best selling author
Kelly Wilbanks
Writing has been my lifeline to truth, a way to process and make sense of a chaotic upbringing, trauma, and faith deconstruction. My work is rooted in themes of resilience, mental health, and breaking cycles of generational abuse, inspired by my own experiences and authors like Anne Lamott, who address faith, humanity, and the challenges of healing in her work. Through poetry and memoir, I strive to offer readers a mirror—to recognize and reclaim their narratives, to feel seen, and to be empowered. My hope is that my words encourage people to question inherited beliefs, confront subtle forms of abuse, and step into wholeness. Writing from brokenness has guided me toward wholeness, and I write to offer that same journey to others.
Artist Statement
Writing has always been my lifeline to truth. Growing up in a family where appearances masked chaos, it became the one place where I could be completely honest, capturing emotions that were too dangerous to express aloud. Writing saved me, allowing me to survive heartbreak, betrayal, and upheaval—whether through poetry, journaling, or even the occasional rap. Each form has offered a unique way to process my emotions and remains my way of navigating life’s challenges—a conduit for thoughts and feelings I need to understand, unravel, and set free.
I write when inspiration strikes, often from a well-turned phrase that emerges during a conversation, a quiet moment, or while working on another piece. My ADHD mind is always active, and phrases surface unexpectedly, bringing clarity to my thoughts. My faith, family dynamics, and experiences of deconstruction inspire many of my themes. I’m drawn to authors like Anne Lamott and Philip Yancey, who address faith, humanity, and the challenges of healing. My own journey of grappling with family trauma fuels my desire to speak truth and connect with those who feel similarly misunderstood.
At the core of my work is a commitment to breaking cycles of generational abuse and advocating for mental health awareness. Through poetry and memoir, I explore the hard work of healing, resilience, and growth. My art serves as a mirror—a way to express what can’t always be put into words and to empower people to reclaim their own narratives.
I want my writing to help readers embrace the hard inner work needed for outer rewards, encouraging them to build lives of authenticity and strength. My experiences growing up with undiagnosed neurodivergent parents, navigating family breakdown, and learning survival skills early on have shaped my writing. Poetry reflects my emotions; memoir explores my stories; and recently, prose poetry has allowed me to blend the two. Key moments—my family’s collapse, my divorce, and my faith deconstruction—have become cornerstones of my creative exploration. Each word is an act of resilience, a declaration of survival, and an offering of hope to anyone who feels lost in their own story.
Ultimately, I hope my work allows readers to feel both seen and challenged, empowering them to question inherited beliefs and overcome obstacles in their lives. Writing from brokenness has been my path to wholeness, and I offer my words as a guide for others on their journeys.
Portfolio
