One Year of Redeemed: Stories Behind the Pages Q&A
- Rebecca Kolenda
- Aug 21
- 8 min read
Happy bookaversary to Redeemed!!! I still can't believe it’s been a year since I published my memoir and became an author. What an unbelievable journey it’s been!
This blog post is dedicated to every reader who has found my story. I cannot put into words how it feels to know my testimony has reached your heart and made a difference in your life. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for reading my story!
Redeemed Q & A
In celebration of this special milestone, I asked my social media followers to share the questions they have about my book and author journey.
Without further ado, here’s your all-access pass behind the pages! Redeemed’s Q&A starts now:
How did you know you wanted to write this book? How did you feel?
In the summer of 2022, I decided to quit my job. It was a surprising choice, but one I made due to the state of my emotional and mental health. The culmination of busy schedules, work overload, responsibility burnout, and the effects of my childhood trauma were finally catching up with me.
I decided to take a respite year to recover and reacclimate myself to sustainable life practices. During my first month off, I began reflecting on how to spend my time. I knew I needed a break, but I also wanted to do something productive; I didn’t want to just sit around and watch TV. I knew I needed to invest in myself and my recovery journey. I had recently read Educated by Tara Westover and became inspired by memoirs – books that tell parts of an author’s story with a meaningful message. I began to think that I should write my own memoir. I journaled about it, shared my desire with Jon, and meditated on the idea of telling my story.
Would people want to read it?
Was it good enough?
Eventually, I decided that writing my life’s testimony was exactly what I was supposed to do next!
I felt very nervous, vulnerable, and in complete astonishment about writing my memoir. It wasn’t something I had ever dreamed about doing, yet it felt so right. I may have only been thirty, but God had already done so much in my life that I felt my story could be an encouragement to others. Throughout my life, I’ve found such reassurance and validation in other people’s stories that, as I wrote my own, I wanted mine to be an inspiration for others as well.
If you’ve read Redeemed, you know that growing up, I had wished for an impactful testimony, and that in writing my memoir, I finally discovered the incredible testimony God has given me. You also know that in all my research and preparation for planning my memoir, I found an old journal entry that specifically said how I wanted to write a "biography of sorts" and "be a testimony to people."
Writing and publishing Redeemed was meant to happen; it was part of my destiny. Seeds had been planted throughout my life to become an author and tell my story; I just didn’t realize it until they bloomed into my published memoir.
Why did you write Redeemed?
I first decided to write Redeemed out of obedience to what I felt the Lord wanted me to do next in life. I originally wrote it to be an encouragement to others and tell what the Lord had transformed and redeemed in my life, how He made a way when things felt hopeless, and restored my soul after years of chronic anxiety and self-worth issues – topics that I believe many people can relate to.
Writing my memoir was a cathartic and therapeutic experience. Until I began writing it, I didn’t realize how much it was going to heal and bless me. Reliving parts of my story, gaining clarity and meaning from my life experiences, was eye-opening and enthralling. Every time I reread my memoir, I’m in awe of what I’ve written. It took courage to share my testimony of hardship and grace, trauma and healing, family and dysfunction, faith and doubt, anxiety and hope, fear and love, purpose and identity. It’s my personal story, but it’s also a story readers can see themselves in and find encouragement and validation.
How did you start? What were the first few steps?
I began by creating an outline and going through old journals and life mementos. I knew the general story I wanted to tell - what I’d been through, what I learned, how I grew, and how God moved in my life. Once I had a plan, I inserted my memories, journal entries, and relevant scriptures that correlated with that timeframe or specific life lesson.
From there, I began writing! They say not to edit as you go, but this being my first big writing venture (and me being a bit of a recovering perfectionist), I edited my first chapter A LOT. I did some revising and research along the way as chapters and themes developed, but the first step was really just getting that first draft complete so I could focus on editing it toward the final manuscript. It wasn’t until then that I got a professional editor and designer to help me with the final details, which truly transformed my manuscript into the book it is today.
Did you talk to your parents beforehand about what you were writing?
Yes, I informed both my mom and my dad about writing Redeemed. However, neither of them knew exactly what I wrote until my book was published. They both understood my desire to share my story and supported my decision to publish my memoir.
Were you able to come to peace, even an understanding of your past traumas, by writing?
I don’t think I’ll ever be at peace regarding my trauma. It’s always going to feel unfair and frustrating that I had to experience it and deal with its aftereffects. But, I think I have developed an understanding of my trauma through writing about it, especially the effects that it’s caused through anxiety, perfectionism, and self-esteem issues. Discovering the origin and reason for the struggles I’ve faced has helped me move forward to find healing and learn not to condemn myself for struggling. The effects of my past aren’t my fault. All I can do is acknowledge them and work on improving myself to become the best, healthiest version of me possible.
Were any of these memories you shared of your trauma triggering for you?
Yes, 100%. I knew processing my past trauma would be hard, but really sitting in the hurt and heartbreak enough to describe my experiences to readers was more challenging than I expected.
Having to describe my parents’ fighting and the way I felt was devastating. Sitting in the anxiety and fear I felt during panic attacks was overwhelming. Writing about these triggers was difficult twofold: first, to let myself relive those emotional experiences, and second, to find the words to accurately describe them. It was challenging, yet it brought relief once it was over. Being able to process those traumas in a safe space and then write what happened and how it felt was freeing. It brought an unanticipated release and healing to my heart and memory.
No trauma is ever erased, but remembering and reliving those moments did help me let go of the baggage and hindrance of them.
What was the hardest part to write? Easiest?
Hands down, the most challenging parts of my story to write about involved my parents. From the beginning, I never wanted any part of my story to be a “tell-all.” My memoir isn’t a dramatic, all-inclusive telling of the secrets of my life. I wanted to write about my life experiences with respect and honesty, especially those moments of trauma during my childhood. I took much intention to write about my past simply from my perspective with a truthful yet respectful approach. Even though it was difficult to sit in those memories and find the right words to explain my experiences, it was a restorative exercise.
The easiest parts of my story to write about involved my husband. He has been the brightest spot in my life, and I’m forever grateful to share my life with him and call him my best friend. I loved gushing about him during our engagement story, sharing about our wedding day, and giving him so much credit for supporting me to become the woman I am today. My life wouldn’t be what it is today without my husband. I’ve never known a love and commitment as deep as his, and I’m eternally grateful for his support.
How long did it take to write Redeemed?
From planning to publishing: twenty-one months.
I began planning and researching in October 2022, wrote my first paragraph (the beginning of the preface!) that November, finished the first entire draft in August 2023, began working with my editor that October, submitted my final manuscript to design in May 2024, and officially published last August of 2024!!!
How did you finish and know your book was complete?
The thing that surprised me throughout editing my book was the details I thought I could omit, but later realized I needed to add. My story ended up including a lot more than I had originally anticipated.
Logistically, I knew my book was complete when I reached the end. I had created (and revised as I wrote) an outline of the necessary details of my testimony, so once I told every part of my planned story, the manuscript was finished. Realistically, I knew my book was complete when I felt satisfied with my story. It was pleasing to read (I edited out a lot of synonyms), plot holes and missing details were filled in, the theme of redemption was woven throughout every chapter, and I felt that I had told the entirety of my life’s testimony.
Truthfully, I had a hard time letting go of my final manuscript. I even paid an extra fee for design to tweak wording before finalizing the interior. I wanted everything to be absolutely perfect (remember: I'm a recovering perfectionist). Although I was a bit obsessive, I’m glad I took the time to polish the final draft. It’s something that I still can’t believe I wrote, and I’m extremely proud of it.
Buy, Review, & Follow
If you’ve already read Redeemed, I hope this Q&A sheds some light on my writing process and the passion I had behind sharing my testimony. And if you haven’t read Redeemed yet, I hope this post has inspired you to discover the life-giving encouragement it’s brought to so many readers.
You can find Redeemed on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle:
Plus, signed copies on my website:
*currently 20% off!
Once you read it, please consider leaving a review. They just take a moment of your time, don’t need to be long or detailed, and mean so much to me, the book’s ratings, and to future readers.
Lastly, don’t forget to follow me on the socials for all the latest reading updates, book promo, and life musings!
Thank You!
Although self-publishing has brought its challenges, I can’t thank my community of readers enough for supporting me on this journey. Your words of encouragement, engagement with my posts, and purchase of my memoir have truly meant the world to me. I may not be a NY Times best-selling author, but my book has reached hearts and made a difference that I couldn’t have ever dreamed of. And for that, I am grateful.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF MY STORY!
Here’s to Redeemed, a work of art I never imagined creating. I can’t believe where one year has brought us. May Redeemed continue to touch the lives of readers everywhere.
