Following Dreams - Kirsten Miles

I actually have been in love with writing since I could hold a crayon! I remember being 4-years-old and punching holes into the paper and tying them together with red ribbons. My grandmother and mother read to me often, which was the beginning of instilling my love of literature. The power of words has always amazed me, and it's something I have always wanted to share with the world.

My newest book that is currently out in the market is called "Heroes of Gold Country." It is about a family who moves to Montana Territory in the 1860s to hunt for gold. The story centers around young Anna Claire Freiler and her friend Tommy Cooper, who lives in the local saloon. Their friendship tests boundaries and ultimately changes the world around them and their families' lives. There is a lot going on, a lot of action in it. There are outlaws, Road Agents, Vigilantes, dangerous animals, and a juicy rumor about a man who hid gold on a mountain which the children struggle to piece together. The main theme is resilience and the tenacity to explore new dreams, even if there may be unforeseen consequences.

That's a really good question. I feel like I don't actually create them, as strange as it sounds. They kind of create themselves! I can sense a template of a person and they just come alive in my mind. That is why I am able to separate my characters and their reactions from each other fairly well. They really have their own minds, personalities, and individual experiences. I'm just the messenger, just the channel expressing them!

I'm also a therapist so my day can be a little crazy. I often write in between sessions or in the morning/late at night. I write almost any time I can! I also have begun reading a lot again which I believe influences my writing in a positive way. It is always so great to learn from others! But there's truly nothing like a warm cup of coffee, my laptop, and my notebook filled with information for my next story- and my dogs, Ruffles and Jack Jack, under my feet!

My goodness. This one is multi-faceted. I think what is most rewarding to me is that I was able to create something that people enjoy and/or relate to, and provide inspiration. I love the art of writing and would write even if I never got published, but getting published has been a dream come true for me. It's so rewarding when people tell me they loved my books or have been impacted by them in some way! There's nothing like reaching out to people through the human connection of storytelling.

So many! Like most writers, I struggled with a lot of rejections throughout the years. I was always so paranoid that I would never publish anything, and it stressed me out- even since my teen years! When I was in high school, a manuscript I had worked really hard on got turned down. I was devastated then, which is funny now since rejections are a normal part of the journey! I know that now, but didn't really grasp it then. I have learned through time that rejections are really just redirections and as long as you don't give up, you can't fail!

I like to do some thorough research for my books. My new book coming out in January 2026 is about a young girl who is cryogenically revived from 1871 to 2030. I had to do some extensive research into the cryonic process, so it would be somewhat scientifically explainable. I also did a lot of research for "Heroes of Gold Country," which is all about the terrain of the land and the real gold rush in Montana Territory.

Don't give up! People say to me, "I can't write." I say, that is not true! YOU are the only one who knows what you have personally been through. You're the only one that can create the story you want to. People want to hear your voice, so bring yourself into your work! Immerse your heart into your writing, and you can't lose.

This is a challenge for me, as marketing can be an expensive undertaking and I am not rich! I am trying to get some more reviews out there, and I love to advertise on BlueSky and Instagram. I have also created a LinkTree which I believe may give me some more visibility.

I am always working on a new book (lol)! I have a new one coming out in January and another one that I am going to begin to query for soon. I'm so excited for the future, and I really hope readers are able to take something positive or inspiring away from my stories!

I loved writers like L. M. Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott growing up. I always wanted to write like them. I've been inspired by books I have read and even things I have gone through on my own path. My grandmother always believed in me and knew I could be a writer. I have also been inspired by my professors at my previous university, Georgian Court University, including Dr. Cappucci, one of the English professors there and a very intelligent, inspiring person. My family and friends who support me also inspire me to keep going, even when it's tough!