Interview with:K Hensler [khensler]
WRITING
 | What did you first read? How did you begin to write? Who were the first to read what you wrote? I read anything. I learned to read at a very young age and loved it. When I was in Kindergarten my school had a bookfair. I was so excited. I couldn't wait to go. That day when I was bored in class I sneaked out and went to the bookfair. My Kindergarten teacher eventually noticed that I was missing and a search party was formed. They finally found me, two hours later, sitting in the back of library, amongst all the bookfair books, reading happily.
My father is a published author so he influenced me. However, I didn't really start to write for anyone else's eyes until recently, like the last ten years. I have always kept a journal, though.
My parents were the first to read what I wrote. Now my son and my parents are the first to read what I write. |
| What is your favorite genre? Can you provide a link to a site where we can read some of your work or learn something about it? I like to write for children. I loved to read so much and it made me so happy. I would love to be able to make another child feel that sense of wonder and curiousity that I used to when I opened up a new book.
I have written a picture book, WHY WORRY? from The Adventures of Bay/Bob/A/Loo/Bop which was just released in November, 2008. You can find out more about it and more about me at www.khensler.com. |
| What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write? I really don't have a set way that I write. Sometimes I come up with a sentence and then just work from there. I know people don't believe it when they hear writers say that they don't know where their story is going, but it is true. I have written an outline of a story and then started working on it and it ends up being nothing like the outline. I mean really nothing like the outline. I just go where the story takes me. It's really entertaining.
I don't hand write I use my laptop. So I edit the whole time I'm writing. Which is kind of sad because I still need a lot of editing afterwards. :)
I am learning so much, though. I wish I could take every class, attend every workshop, and conference and just soak up all the knowledge. Unfortunately, I can't, but I'll never stop reading, researching, and taking advantage of every opportunity out there for me to improve upon my craft. |
| What type of reading inspires you to write? Honestly, I will read just about anything. I love to read. I usually have about seven to ten books going at a time. I am attending college full-time. (I'm a late bloomer)
I am usually very intimidated by what I read. I am so impressed with other people's writing that I end up thinking I could never do that. I love to read fantasy. These authors are so talented and imaginative with their creation of entire worlds, languages, species, etc. It's incredibly entertaining and incredibly humbling. :) |
| What do you think are the basic ingredients of a story? I just listened to a podcast about the "12 Steps of a Hero's Journey". It was very interesting and I would highly recommend looking into it. I also took an Intro To Theatre class in college and they broke down the basic ingredients of a story. Personally, I don't think about it when I am writing. I write what I feel and what comes to me and hopefully I twist an interesting tale. i.e., Hero/heroine, Bad guy, conflict, struggle, good vs evil type situation, and of course, I like a happy ending. |
| What voice do you find most to your liking: first person or third person? I really like to write in first person, but I've found that a lot of publishers don't care for it. So I usually write in third person so my stories will have more universal appeal. |
| What well known writers do you admire most? All of them :)
I don't have a favorite, though.
When I was growing up I think I read everything that Walter Farley ever wrote. I couldn't get enough of The Black Stallion, The Island Stallion, etc.
I like Edith Wharton and Edith Hamilton, but who doesn't?
I used to love the Curious Geoge books, but sadly I couldn't tell you who wrote them. |
| Are you equally good at telling stories orally? I have been doing a lot of school visits lately and I am having a ball. I love to see the children's eyes light up in anticipation about what is coming next. I think my love of reading and my emotional involvement with my story comes across to the children when I am reading to them. I also, have just finished WHY WORRY? rewritten as a play or a puppet show. I am making my own puppets and will doing the puppet show for the smaller children who need a little more amusement to keep them entertained.
I love kids, because in my heart I still am one. :) |
| Deep down inside, who do you write for? Myself, I guess. However, it is quite nice to get other's approval. |
| Do you participate in competitions? Have you received any awards? I have yet to enter one. I'm not sure why. I'll have to think on that. |
| Do you share rough drafts of your writings with someone whose opinion you trust? Absolutely. I share them with my parents, my son, and I am a member of a critique group. I have also had my local bookstore owner read for me and give me her opinion. I haven't yet approached the local librarian, but I'm thinking about it. She would know, right? |
| What discipline do you impose on yourself regarding schedules, goals, etc.? None, I can't stand rules. I am a very impulsive person and I don't like ruining things with a lot of restrictions and forced expectations. I like to go with the flow. |
| What do you surround yourself with in your work area in order to help your concentrate? I have to have my beverage, whether it be coffee, green tea or Diet Mountain Dew. I must have a beverage. I also must have my dictionary. I can't think without it near me. Another must have is blankets and pillows. I love to be comfy. Oh, and of course, I must have Buddyluv, our bestest, most beautiful, and perfect Chocolate Lab. :) If I could I'd bring in Alfalfa also, but he prefers to be outside with the horses. He's my Bernese Mountain Dog and amazingly, he's perfect also. I am truly blessed. :) |
| Do you write on a computer? Do you print frequently? Do you correct on paper? What is your process? Yes, yes, and yes. |
| What are you working on now? A young adult novel. I'm having a great time with it. I am mostly in research mode right now. |
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K Hensler
Dickson, TN, US
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