Kindersley author Kelly Jean Ranger turns cancer journey into inspiration for books

By Joan Janzen

KINDERSLEY — A cancer journey that lasted more than a year and a half inspired Kindersley resident Kelly Jean Ranger to pursue a lifelong dream of writing and publishing books.

“This has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, so now it’s time to make it happen,” Ranger said. “It has been a very meaningful experience.”

Kindersley author Kelly Jean Ranger has pursued her dream of writing and publishing fantasy and children’s books, along with a memoir about her recent cancer journey. She plans to feature her books at the spring market in Brock later this month. Photo by Joan Janzen

Ranger said the idea for her first book grew out of the journals she kept during her cancer treatment. Those entries eventually became the memoir My Healing Journey — Where Pain, Faith, and Healing Meet.

“I’ve always journaled, and I kept a journal through the cancer journey,” she explained.

Her experience also inspired her to design a reflective journal aimed at helping others facing similar challenges.

During the time she spent on disability while recovering, Ranger said she focused on healing physically, emotionally and spiritually, while also working on her writing.

“I have notebooks filled with ideas and books. Over this last while I’ve finished and polished them,” she said.

Those ideas have since developed into a number of projects, including fantasy novels and children’s books. Ranger said she used the time to take courses on self-publishing as she worked toward turning writing into something more permanent.

“Writing became a place of comfort for me — a way to heal, and eventually as a way to connect with others,” she said.

Regardless of the genre she writes, Ranger said she hopes her books offer readers hope and encouragement. Many of her characters reflect that message as they learn and grow throughout their stories.

“A lot of my characters start out not too sure of themselves and get stronger and progress as they learn and grow,” she said. “It’s really fun building that world and those characters and watching them grow.”

Ranger also prefers writing shorter novels that form part of a series.

“I don’t like reading a long novel, so I do shorter books in a series of three or four,” she said.

One of her series is based on her pets, which she said were a source of comfort during her illness. More recently, she has been focusing on a fantasy series she describes as one of her favourites to write.

Outside of writing, Ranger shares her books with children at the local daycare and library, and sells them at markets throughout the region.

She is preparing to attend her first market in Brock later this month and is looking forward to meeting readers.

“I’m really excited to get out there and meet people,” she said.