The life of Lori Keesey is a tribute to the value of perseverance and the necessity of following one's dreams despite setbacks. Lori, who was born in Washington, DC, and currently resides in Walland, TN, has completed a full circle in her writing career. Following her graduation from the University of Maryland, College Park, she met Kevin Berry, the father of their three sons, and current husband. After enjoying a successful 40+ year career as a writer, Lori just retired and is now free to fulfill her childhood ambition of creating positive fictional characters.
A devoted porch sitter, Lori finds happiness in the little things in life, like staring out her window at Smoky Mountain National Park and the Chilhowee Mountains. Her path from journalist to author, characterized by a deep loss and a renewed sense of purpose, is an encouragement to everyone who aspires to turn suffering into a calling and realize their ambitions.
Ever since she was a small child, Lori Keesey has harbored a deep-seated urge to publish a book. But she didn't really make that desire come true until she dealt with a severe personal tragedy. "Always Think of Me," Lori's first book, is a unique love tale filled with lessons about overcoming adversity, pursuing your goals, and finding your calling.
Her path started when Edwina Mullinix, her first-grade teacher, saw her potential at an early age. Lori's childhood story of being lost in a hatbox with three puppies ignited a lifelong passion for writing. It was strengthened even more when she met Scout Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" in her high school years. Lori was inspired to become a fiction writer after reading this beloved book. However, life had other ideas.
A former journalist, Lori spent decades writing for daily newspapers, trade publications, and magazines. She also worked for NASA in public outreach as a communication consultant for nearly twenty years. Despite her successful career, the dream of writing a novel lingered, unfulfilled. It wasn’t until the devastating loss of her son that Lori found the story she needed to tell.
Lori was inspired to write "Always Think of Me" by tragedy. Her husband and she were left reeling from a heartache they had never experienced after her kid died. While they were deeply grieving, Lori started thinking about the bigger issues of interconnection and life's purpose. These ideas proved essential to her book's plot, in which Tyrus Cal, also known as TC, sets off on an unearthly quest to locate his true love and, in the process, discovers his calling.
The process of writing her novel was a new and challenging experience for Lori. Though she had extensive experience in journalistic writing, fiction required a different set of skills. She sought help from professional editors and learned a great deal through their guidance. The journey was marked by numerous drafts and rewrites, each bringing her closer to the final manuscript.
She wanted to explore the concept of life purpose and did so through the character of TC, a party boy struggling to find his way. By happenstance, TC meets the deeply traumatized Ginny at an outdoor music festival. Their relationship ends abruptly, leaving TC to move on, assuming he’ll never see her again. But then he does, just not in the way he expected. As the novel opens, TC is on an otherworldly mission to see her again, confronting his own doubts and fears along the way.
Journalistic-style writing, although helpful, didn’t compare to creating imaginary characters and story lines, Lori explains. She is thankful she had the wisdom to seek help from professional editors, as she learned a tremendous amount from them. Despite her extensive writing background, the leap to fiction was a learning curve. The process was marked by numerous drafts and rewrites, each iteration refining the narrative and deepening the characters.
Her story is one of turning pain into purpose and developing resilience in the face of adversity. Writing “Always Think of Me” helped her redefine her sense of purpose and realize a lifelong dream. The most rewarding part of this journey has been the response from readers, who found inspiration and solace in her story. Their feedback has motivated Lori to continue writing, and she is currently working on a sequel.
For Lori, the most rewarding part of writing “Always Think of Me” has been the connection with her readers. The most rewarding part about writing a novel is hearing from readers. As the book underscores, no one is random. Everyone has a job that only they can do. Many people understood that message and started considering their own lives. The story uplifted them, even though it deals with harsh, sometimes triggering, realities. Words can’t describe Lori’s gratitude to readers. They have inspired her to continue writing fiction.
Through her writing, Lori continues to inspire and connect with readers, proving that even the deepest pain can be transformed into a source of purpose and strength. Her novel, “Always Think of Me,” is a tribute to her son’s memory and a beacon of hope for others facing their own adversities. As she works on her next book, Lori remains committed to her mission of creating stories that uplift and inspire, reminding us of all of the power of resilience and the importance of discovering and fulfilling our unique purposes in life.
Written by: Journalist Shay
Social Media: @journalistshay
Comments