Interview with Leon Kelly
Published 2015-05-17.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Knowing that I can be a blessing to others inspires me to get out of bed each day. I feel that we are here to make this world a better place. I strongly believe that the greatest investment in life is the difference we are able to make in the lives of others.
What is the biggest lesson life has taught you?
The biggest lesson life has taught me is that no matter how much I plan, I will almost always have to make adjustments to those plans. Life is unpredictable. It's full of surprises.
What role has failure played in your life?
Failure is absolutely necessary in the character-building process. Failure has been one of my greatest teachers. It has equipped me with the tools that are necessary for success. Because I've experienced more than my share of failure, I have become more enlightened. Now, more than ever before, I am determined to succeed in every area of my life.
What is your writing process?
To be honest, my writing process is writing when I feel like it. I wish I could say I am disciplined in my writing life. But, I can't. The bottom line is when I feel like writing, I write. When I'm lazy...I'm super lazy. I'm trying to do better.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
The first story I ever read was "Bless the Beasts and Children" by Glendon Swarthout. I was in seventh grade and not a happy child. I grew up a lonely child. Like the young boys in the story, I felt like an outcast and suffered some emotional issues. The story gave me a sense of strength and of self. And, although I struggled to maintain that sense of self throughout my young life, I somehow managed to be okay with my status as an outcast.
How important is faith?
Possessing faith is crucial. Faith replaces fear. When we live outside the confines of fear, life opens up. Without faith, we live in fear and are not allowed to be all that we are meant to be.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
The fact that I don't want to be told that I must write a certain way or write on a particular topic in order for my writings to be considered worthy of publishing is what motivated me to become an indie author. It allows for total creativity. I can write about anything I want to write about, no matter how controversial it is perceived. That's the beauty of being an indie author.
What has writing done for you?
Writing has brought me joy. It has empowered me. It has given me strength. More importantly, I feel like I have a voice. Writing is like one amazing therapy session. And, the best thing about it is I don't have to pay for it.
What are you working on next?
I am working on so many things … screenplays, books, and business ventures. I don’t know if I will ever finish all of those things, but I’m going to do my best. My next project is more than likely going to be a spiritual book that I’ve been working on, sporadically, for the past several years.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
When I'm not writing, which is more often than I care to admit, I am brainstorming project ideas, listening to my favorite music, catching up on current affairs, reading various literature, meditating on the scriptures, doing something creative or simply spending time with loved ones.
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