Reader's Corner
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Natalie Kinsey-Warnoc
An interview with author Natalie Kinsey-Warnock by
Taylor Savas and Carly Stine of Central School in South Burlington;
Bobbe Pennington's class
Hello! Our names are Carly and Taylor. We were given the privilege
by our fifth-grade teacher to have our own personal interview
with the one and only Vermont author Natalie Kinsey-Warnock.
As we asked our questions, Natalie answered them all with
a big smile on her face and wonderful answers. It was amazing
to listen to her words and unbelievable stories that just
grasped you into her remarkable life.
When Natalie was growing up, most people knew her as an artist
rather than a writer. This energetic woman had big dreams
when she was younger. She wanted to be a vet. Did she succeed?
Yes, in a way she did. Now Kinsey-Warnock has nine dogs that
she has rescued from abusive or dangerous situations. She
also has horses and cats, including one black cat who also
has big dreams. He wants to be just like one of the dogs!
When we asked Natalie whether her books related to her life,
the answer was flat out, "Yes." Natalie said that
most of her books are old family stories that had never been
told. This animal rescuer thought that was wrong, so she went
story shopping and came home with her bags full! Now Natalie
has over 13 books published, most having to do with someone
or something in her family. By the way, she does her writing
drafts by hand, usually writing in a lovely field behind her
home in Barton, Vt. Stay tuned! More of her books are scheduled
to be published soon. If you are interested in knowing more
about her books, our class has reviewed a number of them on
this same web site.
Thanks, Natalie. Keep on writing!
Katherine Paterson
An interview with author Katherine Paterson by Emily
Seddon- Montpelier High School Student
July 2003
 When
I was first asked to interview Katherine Paterson for an item
in the reading corner of the Kid's Page I was slightly nervous.
The thought of speaking to an author whose books I had admired
as a kid was astounding. As I did some research I learned
that Ms. Paterson was an amazing woman far beyond her writing
skills. She had grown up in China because her parents worked
as missionaries there. She would have returned to China, as
a missionary, had it not been closed off to Americans during
the late 1950s. I began to realize that Ms. Paterson would
have a very different perspective on life, as a result I became
very excited about having the opportunity to speak with her.
On the phone Ms. Paterson was a wonderful person to talk to,
and was very thorough in answering all of my questions. This
project was a lot of fun to complete.
What made you decide to move to Vermont? How has it influenced
your writing?
Katherine Paterson moved to Vermont in 1986 because of her
husband’s work as a preacher; they ended up staying
because they loved it. Since then, she has written three easy-reads
about dairy farms and 3 Vermont history novels.
Which of your works do you feel most connected to, or is your
favorite, and why?
She has a different relationship with each book she writes;
however she admits some books are more fun to write than others
are.
How has growing up in China influenced your writing aside
from the setting of many of your novels?
It made her a foreigner. It made her an outsider, who was
looking in, which is a good perspective to have as a writer.
What do your children think of your career?
Her children have always been very supportive of her writing
career, partly because they have never known her as anything
but a writer. Her children helped make her a success, and
they will take full responsibility.
What advice do you have for kids who want to become writers?
Read a wide variety of books in order to absorb the structure.
It will also help you to decide what type of writer you would
like to become.
For more information about Katherine Paterson see her website:
http://www.terabithia.com/
Thank you to Katherine Paterson and Emily Seddon!
If you would like to interview a Vermont author for the Reader's
Corner please email
us! |
