"Every single person, regardless of race or culture, holds a unique gift that can make the world a kinder place."
When Lori Keesey wrote and illustrated a story about three puppies lost in a hatbox, it piqued her interest in writing. An introduction to Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird many years later sealed the deal.
Lori decided then that she wanted to write fiction.
Many, many years passed—and hundreds of novels were read—before Lori realized her goal with her debut novel, Always Think of Me.
A former journalist, Lori has written for daily newspapers, trade publications, and magazines and worked for NASA in public outreach for nearly twenty years as a communication consultant.
She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she met her husband, Kevin Berry, the father of their three sons. Lori was born in Washington, DC, and now calls Walland, Tennessee, home.
Recently retired, Lori enjoyed a 40-plus-year career as a writer and now has time to pursue her childhood dream of writing fictional characters who make a difference.
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Table of Contents
Please introduce us to who Lori Keesey is. What is your origin story?
Lori Keesey: Interesting question. We’re born with a certain personality, but our experiences, especially those in the formative years, do shape who we are.
I am forever grateful to my parents. Despite their chaotic marriage, especially in my teen years, they loved and guided me.
They taught and demonstrated hard work. I’ll never forget my father saying that I’d better figure out a career because no one would ever take care of me.
Far from abusive, he wanted me to stand on my own two feet and take responsibility for myself and my decisions.
Your debut novel “Always Think of Me” promotes themes of resilience and hope in the face of unimaginable adversity. Why do you believe it is important for business leaders and entrepreneurs to cultivate resilience?
Lori Keesey: Resilience is the ability to cope with and recover from setbacks. No one avoids adversity.
Whether a market turndown, an illness, or betrayal from a business associate or employee, we face challenges. In times like these, we have a choice:
We can get mad or even embittered. Or we can search for the blessings in that setback. Things happen for a reason.
As someone who has faced significant personal and professional challenges, what strategies do you use to overcome self-doubt and negative voices?
Lori Keesey: I love this question. It evokes an easily recognizable meme: The devil blathering negativity in one ear, and the angel speaking encouragement in the other.
When I start feeling blue, I try to pay closer attention to the thoughts that enter my mind. Are they coming from a place of good or a place of evil?
If from the latter, I remember certain scriptural verses, like this one: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
How have your personal experiences and the stories of those around you shaped the characters and themes in your novel?
Lori Keesey: The novel isn’t autobiographical, but many of the scenes happened and I know a handful of the characters . . . with some revision, of course.
They provided the background to drive home my central theme. Everyone has a purpose in life, a job that only he or she can do.
And failure to fulfill that mission could prevent others from achieving theirs. We’re intricately linked like the finest tapestry.
Our world needs hope and resilience more now than ever. Through your writings, how do you hope to inspire strength in the face of struggle?
Lori Keesey: Ditto on that. Our world does need hope more now than ever. But remember this: No one is a fluke or random.
Every single person, regardless of race and culture, has something special to offer in making the world a kinder place.
Your Blog, The Accidental Blogger, shares powerful personal stories of people overcoming adverse experiences to create powerful personal and professional growth. What have you learned through sharing these stories?
Lori Keesey: Yes, I’ve talked with people from all walks of life . . . ordinary folks as well as those who’ve achieved professional notoriety.
I’ve discovered that those with a strong faith did journey through most stages of bereavement but reached acceptance faster than those who didn’t. Many looked beyond themselves to do something positive for someone else.
What do you hope people will take away from your blog and book?
Lori Keesey: I hope they realize that beauty exists even in the ugly. When trials happen, we must figure out the lesson and then implement whatever we learned.
Brooke Young, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Lori Keesey for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Lori Keesey or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
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