Meet author Erin Kohler
Erin Kohler is an award-winning writer who aspires to draw readers closer to God and ignite a belief in the power of second chances. Erin grew up in tiny towns, on backroads, and on mountain trails. She now lives at the base of Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, CO with her incredible husband, two amazing teen daughters, and loyal canine writing companions. She enjoys reading, hiking, gardening, sports, and any time spent with family.
Tell us about your newest book.
It’s a sort of mash-up of a biography of my dad/memoir/devotional that includes stories of lessons that my dad taught me throughout my life that drew me closer to my Heavenly Father.
What inspired you to write The Mountains We Climb – Walking Through Life’s Peaks and Valleys with My Dad and My Father?
As my dad was battling stage 4 liver cancer, the Lord put this project on my heart. I can’t explain it any other way. I could not have come up with the idea and format on my own. I wanted my dad to know that I really was paying attention to his wisdom and love all those years, and ensure that he knew how much God and I loved him as he was preparing for his eternal home. I was able to gift a rough draft to him for his 75th birthday, and then the published version to him for Christmas, a month before he passed away.
How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?
The Mountains We Climb invites readers to scale life’s peaks and navigate its valleys guided by the powerful influence of the author’s father. As you follow Erin’s family adventures, you’ll discover how her earthly father’s love became a bridge to a deeper connection with her Heavenly Father. This compelling devotional memoir will ignite your own journey of faith and self-discovery, regardless of your relationship with your earthly father. The forty devotional stories can be read any time, at any pace, or as a focused devotional during the lent or advent season.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
The main character is my dad. I initiated this project as a gift to him as he battled through his cancer journey. As it turned out, it has been a gift to readers, too. I’ve heard from a number of readers that they experienced similar relationships with their own fathers, and the devotions deeply touched them and strengthened their understanding of their childhoods and relationships. Others said that reading my book helped to heal hurt they’ve long carried over not so good relationships with parents. Isn’t God amazing?!
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
Well, I haven’t tackled a consistent, long-term writing schedule like many other authors. I manage Fibromyalgia, which means I can’t sit in front of a computer for extended periods of time. However, I have experienced the most progress when I block schedule my days, allowing for a couple hours of focused writing time with breaks for appointments, activities, volunteering, and just life, in between. I’ll never pump out multiple books a year, but that’s okay. I’ve come to realize that’s not my journey.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
The hardest part of being an author for me is consistency. I tend to make progress in spurts, then life happens and I fall out of my routine. I’m a work in progress.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
The best part of an author’s life is making my own schedule so I can attend all my daughters’ events and coach for our local high school’s track and field team. It also helped me to be available to help my parents with appointments and care during my dad’s cancer battle.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I have been blessed to be a member of Novel Academy, ACFW national, and a board member for ACFW Colorado Springs, and have benefited from learning from great authors, editors and publishers over the years through workshops, classes, and conferences. The Christian writing community is replete with successful professionals who are generous with their time, talents, and teaching. Applying the lessons I have learned has greatly improved my writing. When I first decided to turn my dreams into stories, I thought you just sat down and wrote. Boy, was I wrong! Like any profession, it can take years of education, planning, plotting, development and editing, editing, editing.
What is your favorite pastime?
Reading of course. I also love hiking and watching sports.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on finishing a trio of military love stories tackling difficult topics like a soldier’s death and how his family recovers, a soldier’s suicide, and a homeless veteran. Heavy topics with second chances and happy endings.
Website: https://erinkohlerwrites.com
Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/blessedwriter
https://www.instagram.com/erin730kohler/
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