What inspired you to write Dying to Meet You (43 Old Cemetery Road, book one)?
I get a lot of ideas for my books from newspapers. Several years ago I read a newspaper article about a young couple in Kansas who bought a house from an elderly couple. The older folks were moving to a retirement home and couldn’t take their dog with them. So in the contract for their house, the old couple stipulated that whoever bought their house would also have to care for the dog. That’s the kind of story I love. I took that idea and substituted an eleven-year-old boy for the dog and added a ghost and a crabby writer.
How long did it take you to write Dying to Meet You?
I try to write my first drafts fast and messy, usually in about 30 or 45 days. I probably wrote Dying to Meet You in a month or so. But then I spent more than a year revising it. I bet I wrote 15 or 20 drafts of it before I was happy with it.
What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?
Sometimes I think every character I create is a different side of me. I can certainly be grumpy like Ignatius B. Grumply. I also like to think I’m young at heart, like Seymour. And I’m definitely sassy like Olive, though she’s a lot smarter than I am.
If you could befriend a character from any of your books, who would you befriend? Why?
Mary Sarah Klise |
“Wichita Lineman” by Jimmy Webb. It breaks my heart every time I hear it.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
Where can we purchase your books?
I love independent bookstores and always suggest people start there. But if you can’t find my books at a small bookstore or a bigger bookseller like Barnes and Noble, try Amazon.
Author Website ☞ Barnes and Noble ☞ Amazon.com ☞ Goodreads ☟
Author Website ☞ Barnes and Noble ☞ Amazon.com ☞ Goodreads ☟
Read the reviews!
** For all of you YA readers out there, check out Kate’s newest book for you. It’s called In the Bag....
A European vacation. A luggage mix-up. A note from a secret admirer. . . In the Bag is a smart and stylish story that explores the old-fashioned art of romance in a modern world, where falling in love can be as risky as checking a bag on an international flight. Buckle your seat belt—it's going to be a bumpy vacation!
"A lively love story . . . (that) will keep readers happily engaged."
-Publishers Weekly
I read this book after you reviewed it. It was really fun! I enjoyed the story and found the illustrations to be charming.
ReplyDeleteElaine- So glad you picked up this fun book and enjoyed it! The illustrations are great, too! :) ~F
DeleteA big hit with lots of my friends children, I loved this interview.
ReplyDeletePetty- How great that Kate Klise is a big hit with your friends' children! I can understand why! I am so happy you loved the interview. :) ~F
DeleteGreat interview. Both of these books look great!
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly, Thanks for stopping by- We enjoyed reviewing Dying to Meet You and It was so nice of Kate to interview with us! ~ F
DeleteCharming interview, you two. Love the concepts of her books, especially the crabby writer in Dying, so will be adding them to my ever-growing list. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi clemckenzie,
DeleteIsn't the name I.B. Grumply such a fun name for a surly, old writer? I really enjoyed the illustrations as well. Thanks for stopping by : ) ~ F
When I did my student teaching, we did a letter writing unit and my supervising teacher used her book, "Regarding the Fountain". I fell in love with this book and used her books in my classroom for letter writing units ever since then. Although I'm not teaching any longer, I have read her books with my children. They are among my favorites. Great interview.
ReplyDelete365 Books a Year- Thanks so much for stopping by. I read Regarding the Fountain to my class a while back and they loved it. The play on words with the character names is such fun. I love your letter writing idea for the classroom- I am going to steal it and use these books! Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the interview. ~Stephanie
DeleteLovely interview...I want both books now!!!
ReplyDeletePatty- Thanks! Enjoy the books when you get them. :) ~F
DeleteI hear the bookstore calling me. I promise to try the local Indie first. I fell in love with Glenn Campbell when I heard his version of Wichita Lineman. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteLeslie- Good luck at you local Indie bookstore first. :) Glenn Campbell does have an amazing voice. My dad tries to imitate him! ~F
DeleteVery nice interview. i love how she gets her ideas from the newspaper.
ReplyDeleteDonna- Isn't that cool! I loved finding out that tidbit of information. Glad you enjoyed the interview! ~F
DeleteHeidi- It really is a fun read! That would be so cool if you could get Mary Sarah on your blof for The Something Wicked event! Great idea! ~F
ReplyDeleteFun interview! And I love the illustration on the book cover. Classically sweet and intriguing!
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M. Christine- I think the cover is amazing, too! I love Kate's answers to our questions. Thanks for stopping by! ~L
DeleteLove the sounds of this book (and the YA book too). Fun interview. I love authors that are inspired by real life stories and then make something of their own. Thanks for the heads up on this book.
ReplyDeleteAimee- Thanks for stopping by. I am so glad you enjoyed the interview. Dying to Meet You is lots of fun and I think it is great that she gets her inspiration from real life. ~F
DeleteI've heard a lot of positive thing for In the Bag and looks adorable.
ReplyDeleteKaren- It does look adorable! I look forward to reading it! :) ~Stephanie
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