Author Jacki Kelly put her heart and soul into her latest release. I recently spoke with her about The Interruption.
Tell me about your latest book.
My newest book is entitled The Interruption. This book is about four souls stuck in the afterlife and need redemption to complete their journey. There is an African belief that individuals who have unfinished business or unbalanced charka get stuck between heaven and hell. They call this place The Interruption.
Why did you decide to write it?
I had a dream many, many years ago about people who didn’t want to move on after death because they had something they needed to do. Whenever I talked to anyone about it, they’d frown and say, “Dead people?” But in all those years, this story never left. I’m talking over ten. It remained as vivid as the night of that dream. So, it took me quite a few years to follow my heart and write this book. But I’m happy I did, and maybe in that time, I improved it.
What do you want readers to learn from the story?
I think this is a redemption story. No matter what we’ve done or how bad we believe we’ve been, there is always a chance to say “I’m sorry” or to ask for forgiveness.
When did you fall in love with the written word?
I fell in love with writing before I fell in love with reading. My fourth-grade teacher required the class to keep a journal, and ever since then, I’ve been writing. I’ve written poetry, personal essays, short stories, and novels. To this day, I still keep a journal. Even if I stopped writing for publication, I will continue to write because of the joy it brings me.
If you could pick another profession, what would it be and why?
I’ve come to realize that I am a creative person at heart. If I had to pick another profession, I’d pick a painter. For me, a good day is one when I write and paint.
What’s the best part of being an author?
The best part is that it provides a playground for my imagination. If and when I think of a story, I can sit down and play with the idea. Writing allows me to experiment with words and story ideas. I get excited to put my dreams and thoughts into words.
What’s the worst part of being an author?
I’m not too fond of how authors sometimes get put into a box. Most of us have wild imaginations, and we’re full of stories. Today, we may write romance, but next, it could be women’s fiction, fantasy, or mystery. Sometimes, readers want to keep us in one genre. Also, writing is a lonely profession. For an extrovert like me, that’s hard, so I have to spend plenty of time connecting with others.
What books have you read lately and loved?
One of my goals this year is to read more. So far, in 2024, I have read two books and started the third. I’ve read The Sunshine Sisters by Jane Green and The Love Song of W. E. B. Du Bois. I’m now reading Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward. So far, I’ve enjoyed them all, so the year is off to a good start. If your readers have recommendations, please let me know.
What’s next for you?
I’m already working on my next novel. It’s another speculative fiction story. I love the freedom that speculative fiction allows. This one’s about voodoo or roots. So far, I’ve fallen in love with the characters, and I’m letting them tell me how to unwind this tale. If all goes well—fingers crossed—maybe I’ll launch it this year, but it’s too soon to tell.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
For the launch of The Interruption, I am doing a giveaway. For the first 25 people who sign up for my newsletter, I’ll mail them a Gift Pack in honor of The Interruption. They can sign up on my website. There is a handy pop-up. Contemporary Romance – Jacki Kelly.com
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of The Interruption.
To learn more about author Jacki Kelly, visit her website or connect with her on social media:
Newsletter Sign-up: JackiKelly.com
Facebook: jackkellyauthor
Facebook: Jacki’s Joint
Instagram: jackikellybooks
TikTok: jackikellybooks