Chasing the Dream: Dr. Katherine Hayes’ Journey of Faith, Writing, and Resilience

Dr. Katherine Hayes is a woman of many talents—an author, podcaster, editor, speaker, and even a volunteer art teacher for Light for the Future school in Guatemala. But beyond the titles, she is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose journey into the publishing industry is as inspiring as the stories she writes. Chasing the dream of becoming a full-time writer, she embraced the challenges that came with stepping into a new chapter of life.

For many years, Katherine worked in education, serving as both a teacher and a school principal. But life has a way of redirecting us when we least expect it. After experiencing a near-death illness, she made a bold decision—to chase her lifelong dream of writing, editing, and speaking for a living. It wasn’t an easy transition. “The challenges I faced pursuing a new career were a learning curve,” she shares. “I also faced a lot of rejection and closed doors. It was tempting to return to what I’d always done.”

Yet, Katherine pressed forward. She didn’t let setbacks define her journey. Today, she is the author of two books, a contributor and compilation editor for two additional works, and an active voice in the literary world through her devotionals, thrillers, and podcasts. Her mission? To encourage, entertain, educate, and inspire readers while broadening their horizons.

The Power of Influence and Faith

Katherine credits her parents as her first and most influential mentors. “They taught me to love and appreciate literature and the art of writing,” she says. But as she navigated her writing career, she also found invaluable guidance from mentors like Cecil Murphey and Edwina Perkins, who helped shape her craft.

Faith has been her anchor through it all. “My faith in God helps me to keep motivated even during the hardest valleys and most difficult challenges,” she says. That faith carried her through the struggles of balancing family life and writing, especially when her husband was deployed, and her children were in school and college.

One defining moment in her career came during a particularly chaotic season. She was working on her first thriller while juggling family responsibilities. Despite her packed schedule, she submitted work to her mentor, Cecil Murphey, even while traveling to her daughter’s track meet. His response changed her perspective: “He said he was proud of me for acting like a writer. He said writers always write no matter what.” That moment solidified her commitment—she wasn’t just someone who wanted to write. She was a writer.

Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead

If there’s one thing Katherine wishes she had known earlier, it’s the importance of building an author platform. “I wish someone had advised me to start working on my platform much earlier than I did,” she admits. But she remains grateful for the guidance she has received along the way, helping her refine her brand and establish herself in the publishing world.

Her tagline, “Dressing in God’s love through the spoken and written word,” isn’t just a phrase—it’s the foundation of her work. Whether she’s writing devotionals, tackling controversial topics, or crafting thrilling narratives, she approaches each project with an attitude of respect and a commitment to truth.

Looking ahead, Katherine has ambitious plans. She is determined to complete the remaining five books in her series, expand her podcast network, and see her thrillers turned into films. Given her track record of resilience and dedication, there’s little doubt she will accomplish these goals.

Chasing the Dream: A Story Worth Telling

Katherine’s journey is one of courage, persistence, and faith. She stepped away from a secure career to pursue an uncertain path, faced rejection, and kept going despite the obstacles. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and trusting the process—even when the road gets tough.

For anyone struggling to chase their own dreams, Katherine’s message is clear: don’t give up. The learning curve, the closed doors, and the moments of doubt are all part of the journey. Keep going, keep believing, and most importantly—keep writing your story.

To connect with Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes and follow her journey, visit www.drkatherinehayes.com or find her on Instagram at @AuthorDrKatherine.