Author -Kelly Mize

What a treat I have for you today. My very talented friend and author……that is fun to say…. Kelly Mize is here to share a little about herself and her new book.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Kelly for over 12 years. She has always demonstrated a passion for pouring God’s love into children. It has been a lovely thing to watch. I have followed her as she has written various articles over the years. I was thrilled when she shared with me the birth of this book. I was even more thrilled when she agreed to meet us here and talk about it.

Please meet Kelly Mize

Please get to know her through her own words……

How did you get started writing?

I wrote my first book in 4th grade as a school assignment. My teacher covered two rectangular pieces of cardboard with decorative contact paper to make book covers for each child in the class. My classmates and I each filled blank pages with an illustrated autobiography. I thought my book titled “Kelly” was the most wonderful thing I had ever seen–and not just my book, but everyone else’s too. I was in love with the concept.

I always loved literature and writing in school. I won a writing contest in eighth grade, and was complimented on my writing by my freshman comp professor in college. It’s profound to me how just a few encouraging words here and there can affect us so deeply that they help determine who we become. It’s one of my life’s goals to use words to build people up the way so many others have done for me.

In college, I thought seriously about majoring in journalism, but ultimately chose elementary education, and became an elementary/middle school teacher.

I took a break from teaching when my first child was born. Then in 1998, my six-month-old son received a terrifying medical diagnosis. My husband and I started a very primitive “blog” (the internet was new then) to share updates with friends and family. As I wrote about the dire situation on our clunky desktop, I discovered that writing was intensely therapeutic for me. Note: my son is now a healthy young adult, nothing short of a miracle, but that is a story for another day– and not surprisingly I have written about the experience many times since!

My first professional publication was in 2001 (a month after my daughter was born!)– a poem in Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Jr. magazine for kids. After that acceptance, I had the fever and haven’t stopped writing yet.

What kinds of things have you written?

My writing tenure has definitely been a marathon and not a sprint–and a hodge-podge of genres! I’ve written articles, devotions, and curriculum for Lifeway Christian Resources, and over the span of a few years through Lifeway’s ParentLife magazine, I interviewed several well-known people in the faith-based community. My most memorable interviews were with Patricia Heaton (from Everybody Loves Raymond) and Max Lucado. I will always treasure those experiences and feel so thankful to have had the opportunity.

When my children were small, I also wrote a weekly community column in a newspaper for a while (remember actual paper newspapers?!).

Over the years, I have contributed short stories and devotions to several compilation books and written guest blog posts for various websites.

On paper, I have lots of published writing experience, but until recently, I still had not ever written full-length, stand-alone piece that was completely mine. So I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to write my own book. All in God’s time.

What were your favorite books as a child?

My very favorite author of all time is Beverly Cleary. I loved all her books, but especially the ones that featured Ramona Quimby. Beverly Cleary created characters that were relatable to me, for the first time, and I give her books partial credit for my love of reading. I also liked The Little House on the Prairie series, and The Chronicles of Narnia.

Before I could read on my own, I remember being read to from a thick Bible storybook that had the most beautiful illustrations. I also loved Dr. Seuss and Fairy Tales (Hansel and Gretel and Snow White and Rose Red were my favorites).

For you, what is the best part about writing? The worst part?

It’s satisfying to see a finished product I’ve worked really hard on. But even better than that is when someone tells me they could relate to my words and were encouraged in some way because of them.

The worst part is getting started. And edits–struggling to find the perfect word, because short of the Bible, perfect writing does not exist!

What was your inspiration for The Beautiful Story Within Me?

When I was an elementary librarian, I started thinking about all the books on the shelves that were never checked out. Sadly, most of those were overlooked because the covers were old. Many of those tattered books were full of wonderful stories and ideas but were literally being judged by their covers. I spent time repairing some of the books the best I could. But whether worn out from time or overuse–or both–books age, just like we do. In my brain, I started making the comparison of a person and a book on a library shelf…

The gray cat in the book is a tribute to our family cat, Chester, who lived to be 15 and died not long before I finished The Beautiful Story Within Me. When I was a librarian, my students loved stories about animals in the library so I wanted to make sure there was a cat in my story. I also gave the illustrator photos of my children when they were young, and he drew two of the kids in the crowd scene to resemble them.

What is the suggested age range for this book?

As I wrote the book, I was hopeful that it would appeal to all ages. I like to think that there is something for everyone: bright colors and repetition for young children, vocabulary and discussion questions/activities for older children, and Biblical encouragement for everyone!

What do you hope readers take from the book?

I want children and adults to know that their lives have meaning. God has given each of us a beautiful story. We are seen, known, and truly loved by Him, regardless of how we feel, or how others see us. There is only One whose opinion matters.

Do you plan to write more books?

I hope so! I am exploring a few ideas now, so stay tuned!

Oh, Kelly, we hope so too. Do not miss having this in your personal library to read to any little ones who may visit your home. Do not miss gifting this to little ones on your Christmas list this year. Do not miss gifting this to parents who are expecting.

If you are like me, I was always searching for books with messages about our God for my kids. Well Kelly has delivered and I hope you will join me in supporting the awesome work she has given us.

Leave a comment here (and also hop over to Instagram for additional entries) and I am going to send two of you a copy of this wonderful book. Simply comment the word “Beautiful”. But go ahead and order your own by clicking