers form panic attacks.
    My husbands last bout of chemo was so traumatic for him it nearly ended in suicide.
    For me the writing came later, for me the bus was my therapy (my books are related to the Playbus journey).
    I became involved in a charity and gave my time to that until I had to choose between the bus I loved, or to take on a teaching job which paid a salary. With my children growing up and my husband with cancer he took over the running of the bus and I headed into teaching.
    I still worked for both the bus charity as well as the school.
    I taught until the whole education system went sour for me and I left to write a history book which then brought about my children’s picture books.
    I am semi-retired, play with my Lego (well remake and sell models to raise money to enable me to take on the part time supply teaching role); Supply/cover teach (as a zero hours contract there are days including school holidays when I don’t get paid – hence the Lego!)
    I keep a daily diary of my teaching journey which is now no longer in one school but across many in Sussex and Surrey England. There have been some spooky encounters and events along the way with unexpected links and stories.
    I now love teaching again and the writing too.
    Yes now the bus and the writing is my therapy but it is also part-time.
    My husband, now 63, is at least still here and is my rock.
    And my children are lovely too!

  44. Sue Wickstead says:

    A great blog which hit home for me.
    My husband battled with Non-Hodgkin cancer for many years and he too contracted it at an early age (late 20’s) and underwent all clear ant then back it came again.
    My two children were very young and coped with it all, although my daughter was hit the hardest (she is younger than my son), she suffers form panic attacks.
    My husbands last bout of chemo was so traumatic for him it nearly ended in suicide.
    For me the writing came later, for me the bus was my therapy (my books are related to the Playbus journey).
    I became involved in a charity and gave my time to that until I had to choose between the bus I loved, or to take on a teaching job which paid a salary. With my children growing up and my husband with cancer he took over the running of the bus and I headed into teaching.
    I still worked for both the bus charity as well as the school.
    I taught until the whole education system went sour for me and I left to write a history book which then brought about my children’s picture books.
    I am semi-retired, play with my Lego (well remake and sell models to raise money to enable me to take on the part time supply teaching role); Supply/cover teach (as a zero hours contract there are days including school holidays when I don’t get paid – hence the Lego!)
    I keep a daily diary of my teaching journey which is now no longer in one school but across many in Sussex and Surrey England. There have been some spooky encounters and events along the way with unexpected links and stories.
    I now love teaching again and the writing too.
    Yes now the bus and the writing is my therapy but it is also part-time.
    My husband, now 63, is at least still here and is my rock.
    And my children are lovely too!

  45. Katelyn Evans says:

    Wonderful to read, Kelly! Thank you, Nick! There is so much power in helping others, somehow especially when you are most in need, yourself. This has been shown to me over and over through my life, and here it is again. To take tragedy and pain and turn it into something good and helpful to others is the best we can do in this life. Thank you for the inspiration and I wish you continued courage, faith, and love.

  46. Leon Stevens says:

    Writing is a great way to get all the thoughts swirling in our heads out into a tangible form. The act of writing forces us to think logically about how we are feeling.
    I began to write poetry and song lyrics as a way to deal with a difficult situation, which resulted in the publishing of two poetry collections, and four science fiction books. I never dreamed I was a writer, or an author for that matter, but here I am and I’m glad.

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