Talking With Katie Hines

Katie Hines the person:

1. What three words do you think describe you as a human being?

That’s a tough one. Just three, huh? Okay. Faith, commited, humorous

2. How do you think others would describe you?

I think a lot of people would say that I’m outgoing (when I’m really an introvert) because I have to be outgoing. So, I often live outside my comfort zone. I’m also very organized, although my organizational skills are being put to the test what with the different writing-related activities I’m involved in. Hopefully, people would see me as someone who cares about others. I also think I may be described as blunt, which is actually a kind word for someone who too often puts their foot in their mouth! Finally, I hope that people see me as a person who often sees humor in life.

3. Please tell us what you are most passionate about outside of writing.

My family.

4. Do you have any pets? If so, introduce us to them.

No pets. We’ve tried, in the past, to have cats, but both my husband and youngest daughter are allergic to the pet dander, so I’ve kinda given up.

5. What is your most precious memory?

Does it have to be one? The most recent is being present for the birth of my first grandson. Earlier, it is along the same line: the birth of both my children.

6. What is your most embarrassing memory?

My husband and I were dating at the time, and we went to a local Mexican restaurant. He is very much the gentleman, and I wasn’t used to it. We were led to a table, and I pulled my chair out and prepared to sit down. Unknown to me, my then boyfriend pulled the chair out further as a gentlemanly gesture, and I saw down, thinking I was going to encounter the chair. Instead I fell on the floor!

7. If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing with your life?

I would probably have gone back to school and majored in business, with the goal of getting an MBA.

8. In two paragraphs or less, write your obituary.

Katie Hines passed away on thus-and-such-date, in her sleep, leaving behind a husband, Bill, two daughters Rachel and Ruth, and grandson Miles, all living in Seneca. Hines will be best noted for her writing as a children’s author, most notably her young adult novel, “My Name is Bib,” which won the Newbery Award. Also, she will be known for her philanthropic endeavors.


Katie Hines The Writer:

9. Can you describe the time you realized you were indeed a “real” writer.

There were actually a couple of moments. The first was when I submitted a humor article to our local newspaper, and it was published, complete with my byline, in their Lifestyle section. The article was right next to my new best friend’s article, Billy Graham. The second time was when I was at a wedding, and my friend introduced me to her friends as a writer.

10. What is going on with your writing these days?

I’m really a bit busier than I want to be. Currently, I have the manuscript in hand for my first book, Guardian, which is due to be released in June/July, needing edits. I have a young adult book, “My Name is Bib” that I occasionally visit, that needs some fresh inspiration.

I also have a blog that I post on three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). On Monday’s, I blog; on Wednesday’s, I have a writer guest; and on Fridays, guest bloggers about writing-related subjects. This involves a lot of organization to keep everything and everyone straight!

I am also involved in setting up marketing and promotional things for the release of my book, Guardian, which means I’ve got all kinds of files on my desk. That takes up more time than I would like, but it is necessary.

Let’s see, what else? I am going to begin to write articles for other people’s sites, and I have several opportunities for that. Also on tap is a website.

11. What are your future goals for your writing?

I have a new middle grade novel that I’m working on, as well as “My Name is Bib.” I’ve also got a few chapter books outlined, but they need writing.

12. Can you describe a typical writing day for you.

Sure. When I get up in the morning, I make me three cups of joe. A bit excessive, I admit, but that’s what I need to get going. Then I go and check my emails, making appropriate responses, and printing out emails that I need to keep track of.

After that, I make sure my most recent blog entry shows up right, and I follow other blogs. Sometime during the course of the day, I visit Twitter and Facebook 2-3 times per day.

Because I can get overwhelmed with my obligations, I take a break about 1:00 and watch Judge Judy! Just what the doctor ordered. Then I check emails again. Finally, I get to my manuscript, and depending on which one I’m working on at the time, do some plotting and writing, or, for my book under contract, editing.

After my husband gets home for the evening, we do family related things. Finally, about 9:00, I get back to my computer, where I work on my book for another couple of hours.

13. Why do you write?

I know that a lot of people say they “have” to write. I don’t feel that way, per se. I don’t have some deep-seated need to create. At least, I don’t think I do. I love it when I do create, and it fills holes in my life, and gives me purpose in my life. For too many years, I stayed home with my kids, not knowing what I could be involved in beyond them. When I finally got to writing, in my late 40s, I realized it was what I was looking for as a focus for my life.

14. What writer most inspires you? Why?

Terry Brooks, a fantasy writer. He has written a lot of fantasy books about a mythical place. The sheer creativity of his writing amazes me. Although he uses the hero’s journey as a central theme for his books, he always manages new and interesting events to happen.

15. How do you define your writing?

I’m not sure what you mean by this question.

16. In one sentence, what do you want people to say about your writing in fifty years?

That my writing entertained, and also that certain novels made people think about life in a new way.


Katie Hines the details:

17. Can you tell us where to find more information on you? Website? Blog?


http://katiehines.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1442953493

Twitter: http://twitter.com/katiehines

Book Trailer: Blazing Trailers:
http://www.blazingtrailers.com/browse.php?txt=katie%20Hines

18. Is there a place where readers can reach you?

katiebug1957@gmail.com

19. Can you list all your book title so people can look for them?

http://4rvpublishingllc.com

20. For new readers, what can they expect when they read your book(s)?

Hopefully, a doggone good yarn, both with the chapter books, and in utilizing the fantasy genre as far as “Guardian” is concerned. Also, for the more literary, “My Name is Bib,” I hope that people’s thinking is challenged and surprised by the ending.


In conclusion:

21. Take as much space as necessary to speak to our readers. What would you like them to know about you and your writing?

As a writer, I would like other writers know that I find inspiration from many of them and their accomplishments, and knowing others have walked the same road that I’m currently on. They give me hope and a view to the future.

I’d also like to be known as someone who knows how to write humor, but to also realize that humor is subjective, and for me, anyhow, I have to be in a certain frame of mind to write it.

Further, I’d like people to know that I appreciate the journey that we take when we create and write, and that the ending of that journey is often times not seen at the beginning. Sometimes so, yes, but not always.

Throughout this journey of mine, I have had the great fortune to meet some fantastic people, people who share similar goals and visions for their writing. This has generated for me a more satisfied life as a whole, and a feeling of camaraderie and sense of belonging that I don’t have in my non-writing life. I treasure that.