Kierra is a lover of romance and narrator of women’s stories. She lives in Germany with her husband and five home-schooled children. Raised a military brat, she traveled the world with her nose in a book or exploring new places through the eyes of her characters. She loves yoga, natural healing and going to the beach. When she’s not researching or writing, Kierra enjoys meditating, reading, spending time with her family and uplifting her Sisters. Sisterhood and African/African-American love are common themes in her stories.

1) When did you know that writing is what you were called to do? What is it about being a writer that you love the most?

Oh, since second grade. I always loved telling stories to my little brother and friends. I remember writing my first “romance” when I was 13, it was horrible. But I knew I was called to write when my dad took me to library when I was 9. I had read The Baby-Sitters Club and The Boxcar Children. I devoured both of those series and wanted more, so from then on, I decided I wanted to write books to go on the library shelves. I love the creating, exploring the worlds, following the people of those said worlds and seeing everything from a different point of view.  

2) Can you tell us a little about your book(s) and where our readers can find out more about them and you?

I just released my debut novel THE HEALER’S LOVE. It’s a contemporary romance novel about a natural healer in training finding her voice and a man with a hesitant heart, both bucking at the traditions of their community and learning to surrender to each other. They can find out more about me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @ Kierra L. Rose. I also have my own YouTube channel: The Naked FireFly and I host a podcast: The Brown Sugar, Honey & Gold Podcast.

3) What projects are you currently working on?

At the moment I’m working on a Middle Grade/Young Adult Fantasy for my son and a women’s fiction book dealing with the relationship between African American mothers and their daughters.

4) What has been your most significant achievement as a writer thus far? Where do you see yourself within your career in the next five years?

My most significant achievement is creating a writing circle or community around myself that supports me and pushes me to go to the next level. In five years, I’m hoping to have at least 6 published books under my belt and a collection of short stories and novellas. And to have each novel I write on every library bookshelf in the world and to have my writings in all languages.  

5) How have you dealt with rejection within your writing career?

Surprisingly, I dealt with it well. I had always wanted control of my writing. Whenever I was rejected, it fueled the fire to keep going toward my goal of self-publishing.

6) Do you have a schedule for when you write? Do you outline your novels? How long does it generally take you to finish a novel?

I do schedule my writing. Not only do I write but I home-school my children, so scheduling is needed. I have an app on my phone that allows me to clock in like a 9 to 5 and take breaks to help and I even schedule in vacation time for myself. I’m a complete pantser, I outline after the story is finished to find any plot holes. Typically, it takes me 3 months to write it but almost a year to perfect it.

7) Do you believe that there is ever a point in life where it’s too late for an aspiring writer to become successful in this industry? Do you feel a late start would hinder their chances?

I think the only point in life where it’s too late is when a person has died. I know that’s morbid, but it’s true. Age doesn’t hinder us from doing the things we love, it’s when we’re on our deathbeds, taking our last breath, not having accomplished our heart’s desire that we have hindered ourselves.

8) What’s the first book you ever read that really touched you emotionally and moved you? Who is your favorite author? What book are you currently reading?

My favorite author is Toni Morrison and a book that I read that touched me emotionally would have been Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry. Honestly, I didn’t read the book until I became an adult and was reading it with my children and I don’t believe I ever read anything that tugged at my heartstrings as much as that story did. I’m currently reading two books: Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi and Wiped Out by Tamara Woods.

9) So many writers say that they hate reading their own work? Do you ever just sit down and curl up with your own book?

I won’t say I curl up with my own book. I can be a bit hard with my own work but that’s because I have perfectionist tendencies. Everything I write is for me, something I would want to read then when I edit, I have to force myself to go to the reader’s mindset, which drives me to sometimes nitpick at certain things. So, no I don’t hate reading my own work but I don’t love it either.

10) What are your thoughts about how the publishing industry is drastically changing?

I don’t feel like it’s changing for the better. I feel it’s still following trends. Right now, it’s cool to write about POC and those of the LGBT community. There is nothing wrong with that as long as the stories are genuine and not just a quick way to get published. The publishing industry has made it hard for many writers to be true to themselves which means we miss out on brilliant artists.

11) I feel like writing is a remarkable tool to help people not only express themselves, but also to cope emotionally and mentally. I know for me I write to be and feel more authentic. What unique quality is there about you, about your art, that you feel represents your authenticity? How does writing help you to be more empowered in your purpose?

When I started writing, I was a child of a military family. We traveled a lot, so writing kept me grounded. Then I found I could take the cultures, myths, legend and people I came in contact with and somehow weave them in with tales and stories of my ancestors or people who looked like me. I feel empowered knowing that somewhere someone will read my work and see themselves in the story because I wrote the story for someone like me.