Kate was one of those kids who liked to do many things. She loved books and music, dancing and theater. As she got older, however, she had to start making choices, more dance lessons or more voice lessons. It was like standing in front of the ice cream shop with 57 different flavors; how would it be possible to decide. Writing was always a someday-dream. Finally, she wised–up and realized that she didn’t have to decide anymore and someday was already here.
She is so proud that her books are traveling the world and have been translated into over ten languages.
Kate lives with her husband in Salzburg, Austria.
She is so proud that her books are traveling the world and have been translated into over ten languages.
Kate lives with her husband in Salzburg, Austria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether they are interview questions,questions from little fans or old friends, it is amazing how many questions are the same. Of course, I like to answer them all, but these I have had the most fun with.
2. What kind of tea do you drink or are you a coffee drinker?
I like both. I drink my coffee black and am very fond of green tea. The one tea I don’t particularly like is the Chinese Lapsang souchong. Traditionally it is smoked-dried over pine-wood fires, imparting a distinctive flavor of smoky pine. I think it is more of a wet horse blanket taste, I know that means my taste is not very sophisticated, perhaps in a few years, when I am more grown up, I’ll try it again.
3. Who are your favorite children’s authors and what children’s books do you love?
My goodness, there are so many it’s really hard to decide. Many of the books of my childhood are still favorites, E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little in particular. I love Kate DiCamillo and of course J.K. Rowling, Philip Pullman, and Neil Gaiman. I read so much I keep falling in love over and over again.
4. What bad habits do you have?
A lot, you can be sure, but one I can relate to writing— my gummy bear addiction. For years I fought to overcome the constant nibbling of those chewy little bears while I wrote. I finally succeeded. When my husband quit smoking I bought him those little jellybeans in millions of different flavors. Guess what am now fighting to overcome, a jelly bean addiction.
5. What is your writing ritual and are you disciplined?
If discipline is habit, then this is an easy one. My writing ritual it to sit down and write The more often you sit, the more you can create. It is that simple. I'm not saying it is simple to get into the habit, habits take time, but the more do, the easier it is. I promise.
6. Why don’t you write like J.K.Rowlings?
There is only one J. K. Rowlings. I love the world she created and the characters she developed. After Harry Potter came out there were Harry wannabes everywhere. I can't and don't want to be anyone else. Maybe someday I'll have my own series and someone will say "If I could just write like Kate Westerlund." Now that would make me smile.
And the question that every author hears…
7. Where do you get your ideas?
Some authors come up with really clever ways of answering this question. "A muse whispers in my ear," for example. I used to say to kids that there were desk pixies that would come and share their ideas with me. Now I say I have a jar. Actually, I do have a jar and when i get an idea, a name, a first line, or a title, I write it down on a little piece of paper and put it in the jar. I used to transfer them to a page on my computer, but there’s something nice about reaching into the jar blindly and extracting a little note with something brilliant written on it. Maybe not brilliant, but at least it tickles new ideas as I read.
Whether they are interview questions,questions from little fans or old friends, it is amazing how many questions are the same. Of course, I like to answer them all, but these I have had the most fun with.
- What does your desk look like?
2. What kind of tea do you drink or are you a coffee drinker?
I like both. I drink my coffee black and am very fond of green tea. The one tea I don’t particularly like is the Chinese Lapsang souchong. Traditionally it is smoked-dried over pine-wood fires, imparting a distinctive flavor of smoky pine. I think it is more of a wet horse blanket taste, I know that means my taste is not very sophisticated, perhaps in a few years, when I am more grown up, I’ll try it again.
3. Who are your favorite children’s authors and what children’s books do you love?
My goodness, there are so many it’s really hard to decide. Many of the books of my childhood are still favorites, E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little in particular. I love Kate DiCamillo and of course J.K. Rowling, Philip Pullman, and Neil Gaiman. I read so much I keep falling in love over and over again.
4. What bad habits do you have?
A lot, you can be sure, but one I can relate to writing— my gummy bear addiction. For years I fought to overcome the constant nibbling of those chewy little bears while I wrote. I finally succeeded. When my husband quit smoking I bought him those little jellybeans in millions of different flavors. Guess what am now fighting to overcome, a jelly bean addiction.
5. What is your writing ritual and are you disciplined?
If discipline is habit, then this is an easy one. My writing ritual it to sit down and write The more often you sit, the more you can create. It is that simple. I'm not saying it is simple to get into the habit, habits take time, but the more do, the easier it is. I promise.
6. Why don’t you write like J.K.Rowlings?
There is only one J. K. Rowlings. I love the world she created and the characters she developed. After Harry Potter came out there were Harry wannabes everywhere. I can't and don't want to be anyone else. Maybe someday I'll have my own series and someone will say "If I could just write like Kate Westerlund." Now that would make me smile.
And the question that every author hears…
7. Where do you get your ideas?
Some authors come up with really clever ways of answering this question. "A muse whispers in my ear," for example. I used to say to kids that there were desk pixies that would come and share their ideas with me. Now I say I have a jar. Actually, I do have a jar and when i get an idea, a name, a first line, or a title, I write it down on a little piece of paper and put it in the jar. I used to transfer them to a page on my computer, but there’s something nice about reaching into the jar blindly and extracting a little note with something brilliant written on it. Maybe not brilliant, but at least it tickles new ideas as I read.