Today we’d like to introduce you to Kariss Lynch.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kariss. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve loved writing stories since I could hold a pen. I began my writing career in third grade with a story about a magical world for a class assignment. Chasing my dream into college, I chose my major based on what I loved, what I was good at, assuming I would figure out the life and career part later. So, I majored in English with a minor in Psychology, figuring it would help me with character profiles. Then, I graduated a year early and launched into the adult world… clueless.
College taught me a lot about writing, about story, and about critiques. People’s opinions are difficult, and I allowed them to impact me far too much. Upon graduation, I spent a summer in Colorado Springs at a Christian leadership program, and I had several mentors challenge me. “Start writing now. Don’t wait for someday. Don’t wait for your own romance or the right time. It’s time to begin.”
So, I started a blog of my thoughts, just to practice inviting the opinions of others. The more I wrote, the more I gained confidence in my style and voice.
I spent what would have been my senior year of college in Lubbock substitute teaching while I figured out the next steps. And that’s when I wrote the first few paragraphs of a story that later turned into a book, then a series—The Heart of a Warrior series. With the help of some acquaintances-turned-mentors in the publishing world, I met an agent and then an editor, and within a year signed a contract with both. Several years later, I’m planning out more books and about to publish my fourth romantic suspense novel and the first in a new series!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This journey has been beautiful but far from easy. The publishing world is a blessing and a challenge. As a new writer, it was difficult to figure out how to build a platform, hold a full-time job, write a book, and edit another one. I had deadlines at my day job and deadlines with my books and plans with family and friends in between.
And as with sales and business of any kind, there are ups and downs. I sent my third book to the publisher only weeks after the second book launched, only to discover that they were canceling my contract due to several issues. Within the same time period, I lost several family members and two more were diagnosed with terminal cancer. I was devastated. I did the work to find an independent publisher, worked with an editor on my third book, and then launched it into the world with barely any publicity. Then, I tabled writing for a time. It was never far from my thoughts, but I didn’t have the time or energy to invest in it.
But the stories wouldn’t leave me alone. Eventually, I attended a writing retreat with a mentor and a few author friends in Minnesota. I began to dream again, to strategize, to think through options, and to explore potentially relaunching the books on my own, and then writing more. I started and finally completed my fourth book. I began the process of talking to editors while pursuing reacquiring my rights from my first publisher.
Finally, in the spring of 2019, it all came together. My publisher signed a release for me to have full rights back for my first series. With the help of my family and a few friends encouraging me along the way, I repackaged the books and have begun the processing of rereleasing them as an Indie author. My fourth and first new book in several years will enter the world sometime in the Spring of 2020.
Over the course of this journey, I have learned there is beauty in the struggle. The hard moments produce deeper emotion. Focusing on adventures, traveling, and relationships the last few years has deepened my views of the world, my faith, my craft, and people. It’s made my writing better. It’s crafted personal character traits I wouldn’t have tasted otherwise. I’m learning to run a business, interact with readers, and create my own brand.
With the help of my sister, who is a designer, I recently launched Lionheart Press. The name is a reminder to me of what the Bible says in Proverbs 28:1 – “the righteous are bold as a lion.” I have a long way to go and a lot to learn, but I’m learning to dream and be brave and bold as I chase those dreams. My nephews and my niece will watch what I do and how I choose to respond to life’s challenges. I want to greet each new obstacle with a gracious bravery.
For those who are starting out on their business journey, fight hard. Don’t grow weary. Don’t give up. Find your team of people to cheer for you and do this with you, and then keep innovating to figure out your brand and voice. Many businesses and products (and books, in my world) are on the market, but no one can do this quite like you can. Start, and then don’t give up. See each new challenge as an opportunity, and seize them fearlessly. You’re going to fail. But that’s just part of the learning process.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
As an author, I am determined to craft stories that readers love. My books feature God-sized dreams, romance, adventure, and a little humor, too.
Because I desire to encourage readers to have courage, I place my characters in challenging circumstances where they are forced to work with the people around them and dig deep inside as they face insurmountable obstacles. The Heart of a Warrior series centers around a young woman who experienced the Haiti earthquake, her Navy SEAL romantic interest, his team, and a terrorist on the loose (who is intent on making things personal).
Through these stories, not only did I choose to write about real warriors, but I wanted women who read them to know that they have the heart of a warrior, too, no matter their profession or personality. I love writing characters who are flawed but learning, strong but struggling. I believe we can all relate to that tension.
I believe the written word is powerful. I believe it has the ability to change lives and culture. And I believe every person has a story, no matter how glamorous, or controversial, or messy, or beautiful, or complicated, or terrible. My faith heavily influences my writing. My hope is that it encourages and pushes people to at least consider the God I have come to see as good and loving.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well-positioned for?
I think there will always be challenges, but I tend to focus more on opportunities. I believe that working hard to produce the best results possible creates more opportunities to be seen, heard, and influence.
My faith informs every part of my life, and that is no less true with how I see the impact of women in society. I believe women have high value, capability, and strengths that are different from men. Women naturally tend to be more nurturing and relational. I believe that naturally positions us to be great team leaders. We bring polish and creativity to teams, tasks, and workspaces.
I believe that because we often face different obstacles than men, we bring a different kind of strength to opportunities. We tend to be encouragers who bring a diversity of gifts and innovation to the workplace and business opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: karisslynch.com
- Email: kariss@karisslynch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karisslynch.author/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.karisslynch/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kariss_Lynch
Image Credit:
Shanna Russell Photography, Chasya Kiewit Designs
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