Meet Kaela Prall

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaela Prall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaela, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
I was raised with white knuckles—carefully conditioned to hang on when all signs said to let go. While this was applauded for most of my life, this fear, cleverly disguised as dedication and selflessness, eventually carved me out until my needs were foreign to everyone, especially myself. I thought my only value was in what I could offer, so I gave and gave and gave and fully abandoned myself in the giving. It wasn’t until I experienced a particularly devastating heartbreak that I realized how much not knowing when to walk away had really cost me. It took work (a lot of it) to come home to myself and become familiar with that place within that holds the wisdom of no more and keep going. Now, whether I keep going or give up is determined solely by my own internal voice. It’s not a flippant approach to following my heart, but instead is deeply rooted in my own self-love, protection, and freedom. From this place of intuitive direction, I can lovingly walk away from things that no longer serve me and put all my energy and resources into things that are meant for me, no matter how difficult they may be. This means I feel safe within myself and don’t have to worry about being taken advantage of or giving more than I can afford, because I take care of myself in alignment with my own highest good. A side effect? I have more love to give, more energy to invest, and more creativity flowing to the things I enjoy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I knew I wanted to be a writer when I was in grade school. It took me a long time, but I got my MA in creative writing in 2017 and wrote several short stories and part of a novel in the process. In 2018, I started writing poetry as a form of catharsis and found it to be the most authentic expression of my experiences. I love poetry because it evokes strong imagery and vividly conveys feelings that are often otherwise nebulous and undefined. My first book, rupture & repair, was published in 2019. It was a new experience and stretched me in many ways. Ultimately, I found that people related deeply to the vulnerability that was so scary to share. My second book, chimera, was released in October 2024.

Poetry is deeply personal for me. Every poem is written from the seed of an emotion or experience and then grows into its own expression. Once I publish the poem, it’s fully liberated to whatever meaning the reader ascribes to it—it’s like a partnership: I write, you read, and together we create an experience. I really want to write accessible, unpretentious poetry that captures what it feels like to be human. My latest book, chimera, focuses on the pain of embracing your shadows and healing the parts of yourself you wish didn’t exist. I pull a lot of themes and imagery from nature because I find it to be an excellent mirror and teacher.

The hardest part about writing a good poem is the patience it takes to let it develop in its own time. Sometimes I’ll write two lines and they sit for a year before the rest of the poem forms. Other times the whole poem shows up and it’s ready to go, no editing needed. My challenge is to stay honest and vulnerable with myself throughout the process so that I’m writing authentically.

It’s my opinion that everyone should practice some form of creative self-expression. It doesn’t have to be good. Just the process of expressing ourselves honestly in any form is incredibly healing and valuable. I would love to contribute to writing workshops someday and support people in developing confidence around their creativity.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Colorado is such a cool place to live and I love showing my friends around. Right now, I would take them on a sunny hike somewhere along the Front Range—the Flatirons, North Table Mountain, and Mount Falcon are good choices for my low elevation friends. After that, we’d do a little polar plunge in Clear Creek in Golden and enjoy paneer makhani at Sherpa House. A visit the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and dinner at Mason’s Dumpling Shop would also be a must. We could burn an entire day in Morrison walking along the river, shopping at Meadowsweet Gifts & Wellness and The Moxi Poppy, eating apple cheese chive salad at The Hungry Goat, and wandering around Red Rocks. Another whole day could be spent visiting independent bookstores like Boulder Bookstore, The Read Queen, and Petals & Pages—a spicy chai from The Windy Saddle in hand. We may hit Meow Wolf Denver, a show at the Mission Ballroom, or Indian Hot Springs to round out the week.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people in my life who deserve a shoutout. My teenager who is always teaching me how to have an open mind and a better sense of humor. My friend Shannon and her indomitable spirit and constant encouragement. My mom and stepdad who are always cheering me on. My brother and sister-in-law who are always ready for an adventure. The endless list of friends who collaborate on creative work and are down to have deep conversations or just play board games or go for a hike. Community is the foundation of any success I experience and has shaped me as a person more than anything else in my life.

Website: https://kaelaprall.com/

Other: Bluesky: @thewritekaela.bsky.social
TikTok: @thewritekaela