“The WLT is like a chest filled with treasures of classes. I’ve learned much about the craft and business of writing.”
— Kerry L Stevens
A member of the Writers’ League since April 2016, Kerry lives in Leander.
Scribe: In what genre(s) do you write?
Kerry L Stevens: My debut book is a memoir about my maverick mother, and our unique relationship. It’s called Forever Herself: A Son’s Memoir of a Remarkable Woman.
Scribe: What author would you most like to have a drink with, and what’s the first question you would ask them?
KS: I would relish spending time with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. One of his earlier books, Strength to Love, changed my life. My first remarks would be to offer him my sincerest gratitude for the work he did and the inspiration he’s provided to so many people. Then we’d discuss how we could collaborate to continue to change the world.
Scribe: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what book would you want to have with you to keep you sane?
KS: I don’t believe I’d need a book to keep me sane. I enjoy my time alone and exploring the world. I’m certain a deserted island would also hold many secrets waiting to be revealed. I seldom read the same book twice. So repeatedly reading the same book may add to my insanity, rather than detract from it. I’d desire to have a detailed reference book about the flora, fauna, geography, astronomy, and other scientific facts for islands in the region which I could use to survive and improve my life.
Scribe: What have you learned from your association with the Writers’ League?
KS: The WLT is like a chest filled with treasures of classes. I’ve learned much about the craft and business of writing. The knowledge gained shaped the memoir I wrote and provided the energy to see it completed, then help prepare me to publish and promote it.
Scribe: Where do you see your writing taking you (or you taking it) in the future?
KS: The next phase is promoting my memoir, Forever Herself, released in October. It was written to honor my mother, a prolific writer who died without achieving her dream of sharing her words in a published book. It’s a fusion of her poetry and prose with my memories of our relationship. My next project may be publishing an entire book of her poetry or one of her Middle Grade novels. If I can find the right illustrator, I’d also love to publish one of her children’s books.
Scribe: Here at the Writers’ League, we love sharing book recommendations. What’s one Texas-related book that has come out within the past year that you couldn’t put down?
KS: I’ve only recently read one Texas-related book. It’s called Soul Love: How a Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again. It’s a raw memoir of despair and hope written by a friend, Teresa Q. Bitner.
Scribe: Is there anything else about you that you would like to share with the world? An opportunity for blatant self-promotion!
Thank you, Kerry!
If you’re a Writers’ League member and you’d be interested in being interviewed for our Meet the Members feature, email us at member@writersleague.org for more information. It’s a great way for other members to get to know you and for you to share a bit about what you’re working on!
