My Sixth Book Journey by Kathryn Starke

Twenty years ago, I wrote and published my first children’s book, Amy’s Travels. I was a second-grade teacher at the time and wanted to create a resource to help fellow educators teach the seven continents. A few years later, I wrote my first contemporary women’s fiction novel for an adult audience. The years that followed included the publication of two educational resources for fellow teachers and my first adult romance novel. While I’m fortunate to have published a variety of genres for a number of readers, I only sit down to write when I am feeling inspired.

          

Ten years ago, I wrote a manuscript after waking up from a vivid dream. I dreamed of an alternate world run by a female gatekeeper named Gina. I visualized Gina’s pink dress, aura, and purpose. I saw the interior and exterior of a mansion planted at the edge of a familiar street. The details of setting and characters filled my mind. I woke up the next morning drafting an outline and rough draft. Originally, I believed that the book would fall into the women’s contemporary fiction category, but the theme didn’t feel right in that genre.

            I put the manuscript on the back burner and went on to publish other titles as an author and as the CEO of an independent publishing company.  About a decade later, I rewrote the entire story to focus on the daily challenges of a teenager, thus turning into my first young adult fantasy novel. This winter, Creative Minds Publications published The Alternate World.  Even though this was my sixth book, it was my first book in the YA fantasy genre, so I had to learn how to connect with a new group of readers. I’m grateful that the book has already become an award-winning title. The Alternate World was ten years in the making, but it ended up entering the YA fantasy bookshelf at the best time for readers. As an author, it’s important to remind yourself that no matter what you are writing, the world is ready to read to your words.

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