by Denni Smith
Mollie Fowler, a freshman at Oklahoma Baptist University, turned grief into storytelling after the loss of her brother inspired her to begin journaling. What started as a personal outlet eventually became a passion for writing and publishing books that encourage others through faith and shared experiences.
Fowler said she first began writing in a journal after her brother passed away. As she reflected on those entries, she realized other people her age were likely facing similar struggles.
“I was reflecting over my journal and thinking that I’m not the only one who’s gone through this,” Fowler said. “I wanted to help other people — especially people my age. I wanted them to know they’re not alone and tell them what I’ve learned and what the Lord has been for me in my life, and that led to my devotional, My Thoughts and Prayers.”
Fowler said she has loved storytelling since childhood, and combining that passion with journaling naturally led her into authorship. Writing under the pen name M.K. Fowler because she preferred not to use her full name publicly, she published her first book, Country Faith, as part of a trilogy.
She said she chose to release the trilogy together so readers could continue the story immediately after finishing the first book.
Fowler said the idea for Country Faith began about a year after her brother’s death while she and her mother were running errands.
“I told her a story that I was making up as I went along about the hope of heaven,” Fowler said. “When I got home that night, I wrote the story on paper and didn’t touch it again until a few years later.”
She later published a personal copy through Lulu’s children’s publishing kit and discovered a love for writing and journaling through the process.
“I’ve always loved romance, and I’ve always loved the western life, and my faith is everything to me,” Fowler said. “So I just mix those together in my writing.”
Fowler said writing became meaningful because it allowed her to process emotions and reflect on God’s faithfulness through difficult seasons. She believes many authors begin by writing for themselves as a way to express emotions and experiences.
As she continued writing, Fowler said the possibility of publishing no longer felt impossible. Her cousin, a ghostwriter, introduced her to self-publishing through Amazon and helped her learn the process.
“So I just tried it,” Fowler said. “And I had a lot of support from my mom, my cousin and my friends.”
Fowler chose self-publishing because it allowed her work to reach a broader audience.
“I could have tried doing a Christian store or Barnes & Noble,” Fowler said, “but I figured that doing it on Amazon gave me the ability to reach more people — a wider audience, not just Christians.”
She also appreciated the permanence and accessibility of online publishing. Fowler said her books still receive occasional sales, though she considers the height of her success to have been her first book signing event.
Recently, Fowler began working on another devotional inspired by her travels in Europe and her love for Bible studies. She hopes to continue exploring that direction in future projects.
Some of Fowler’s biggest literary inspirations include the Elsie Dinsmore series by Martha Finley and Christian romance author Lori Wick.
Faith plays a central role in all of Fowler’s writing. She said she intentionally includes the message of salvation in every book she publishes.
“In every book that I have published, I always make an effort to tell the salvation story,” Fowler said. “I want people to know what Jesus did for them and that they’re loved.”
She said the Country Faith trilogy focuses heavily on faith, family and friendship, with each character experiencing spiritual growth that reflects parts of her own journey.
Fowler also said her devotional was designed to remind readers they are seen and not alone during difficult times. While the work was inspired by her personal journal, she removed many deeply personal details and focused more on reflections of how God worked through those experiences.
“God is so, so good,” Fowler said. “It’s more the reflection part of the journal rather than my specific personal journey. It’s more of how God showed up and how He shows up for others.”
Fowler said two Bible verses especially influenced her writing journey: 1 Corinthians 13:13 and Jeremiah 29:11.
“A lot of people know that verse, like John 3:16,” Fowler said of Jeremiah 29:11. “But as a writer and a Christian wanting to honor God, it’s powerful. God knows the story, even if it’s fiction.”
At the conclusion of the interview, Fowler encouraged aspiring writers to simply begin writing, whether or not they ever plan to publish.
“If you love to write, just get a laptop or a journal and just write what’s on your mind and in your heart,” Fowler said. “Even just start journaling. It doesn’t even have to be a story.”
For those interested in publishing, Fowler advised writers to find trusted people who can provide honest feedback and guidance throughout the process.
“Just dream big,” Fowler said. “And if you fail, then try again.”
