What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
In 2018, I hit rock bottom. I was sad, angry, frustrated and suffocated by a situation I had put myself into. I had a life that looked great on paper with a big market on-air tv career. But inside, I was miserable.
The only person who could fix my problem was ME.
My book is called “My Happy Place: How I DIY’d My Own Bliss”. A hopeful, relatable memoir/how-to hybrid, it lays out in detail the DIY roadmap I followed to actualize my most authentically joyful existence, plus ninja tricks and wisdom that helped me ensure the good times keep rolling.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Part of “My Happy Place” was written from the driver’s seat of my car. I need zero distractions to write, and because the world shut down due to COVID, I had to get creative to finish my manuscript. So I set up a cramped portable office in my car and drove to parking spots with picturesque views to get the work done.
I also find I have to be in a certain mood to write effectively. Certain chapters in “My Happy Place” required I be in an angry or hopeful or inspired mood to get my message across.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Though my first book is a memoir, I don’t typically read that genre myself. However, I wrote as honestly as I could, like I was writing a huge diary entry. When I was about halfway through my manuscript, I listened to the audio version of Rachel Hollis’ “Girl, Stop Apologizing”. Hollis’ style felt so close to my own – telling it like she saw it through personal stories and observations. Her work and the success it had by that point gave me confidence that I was on the right track in my own writing – by being authentic.
What are you working on now?
I have grand plans to write another book (or several more). However, as I DIY’d and reinvented my life, I chose 3 big projects to work on. #1 was my first book – check. Next up, I plan to create an online course in one of my wheelhouses – video production. I want to help amateur aspiring content creators become video production rockstars. Along with that, I’m developing a presence as a public speaker, and have more information on all my current work on my website: https://katiefehlinger.com/
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social, social, social. I am lucky enough to have built an organic following before I wrote my book. So getting the word out via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter has proved pivotal for me. It was also where I reached out to assemble my book launch team.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I hit a SERIOUS hump day period in the writing process. When I was about 75% done with my manuscript, the gears just ground to a halt I worried my writer’s block would keep me from finishing. My solution: I took a hard look at my outline. I reworked my giant wall of sticky notes to ensure my book had a solid path and that helped me pinpoint where I needed to add paragraphs and trim things down.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s SO important to love what you do every day. Steve Jobs and Gary Vaynerchuk have reinforced the idea that loving your process is vital to happiness. Success is so much more than just reaching a goal. You can have your eye on a prize, but make sure you’re loving the journey there.
What are you reading now?
As I write this, I’m halfway through “Little Women” (my favorite novel of all time). But I love a good psychothriller, and just gobbled up Ruth Ware’s “The Turn of the Key” a few days ago.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have the author bug now, and hope to write another non-fiction book about bullying and dealing with the trolls in our lives (both online and IRL). Eventually, I hope to also write a children’s book and a lifestyle coffee table book.
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?
“Little Women”, no question. But I’m going to cheat and say the entire Agatha Christie collection. She’s my favorite author and her work never gets old.
Author Websites and Profiles
Katie Fehlinger Website
Katie Fehlinger’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account