Interview With Author Trina Kennedy
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Trina Kennedy, a social worker with over 30 years of experience, a Mental Health First Aid trainer, and a certified Women-Centered Coach specializing in life transitions. My passion lies in helping others heal from trauma, unlock their potential, and live meaningful, fulfilling lives.
I’ve always loved learning, and that passion fuels my work and my writing. I’m married to my high school sweetheart, and we’ve been building a life together for over 28 years. We have two incredible, successfully launched children, and we live in Blackfalds, Alberta, Canada, where I enjoy hiking, playing pickleball, and spending time with family and friends.
I’ve written one book so far, From Trauma to Triumph and What Lies Between. It’s a deeply personal and empowering journey that combines my story with insights and tools to help readers overcome their barriers and step into their greatness. Writing this book has been an incredible experience, and I’m excited to continue sharing my message with others.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is From Trauma to Triumph and What Lies Between. It was inspired by my personal journey of healing from trauma and my desire to help others navigate their own challenges. For years, I had a vision of writing a book but was held back by self-doubt. In January 2023, while hiking in the mountains—one of my favorite places—I had a moment of clarity. It felt like a clear message telling me, “It’s time to write your book.”
I’ve spent over three decades in human services, supporting others through their pain and struggles, and I realized that sharing my story could create a deeper connection and offer hope to others. The book combines personal experiences with the tools and insights I’ve gained over the years to help readers understand the impact of unresolved trauma and how healing can unlock their potential.
The title, From Trauma to Triumph and What Lies Between, reflects the journey of moving through pain and into a life of purpose and fulfillment. I wrote this book to inspire others to embrace their strength and step into their greatness.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t necessarily call them unusual, but I did have a writing routine that helped me stay focused and grounded. Before starting, I would put essential oils in my diffuser and play Hertz frequencies designed to enhance creativity. This created a calming and inspiring environment, setting the tone for my writing sessions.
Since my book required me to delve into deep and sometimes painful memories, I also practiced self-reflection and mindfulness before and after writing. Taking a moment to center myself helped me approach those memories with compassion and process them in a healthy way. After writing, I would take time to decompress and reset, ensuring I wasn’t carrying the emotional weight of the session with me.
This routine not only supported my creativity but also made the process of writing about personal experiences feel manageable and meaningful. It allowed me to stay connected to my purpose while caring for my emotional well-being.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Several authors and books have had a profound influence on me, particularly in the realms of personal development, psychology, and trauma healing. One of the most impactful books I’ve ever read is The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown. It helped me confront and work through my own trauma response of perfectionism, offering insights that have stayed with me both personally and professionally.
I’m also deeply inspired by Dr. Gabor Maté’s work, especially The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, which has expanded my understanding of how trauma affects the body and mind. Dr. Stuart Shanker’s work on self-regulation and Daniel Siegel’s insights into the brain and emotional health have also shaped my perspective on resilience and healing.
These authors not only broadened my knowledge but also inspired me to write my book, From Trauma to Triumph and What Lies Between, with the hope of empowering others as their work empowered me. Their vulnerability, expertise, and authenticity have set the standard for the kind of meaningful, impactful work I aspire to create.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m focused on marketing my book, From Trauma to Triumph and What Lies Between. I thought writing the book would be the hardest part, but it turns out that getting it out into the world is an even bigger challenge! My goal is to ensure the book reaches the people who need it most, so I’m dedicating a lot of energy to promoting it.
I’ve been appearing as a guest on podcasts to share my story and insights, which has been a fantastic way to connect with new audiences. I’m also actively booking speaking engagements, where I can dive deeper into the themes of my book—like healing from trauma, building resilience, and stepping into greatness.
It’s a busy season, but it’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact my work is starting to have. I’m also laying the groundwork for future projects, including expanding my coaching services and developing additional workshops to help people on their journey of healing and growth.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still in the process of figuring out the best methods for promoting my book, as From Trauma to Triumph and What Lies Between was just released in October. So far, I’ve been focusing on building connections through social media, being a guest on podcasts, and booking speaking engagements to share my story and message.
I’ve also recently hired a publicist, and I’m hopeful she’ll help me navigate the world of book promotion and identify the most effective strategies for reaching my audience. From what I’ve learned so far, it seems that a combination of personal engagement, online presence, and leveraging professional expertise is key to getting the word out.
It’s definitely a learning curve, but I’m embracing it as part of the journey. The most important thing for me is ensuring my book reaches the people who need its message most, and I’m excited to see where this path leads.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
The advice I would give other writers is to embrace the process and trust your voice. Writing can be deeply personal and vulnerable, but it’s in that authenticity that readers will connect with you. Don’t worry about perfection in the first draft—just get the words down. You can refine and polish later, but you can’t edit a blank page.
Start with a clear purpose for your writing. Ask yourself, “What do I want readers to feel, learn, or take away from this?” Having that intention will guide you through the inevitable moments of doubt or writer’s block.
I also recommend being patient with yourself. Writing is not always linear. Some days will feel productive and inspired, while others may feel like a struggle. Celebrate small wins and keep showing up for the work.
Lastly, surround yourself with supportive people who believe in you—whether it’s friends, family, or a writing group. And don’t underestimate the importance of building your brand and audience as you write. Writing the book is one part, but connecting with readers and sharing your message requires intentional effort.
Remember, your story or message matters. There’s someone out there who needs to read exactly what you have to say, so keep going!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard is that writing the book is the easy part; the hardest part is marketing it. This was shared with me early in my journey, and it completely reframed how I approached the process. It taught me that while creating the content is important, building a strong foundation—your brand, your audience, and your connections—is what truly determines the reach and impact of your work.
This advice pushed me to invest time in developing my website, social media presence, and professional network long before the book was released. It also prepared me for the challenges of promoting my book and connecting with readers. It’s been a reminder to focus on the long game and that the real work begins once the book is out in the world.
What are you reading now?
With a full-time job and running my business on the side, I unfortunately don’t have time to dive into a book right now. Instead, my reading has been focused on articles, guidebooks, and resources about how to promote a book effectively. It’s a whole new learning curve, and I’m soaking up as much information as I can to ensure From Trauma to Triumph and What Lies Between reaches the people who need it most.
While I miss reading for personal growth and enjoyment, I know this phase is temporary. Once things settle, I look forward to picking up a good nonfiction book—likely something in the realm of personal development, psychology, or storytelling—to recharge and find inspiration again.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Many people are asking me when I’ll start writing my next book, but honestly, I haven’t even thought about that yet. Writing From Trauma to Triumph and What Lies Between was an incredible experience, but it was also time-consuming and a significant financial investment. Right now, my focus is on getting my book into the hands of readers and spreading its message of healing and hope.
My current priority is promoting the book, booking speaking engagements, and appearing on podcasts to connect with new audiences. These opportunities allow me to share the themes of resilience, overcoming trauma, and stepping into greatness in a more personal and interactive way.
For now, I’m fully committed to amplifying the message of my first book and making an impact with it. Once I feel that I’ve given it the attention it deserves, I’ll revisit the idea of writing another book—when the time feels right, and I have a story or message that I feel compelled to share.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were stranded on a desert island, I’d definitely bring How to Survive on an Island for Dummies—practical knowledge would be a top priority! Alongside that, I’d choose books that could inspire and sustain me emotionally and mentally. Here’s my list:
How to Survive on an Island for Dummies – Because staying alive and learning essential survival skills would be my first priority.
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown – A book that’s deeply meaningful to me and would help me stay grounded, embrace vulnerability, and find strength in the challenge.
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk – To remind me of the resilience of the human mind and body, and to reflect on the power of healing and hope even in isolation.
A classic novel or anthology of inspiring stories – Maybe something like Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, to keep me inspired and remind me of the human capacity to find purpose even in the most difficult circumstances.
These books would cover both the practical and emotional sides of survival while keeping my mind engaged and inspired.
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