Chelsea DeVries, Author of “Sticks And Stones” Interview

“My advice for a broken heart: feel it, grieve it, take it one day at a time, then when you start to feel like you have accepted the truth of it, begin to do one thing to help yourself grow or to help someone else. I guarantee you will forget your pain when you realize how powerful you are and how powerful it is to love other people.”

After reading and reviewing “Sticks And Stones,” I wanted to know and believed that others would like to know the inspiration behind the book. Chelsea DeVries channeled the heartbreak she felt by writing “Sticks And Stones.” According to her, she’s never been in a serious relationship, which never bothered her until she fell in love with who she refers to as Mr. Suncoast. “Sticks And Stones” was inspired by this gentleman. He found out about the book, and according to DeVries, he didn’t take to the news too well. 

Not only did she divulge the inspiration behind her book, but she also had this to say:

MLR: Who is Chelsea DeVries?

CD: I’m a friendly human with a huge heart for other people and dogs who always feels at peace when I’m near bodies of water, and I found my voice as a writer at 14 through poetry.

MLR: What has been people’s reaction since the publication of your book?

CD: Overall, my book has received a positive response now that it has been reworked and republished. Before launch day, it charted at #11 on Amazon Canada, and it won the 2021 Book of The Year in Poetry from OnlineBookClub.org. Recently, it was #67 on Kindle in the US for Religious and Inspirational Poetry. That blew my mind. 

MLR: What’s some advice you’d give to aspiring authors?

CD: Learn how to market yourself. And if you can’t figure it out, hire a good publicist. And never let an agent, publisher, journal, or anyone tell you that your story, poetry, and craft will never sell because if you hire the right people to edit and format it to market, anything can and will sell. So don’t give up!

MLR: Is there anything else you’re working on that you’d like to share?

CD: My next publication will be a rewrite of the novels I published while I was in high school. It will be a NA romantic suspense novel centered around my love for street skateboarding. 

MLR: What’s one piece of advice someone has given you that’s kept you motivated?

I love the quote: “No one else is you, and that is your superpower.” It’s what I sign in my books for readers because it completely sums up what I believe about myself and how I relate to others: We are all unique, worthy, and bring something to the table. So there is room for everyone to eat. No one should ever be turned away. 

MLR: Where can people find you if they want to learn more about you and your work?

CD: I only use Instagram. You can follow me there at @onegirlrevolution26_. I also try to update my website with current book-related information: chelseadevriesauthor.wordpress.com. They can buy my book directly from me at www.etsy.com/shop/unicornpixiedesigns Authors and musicians can also hire me to do their marketing via thesmartcookiephiles.com.

Having bared her soul in her poetry book and provided readers with words of encouragement during tough times, I asked her what was something that others might not know about her. Interestingly enough, she admitted that she liked bowling. “I joined a league to make friends, but now I’ve discovered I’m quite good at it too, which makes it more fun,” she said. 

When asked what she wanted people to take away from this interview, DeVries stated: “There is power in the painful moments we go through. We can allow them to break us and reshape us if we are open to the lessons they provide, and every painful season has a beautiful sunrise on the other side of it. I know because I am living proof. “

Morgan Lee Reviews, thanks, Chelsea DeVries, for this interview!

Kelley Phelan, Author of “Little Wolf, Little Warrior” Interview

“My circumstances of trauma as a child forced my imagination to grow. Even in the darkness, there is always a light. It is our job to find that light and let it shine.”

-Author, Kelley Phelan

Kelley Phelan is a fashion designer and painter. Last year, she published a book of poems, “Little Wolf, Little Warrior,” to heal herself and express her emotions to better understand why certain situations were triggering her. She also started journaling. She sent me her book to review, and afterward, I became intrigued and wanted to know more. Here’s what I found out:

MLR: Who is Kelley Phelan?

KP: What a complex question! After my spiritual awakening, it was a bit difficult to answer this. I am an aspect of the creator in physical form, here to express my creativity. I’m also a girl from San Diego trying to find her place in the world. I’ve failed more times than not, but I keep going!

MLR: What was the inspiration behind “Little Wolf, Little Warrior?”

KP: My inspiration came when I wrote the poem “Clink, Ting, Tin.” I was sitting home on a rainy day, and my inner world took my imagination to a whole new level. The sound of rain captured my soul, and the poem just flowed out of me. It was during that flow state that I was inspired to continue writing.

Since its publication last year, she’s given a few copies to friends and family and has now started giving copies to bloggers and reviewers. She’s had a good reaction from the people who have read it so far and hopes that it can be well-received by everyone.

Phelan sees herself as creative and says that all she ever wanted to do was create ever since she was a child. “My circumstances of trauma as a child forced my imagination to grow. Even in the darkness, there is always a light. It is our job to find that light and let it shine. I love to create anything. It’s my happy place.”

When asked what advice someone has given her that’s kept her motivated, along with what advice she would give to aspiring authors, she states, “The main advice that keeps me motivated is to keep going and never stop. Life throws us into a whirlwind of emotions and situations that test our strength and character, not to mention our endurance. The best advice I can give is to keep moving forward no matter what life throws at you!”

Phelan keeps going. She’s working on her second poetry book and says she wants people to know that it’s okay for them to be their true selves.

“Our world is filled with people wearing a false mask, especially with social media. We tend to want people only to see the facade of who we are. To stand out as one of true authenticity is to truly stand in your power. I hope more people can be themselves and share that common ground.”

She continued, “The dormant gifts inside us will awaken if we tune in enough to see the subtle signs. Once we shift our perception and see that there is always a blessing, even in the most difficult times, we can re-focus on a more positive outlook on life. It takes time and patience, but there is always a silver lining.”

If you want to learn more about Kelley Phelan and what she’s working on, you can visit her website https://kelley-christine-phelan.square.site/ or email her at littlewolflittlewarrior@gmail.com. Morgan Lee Reviews thanks Kelley Phelan for this interview!