Author Caitlin Burr : Helping People turn their Grief into Gratitude

Writers are getting real with works these days and have started sharing their own unfiltered real-life experiences to help readers to bring a positive change. Caitlin Burr is one such author and we are happy to introduce everyone to her.

Writing a book about personal loss and the battle afterward is really a difficult task. Caitlin Burr, with her book ‘Grief, Growth and Gratitude’, has done the same in a brilliant manner. In fact, she choose to self-publish the book in 2021.

At Vowelor, we had a chance to have an exclusive conversation with Caitlin Burr. But, before we start with her interview, let us first know a little more about the author.

About the Author: Caitlin Burr

Caitlin Burr is an author from Maryland, USA who self-published her debut book ‘Grief, Growth and Gratitude’ in 2021. She has a deep passion for writing as well as poetry.  She also loves R&B and Hip Hop music and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Caitlin comes from a diverse family. Her father was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. Her mother was born in Massachusetts and spent time traveling the world being a part of a military family.

Besides being a talented author, Caitlin is also a proud plant mom. When not writing, you can find her gardening or reading books.

She is also the founder of a local group called “Uprising Entrepreneurs” in which she created a group to help people connect, share their businesses, and gain clients. She plans on continuing with her writing career and hopes to gain many readers who will follow her writing.

Further, Caitlin shared about her childhood, her inspiration, her writing journey, and more interesting things about herself. Read her answers below.

What were you like at school? Any childhood memory you would like to share.

I was very shy in school but always loved to learn. My favorite childhood memory would be spending my summers in Massachusetts visiting my grandparents. I always felt a sense of peace when we went to their house.

What is the biggest achievement till today?

This is a hard question!!! I think my biggest achievement is becoming a better person every day. I love leaving a profound impact on others’ lives and always want others to feel loved and uplifted.

Which writers inspire you?

Vex King and Deepak Chopra inspire me. Their books have had a profound impact on my life, and it is my hope that I can connect with them personally in the future.

Writing is stressful at times. How do you relax your mind?

Honestly, writing helps me relax. Writing helps me process my thoughts and feelings while giving me more ideas of what I want to create. I also practice a lot of self-love to assist me when I feel unbalanced. I have a deep passion for writing, and it really eases my mind. I also enjoy spending time with family and close friends.

What is your favorite motivational phrase?

I have MANY favorite motivational phrases; however, one of my top ones would be

Your only limit is you.

I truly believe in life we are competing with ourselves especially when we come across a moment where we want to achieve our dreams and goals. You can truly do anything in this life if you align your heart to it, make a persistent plan, and are dedicated to achieving all steps.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Always listen to yourself, trust yourself, believe in yourself, and be confident no matter what your circumstances are.

What books do you like to read personally? What are you reading currently?

I read a lot of self-love and spiritual books. I really enjoy inspirational books and anything that can enhance my mind and lead me in the direction I would like to go in. I am currently taking a break from reading.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?

I probably would be the original author of the Berenstain Books. I loved reading those books as a kid, and I feel like it was a big part of my childhood. I think the author was very creative and they always taught different lessons.

What made you decide to sit down and actually start writing?

I was inspired to share my story with others in the hope to let them know that while we may come across challenging times in our lives that it is possible to start a new beginning and create a better future. I believe my readers can connect to different aspects of my book and I share many morals and ethics that I learned along the way.

Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

I write every day and usually whenever I am trying to process my emotions or thoughts. I usually like to write during the evening because I get to reflect on how my day went, what were key moments to be thankful for, and prepare myself for the next day.

What is the reason you write for; is it for the readers or your own self or some other thing?

I write because it is my passion and I truly enjoy it; however, I intend to continue to write to help and inspire others in many ways in the future. I hope my readers find my writing unique and want to continue my journey.

About the Book: Grief, Growth, and Gratitude

Grief, Growth, and Gratitude by Caitlin Burr is a book about the author’s personal experience of how she faced an irreparable loss when her mother passed away. Caitlin shares various stages of this journey that starts with grief then followed by growth and concludes with gratitude.

The best part about it is it does not just stick to the grief, it gradually transforms into an optimistic side. The journey also teaches morals and ethics one must follow for themselves and for others.

Read Full Review of Grief, Growth and Gratitude

What genre is your book? What draws you to this genre?

My book is a self-help book. I believe we are always looking for ways to improve ourselves, so this genre helps me connect with books that lead me in the direction I desire to go in.

How was the idea for the book originated?

The idea came about years ago when my mom passed away; however, I completed the content months before it was published. I think the Growth and Gratitude sections could not have been completed until later because I was still going through those phases over the years.

Cait’s character is really strong. What was the inspiration behind the character?

Well, Cait is me! It is based on a true story and the inspiration is sharing my story with others!

What makes ‘Grief, Growth and Gratitude’ stand out in this genre? What should a reader expect from it?

I think this read stands out because it is a heartfelt read. I put my heart into my writing and truly expressed everything I was feeling through my process. I also share other aspects of grief and how I overcame it.

Ultimately, I thank grief later in the book and show how I transformed my experiences into something greater. The reader can expect a unique perspective from it and can gain much wisdom from the read.

I also wrote two original poems and I believe that many can relate to both. One is dedicated to my mother and the other talks a lot about self-love.

The book shares a deeply personal experience. What was the hardest & the easiest thing about writing such a book?

I think the hardest thing to write was the grief section of my book. It was difficult to discuss the loss of a loved one. Ultimately, the growth section of the book was the easiest to write because I was able to share what helped me heal and bring me to a sense of gratitude for my journey.

Any special experience while writing ‘Grief, Growth and Gratitude’ that you would like to share.

I think the special experience while writing this read was that my creativity was enhanced greatly. I was able to write two poems completely from scratch and I felt like everything flowed with the read.

Future Plans

What are your ambitions for your writing career?

I would like to continue to write in the future and hopefully continue to inspire others to go after their dreams and goals.

Are you working on your new project? What will be your next book about?

I am currently not working on my new project; however, I am brainstorming new ideas and hopefully, I will be publishing another book within the next year.

What does success mean to you as an Author?

Success to me means bringing joy to other people’s lives. I believe that sharing your wisdom and love has more value than anything else.

What are your thoughts on the self-publishing industry?

I think the self-publishing industry has been a great experience. I would recommend to anyone that would like to publish a book to consider this route. It was a smooth process and gives you an idea of the process in general.

One learning that you’d like to pass on to young debut authors. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!! You can do anything you put your heart to.

Your opinion about Vowelor.

Vowelor has been a great experience for me. Vowelor has provided me the opportunity to share my story and has made this promotional process very smooth for me. I appreciate everyone involved that I have had contact with and look forward to working with them again in the future.

Want to know more about Caitlin Burr? Connect with the author on Instagram and visit her official website.