Writer’s Block: Kayla Williams

All Lit Up: Tell us about your new book, Aurora’s Journey. What can readers expect?

Kayla Williams: Aurora’s Journey follows a young Inuk girl who becomes lost in a winter storm and has to rely on her teachings, instincts, and the land to find her way home. The story is inspired by Labrador—its beauty, strength, and spirit—and celebrates the ways our ancestors guide us even when we feel alone. Readers can expect a heartfelt adventure filled with northern lights, wildlife, and quiet lessons about courage and trust.

ALU: What inspired the idea for your book?

KW: Aurora’s Journey was inspired by the teachings I grew up with in Labrador—listening to the land, respecting animals, and finding strength in silence. The character Aurora came to me as a mix of childhood memories, the northern landscape, and my daughter’s curiosity. I wanted to show that even when we’re lost, the world around us can become our guide if we slow down and listen.

ALU: Is there one stand-out moment or experience you had that helped you realize you wanted to become a writer?

KW: I actually started out as a painter and illustrator. Writing came later—almost by accident. I had been sending my artwork to publishers, hoping to illustrate stories for others. One day, a publisher asked if I’d ever considered writing something to go along with my art. That question changed everything. Once I began writing, I realized it was another way for me to paint—just with words.

ALU: Why do you write?

KW: I write for the younger version of myself—the quiet, shy kid who escaped into books when the world felt too heavy. Stories gave me comfort and hope when I needed it most. Now, I want to do the same for other children, especially Indigenous kids who don’t often see themselves reflected in stories. Writing helps me remind them that they are seen, strong, and connected to something bigger.

ALU: What was the most surprising thing you discovered about your story or characters while writing Aurora’s Journey?

KW: I discovered how much of myself was in Aurora. At first, I thought I was writing a story for kids, but it became a story of healing for me, too. Her bravery, her loneliness, her connection to the land—all of it reflected parts of my own journey as an artist and mother. It taught me that sometimes we write the stories we need to hear ourselves.

ALU: How do you approach developing your characters or world-building?

KW: Because I’m also the illustrator, I think visually first. I sketch the world before I write it—how the snow falls, how the light moves, how Aurora might look up at the northern lights. The world of Aurora’s Journey grew from those drawings. The writing followed naturally, like I was stepping into that world myself. I think that’s what makes it feel real—it’s drawn from lived experience and love for the land.

Kayla Williams is a mixed-heritage Inuk artist, author, and illustrator from Happy Valley–Goose Bay, Labrador. Her work celebrates the stories, landscapes, and teachings of her homeland, blending realism and imagination to highlight the strength and beauty of Indigenous life. Through her art business, Big Land Design, Kayla has created murals, children’s books, and community projects that reflect northern culture and connection to the land.

Her debut authored and illustrated picture book, Aurora’s Journey (Kegedonce Press), invites readers into a magical northern world filled with courage, ancestral wisdom, and light. When she isn’t painting or writing, Kayla loves spending time with her two children, exploring the outdoors, and sharing Labrador stories that inspire others to dream big and stay connected to where they come from.