Chelse has successfully written six psychological thriller novels and is working on her seventh novel. She also continues to work on her series, Let’s Learn with Nurse Chelse, “I Got This!” Math Workbook series, and My Parents Career Adventure series. Each of her children are also working on illustrating their own children’s books! Kalel’s book, Kalel’s Superpowers and Gabriella’s children’s book, Bugs with Gabby, are set to be debuted in 2026.
Have you always wanted to become an author?
No, not always. I grew up with a passion for reading. The library was right next to my bedroom and reading was my hobby. When I got into trouble I didn’t get grounded from the television, going out, or extracurricular activities – I got my books taken away. Talk about child abuse! (Kidding!) One day it just clicked for me and I thought, “I want to be someone that elicits this kind of emotion like they do for me!” So, I used one of my nightmares that I had and wrote my first book. I enjoyed writing so much that I wrote another book, followed by another, and so on!
What inspires you to write psychological thriller novels?
Since I was a little girl I have had vivid, life-like, and terrifying nightmares. In a way, I thought I was cursed. Some of my nightmares were so real that they would even start with me getting out of the same spot I fell asleep in. It wasn’t until later that I realized that my curse was really a blessing because it gave me an unlimited amount of fuel to write some bizarre and twisty novels. The plot of my novels is thanks to my demented nightmares and I mix that with the experiences I have from the trauma and psychiatric Emergency Rooms I have worked in to write a jaw-dropping novel.
How are you able to write horror and psychological thriller novels and Children’s Books? I mean, they are SO different.
I get asked that question a lot! Since I was little, particularly when my brother was diagnosed with Diabetes at five years old, I have been intrigued by anything medical. After I witnessed my brother’s first seizure in sixth grade I started to bring medical books to study during reading time because I knew I had to take care of him. After my graduating with my first degree I pursued my second degree, a Bachelor of Nursing from an accelerated program. I worked (and still do) as an Emergency Room nurse while specializing in several other fields and going to get my Master’s. I have had the opportunity to help newly diagnosed families that have been told that their child has A, Y, and Z diseases (such as Type 1 Diabetes). I’ve been asked numerous times what resources, such as pamphlets or books, that I recommend for them. For the adults I had numerous educational and informative resources to recommend to them, but what about their children? I didn’t have anything for them, and I remembered when my brother got diagnosed it was the same thing – nothing to explain to a five-year-old that they have a life-changing diagnosis that will forever alter his life. So, I decided to make one. My first one of course was about Type 1 Diabetes dedicated to my brother Chase, followed by the top 10 most common childhood diseases for the series, Let’s Learn by Nurse Chelse.
I have a passion for helping people from all walks of life. I also have a creative outlet for writing psychological thriller and horror novels that have been derived from some pretty terrifying nightmares that I have had!