Krista Keough: Canadian Children's Author

Christina chats with her friend Krista Keough about the long process to develop and launch Krista's first children's book. Dear Diary, It’s Me, Stella follows the captivating journey of a courageous dog in search of a place to call home. Illustrated by Gina Stavrou, with illustrations only using the colours that dogs can see.

Krista Keough is a dynamic and versatile contributor to Atlantic Canada’s creative industries. Over the past 20 years, she has woven her expertise through various roles as a writer in business, the arts, and education. She lives in Nova Scotia with her two dogs, Apollo and Stella. Read more of her writing at kristakeough.com.

Find out where to order the book.

Chapters

• 0:00 Greetings from Christina
• 0:48 Theme Song - Talk About It
• 1:08 Introduction by Christina
• 9:25 Where Krista and Christina met
• 14:30 Apollo and Stella join the conversation
• 16:11 Dear Diary, It's Me, Stella
• 21:07 Rescuing Stella
• 23:58 The process of launching a book and why we cry
• 29:49 Highlights from press and the rescue dog community
• 38:16 A relatable story
• 41:06 Krista's why
• 47:52 Being flexible with project timelines
• 50:07 Where to get the book Dear Diary, It's Me, Stella
• 51:38 What's next for Krista Keough?
• 57:29 The pressure to create around the holiday season
• 59:27 Heartbeat Hotline 1(902)-669-4769
• 1:00:23 Podcast Credits
• 1:00:54 Support the Podcast on Patreon

Transcript

Krista Keough

Christina: [00:00:03] Welcome to a Chat with Heart. I'm your host, Christina Martin. I'm a singer songwriter. I live on a dirt road with my best friend Dale in rural Nova Scotia, Canada. I chat with her is just me having chill conversations with people I want to celebrate, and topics that I'm curious about. If you have a question or a comment for this podcast, call my heartbeat hotline 1-902-669-4769. To send this podcast even more love, visit me online at Patreon.com/Christina Martin. I'm so happy you're listening. Our personal stories have great power to heal, influence and inspire. All we have to do is show up for the conversation.

Podcast Theme Song 'Talk About It': [00:00:49] If we just talk about it, we could shine a light, we could break a dark day. If we just talk about it, we can cut a way, we can make a brighter day.

Christina: [00:01:16] I love the year end. Dale and I were just invited to our first solstice celebration, where we gathered with friends at their place for a meal, and we all went through this process of letting go of something that isn't serving us anymore. Uh, we wrote the thing on a piece of paper, and then we burned it. Burning things can be so fulfilling. When my baby blanket was no longer serving me at age 11, I burned it. Anyway, that was uplifting. I'm feeling more rested and I guess organized now. After returning home from the three month long tour in Europe that Dale and I were on promoting my latest album, storm. As I said in the last episode, it was hard work, but there were so many wonderful people and places we got to experience, and we'll do it again. As a matter of fact, we're doing it again, uh, at the end of February and March in the United Kingdom, and I am so pumped for that. Um, we have a tour manager for that tour. I've never hired a tour manager for, uh, you know, a tour that was longer than a week, and, uh, it's, uh, it's really going to be such a help. And, um, uh, we hired this guy, James Partridge, and he's so cool. I'm excited driving in the UK. Um, Dale usually does all the driving on the tour, so I can just kind of chip away at, um, you know, work in the passenger seat. And, uh, driving in the UK is not, uh, something that Dale loves to do.

Christina: [00:03:05] So this is going to be a nice, and easier for him as well. So this is the season right now. Uh, this podcast episode is, uh, was recorded and, uh, launching in December. Um, it's a season to meet up with friends and family. Or maybe just, uh, get as much alone time as you can. If you're an introvert, I much prefer small gatherings. I'm not one to go to big parties unless I'm gigging at them. Uh, I'm more of a homebody these days. Um, I like small, intimate get togethers. I like time alone. I like time with Dale. The other thing is, I love working on creative tasks. So, like, too many days off or days where I'm taking away from that or my routine, they don't. It doesn't sit well with me. Um, and my head, I really need and love my routines. And this is the time of year to assess what's working in my routines and just get rid of what isn't. I clear the junk. And, um, I guess one of the cool things about getting older, um, is I'm starting to accept all these little quirks about myself that I used to think made me like a bad person. Um, you know, a bad person if I, if I, I didn't want to, you know, be at all the things. And I've come to realize this is totally fine. It's it's normal. It's healthy for you to not want to participate in everything that you're invited to.

Christina: [00:04:43] I mean, I don't think it's healthy for me to never go out, and I, I, I do, I do that obviously I'm in show biz, so I have to be in front of people and I and I love that, um, for whatever reason, I love that, uh, I love gigging and we, I get a lot of, um, uh, social time in there, and. Yeah, but I've just always loved, I suppose, because I do find it hard to, uh, to keep my focus. Um, I get overwhelmed easily. So that's why I love the more intimate, uh, settings. And when I'm performing, oftentimes I think of it as, like a one on one conversation, even if there's, like, um, dozens of people or hundreds of people in the audience, it's, uh, you know, it's like me singing and sharing these stories with an audience. I know there's lots of people there, but it's like, I it's almost like I treat it like a one on one. Anyway, maybe that's my trick that I've, uh, that I've developed in order to be able to do that job. But, uh, in any case, uh, in day to day, I love the more intimate settings, and I need time and space for myself. Um, so that being said, I am super looking forward to a genuinely looking forward to seeing my brother, uh, my bigger brother Alex this holiday season. He flew in from Columbus last night and he's staying with my mom in Halifax.

Christina: [00:06:11] So I'm going to get to see him. Uh, and then there's Christmas Day, uh, delayed with Dale's family. Um, and and that's always fun. Love seeing the Murrays. And, um, we're going to get to see a few friends sprinkled across the holiday season. But it is it's really hard to see everyone. Everyone's so spread out, everyone that we love. And, uh, and then I do, you know, I need my time alone. And, uh, anyway, I want to wish everyone out there listening. Um, everything you need to feel calm, safe, happy this holiday season. That's my wish for you all. Uh, whatever you need, I hope you get it. Time, space. Maybe you need money. Maybe you need food. Maybe you need a good friend to call you. Um, maybe you need to call a good friend and just have a conversation that you've been wanting to have all year. I want that for you. Speaking of friends, I want to celebrate another one of my friends, Krista Keough, who recently launched her first children's book. And I love it when my friends create and launch something from nothing. I'm so grateful to have this podcast to chat with them about their experiences. Creating something from nothing has been one of the biggest joys in my life, and so it's natural to want that for others who seek it out. Uh, when I'm not creating, I feel unfulfilled, I get cranky. Um, yeah. So I encourage anyone listening to find the time.

Christina: [00:07:46] Make the time in your life to fuel your creative curiosities. It doesn't have to mean that you launch something or share it publicly. You know, whatever works for you, even if you can only find. 15 minutes a day to slowly chip away at the thing that brings you joy, or that you're curious about because, you know, that's that's often times all I can find. Um, you know, or block off a whole weekend to focus on one creative endeavor. You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish. Okay, let me tell you more about my guest on the podcast today, my friend Krista Keough. She's a dynamic and versatile contributor to Atlantic Canada's creative industries. Over the past 20 years, she's woven her expertise through various roles as a writer in business, the arts, and education. She lives in Nova Scotia with her two dogs, Apollo and Stella, and she bakes a mean sugar cookie. You can read more about her and her writing at Krista Show.com. She's here today to tell us about the process of taking the step from helping others launch their creations, to creating and launching something herself, and it was a real treat as her friend to witness the process, the whole process. I'm so proud of her. I hope you enjoy my chat with her. With my friend Kirsta Keough.

Christina: [00:09:25] So first of all, I just wanted you to know that, as promised, I'm wearing my robe. It's Sunday and I'm wearing my pink. I don't know, like, satiny.

Krista: [00:09:38] It looks so soft.

Christina: [00:09:41] It is so soft. And, um. And I do feel rich in it. Oh, good. But I did prepare by. I did like, I didn't shower, but I washed my face, and I, like, drew on some eyebrows, you know, like, I, I put in a little bit of effort. I'm just. Yeah. I'm just wondering, did you did you do any prep for this?

Krista: [00:10:03] Oh, my gosh. I think I've been prepping for this for so long in a way. Like in my mind, I didn't know we were doing zoom, so I didn't realize I'd be on video. So I look like I just put this on when I got out of bed. I have a hoodie on and some leggings, but, um, perfect. No. I've been thinking about it a lot and I just love chatting with you. I love getting to spend time with you. So.

Christina: [00:10:29] Me too. We've been chatting about having you on the podcast for a long time, but I will admit that I wanted to wait until this new thing we're going to talk about was out and you felt ready and and then I went away for a bit and now I'm back. And then so much has happened. I'm so excited. Like, I barely know where to begin, but I do. I do have a few. Like, I mean, this is a great starting point. Just, just. But I do think, like I do think we have to be a little professional, uh, for a few moments to just let our, uh, little heartbeat listeners know, you know, how we know each other and and then who you are and who is Stella and Apollo? Because they're going to be part of the conversation. And but I think I think we could start with, like, do you remember when when we first met?

Krista: [00:11:27] Yeah. Absolutely. I thought about that as well, for sure. I can see the whole scene like in my mind. 

Christina: [00:11:34] Okay now you what if it's different than my scene?

Krista: [00:11:38] I don't know, but it was for me. It was when we were at the bar that used to be on Barrington Street, Ginger's. It was a pretty popular spot. Ginger then, and Matt Mays was there. There was a bunch of people there who had performed. I think Norma McDonald was there, and I was. I had just met Ryan Cook, and you and I have talked about this before. I feel like we talked about it on my podcast.

Christina: [00:12:09] Oh my god. Okay. This was actually a pivotal moment. This is a pivotal night for me. Oh my God. Yeah, yeah.

Krista: [00:12:15] And you were like wondering whether you should keep going. And it that had to be it was such a magical time that had to be impactful for a lot of people. I think that maybe that night or even those weeks around or days around that time, like, yeah, when I look back, it was there was so much vibrancy, just. Like boiling right below. You know, like so many things exploded during that time. This is back in 2007 to give perspective, because we're talking a long time ago.

Christina: [00:12:48] But that would have been so pivotal time for you. Because would that have been your entry into, um, the more the music industry kind of side of things?

Krista: [00:12:58] Oh my god, yeah.Yeah, for sure. I had no idea about it. I had no idea that it even existed. I didn't know anything about. The music community in a professional way, like I knew people who were in bands and they would maybe play venues like underage, like cafe LA was a venue that I had gone to a few times, but I didn't, uh, I didn't know that there was a whole music business scene in Halifax at all. And so the way we met was I was doing I was a casting assistant for casting director in town, and so was Ryan. So we were hanging out through work, and then he invited me to go to a few places, you know, with him. Um, and then, um, that's how I was introduced to the scene. It was really, like, abruptly and. It was so full of life that I couldn't really get enough. I just wanted to know more about these people and what they were doing. The artists who were making music, how like it was just so cool. It was such a cool thing to have happened in my life and I'm so grateful to him.

Christina: [00:14:10] Oh, that clickety clack is another friend who's joining us on the podcast. Apollo. Your Portuguese water dog. Are they both going to try to sit in the chair with you?

Krista: [00:14:22] You know, I'm. Now that you say it.I think Apollo was coming over to give Stella a kiss good morning. Which he does.

Christina: [00:14:30] That is sweet, I think. Listen, I think, well, I think we should introduce Apollo and Stella and tell us a little bit about them. Um, because you started out with one, now you have two.

Krista: [00:14:44] Yeah. I know, so Apollo is. He's three years old. He's a Portuguese water dog. He's all black. And he has, like, shaggy hair. Yeah, he's got a big shag. He's a fluffy dog and he is the bestest boy. His behavior is, temperament is perfect. He's perfect. You can take them anywhere, do anything. He just loves life. Loves to play. And then Stella, I think she's probably six years old now. She's a rescue. Her breed is. She's an XL American bully. They're both about £60. She's about 65 and she's gray and white. 

Christina: [00:15:29] She's so calm right now and chill and like, professional.

Krista: [00:15:36] Yeah, she's a good girl. She's happy as long as she's, like, directly by my side. It's true. These dogs are known for being companion animals. And so when they say that, like, this is what they mean, they just literally want to be by your side in your sight.

Christina: [00:15:52] Really?

Krista: [00:15:53] Mhm.

Christina: [00:15:53] I didn't know that about them.

Krista: [00:15:55] Yes. They're very loving. They're, they just have so much love to give and see. So Apollo just walked over and he's happy to go sit by the couch and look out the window and but she's like always needs to be with you. It's very cute.

Christina: [00:16:11] She is so sweet. And you've got some big news. You wrote a book after working for so many years in the creative industries, supporting other projects for other other creators, and I know there's a lot of creative elements involved in that role. And, um, you know, but now you this is I feel like this is totally amazing and new for you. And it's a book. You're an author now. It's published.

Krista: [00:16:45] Yeah. 

Christina: [00:16:47] It's called Dear Diary, It's me, Stella, and I want to I want you to tell the listeners about the book, and then I, you know, we'll chat more about. I'm just. I'm like, obviously I'm buzzing. I'm so excited. I'm so proud of you. So excited for you. 

Krista: [00:17:01] So sweet. I can't believe it's one of my favorite parts about publishing the book is how much you love it.

Christina: [00:17:06] I just me, just me just.

Krista: [00:17:08] Yes. Just you like the joy it brings you. I just it's.

Christina: [00:17:13] It does bring me joy. But ultimately I think there's something in me that gets so excited because it's like, oh, they they get it. Like they're, they get that path and what it means and how hard it can be and how meaningful it is. And I witnessed this gentleman come to your book launch, um, the first person who came in to buy the book, um, for his wife. And then I witnessed him come back like, two more times.

Krista: [00:17:40] Was it? Yeah. It was funny.

Christina: [00:17:43] And just. And just, like, watching it first he was just coming in, you know, you know, for his wife to pick up a book. But then, like, he'd state each time he'd stay longer and chat and connect and started to opening up about his dogs and like, um, but in any case, I'm getting ahead because I am excited. I need to reel it in and and say a little focused here. Um, and oh my gosh, can you can you tell, can you tell my little heartbeat listeners. Yes. About the book.

Krista: [00:18:13] So the book so it is called Dear Diary, It's me, Stella, and it chronicles my rescue dogs freedom journey, written as diary entries from her point of view and illustrated only using the colors that dogs can see.Yeah.

Christina: [00:18:29] Where did you get that idea to do that?

Krista: [00:18:33] You know it. I have to say, Stella, I think she understands what I'm talking about her because she gets very excited. She's like very loving, but.

Christina: [00:18:43] Her ears are perking.Her ears are literally perking up. Stella,

Krista: [00:18:48] She's like you're talking about. We're talking about your book. Stella. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Yep yep yep yep. She's famous now.

Krista: [00:18:54] Oh, yeah. The color, only in the colors that dogs see. Where did. Yeah. Did that just come to you in one day or, you.

Krista: [00:19:02] Know, it all came to me, and I've we've all heard these stories by artists before, who write music. Right. Like it all came to me in one night. It was one night. I just sat there and wrote it all down. And that really is true. And as far as the story goes, um. I didn't intend to write anything that anybody would ever read. I, I journal often, or I'll write things down you know. To get things off my mind. Right? And it's not usually a formal thing. I don't have a special book, but I always have paper and pen around. And so sometimes I'll just like, write stuff. And so, yeah, it was one night. I was sitting at my desk and. Stella was sleeping beside me and I was really struggling at this point. I had adopted her and it was like we were three months into it and she was starting to show a lot of reactivity. So. I had fallen down a flight of stairs, busted my knee. I had fallen on a trail while we were walking because she reacted and like pulled lunge tried to run away. I'm holding on like there were so many chaotic things that were starting to happen, and I didn't know if I was honestly going to be able to keep her. But by this point, I didn't even know if anybody would take her.

Christina: [00:20:27] Yeah. Oh my. And by the way, that adorable like it almost is like a purring oh.

Krista: [00:20:33] Oh my god. Right in my face.

Christina: [00:20:35] It's great. But that's what we're hearing is her still is so happy. Krista is just stroking Stella and she's kind of cry breathing, growling like in a purring way. It's amazing. So that's what we're hearing. Keep going, keep going. So. So that would be really, um, a lot. Listen, a lot of people wouldn't have kept going. Krista. And then there's no, you know, blame to anybody who couldn't. I wouldn't I don't think I would have been able to, uh, manage it, you know, and I. 

Krista: [00:21:07] It was a lot, especially. With two dogs. Apollo was only ten months old, so he was essentially a puppy. Still needed a ton of attention and structure. I was running my own business as well. I had just left a relationship like 4 or 5 months before that, and I was engaged. So I had moved into this furnished apartment, so I didn't have my own things, like there was just a lot going on in this window. And so. You know, I was feeling overwhelmed, but I definitely doubled down when I got Stella because little did I know it would turn into. Like a way bigger. Uh, undertaking. But you're right. At that point, at the three month mark, I think a lot of people reach that point. Or maybe it's further into adopting their dog because they get more comfortable. They're on their best behavior in the beginning, and then they start to settle in. They start to learn your routines and then they, you know, start to relax and just be themselves. And she was a hot mess. So I wrote I just I really just had this idea. Like I was sitting down looking at her, thinking about writing my thoughts. And then I had an idea like, I wonder what she would write down if she could write in a journal. And I was thinking about what I knew about her background and. I thought that there was a little story there. So just for fun, just to try to, like, get into her space so that I could maybe feel some compassion. I really needed to feel, like, inspired. Like I could do this. Mhm. I needed to, like, bond with her, connect with her. So I just wrote this little story and I really did just leave it I think for a few weeks. And then I showed it to someone named Bob Mersereau who's like a published author.

Christina: [00:23:02] Yeah.

Krista: [00:23:03] And he said you should really do something with it. And then I was thinking, I guess that idea just came to me too. Like, well, if I did something and I had illustrations, it would be cool to do it in the colours that dogs can see where it's written from her perspective, and then the reader could immerse themselves even more like in her world and see things from her point of view. So yeah, it was like a little creative idea. And yeah, I hadn't done anything creative, like in a physical way before.

Christina: [00:23:37] Especially for yourself.

Krista: [00:23:40] Oh, yeah.You're right. Absolutely. Yeah, yeah, I've worked on tons of albums with people and lots of artwork and. All that kind of stuff, but to do it myself, oh my gosh, I thought I knew what it was like, but I really didn't.A lot of ways, yeah.

Christina: [00:23:58] What actually I'm really curious about we have talked about this, but so what were the things that came up for you doing this for yourself instead of somebody else that you found interesting or maybe challenging?

Krista: [00:24:11] Well, the first thing I thought of immediately was like, how much you cry?

Christina: [00:24:17] Oh my God.

Krista: [00:24:18] How much you cry. How many tears?

Christina: [00:24:21] Yeah, just from. And where do you think. Where do our. Why do we fucking cry about it?

Krista: [00:24:29] Well, I do have a theory about this, I really do. And I think that we cry because it's good. We cry because it's touching and it's emotional. And I know when I started out by saying that I had done some work in casting, one of the things I learned from the casting director I worked with, and I went on to do some casting myself, was I started to get really good at seeing talent. And I started to realize that. When something does make you cry, it's really good. And I saw this over again, over and over again at the Gordie Sampson Songcamp. So I went there, I think for five years or something every summer. And it's this place where emerging artists go and they write music together, and they perform it at each of at the end of each day. And so their brand new songs, right, that you're just sitting around and listening to and the ones that made you cry. Like that's that's something like magical. But I cried a lot because of the process, but also because the story was so sad to me.

Christina: [00:25:38] Because it resonated with something in your own life.

Krista: [00:25:41] Yes, yes. Which I didn't realize until I published the book. I really didn't understand the meaning of the story that I wrote until I published it, which is so interesting to me. Like, obviously it resonated with me and the meaning of it was special to me. But I think as a new writer in this field. I'm looking at it and thinking like, wow, what I did was actually quite bold. The words that I wrote are actually quite bold, and I don't know if I worked with a traditional publisher, if they would have asked me to change something or say something in a different way, and I wouldn't have liked that, I like that it's like sort of this raw feeling and it's it's a real like it's based on her real story. And the feelings that people have, I think are probably real in what she was feeling. Like the fear. Um. You know, being a being sad, but also. She's a dog, so she doesn't really understand why these things are happening, and she still has the spirit to keep on going. I think that is probably true of people who write music in. The artists who I work with too, is that they write it for themselves. It means something special. It's touching, it's emotional. So it's hard to do. It's hard to keep revisiting it. It's hard to get yourself in that headspace again where you have to be in this like sad place.

Christina: [00:27:10] Mhm.

Krista: [00:27:11] Right. And, and then forget about the process of even like publishing it. That's a whole up and down, you know managing the project kind of thing. That's a whole other. Emotional kind of journey.

Christina: [00:27:26] Do you think that now, um, providing services for artists, now that you've gone through that process yourself and I hope you go through it again many times, do you think how do you think it's going to affect you, your contributions to other creative projects in the future now, like, do you think it's strengthened parts of you in terms of how you support?

Krista: [00:27:49] Yes. Oh my God, so much. I can't imagine I'm saying this because I can't imagine it being more precious, but I do feel like the art and the emotion around it, like we're saying, is so precious. And not that I was ever insensitive, but I work with artists at a point when they're nearly done their music. Right. So I get to hear it, and I'm listening to it as a product. As a business person, how can we sell this? Where does it fit? Who is this going to resonate with? Who is going to like this? How do we make people like it? So many questions like that. And I probably. I think I just have a genuine understanding of the time, because this book also took me two and a half years to do. That is a long time. So much in your life changes. So that is the same for albums, right? People have these life experiences, they write lyrics for the music and then they go on to make the music. And it's such a long process. Like when I think about it, I can't believe that so many books and so much music exists, like knowing what goes into it to make it real.

Krista: [00:29:10] Um. And I think I have an appreciation for what I do, honestly, because I would love to have someone like myself step into my life right now and say, okay, I'm gonna take over your social media posts, and I'm gonna set up a timetable for you, and I'm gonna reach out all to the local retailers around and get your books in stores. And oh my God, I would love that. I've done very little of that. But, um, so yeah, I think I will. I have an appreciation for what I do, which is nice, because when you work for yourself, you don't have someone coming to your desk saying, hey, you're doing a great job. You just have to see that through your performance.

Christina: [00:29:49] What were some of the highlights since the book's been out? Because I think there's a very sometimes it's a lot of, um, you know, there's there's some sometimes a lot of fear, especially for a first time launching something, um, you know, putting all the marketing press release stuff together and not even knowing if anyone's gonna respond. And then in your case, lots of people did. And I would love to hear. Some highlights from the the the people who now have purchased the book have supported you some some of the media, like what are some of the highlights that that it just did not exist before you were brave enough to to take that next leap, really to put yourself out there, to put the book out, to announce it, to send those emails like what has come back that's made you it's kind of reinforced, you know, I know it's not the reason why you do it, but like, um, why you wrote the book, but I'm sure it's reinforced for you the the why, you know, whatever that why is.

Krista: [00:31:08] Uh.

Christina: [00:31:10] No highlights. That's great. Okay. Moving on.

Krista: [00:31:12] Yeah. That's right. I mean, there are so many. So the the book was released on October 17th and we're in December now. Mhm. My first thought was working with my illustrator Gina Stavrou. Mhm. And being able to finish the book with her and for us like we've been through so much together. Yeah. And I have never seen her. Like, even in a zoom. Oh.

Christina: [00:31:36] You've never. Oh, wow. Do you know what she looks like?

Krista: [00:31:39] You know, I have a picture.

Christina: [00:31:40] Okay.

Krista: [00:31:41] Yeah, but, yeah, we never like. So when I think about that, that's such an amazing thing to work with someone who's overseas. She was in the UK and then in the US, and we just did it all over email.

Christina: [00:31:53] Where is she? In the US?

Krista: [00:31:55] She's in. Uh, well, she was in Atlanta, actually, which is where Stella is from. It's so interesting. But she was going to school there and she's graduated now, so she's off, like looking for her next sort of, uh, project or job. Um, being able to finish it with her, I think was a huge accomplishment. And then once it was published. Um. Again, it sounds weird to say. It's like making people cry to know that so many tears, to know that it resonated with people. People who I know. Um, and and so when I adopted Stella, I started doing videos on Instagram. And so for the first year, I did little videos every day. And then we scaled it back to like every few days and every week kind of thing. But I made some really good connections and friendships on the app with people who live all over. So being able to share it with them was really cool because it just is a special connection. And when you have a virtual relationship with someone. Uh, it only goes so far. Like your emotional connection through text, right? Or through the videos that you make or. Yeah, the posts that you share and being able to share this book with so many people and seeing their reaction, how much they love it and they think it's really good. So as my first for my first book, that's really rewarding to have people really like it and say that it's very touching for them. Um.

Christina: [00:33:39] I loved seeing the, the, um, the media response here. I know Canada and and book reviews. Can you tell us a little bit more about some of those? You you did such a great job, and you had some, some of my favorite, um, you know, public, uh, press pro like celebrities. Yeah.

Krista: [00:34:01] Well, it was. Yeah. In part because of you. Really? Because I did CTV Morning Atlantic live with it was going to be with Ana Almeida, but due to scheduling, she had to stay back. And they sent Crystal Gallant, who was amazing. So we did that interview the week of, uh, no, the following week after the release. And so they came to the house and they did. They got tons of footage. They were here for like an hour and a half. They put together a great piece, and they aired it in the morning and then again on the Live at Five.

Christina: [00:34:32] So fun.

Krista: [00:34:33] So it was in the morning at night. And then I had met Ana because, uh, we had both gone to your CD release show, I believe, at the Marquee for I Can Two.

Christina: [00:34:43] Oh, Impossible to Hold.

Christina: [00:34:44] Yeah. And and we had oh, my God, I had limo rides. And you met in the limo?

Krista: [00:34:50] Yes. We did.

Krista: [00:34:51] So if anything the limo ride was worth it okay.

Christina: [00:34:55] And it was a good investment for your future. And you're welcome. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah.

Krista: [00:35:01] Yeah, it really was. And then we did, uh, we did CBC Main Street on the day that thou, uh, the album, the book was released with Jeff Douglas, who you also introduced me to.

Christina: [00:35:14] I love Jeff. Yeah.

Krista: [00:35:15] And it was so funny because you had sent us both a text introducing us and said that he would like to talk about the book. And I was like, yeah, for sure, any time not realizing like that it.

Christina: [00:35:25] Was Jeff Douglas. Yeah. You're like just some rando, some rando guy that wants to just chat. Yeah. Krista, I only talk with celebrities, including you. So next time I send you a text, you better fucking act on it, okay?

Krista: [00:35:39] He's so. And he has two rescue dogs. And the Rescue Dog community is a strong community, so it's not unusual that somebody would reach out and say, hey, my friend has these two rescue dogs. They'd love to talk to you because like, we need each other to vent and be like, what the hell's going on with your dog? I don't know,

Christina: [00:35:56] Totally understand. Yeah. Plus, like, you know, it is a little like when you get a text message and like, hey, Jeff's I. I hope I can say, Jeff, you're my friend. If he's listening, I'm going to send this to him. Yeah. Um, but he's also a celebrity.

Krista: [00:36:10] He's gonna he's gonna listen to this, maybe, and hear me say all that.

Christina: [00:36:13] Yeah. He is. We're keeping it. And, um. No, because there's other Jeff Douglas's in the world. You could have thought it was Jeff Douglas from Cincinnati or. Um. Yeah.

Krista: [00:36:23] I mean, he's sitting in your house, so I thought, first of all, I thought he was a musician really? Like, I looked at him like,

Christina: [00:36:30] Wait, he is. He is. So you're really digging a hole for yourself here? I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I'm just kidding. Yeah. He is a musician, too, though. He's a man of many talents. And he's going to listen to this and love it. He's going to love it.

Krista: [00:36:44] Yeah, well, I loved my time with him. He made me feel so comfortable. And what he doesn't know is I had actually gotten my Covid booster the day before at like around suppertime. So when I woke up on the day my book was being published tuesday, I felt like absolute, like, Llike I'd been run over by a dump truck.

Christina: [00:37:03] I thought you were going to say you went in. You went in to do the live with him and you had Covid.

Krista: [00:37:08] Covid. Yeah.

Christina: [00:37:09] He's only now, he's only finding out now. And he has had long Covid ever since and you're the cause of it. Oh my god.

Krista: [00:37:15] Exactly.Sorry Jeff, but thankfully I did get boosted but so I wasn't feeling great. So I actually slept most of the day, even though I was anticipating it was going to be like an exciting, fun day. And I would get to text with all my friends and share the news. But all I did was like sleep. And then I woke up and went to a studio and then I enjoyed the evening. So that was it was totally fine. But it's just funny because, you know, I had posted about it saying it was a great time and it was.

Christina: [00:37:39] Yeah, he's a lot of fun to chat with.

Krista: [00:37:42] Yeah, he is so fun. And then the Mast Head News is a local community paper. They did a review and they wrote a review. So sweet. And, uh, I have a couple more things to share coming up. But the media response was so great, and I was so grateful because as someone who's spent, you know, a decade or almost two going on soon, I setting up interviews for people. It was so nice that people offered me the same opportunity when it was like my time. So I. Know, so touching.

Christina: [00:38:16] I think they they did it because you had, uh, you know, a beautiful look, something beautiful to share. Like people don't. They won't just make an exception if you've got a piece of crap to put out there, you know, like, I think they really saw that, that this is something that's going to connect with people, like you said, the rescue community is a strong community and, and I think a lot of people who maybe don't have pets or like, aren't in that community. They could still relate to the story. Um, as it relates to like when I think of the story, I, it reminds me of being, um, young and things happening in my family and being afraid. But as a child, like, not really understanding what's going on and kind of having to just go with it. And because you're a child and you're in other people's other people are kind of in control of your where you're going to live and what you're going to do. And you're, you know, you don't fully feel like you have control over a lot of things and your destiny. You're relying on other people and it is quite scary. And and then and then finally when you can relax, you are in a good, safe place. All of a sudden, the things inside you that come up that you have to deal with. And I thought like, that's, you know, thinking about Stella and how she. You said she was on her best behavior for a while, and then and then the behavior started to come out because she started to relax and realize, like, I can relax now, but but now I've got some issues. Yeah I need help with trauma. Yeah.

Krista: [00:39:56] Oh my gosh, I did not know that. This is the first time I'm hearing you say that about you reading the book and thinking about yourself as a child. That's so amazing. And I hadn't seen the story. Honestly, from that perspective, I really hadn't. That is so interesting. And obviously kids who read the book are going to be kids, and so maybe they'll see themselves in that way to like, wow, what a what a beautiful way to see the story. See, isn't this so interesting? Like it means something different for so many people.

Christina: [00:40:35] That is. One of the really beautiful things about art is how it helps other people process things as well.

Krista: [00:40:41] And my God, I didn't know that. I didn't really know that. Like I knew it from a fundamental yes, people see different things in art, and art means different things to people. But when you make it and then you share it with people. And. Hear them tell you. I don't know what that feeling is, but there's something like, again, it makes me want to cry.

Christina: [00:41:06] I guess it's just, it's just connection. It's like the connecting. Yeah. The good feeling. Like love. I guess I interpret it that way. Connection is love. And it's something. It's. It is hard. It is hard to. I'm not the best at always articulating the stuff, but obviously I keep making stuff because I'm driven by this kind of, yeah, purpose. And I mean, we have a lot of, we do tough things in our life. We put up with a lot of pain and sometimes we do it. We don't always know why, but there is a why, you know, or sometimes we do know why do you know? Do you know your why in like finishing this project or. Do you know, do you know, are you conscious of that or. Yeah. Are you blissfully like, I don't fucking care. I just, I knew it was important for some reason.

Krista: [00:42:02] No, I did it because of the artist who I work with. I did it because of like. What's right in front of me is this shelf I have with. Look at these. These are all records that I got to work on. And all these people, there's a whole shelf of them. And all these people, like, made, made it through. They had an idea. They had songs, many songs. Yeah. And they worked through it and they made something. And I saw people do that over and over again. And whenever I felt like I couldn't keep going, like it was too much money, like it was too much time. Like I messed it up. Like I didn't like it.

Christina: [00:42:48] Mhm.

Krista: [00:42:48] Because that happened, there was actually a period of time where I thought this is not good and I don't like it. And I'm embarrassed because this is not how I want to feel about the work that I'm putting out. Um. I thought about the artists and I felt like I had to do it. Not for them, but because they did, I had to believe I could.

Christina: [00:43:11] Yeah, yeah.

Krista: [00:43:12] You know. Truly, like I'm surrounded by. That was the other pressure thing. Believe it or not, I'm surrounded by had the greatest pleasure in my life to work with some of the most talented people, including yourself. People who I admire aspire to be like who I love. I have intimate moments with their music. It's marked my whole life. Like then to be like, I'm going to make something creative to, do do, do do like. I just felt like, oh my God, what an audience. Krista, like so many people who make amazing art, are now going to see this. And oh my God, it has to be good.

Christina: [00:43:50] It well, it has to be good. It is. Well, it is good. Um, I know what you mean though. Um, but I think you have high standards, too. And, you know, it has to be good for us, for I know I have very high standards, and I might really do worse, I might I'm the worst and best critic. Um, and that could be painful sometimes. I know, um, I know what you mean. When you get the thing you're working on back in your hands. And over many, many years, I've gone through this so many times where it's like, oh, fuck, I thought it was done, and now I'm seeing it or holding it or listening to it, and I'm like, oh fuck, we have to go through this again. Like we have to, you know, record this, this whole song again in a different fucking key. Because my voice, I can't fucking sing in this goddamn key, like, and it sounds like ass and I'm embarrassed. And I mean, all those things I say are kind of unnecessary. I could have just gone. You know what? How about I just do it again? Yeah. What I just do again. Like, we don't learn that. We can just go. You know what? That's okay. It's going to take longer. It's going to cost more money. It's just money. It's just time. Instead, we torture ourselves, and I, I guess we I don't know where we learn that from. I don't know if that's a collective unconscious and but I feel like the next phase of our lives, we could both do ourselves a favor, skip that part of the pain and just go to what do I need? Do I need more time and money? You know what I mean? Everybody would understand. Everybody. Nobody fucking cares.

Krista: [00:45:26] And they don't even see the turmoil inside our heads. It's true. Like, what is it? Why not be our best champions? I don't know if I feel like I need to be mad at myself to be motivated, I don't know, but. And even taking breaks, like. If it weren't for you, this project wouldn't be what it is because I had finished the book. I'm putting in quotes because I thought I had finished it, just like you're saying. And then it was available for sale and I was not happy with it, so I didn't tell anyone. This was earlier this year in like March or something, and I didn't do anything about it, just sat there like for sale on the freezing press website. And I was, I was literally. Frozen in fear. Every time I thought about it, I didn't know what to do. I couldn't even bring myself to go to the computer because I didn't know what my next step was going to be. And then you sent them to me a hardcover and a soft cover of my own book. And I also couldn't afford to get the book at that point, realistically, like, I just I couldn't convince myself to put any more money into this project because I was so pissed. I get at what state it was in and I was disappointed. And then when I saw them, I thought, Krista, you can't. The print quality wasn't good. The text on the page was illegible in some places. I needed to make some changes and so. I just.

Christina: [00:46:56] You just communicated that.

Krista: [00:46:58] Yeah. And I just felt like, okay, I just need to finish this. And I took the summer essentially. I was like. Okay, I'm giving myself the spring and the summer. And thankfully Gina was down for it because, I mean, she stuck by me for two and a half years. Like, that's a long time to work with someone as an illustrator, I'm sure. And. Uh, she was just willing to keep, you know, making adjustments and sending new files.

Christina: [00:47:26] Yeah, I think good for, good process for her to go through as well, because this is relatively early in her career. She's, um. If I'm not mistaken.

Krista: [00:47:36] Uh, yes. Yeah. No it is. She is just starting out. And you're right. Maybe it has helped her to. I don't know, we'll have to. I want to do, like, a conversation with Gina someday. I'm not sure how it's going to work out. I would love to have a reason to bring her here so we could sit and chat.

Christina: [00:47:52] Uh, one thing to note. You know, when you're talking about the processes. And it just made me think of, like, how, you know, as creators, I've had to learn that certain projects take the time. They all projects take the time they take some happen in a very short period of time. And then you think, oh, I could do this again. And just the same amount of time, you know, and and then I think we if we believe that, then we can really be hard on ourselves when the next project takes a lot longer. And so I think it's this kind of going back to sort of radical acceptance, um, which is something I've really had to, you know, remind myself of, of just that it may not happen on my fucking timeline, unfortunately. And, um, going into any almost, you know, I mean, there's almost like a schedule, right? Like, uh, here's what I'd like to see when I'd like to see this happen and when I'd like to launch it. But it may not be, you know, like, be a little open to it not working out in that timeline. And lots of projects just take longer. Like.

Krista: [00:49:00] Absolutely. I thought this was going to be released last Christmas.

Christina: [00:49:04] So I want to mention your your website. KristaKeough.com and I will link to that. Um, but let's also tell people where they can get the book.

Krista: [00:49:18] Sorry, do we need to? Does it make us sound old to spell out the website?

Christina: [00:49:24] No, because Keough is, I think a lot of people might, might not know how to spell it.

Krista: [00:49:30] Okay, good. Let's keep it in then.

Christina: [00:49:31] Yeah, yeah. No, I mean, we are old. We we should we should keep that in. We're getting old.

Krista: [00:49:39] I know I'm doubting my coolness now. Like wait, do people do that?

Christina: [00:49:43] Well, listen, that's not a silly question. I until recently was was including W-w-w in front of all of my fucking christinamartin.net. And I was. And it's not necessary anymore to, to say or introduce or put in graphics www.dot my website. It's, drop it. Drop it.

Krista: [00:50:07] I love that for us. Uh, yeah. Well, so it's available at Chapters Indigo. It's available on Amazon, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, all the online stores, essentially. Uh, very similar to music, like when you distribute it, it goes to all the websites and which is awesome. And some you have to set up a little bit more. And the publisher did all that. And then it's also available at East Coast Dog in Halifax.

Christina: [00:50:37] North End, North End. Halifax. Yeah, I walked by there the other day and I thought of you. It was closed when I walked by, but, um, yeah, I'll have to drop in and, uh, do a little snapshot post when I'm back there.

Krista: [00:50:50] Yeah, yeah. They are so supportive. They're such a lovely group and I would love to have it in more. And so maybe in the new year it'll be in a few more bookstores and things like that. We'll give another. Uh, go. You know, it's interesting books. They just sort of. Once they're published, things change. As they're published, they get picked up in different places or not. People will buy the book and stock it or not. So it's a bit more unpredictable. Whereas with music, you'd never post your song to Spotify and have Spotify reject it unless it's like profane or something like that, you know, you have more control, but with a book I'm learning you're not. But luckily I'm very grateful you can buy it lots of places online and. Uh, yeah.

Christina: [00:51:38] Do you feel like, uh, now that the book is out and you have you have really you've done. I feel like a pretty full circle from, you know, dreaming and scheming, creating, going through the thick of it all, launching, celebrating. There's more celebrating to be had. Like, I know that there's still more work to be done. But are you starting to feel. Yeah. How are you feeling now in this sort of after launch glow? Do you have that and are you is there any room for what's next, or are you still kind of like, no, I'm going to just enjoy this for a while.

Krista: [00:52:17] I am going to enjoy this for a while and. 

Christina: [00:52:21] Good.

Krista: [00:52:21] I did absolutely have. That feeling of elation and like my feet weren't on the ground that week and probably the following week in October 2nd. It really was magical and overwhelming and busy having so many conversations with people. I was giving the book out, just sharing the link for people to download it all over the place, because I really wanted people to hear it. Anyone who reached out. So that was I was very grateful that people could. And you know what? If anyone's listening to this, your heart beats and they want to read the book. I'm happy to send them a link to read the advanced reader copy, too. I just want people to read the story and the book sales. Honestly, when you look at the revenue that's generated from book sales, it's like 1 or $2 per book. Um, and so you quickly realize, okay, the satisfaction I feel, the success that I'm expecting is not going to be. In book sales I have to focus on. The good stuff, the things that are making me, you know, feel good because. I did have a trip up moment after it was released. I thought, we're talking about all the media and I'll be honest, this is a good, honest check. All the media that I did and the Instagram followers I'd been working to get and the friendships that I made and family. And then when I saw my first week of sales, yeah, online, I had sold six books and that was a huge wake up call because, yeah, yeah, I thought I was just so confused. I thought maybe 20 would be cool. Like more than that would be awesome. I thought that our reach was really wide, but.

Christina: [00:54:12] It's a lot harder to sell.

Krista: [00:54:15] Very hard to sell them. So yeah, there's other ways that people can, uh read your book. If, like in my case, I have an advanced reader copy, it's online, so I'm grateful for that. And really, when I think about music people listen to for free. You go to an art gallery, you pay your, you know, ticket, but people can share their art, visual art for free.

Christina: [00:54:39] Yeah, there's free days at the at the, at the galleries, you know,

Krista: [00:54:45] Which makes it very jhard to make a living as an artist. I can appreciate that because so much art is free, it's ultimately free. So as a first time person doing this, I did quickly realize in the weeks following the release that it was going to be just to focus on feeling good and connecting with people and building relationships with people because they relate to the story. Celebrating that it's done with family and friends and then doing like little opportunities as we can. We have a book-tober event with the Writers Federation on Monday night, and.

Christina: [00:55:22] Lovely,

Krista: [00:55:23] I know, and I think for Christmas Day, I had this woman who has this amazing voice. She's like, has a grandmotherly voice. Um, and we went to the library in Halifax, and we used their music studio for her to record an audio of reading the book.

Christina: [00:55:40] What? That's great. Isn't that great? Yeah. Yeah, I love that.

Krista: [00:55:43] So I guess this is a popular thing that kids do on YouTube, where they go and they can read or, sorry, watch someone reading a story.

Christina: [00:55:53] Yeah.

Krista: [00:55:54] And so I'm going to release that on Christmas Day, I think, as a gift to everyone of her audio and then just do a visual of like going through the story. And I'm kind of thinking the 12 days leading up to Christmas, I really wanted to go scene by scene and show the illustrations and give some background about the story and what each of the scenes mean. Because the book is so short, it's about 400 words. And so as I was editing it over and over and over again and learning along the way about what makes a good children's book, which is rhyming, repetition and rhythm and so like. It, which is the same for music. Yeah, I would say.

Christina: [00:56:41] Yeah.

Krista: [00:56:42] And so as I was like editing the book for those things and just picking out each word I would use and how they would fit together and what they meant and the and the many meanings of each individual word. It was um. You know, it was it was something that became very meaningful. So I'd love to do something like that. Each day where I sort of pick a page and a scene and explain, like where I came up with the words and, and Gina could speak more to the illustrations. But what I'll say, what they mean to me and something like that. I think that would be nice. So still in the you're right and it's been done, but there's always more that you can do with these creative things, and I'm glad it will live forever. And I just have to keep in mind, like, we don't have to do everything at once. But with the holidays, there is a pressure, I think, for people who create things and sell things to like do more during the holidays.

Christina: [00:57:40] There definitely can be for sure. And I say just do what? Focus on what resonates with you. I try to telling this to myself, if you can't, if you you know it's fucking with your mental health, just don't, don't, don't do it. Like, yeah, you know, be realistic. Like, what do you need to feel happy and and all that. But, uh, make time for it if it's important to you as well. Yeah, like make time, have fun with it. And remember that it's all about sharing to make connections. Really like to build bridges and connect with somebody else's heart. Um, because that's what stories have the power to do. And I see there's so much of, of you in, in Stella's story as well. And, and you know this, but I'm going to tell the world, um, I'm so proud of you. I'm so happy for you. I just feel very fortunate to have witnessed what you've gone through in creating this. And it's really, really like it's really a pleasure to to as your friend to. To know that you've gone through that and have been there along the way. So I'm really grateful. Thank you for sharing all of this with me.

Krista: [00:59:01] Thank you. Thank you for having me on. It's always so lovely to sit and talk with you and we are such close friends. And so I'm I'm just grateful.

Christina: [00:59:14] Me too.

Krista: [00:59:15] It's wonderful feeling to have you in my life and I love you so much. Thank you for letting me talk to your little heartbeat listeners.

Christina: [00:59:24] Oh, they're so cool.They really are.

Song 'I Don't Want to Say Goodbye to You': [00:59:34] I don't want to say goodbye. I don't want to say goodbye to you.

Heartbeat Hotline: [00:59:52] Welcome to the Heartbeat Hotline 1-902-669-4769. I'm the host of a chat with heart podcast, Christina Martin. And I'm so excited you called. Leave me your question, suggestion for the podcast or a comment about this episode. Please be aware your message may be used on the podcast and social media. Tell me your name, where you're calling from and it's also fine if you want to remain anonymous. Thanks for listening. Have a great fucking day!

Christina: [01:00:24] Thanks for listening to A Chat with Heart Podcast, produced by me, Christina Martin. Co-produced and engineered by my husband, Dale Murray. Dale is a stellar singer, songwriter and music producer, so check out his website dalemurray.ca. The podcast theme song 'Talk About It' and 'I Don't Want to Say Goodbye to You' were written by me and recorded by Dale. Visit my Bandcamp to find CDs, vinyl, digital music and fun merch like custom made puzzles and temporary tattoo packs. Become a monthly or yearly supporter of this podcast and my music endeavors on Patreon. If you're new to Patreon, it's a membership platform that helps creators get paid. I love it! Sign up as a free or paid member at patreon.com/ChristinaMartin. I would love it if you had time to share, rate, leave a review and subscribe to A Chat with Heart on all the places you listen to podcasts. Wishing you, my little Heartbeat Listeners a great day.