Meet: Britt Kelly

Britt La Von Kelly was born in California in 1971. She is an avid reader and story teller. She lived in South Africa for eighteen months as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She loves to collect small sea shells and play volleyball. Britt is the mother of six daughters and two sons, who are a primary motivator for her career. Despite the challenges of raising and homeschooling a large family, Britt found the time to introduce herself to us:

What is the strangest job you've ever had?

My first job was at Dairy Queen. I was promoted to assistant manager within a week because I had come to work sober every day! I didn’t know enough to really assist the manager so it was a challenge. It was also challenging trying to figure out as a 15-year-old how to keep my co-workers from selling drugs through the store front! 

How do you write your rough drafts--computer, typewriter, pen…?

I write multiple drafts, sometimes in pencil but most frequently on the computer. I write and rewrite until it all seems good to me. Then I take it to a friend who loves me enough to rip it to shreds. When they give it back, not only do I have their ideas to work from, but I can see my own work in a completely different way and I’m ready to make some progress.

Name one question people ask you about writing that drives you crazy. How do you answer it?

I am frequently asked “how do you do it?” I normally answer “that depends on what you think I’m doing! My laundry-not very well! Cooking-I love it. Dishes-not so much.”

When did you first start to think of yourself as a writer? 

I first started thinking of myself as a writer when I decided to submit my story for publication.

Describe a turning point in your writing life.

In the summer of 2006 I was preparing for our home school year and looking for books about Utah history to read with my children. I was very surprised to find no children’s stories about the Miracle of the Gulls.  As I was talking with the librarian about it, she said “Why don’t you write one?” From that day on the thought kept coming back to me. From her question to the day I decided to write the story I became a writer.

Did you ever have a mentor?

I have had many people help me through this process.  My husband is a wonderful editor. My friends have read and reread my stories and writings.  A friend who has been published helped me through the submission process. 

What do you do with your children while you write?

I write because I have young children. I write the books I want them to read. I write the stories I want them to remember and the thoughts I need to think because I have small children. They sit on my lap as I write, I write when they are asleep, I read them my writing…I really couldn’t get anything done if I waited for a quiet moment, or when I wouldn’t be bothered. I really believe everyone has discretionary time; time in which they choose what they will do. I started writing when my twins were 7 months old.  I’m not saying it’s easy or quick to write with little children. It is just what I want to do. For the record I have been interrupted 6 times during these interview questions! It’s a beautiful sunny day so I sent children outside. I tried using the television even!  What worked best as a distraction was frozen mangos!

What would make you feel you had reached the top of your career? 

The pinnacle of my career would be watching a child choose to read and enjoy my book.


Did you enjoy reading as a child?

Thanks to my parents I have always been a reader. My mom always gave us books as presents and frequently they would have her bookmark in them. She would beg them off of us and finish the book quickly them give them back. My dad loves to read as well. I always remember a box of books accompanying us on every family vacation..

Does your writing tend to have a theme--something special  you like people to draw from it?

If my writing has any theme it would be that there is great power in small and simple things.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently interested in writing three or four books: a book on motherhood, a book on a dinosaur my son wants to read about (because there currently isn’t a book on it) and a historical fiction book for children.

What surprised you about being a writer?

The process of choosing a publisher was very different than I expected. I was well advised to research publishing companies.  I read the books they published, read their websites and tried to understand their philosophy to see where I would fit best. Trying to understand publishers changed my writing completely.

I was also very surprised at how very difficult it is to write a simple children’s book! I realized how very well you need to know a subject to be able to express it simply.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Write!  Write today. You will be interrupted, you will get frustrated and you will wonder why you are writing or if any of it is any good.  Write anyway!

How does the gospel influence your career?

The gospel is the lens through which I see the world. As I write and describe the world I see, every aspect of that vision is affected by the gospel.