Thursday, February 12, 2009

AN AUTHOR AT HOME: KATHI APPELT


Where do you work best at home?

Even though I carry my laptop all around the house, the place I get the most work done is at my desk. It's almost as though the very word, "desk" connotes "work." I don't even have a door at the entry way of my studio since it's located in a loft in my house. Nevertheless, when I step across the threshold from "home" to "office," my work begins.


What time of the day would we find you there?

I don't have set office hours, but when I'm not traveling I spend most of the daylight hours there, and quite a few nighttime hours, too.

What is your favorite comfort food while you work at home?

That would have to be coffee.

How does home feed into your writing?

Home is where I feel most safe. It's the realm for my flights of fancy. There's something about being in a safe, cozy place that allows me to leap into the twin realms of knowingness and not-knowingness, that place where story thrives.



Kathi Appelt is the author of over thirty books for children and young adults. Her debut novel, The Underneath, illustrated by David Small, won a Newbery Honor Medal and was chosen as a National Book Award finalist. It was also given the Pine Cone and Splinter Awards by the Pulpwood Queens. She lives in College Station, TX with her husband Ken and their four cats. They have two sons, both jazz musicians.

Visit Kathi's website

2 comments:

  1. Hello Kathi and Kimberly,
    I loved this post and look forward to more visits into the homes of writers. It is a fascinating relationship - the effects of our personal landscapes on our writing and, also, the impact our writing has on our families and home. Even though I know you, Kathi, I had never seen your office. I now can picture you leaning over your desk, surrounded by notebooks and slips of paper (and cats, don't forget our cats!). Thanks for the peek. Great idea, Kimberly.

    Ready to work -
    Lola

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  2. It's so well put, Lola. I'm so happy that Kathi agreed to be the first. I love peeking into other people's offices. You are more likely to find a dog on my floor, but you know, Kathi, and her cats!

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