Books and Writing

I don’t expect to stick to one type of genre–there are too many stories rattling around in my brain. As I write them, I hope you will enjoy them! Which leads me to my first published book: My Journey to Somewhere (or ramblings from a chaotic mind on mental illness, fear, anxiety, and depression–you know, the fun stuff).

This book developed as I was writing my (still in progress) book titled: Making Russian Dolls. I was experiencing a lot of fear and anxiety so I began journaling my thoughts. My Journey to Somewhere presented itself as an unexpected gift.

Writing Making Russian Dolls was not the first time, nor will it be the last time, I experienced fear and anxiety while writing. I had landed a part-time dream job as a sportswriter at the Beloit Daily News.

My fear and anxiety consumed me so much, I didn’t even pick up my last paycheck. I hope that My Journey to Somewhere will give people hope and let them know they are not alone. And I also hope it gives people who love us some understanding and insight.

My Journey to Somewhere is available for purchase at
https://bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com

Beginning January 24, 2025, the book is available for purchase in person at
Sawdust & Iron
207 Allen St, Clinton, WI 53525
(608) 774-6776

Making Russian Dolls anticipated release is spring of 2026

My writing also includes plays/skits and church services for the youth group at the Clinton Presbyterian Church to perform on Sundays and Lenten services.

Review of My Journey To Somewhere

Post by Justin Christensen » 16 Jan 2025, 10:55

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of “My Journey To Somewhere” by Kimberly Anne Conway.]

5 out of 5 stars

My Journey to Somewhere by Kimberly Anne Conway could be described as a primarily autobiographical contemplation of life, abuse, and mental illness. I say “could be” because even after reading it, I’m not convinced that this book should be nailed to a single genre. Conway frames it as “ramblings from a chaotic mind,” and I admittedly don’t know the author so I can’t really argue that their mind is not chaotic. I will argue vehemently, however, that this book is definitely not filled with ramblings. Rather, it is filled with thoughts and memories. These may not always seem to flow nicely into one another in a neat little line, but they do paint a very poignant picture of the person writing them down.

One of the things I loved the most about this book was how it began with a brief commentary on who the author is now (or at least, at the time it was written). A lot of autobiographical-type books start way back in history, which sounds very logical. It is somehow much more gripping to begin with an introduction to the current version of the person telling their story—to have something of a jumping-off point before heading into their past. This is the beginning of the non-linear narrative that I found myself falling in love with as I read Conway’s story. Oh sure, she does give context from her beginnings early on, but this book does not progress ploddingly through her life one decade at a time. It is more dynamic than that—spinning the reader through Conway’s emotions and memories as she weaves together the threads of a heartbreaking, beautiful, vibrant life.

This book is not a light read. The early chapters are heavy with traumatic memories and experiences and explanations of how those events contributed to a lifelong struggle with fear, anxiety, and depression. The later chapters are heavy with emotion. It was hard, at first, to understand why I was crying three quarters of the way through the book, reading a two-page chapter entitled “The Knot” where the author simply describes feeling happy about their progress. This book did that to me a lot, though. Conway’s positivity and optimism, in defiance of her struggles, are extremely moving. Be sure you have tissues with you while you read.

It sounds like this is the first book Conway has finished and published, and there are some signs of that visible in the editing. Nothing major, and not nearly enough to distract me from my overwhelming emotional response. In writing My Journey to Somewhere, Conway has bared her soul. I simply refuse to rate such a courageous act as anything less than perfect, and I would not have her change a thing. I give this book five out of five stars. It is inspiring, and I think it would be particularly useful for would-be authors and anyone who has ever struggled with depression or other mental health challenges.