Saturday, November 3, 2012

Interview with Katt Anderson with giveaway of Callie's Mountain, ends Nov 12


Welcome, Katt Anderson! Congratulations on your new book, Callie’s Mountain. We are so happy to have you here this week, and that you have agreed to share a bit about yourself.
Q: brownies, broccoli, tofu (gack!) or strawberries?
Broccoli! Love broccoli. Can’t eat strawberries and brownies makes my middle larger. I’ve never tasted tofu. Broccoli is safe.

Q: When did you first know you were a writer?
Probably in elementary school. I’ve always had an imagination. Definitely in high school.

Q: How do your roles of mother, wife, hobbyist, daughter of Christ, resident of Kentucky, play into your writing?
Everything I do spills into my writing. In Callie’s Mountain, I have a death scene. I took so much of it from my daughter’s death. I had to dig deep into my soul and remember the way I felt when they told us she had passed away. I knew I had to do it for therapy and for the book. Christianity plays a big role in this book. I don’t think I could not write a book and not show Christ’s love for mankind. This book is about a lot of difficulties of a different race, and how people treated them because they were different.
My hobbies are so widespread. I knit, sew, paint, and just about anything I can think of to do. I’ve narrowed it down a lot lately. One thing my husband and I love to do is go back to the old ways, the way our forefather’s did something. We make apple butter every year like our grandparents did. Outside in a brass kettle. It takes all day, but it is so much fun. We have several couples who help us, and it is so good when it’s finished. My grandchildren have all participated in it.
I’ve put a picture and description on my blog, http://www.kattscribbles.blogspot.com/. My website is http://www.kattanderson.com/.

Q: You love history and literature, as do I. If you could sit down and interview any author from any time, who would that be and what is the first question you would ask?
I would have to interview the Apostle Paul. My first question, “What is your thorn in the flesh?”

Q: Who have been your mentors, and how did they help you most?
Several authors have inspired and encouraged me. Back when I first started, DiAnn Mills and Mindy Starns Clark encouraged me to tell my story, because it needed to be told. Right now, I depend on Sandi Rog and Susan Paige Davis. They have helped me so much during the writing process. Not only have then encouraged me with my story, but taught me writing skills. They are both wonderful authors and wonderful friends.

Q:  What do you hope your readers will take away from your book?
I like to write about the person who is looked down upon. The person who has faults and failures, but doesn’t understand why they can’t be treated equal. I want people to realize that God made us all different, but we all have a purpose. The next book in the Melungeon Series will be more about the Melungeon people and their problems. It’s pronounced Me-lung-eon. The third one includes the Melungeons and the Trail of Tears. I wept when I visited the Trail of Tears monuments in Hopkinsville, KY. It is a very moving experience and the Cherokee Indians were treated so unfairly.

Q: Do you have a question you would like our blog readers to answer?
Of course, my first question would be: Have you bought my book? The second would be: Did you like it? I would like to invite your readers to ask me questions about the Melungeons or any other question they might have. I love talking to people, or writing to them.
Thanks Kathy for inviting me to be a guest on your blog. I will be giving away a book, and I wish everyone could receive one. It’s been a pleasure.

Katt, it is my pleasure to have you here and to get to know a little more about you. Thank you for agreeing to spend time with our readers this week, and for offering a copy of your book as a giveaway.
Okay, for a chance to win, leave a question or answer for Katt, and be sure to include your email addy. For extra chances to win, follow this blog or Katt’s, and post this blog entry to twitter or facebook. That means you have five possible ways to enter. Drawing will be on Monday November 12 at noon ET, where I select a name from random.org from among all the entries. Good luck!

41 comments:

  1. Thanks Kathleen for this interview. And, Katt, I have heard so many who try to figure what the thorn in Apostle Paul's side. Sorry, but I've not read any of your books. But, hope to win one with this give-away and have one to read. You are new to me, but you have a good last name. :) I am a follower of this blog. And, I will go to Katt's blog and follow her. I also posted this on Facebook. Please add these for all of my chances in the drawing.
    Maxie Anderson ( mac262@me.com )

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    1. good morning, Maxie! Thanks so much for being our first commenter. Looks like you have four entries. Katt's a really sweet lady and knows her history, so I am sure this is a terrific read. Good luck!

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  2. Thanks, Maxie, and I love your last name. This is my first book, but I pray there are more to follow. I am new to a lot of people. I appreciate Kathy for having me as her guest.

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  3. I am Katt's sister. So what could I ask that I don't already know? I did not know she had so many stories in her. I have read Callie's Mountain on Kindle. It is a very good book and I look forward to the next one. I, being a close family member, can see what some others will not see in the book--places we know about and have lived in, things that happened, names--I was really interested in the names of the characters. I can see where some of them came from.
    I would like to win the hard copy book, to put on display and say, "Hey, that's my little sis." Also to be able to loan to my friends and family.

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    1. It's so nice to have Katt's sister with us here! My sister is supportive like you are to Katt--what a blessing. I assume you are a follower of Katt's blog, so that's two entries. Good luck!

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    2. I do follow Katt's blog. Mine is quiltinggrannie.blogspot.com, if anyone wants to follow mine. As the name implies, I do a lot of quilting and that is mainly what mine is about.

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    3. Thanks, Sis. I want to disqualify you and bring you a copy later this month. I'll be at U-Save in Rogersville doing a book signing on the 28th. We'll try to get together. We'll only be there for a couple of days.

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  4. Goodmorning. i also have a problem with people looking down on others, though if i am honest, i probably have some of that too. i have not heard of this book or author before, so am looking forward to reading it (Katt, do you need reviewers? see my comment on your blog). i tweeted, shared on facebook, follow both blogs and commented on both. Thanks for the chance to win!

    marianneDOTwanhamATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Marianne, you have all five entries. thank you for stopping by and spreading the word.

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    2. Marianne, this is my debut book. I do hope you enjoy it. It's very dear to me. I love the Melungeon people.

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  5. Kathleen and Katt, thank you for the interesting interview. I have been interested in the Melungeons for years. I took a course on Appalachian History many years ago, and that is when I first became intrigued. Katt,I wish you the best with your writing. Congratulations on getting your first book published.
    may_dayzee(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
    Kathleen, I am a follower of your blog

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    1. Thank you for writing. The Melungeon Race is know to few people. With DNA, they are beginning to trace them back to other countries and races. I have my theory of where they came from, but that may be another book. It's spinning in my head.

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    2. Kay, thank you. This history does sound intriguing. I have you down for two entries.

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  6. Fun interview, Kathy and Katt. Don't you just love Kathy's questions? so much fun! I had to laugh at the broccoli. Yeah no toe food for me! Yuk! heehee Don't enter me in the giveaway. Just wanted to drop by and say hey!

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    1. Hey, DebbieLynne. So nice for you to comment. I do love broccoli. When I was pregnant with my first child, that is all I wanted to eat! She loves it, too. I did love her questions. Kathy is a sweetie.

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    2. Thank you, Debbie Lynne! Toe food! LOL

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  7. I enjoyed the wonderful interview with writer Katt Anderson.......and love it how Katt has woven history into the book to make it so interesting....I have shared on facebook and twitter....and I would be soo thrilled to win a paperback copy and hopefully it well be autographed by Katt too....babyruthmac16ATyahooDOTcom

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    1. Thanks for sharing. My husband thinks I would make a good tour director. I love, love, anything historical. It helped growing up in the second oldest town in Tennessee. There is so much history, as I told in the book, about Rogersville. BTW, Joseph Rogers was real and had a tavern. The town is named after him.

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    2. Thanks, Lucy
      I have you down for 3 entries

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  8. Katt, how do you deal with those who look down on others? I have a family member who thinks I can not do any thing right. Not sure how to respond, except cry or get mad. I have yet to read one of your books, but would love to read this one. I also lost a child, so I'm sure I can identify with those parts of the book.
    godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Jan, I feel you--it is so hard to turn the other cheek when people have made you a doormat. Praying for you, and sending out cyber hugs!

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    2. This is where prayer enters in the picture, and I have callouses on my knees. If you say anything, you make the matter worse. I've found the best thing is to smile and pray for them. I have had to realize it is their life, and their problems. I try to live my life to the fullest, with God's help. That's all you can do. Have a forgiving spirit. You will be blessed.
      I'm sorry for the loss of your child, and I can understand your grief. God gives us strength to endure.

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  9. this is the first time I have heard of Katt and her books but they do sound interesting. I love reading stories about the Indians. My great-grandmother was from a Cherokee tribe. I was not privileged to know her but I have heard stories from my mom about her. I too feel that the Indians were done a great injustice.

    I am a subscriber to this blog and I signed up for Katt's blog too.

    deamundy(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. wow, Deanna
      I love the Cherokee history. Such a very noble and honorable people, who didn't deserve Andrew Jackson's tyranny.
      Thank you for coming by, and I have you down for three entries.

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    2. Thanks Deanna for signing up for my blog. I have to scoot over there in a few minutes. I also have Indian blood, but it's from a tribe in North Carolina. I'm not sure where, but I think somewhere in Eastern NC. I'm anxious to write the story about the Trail of Tears. The Trail goes through pretty close to where I live. I loved visiting the Trail of Tears Monument and Park in Hopkinsville, KY. It moved me so much.

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  10. Is this a Hardback? Wish more of them were, but so happy for the ones I have won anyway. I always heard, beggars can't be choosey. :)
    Maxie

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    1. No, the book is a paperback. Right now I read more on my Kindle than anything, but I do love to hold a book in my hands. I'll usually read a Kindle, then a book.

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  11. thanks for the chance to read this story

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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    1. Thanks, Karen, for coming by and showing your support to another terrific new author :)

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    2. Thanks, Karen, for coming by and showing your support to another terrific new author :)

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    3. I second that! Thanks for stopping by.

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  12. Thank you for this opportunity to read your book. I loved learning more about you and why you are writing this book. Can't wait to read this one and the other two as well.

    clSwalwell@gmail.com

    In Him,

    Cheri Swalwell

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  13. I realize I didn't answer any questions or ask a question. I, too, lost a child, so I can relate to that part of the book. The book sounds so interesting. I love learning about new parts of history and this is one area that really fascinates me. Thank you again.

    clSwalwell@gmail.com

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    1. Cheri, Lord bless you dear. There is no loss harder than that. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment. Good luck on the giveaway!

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  14. Thanks Cheri! We've talked about losing a child through emails recently. It leaves a hole that cannot be replaced. Our daughter is waiting for us to be with her and we will one day.
    I had thought about having a child die in one of my books, but then I decided to let Callie's father die. That sounds cruel, but it is part of living, and a lot of people died early in that time period. I tried to put the positive side of death in the book. We all have to go on and live our lives. In the book, Sarah had six other children to take care of, so she didn't have much time to mourn. It happened like that back then.
    I never wanted people to see me making a big scene when our daughter died. I'm a very private person.

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  15. This was a great interview and I have never read any of Katt's books. Totally new author to me and have decided that really do want to read your books. Thank you for the opportunity!

    I hear you about being a very private person. I am as well. Sorry to hear about your daughter's death. We had near misses with two of our children but that is not the same.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Thanks for leaving a comment, Jo. I have you down for two entries.

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  16. Thanks for sharing the interview. I haven't read any of Katt's books. The Melungeon Series sounds like it's going to be good! I had never heard of the Melungeon people before - had to go look 'Melungeon' up on Google. :) Thanks for writing about them! :)

    Jes
    jswaks at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi, Jes. Thanks for stopping by and entering. i have you down for two entries.

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  17. Adn the winner according to random.org is Jan! godblessamerica . jan @ gmail . com Jan, I'll be emailing you shortly.

    Thank you everybody for entering and coming by to show your support!

    Katt, thank you for being my guest this week. It has been a pleasure, and I wish you every blessing and success with your writing.

    blessings,
    Kathy

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  18. Thanks, Kathy, for having me. I really enjoyed being here. The Melungeon people are interesting, and I hope to be able to tell more about them in future books.
    Congratulations Jan! I hope you will enjoy the book.

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