Interview with Kathleen Benner Duble

Quick Start

SS: What is your motto or maxim?

KD: We make a living by what we do. But we make a life by what we give.

SS: How would you describe your life in only 8 words?

KD: A treasure of shimmering bounty and wingless angels

What Readers want to know...

SS: What’s your greatest fear?

KD: A hot elevator, stuck on the ninth floor, full of people as clausterphobic as I am

SS: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?

KD: Under a starry sky, a table before me full of earth's food, my girls, my husband, talking, talking, talking

SS: How would you describe perfect happiness?

KD: Warm heat rising from worn wood, cool waters lapping on rugged rocks - two girls, neither whom look like me, dancing and singing, oblivious to me the watcher, then jumping and splashing and drenching me, laughing

SS: With whom in history do you most identify?

KD: Michelangelo

SS: Which living person do you most admire?

KD: My girls

SS: What are your most overused words or phrases?

KD: Love ya (but I don't care)

SS: What do you regret most?

KD: LIfe is too short for looking back or thinking of what might have been

SS: If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?

KD: To play the violin in tune, reaching notes that make one cry

SS: What is your greatest achievement?

KD: Believing in myself and teaching my girls to do the same

SS: What’s your greatest flaw?

KD: Worry, Worry. Worry.

SS: What’s your best quality?

KD: Caring for others

SS: If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?

KD: Exactly who I am

SS: What trait is most noticeable about you?

KD: I like to ask lots of questions of people. I find all people fascinating!

SS: Who is your favorite fictional hero?

KD: Gilly Hopkins in The Great Gilly Hopkins

SS: Who is your favorite fictional villain?

KD: Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights

SS: If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?

KD: It would have to be my great (x9) grandmother, Abigail Faulkner who was accused of witchcraft. I would love to walk with her through the streets and have her show me where she lived and how she lived and to tell me what she now thinks about the trials she went through and the people who brought it all about.

SS: What is your biggest pet peeve?

KD: Thinking that the universe centers around you

SS: What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?

KD: Reading, spending time with my girls, dinner with my husband

SS: What’s your fantasy profession?

KD: I'm living it - everyday and in my dreams, too

SS: What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?

KD: Honesty, Peacefulness, Generosity of spirit

SS: If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?

KD: Lobster, off the boat, seawater dripping from its claws

SS: What are your 5 favorite songs?

KD: Born to Run, Netherlands, Living in a Moment, Memories of Us, The One to Know

General Questions

SS: What is your birthdate?

KD: 3/4

SS: What were your previous occupations?

KD: Mommy - still holding on to this one for as long as they'll let me

SS: What was/is your favorite job?

KD: Mum and writer - And I am blessed to do both!

SS: Where did you go to high school and/or college?

KD: Richland High School in Gibsonia, PA and Miami University in Oxford Ohio

SS: Name of your favorite composer or music artist?

KD: Okay - I am a bit strange on this because I have two: Bruce Springsteen and Yo Yo Ma and how they connect I haven't a clue

SS: What is your favorite movie?

KD: It's a Wonderful Life!

SS: What is your favorite television show?

KD: None, nada. I love quiet.

Questions About Books and Writing

SS: Who are your favorite authors?

KD: Natalie Babbit, Wallace Stegner, Anya Seton, Jennifer Donnelly, Laura Halse Anderson, Barbara Kingsolver, JK Rowling (of course), Jean Blum, Jennifer Holm, David Almond, Kate DiCamillo - Oh I could go on and on and on and on.

SS: What are your 5 favorite books of all time?

KD: Tuck Everlasting - Natalie Babbit Crossing to Safety - Wallace Stegner Katherine - Anya Seton To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger

SS: Is there a book you love to reread?

KD: Any of the above

SS: Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?

KD: Don't give up! Never give up! Believe in yourself and just keep trying!

SS: What comment do you hear most often from your readers?

KD: What happened to Abby's mom? (Hint: Read the Author's Note!)

Get more on Kathleen Benner Duble at SimonandSchuster.com