The Introverted Mermaid: Interview: Kayla Green (The Unicorn Writer)

Kayla Green, aka The Unicorn Writer!

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing one of the sweetest people I know: Kayla Green, who goes by The Unicorn Writer! She is a full-time English teacher in North Carolina and has recently released a book of poetry, Metamorphosis. It's a wonderful look into the story of how faith can help us through a tumultuous period of depression and anxiety in our life. I got to sit down with Kayla (virtually, of course!) and talk a little bit about herself and her writings.

Q: How long have you been writing?

A: I have been writing and creating stories since I was little. When I was about 8 or so, I fashioned together my first “book” called “The Lonely Guinea Pig” complete with illustrations. I was so proud of it!
In middle school, I began writing poetry and dabbling in fantasy writing. I entered my first and second writing contests in middle school. I did not win the poetry contest, but won first place in the short story contest. My story was about two middle schoolers who opened Pandora’s Box and had to work together to save their town and reseal the box. I wish I still had a copy of the story. . .
(So do I! That sounds amazing!)
In high school, I focused more on nonfiction writing as I participated in Journalism Newspaper all four years. I served as the editor my senior year, and it was one of my favorite experiences. In undergraduate school, I wrote for fun on occasion, but I really started to set aside time for writing when I turned 26. I believe that God gave me a gift, and I decided to share my gift of writing with others. Shortly after this epiphany is when I wrote my first novel The Goodness of Unicorns.
The Goodness of Unicorns is a fantasy novel that follows the point of view of young Rowan Tritonia. Rowan struggles with adjusting to high school and coping with the fact that she is a magicless witch -- something unheard of in the world of Wisteria. Rowan has been told all her life that she is not good enough by her father, and she struggles to accept herself and find acceptance in a world she desperately wants to belong. Her negative thoughts make her easy prey for a demon who begins to plague her. As darkness attempts to consume Rowan, it also threatens the world at large. Can Rowan discover the magic within her and help light prevail over darkness?
(This sounds fantastic! I can't wait to read it!)

Q: What inspires your poems? Do you find the Bible verses first, or does God reveal the perfect verses to you after you’ve written them?

A: The idea for Metamorphosis was written after God placed Isaiah 40:31 in my heart. I sat down and wrote the poem “Promises.” In that moment, a fire was ignited in my heart, and God urged me to create a collection of poems to share with others. Shortly after I wrote the poem “Metamorphosis,” the other poems followed suit. There are two poems that I had written beforehand, but felt like they were needed to complete my story: “Depression” and “Purpose.”

Q: How long does it usually take to write a poem? How many drafts do you usually do?

A: I have written a poem in mere minutes, but have also worked up to a week on a single poem. It depends on the purpose of the poem, my level of inspiration, and how it sounds when I read it aloud to myself. Some of my poems are the original version, while others have gone through many stages to arrive at its final form.

Q: How long did it take you to write “Metamorphosis”?

A: This project was written in about four months.

Q: Would you want to share with us a little bit about your struggle/inspiration journey?

A: I have struggled with anxiety and depression most of my life. And there was a time in my life that I had great struggles in my faith, but all that I have experienced has in turn led me to grow closer to God. I have found solace in the arms of Jesus. I wanted to share my journey so that others who feel lost or broken know they can be found and made whole through God’s love.

Q: Do you have any advice for people who are going through a similar struggle to what you faced?

A: Depression and anxiety are very real, and they are nothing to be ashamed of. Despite the stigma that mental health has, it is okay to talk about. Take your concerns and worries to God through prayer. What I love about prayer is that even when you don’t have the right words, God hears your heart. God will always hear you. And God heard my prayers and led me to specialists to help me. That’s right, I have a therapist and a psychiatrist that I talk to. And that’s okay! It’s okay to have Jesus and a therapist too. My faith-based therapist prays for and with me and she helps me cope with life through a spiritual lens. I firmly believe God placed her in my life at the right time to help me. So, ask for help, pray, break the stigma, and pray more.

Q: Can you tell me a little about your faith journey? Were you raised in church, or how did you come to find Jesus?

A: I was raised in church and remember the moment I asked Jesus to forgive my sins and live in my heart at a vacation Bible school. I remember being baptized, and I actively sought out God’s word as a young child. However, I had a negative experience at one church following my parents’ divorce. That, along with the verbal abuse I suffered at the hands of my biological father, and my sister’s autoimmune disease made me question my faith. Yet, time and time again God proved that He had not abandoned us, and that He would never fail. I saw miracle after miracle performed in my life, and all my struggles and triumphs led me back to Him. I am now blessed with a loving church home, a real dad who loves me unconditionally, and my sister’s health has greatly improved.

Q: I’m so excited about your two new works-in-progress! First up: your short story collection about space! Can you tell us about it?

A: Absolutely! I am re-writing four fairy tales that relate in some way to the sun, moon, or stars. The four stories I am re-writing are: The Buried Moon, The Sister of the Sun, The Twins with the Golden Stars, and The Star Talers. My versions are: The Moon Goddess, The Sun’s Sister, The
Golden Stars, and Keeper of the Celestial Keys. The two former re-writes are more fantasy based, while the latter two have a science fiction twist.
Here is a quick blurb for The Moon Goddess: Ric, an elf, worries he is unworthy of receiving his Gift from the Moon Goddess. Yet, the events of the night show that the Moon Goddess finds him worthy of her love. But how can Ric accept that when he knows he has sinned? The Moon Goddess
is a story of self-acceptance and faith with a fantastical spin.
The Moon Goddess is the only one that has been drafted completely thus far, but I am excited for this collection and how it will unfold! I will post updates on my blog and social media.

Q: Second up: what can you tell us about “Rune and the One Truth”?

A: “Rune and the One Truth” is a prequel to a larger collection I am developing, “The One Truth Chronicles.” All her life, Rune has done as she was told, never questioning the gods of Vihishki. But, then Aivan, who claims to be the One Truth, speaks to her. Rune is told by many that Aivan is just a myth and that Vihishki is the way. Yet, Rune knows in her heart something is wrong with the village’s current way of life. Can Rune discover her divine properties and help both restore the Heaven Realm and bring salvation to her people?
I was inspired to write this book because I wanted to share my faith. I wanted to write a YA Christian fantasy that would allow readers a space to explore and discuss their faith. I hope to begin the first novel (second book) in the series after I finish my short story collection.

Q: Do you have any advice for other authors?

A: Listen to the story God writes on your heart. If you have a story, write it without worrying if it will be good or what others will think. Someone, somewhere needs to read the words only you can write, and God put them in your heart for a reason.

Q: What are some books that have changed your life or that you continue to re-read?

A: I love this question! “Criss Cross” by Lynne Rae Perkins taught me about life and relationships. “Matilda” by Roald Dahl taught me to always believe in myself. “Dealing with Dragons” by Patricia Wrede taught me to follow my dreams and stand up for myself. DWD also inspired me to write fantasy back in middle school.

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

A: When I am not reading or writing, I am watching TV with my husband (we really enjoy anime and shows like “The Witcher”), crocheting (I’m a novice and working on my first blanket), and spending time with my furbabies.

Q: What’s one unique fact or talent about you?

A: I have a twin sister. I have four dogs and a cat. On occasion, I paint. Oh! I collect sugar skulls and FurryBones. And I love mythical creatures, especially unicorns.

Q: The most important question of all: what’s your favorite color?

A: Pink.

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I would like to send a huge thanks to Kayla for joining me today. I had so much fun with my first interview! She's such an authentic person and I hope that you all have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her as much as I have. ♥

If you're looking to buy your own copy of Metamorphosis, follow this link. Here's my review of it:

Kayla's poems are so relatable and really resounded with me. I felt so touched by reading them! They brought tears to my eyes. She is such a talented writer and you can read her emotions and sense her faith as you read through this beautiful collection.

Her poems show that, no matter how alone we feel in the midst of them, our struggles are universal and nothing that we can say or think will shock God or make Him turn away from us. He understands our troubles and promises that we don’t have a God who can’t empathize with us, but One who feels everything that we have been through (Hebrews 4:15) and will see us through all the valleys and mountains.

Thank you, Kayla, for sharing your poems and your heart with the world! We are all the more blessed for it.