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Meet Tornado Survivor and Writer Kira Marie McCullough

Meet Tornado Survivor and Writer Kira Marie McCullough

Last updated on: April 9, 2026 at 6:00 am by Mark Wilson

Meet Tornado Survivor and Writer Kira Marie McCullough 2026-04-08T06:36:36-05:00 Mark Wilson

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Kira is a writer who wraps her faith and writing into one fine coat she wears when she is being creative in crafting words and worlds of stories. Her real-life survival in the midst of nature trying to destroy her was a springboard for her work. She brings the art of writing into focus as you read about how she goes about it and how Catholic writing legend Flannery O’Connor is an inspiring figure who walks along with her as she weaves her own tapestry of books. It’s time to

Meet Tornado Survivor and Writer
Kira Marie McCullough

Tell something interesting about yourself.

I survived the terrifying Central Texas tornadoes in 2024. I sat in the bathtub in the pitch dark with a metal bowl on my head, praying panic prayers while the hail pelted the roof, sounding like a herd of cattle. The house shook as the lightning sparked the electric wires and split the trees outside my apartment.

con00003 | Tornado Nightmares – A satellite tornado circulat… | Flickr

From that frightening experience came the epiphany that my trust in God was too small; my journey towards greater faith in his Divine Providence developed into a story I included in my new book, Treasures of Grace, the Gift of Peace.

What makes a good Catholic writer?

I like the way Flannery O’Connor described herself: “I’m not a Catholic Writer. I am a Writer who is Catholic.”

This is my moniker, as well. I write literary fiction, historical novels, devotionals, and more—always with the purpose of creating something timeless and classic; endearing, exquisite, compelling, and transformative. I cannot say what makes a “good Catholic writer,” but I know what makes a good writer, and I challenge myself daily to become a better writer. Always, I am striving to be a good Catholic.

What do you like about being a Catholic/Christian Writer?

Let me tackle the “writer” part, first. I love the challenge of creating worlds, characters, and stories, through imaginative impressions that I struggle to encapsulated in words. It is the word play that most excites me. I strive to express inner truths and outer realities in fresh and exciting ways.

What I like about being a Catholic is the connection my writing has with God. You might see me typing at my computer on my desk, but I’m really in the “writing garden,” where I walk through my imagination with God, listening for his whispers, feeling his touch, experiencing his joy, finding his sorrow.

What is the Main focus of your particular Writing or what do you like to write about?

I really dislike genres. I like being outside of the box, unable to be pegged into a particular format or style. I’m playing with short stories, historical fiction, devotionals, children’s books, and even poetry and memoir. Having said that, there are themes that are woven throughout various works of mine. King of the Lake and Other Stories includes 9 short stories, each with a particular topic, such as “Super Dads” (the heroic courage of average dads and husbands slaying the cultural dragons to save their families), “Dreamers & Schemers (gutsy old gals who refuse to give up on their dreams), and “Silly Satire” (stories to make you laugh, but also ponder; think of Gulliver’s Travels meets Ray Bradbury, or something weird like that). On the other hand, my novel-in-progress delves into Kansas history from 1854-1954, through the fictionalized account of two churches (one Baptist and the other Catholic) in the imaginary Hawkweed Creek Township. After 60 plus decades of life, I guess I have a lot to write about.

How does your Catholic Faith influence your writing?

My writings are not overtly Catholic in the sense that I’m writing stories that are accessible to Seekers, Protestants, Catholics, and curious readers looking for exceptional literature. Here’s a metaphor—a cup of tea. Rather than being a lemon slice on the edge of the teacup or even the tea bag inside, my faith is more like the infusion of the spices and the sweetness of the honey. I want my readers to “taste and see” that the Lord is good, without explicitly telling them what to think or believe. Yet, behind the scenes, in my office-writing-garden, my Catholic Faith infuses everything I think, do. I’m constantly aware of the presence of God.

What’s your favorite article/Post/book/story you have written?

I really love them all! Each one is unique and special. And there are more to come, Lord willing.

What is your favorite topic/subject to write about?

Edgy topics that nobody wants to touch. For example: The strength of fatherhood; the sacrifice of marriage; the power of remaining faithful to a wayward spouse; choosing life when you’ve been told you’re dying; the dividing line between Protestantism and Catholicism and the courage to jump it, etc. I say “etc.” because I’m always working on something edgy.

Favorite scripture verse.

Must I choose only one?! I grew up loving the Bible, and as a convert from Protestantism to the Catholic Church, I’ve never lost that love; I still read scripture voraciously. But since you asked, I’ll offer something rather eclectic that I read just this morning (so for now it is my favorite), from Matthew 8 and 9. This summarizes the lovelessness of so many who cannot rejoice in the freedom and healing Jesus offers, yet it is also very sad in the sense that Jesus honors their request:

“Those tending the pigs ran off and when they reached the town, they related the whole story including what had happened to the men who had been possessed. Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their region. Therefore, Jesus got into a boat and crossing over the lake, arrived at his hometown.”

Mosaic of the exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac from the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, dating to the sixth century AD

What Are you currently working on?

An historical novel set in Kansas, 1854 – 1955—actually, two novels. Book One will be published (hopefully) in 2027, and Book Two, shortly thereafter. It’s a work of love, spanning five years of research and writing, dedicated to Our Lady. The title, “Queen of Christmas.” The story explores the faith journey of two churches, one Baptist and the other Catholic. I’ll leave you pondering…well, actually, I’ll encourage you to join my newsletter, “Grace Notes from Kira,” which is the only place you can pre-read snippets of the novel-in-progress Click on my website to join. kiramariemccullough.org.

Name a favorite saint or Catholic or some other figure who inspires you in your life.

Again, do I have to choose just one?! My patron saint is the Blessed Mother, and I have a deep affection for Papa Saint Joseph. I’ve had interesting encounters with Padre Pio. Recently, I’m really digging Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. One often overlooked figure is the Guardian Angel. I’m very devoted to mine.

Who is your favorite Living Writer?

Ahh, there lies the conundrum—my heart resonates with classic writers who are mostly dead. I rarely read any writers post-1970s. Lest ye think my writing is stuck in the past, it isn’t. My reading is.

If you could have lunch with any deceased writer who would it be, what would you eat and what would you talk about?

Flannery O’Connor. I would love to sit down at a picnic table in a beautiful park in Georgia and eat her favorite Southern dishes (hoping that might be collard greens, corn-on-the-cob, and barbecue pork—but I’ll eat anything she likes). I’d love to talk about that place deep in the soul where creative ideas brew, and how such things percolate to the surface and form into words and characters and stories; how did she so masterfully weave interesting tales of ordinary people and common life with edgy cultural themes, and was this purposeful, or just “her” writing about life as she knew it? What techniques allowed for the subtlety of her Catholic Faith to remain hidden to many, yet appear in bold relief to others? What role did prayer play? Daily Mass? Did she ever feel inspired, or was writing a slog at times?

Name a favorite movie/tv show or music you find worth sharing with others.

I use my computer like a TV, and have an obsession with You Tube (please don’t hate me!). I love watching interviews with interesting people; cooking shows; old movies; educational “how to” videos; and music. In fact, I listen to music while writing, and a favorite channel is Harpa Dei.

Can you see one of your books being made into a movie or tv series?

Yes—Queen of Christmas. Also, any of the nine short stories in King of the Lake and Other Stories.

Favorite Historical event.

I have a rather dreamy view of pioneer times, based on the simple stories written by Laura Ingalls Wilder (I’d love to feast at the family dinner table in Almanzo’s home, or sit in the back of Laura’s covered wagon, watching the prairies disappear over the horizon). To get a more grown-up perspective, I like watching the You Tube show, “Montana Ranch Rescue,” and I’m reading Kateri Tekakwitha, the Iroquois Saint (Father Pierre Cholonee S.J.) and Black Robes Enter Coyote’s Word: Chief Charlo & Father De Smet in the Rocky Mountains, (Sally Thompson). All good prep for my historical novel.

This interview was published on April 9, 2026

The day these events took place

1860 – On his phonautograph machine, Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville makes the first known recording of an audible human voice.

1865 – American Civil War: Robert E. Lee surrenders the Army of Northern Virginia (26,765 troops) to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, effectively ending the war.

1947 – The Glazier–Higgins–Woodward tornadoes kill 181 and injure 970 in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

1947 – The Journey of Reconciliation, the first interracial Freedom Ride begins through the upper South in violation of Jim Crow laws. The riders wanted enforcement of the United States Supreme Court‘s 1946 Irene Morgan decision that banned racial segregation in interstate travel.

1959 – Project Mercury: NASA announces the selection of the United States’ first seven astronauts, whom the news media quickly dub the “Mercury Seven“.

What else do you want people to know about anything.

Recently I discovered the health benefits of milling my own grain to make everything from yeast breads to pancakes, muffins to cookies. I’ve had pretty amazing results, with more energy, less digestive problems (almost zero). My advice: Read great books and don’t eat dead bread (all the stuff on the grocery shelves and in the bakeries). Oh, and don’t forget to laugh every day…which reminds me of my “Silly Satire” section of King of the Lake and Other Stories,” where you can read the story, “Buffet to Die for,” about obsession with bread, and the mysterious sudden deaths of people eating the spicy food at Duke’s Diner…

Rainer Zenz – Own work

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