From Hollywood to Award-Winning Author

Have you ever wondered what it takes to follow your passion, switch careers, and not only succeed but shine? In this podcast episode, Christina Daves sits down with Kay A. Oliver, a three-time award-winning author whose path from Hollywood executive to published novelist is as inspiring as it is unexpected. Kay’s story is filled with resilience, creativity, and a deep commitment to bringing characters and history to life in a way that captivates readers. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a book lover, or simply someone looking for motivation to chase your dreams, Kay’s journey offers valuable lessons and relatable insights.

In this episode, we’ll dive into Kay’s fascinating career shift, her accomplishments as a novelist, the struggles she overcame, and the advice she shares with anyone who has a story inside them waiting to be told.

From Hollywood to the Page

Kay’s professional story begins in Hollywood, where she worked as a television and movie executive. Her career revolved around storytelling from a visual standpoint—managing productions, navigating creative demands, and living in the fast-paced world of the entertainment industry. She learned how to see stories like a movie playing in her head, a skill that became the backbone of her writing style later in life. Every day was about solving problems, balancing creative ideas with practical realities, and keeping productions moving forward. Those years gave her the discipline and training to understand structure, pacing, and what makes an audience stay engaged.

While her time in Hollywood gave her the foundation of understanding how stories unfold, it wasn’t until later that she transitioned into writing novels. For Kay, the move to fiction wasn’t carefully planned—it started with a spark of imagination that wouldn’t let go. She describes herself as a “pantser,” someone who doesn’t outline but instead allows the story to unfold as if she were watching it on screen. What began as a single idea soon grew into her first book, Disturbed Tombs, a story that intertwined her love of history, her knack for visual storytelling, and her fascination with character-driven plots.

That first novel was more than just a project—it was proof that she could transform her Hollywood experience into a new creative path. It marked the beginning of a new chapter that would lead to multiple published works, critical recognition, and a loyal readership that connected deeply with her stories.

The Birth of a Writer

Kay’s writing career began with a spark of curiosity: why do we honor graves in modern-day cemeteries but freely unearth ancient tombs? That thought evolved into her first book, Disturbed Tombs. The novel follows Dr. Kayleigh Worthy, a museum professional who discovers that spirits linger among artifacts—particularly those connected to Pharaoh Seti, whose mummy rests in the museum where she works.

Kay blended historical research with fiction to create a story that is both imaginative and grounded in reality. Her ability to weave in real historical figures with fictional characters became one of her strengths as an author, and it’s part of what sets her work apart.

What’s remarkable is that her very first book didn’t just sit on shelves—it turned into a series. The success of Disturbed Tombs gave birth to sequels, including A Powerful Disturbing, and opened the door for Kay to establish herself in the literary world.

Building Characters That Feel Real

One of Kay’s standout achievements as a writer is her skill in developing characters who feel authentic. Her approach is both clever and deeply personal. Instead of creating every character from scratch, Kay often draws inspiration from people she knows. Friends sometimes even lend their names—like Alison, who chose the last name Valencia for her fictional counterpart. By grounding her characters in real personalities, Kay ensures they have depth, quirks, and humanity.

Readers often tell her that they finish her books feeling like they know her characters personally, even questioning what choices they themselves would have made in the same situations. For Kay, this is the ultimate compliment. It shows that her writing doesn’t just entertain—it connects.

The Writing Process: Challenges and Triumphs

While Kay makes storytelling look effortless, she’s candid about the struggles behind the scenes. Writing Disturbed Tombs was a challenge because it required jumping between timelines—the era of Pharaoh Seti and modern-day life. She admits that if she had realized how difficult it would be, she might never have finished. But she pushed through, and that perseverance paid off.

Her next book, Sisters in Cold Blood, felt easier in comparison. This story centers around a woman who discovers a confession letter from 1909, revealing the existence of a long-forgotten serial killer. Unlike her first book, which bounced between time periods, Sisters in Cold Blood unfolded entirely in the present, making it a smoother writing process.

Kay emphasizes one truth for all aspiring writers: great novels are made in the editing stage, not the first draft. She’s a firm believer that the hardest part of writing is simply getting words down on paper. “Just write,” she advises. Don’t worry about perfection or even coherence in the first draft. That’s what editing is for.

Recognition and Awards

Kay’s determination has been richly rewarded. She has become a three-time award-winning author, with recognition for the creativity and heart she pours into her work. One of her standout novels, Road to Elysium, has won ten awards on its own and has even drawn attention from Netflix, Amazon, and other production companies interested in adapting it for the screen. Described as It’s a Wonderful Life meets The Blind Side, the book highlights her ability to write stories that are both deeply emotional and widely relatable.

These honors not only validate her storytelling ability but also reflect the way her books resonate with readers. Audiences connect to the historical depth she researches so carefully, the emotional authenticity she brings to her characters, and the messages of hope and resilience woven throughout her plots.

From Hollywood executive to celebrated novelist, Kay’s accomplishments prove that it’s never too late to chase a new dream—and succeed at it. Her awards and growing recognition are a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and the courage to start again later in life.

Technology and Writing: A Balanced View

No modern writing conversation would be complete without mentioning AI tools like ChatGPT. Kay and Christina discussed how technology fits into the writing process. While Kay appreciates AI for brainstorming or smoothing out sentences, she warns against relying on it for fiction writing. AI lacks the human touch—the quirks, emotions, and subtleties—that bring stories to life.

For nonfiction, AI can be helpful with structure or wording. But for fiction, Kay believes nothing replaces the heart and perspective of a human writer. And she’s right—those little details, like a character arching an eyebrow or grabbing a loved one’s hand, can’t be replicated by algorithms

Technology and Writing: A Balanced View

No modern writing conversation would be complete without mentioning AI tools like ChatGPT. Kay and Christina dove into how technology fits into the creative process, weighing both its strengths and its shortcomings.

But when it comes to fiction, Kay is firm: AI falls short. She explains that tools like ChatGPT often repeat themselves, lack the ability to weave in natural emotions, and miss those human touches that make a story memorable. For example, she points out that AI won’t think to have a character trip as they cross a room, or capture the warmth of a wife reaching for her husband’s hand just because she loves him. Instead, AI might simply say a character “was inquisitive,” missing the richness of describing how he arched an eyebrow or smirked at the same time.

For nonfiction, Kay agrees AI can be handy, especially for tidying up structure or smoothing out clunky phrasing. But in fiction, she believes nothing replaces the heart, instinct, and lived perspective of a human writer. As she reminds us, stories are built on emotions and nuance—and that’s something no algorithm has mastered.

Lessons in Resilience and Creativity

Kay’s journey hasn’t been free of doubt or difficulty, but what makes her story powerful is her resilience. She tackled a complex first novel without realizing how demanding it would be, embraced the challenges of editing, and leaned on her creativity to craft characters that resonate.

Her career pivot from Hollywood to fiction shows that reinvention is possible, no matter where you start. By leaning on her natural storytelling instincts and pairing them with research and perseverance, Kay built a career that inspires others to embrace their own creative journeys.

A Story of Following Passion

Kay A. Oliver’s path is proof that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. From the fast-paced world of Hollywood to the intricate, imaginative realm of fiction writing, she carved out a new identity as an author and thrived. Her achievements—multiple award-winning books, a loyal readership, and the ability to bring history to life through fiction—are a testament to her talent and determination.

For anyone sitting on a story idea, Kay’s advice is simple but profound: start writing. Don’t worry about the perfect beginning or flawless sentences. Just get your words onto the page, and let the editing process shape them into something powerful.

So, whether you’re an aspiring author, a creative professional, or someone seeking inspiration to chase a new dream, Kay’s journey is a reminder that your passions are worth pursuing. All it takes is the courage to begin.

Watch her full episode here,