Thursday, May 28, 2015

Interview with Author Kathy Opie



Kathy Scanlon Opie
Seattle WA




Good morning, Kathy, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the Place for Art and Authors. Can you tell us what you have written?  
A Little Red Wagon full of hope: Tips and inspiration from a loving caregiver and Tell Me A Story in Secret Histories and various articles in cancer newsletters plus blog articles in my blog a little something to chew on.


What is your favorite genre to write? 
Probably nonfiction


Favorite food. 
Cheese and anything Italian


Tea or coffee? 
Coffee


Pizza or ice cream? 
Pizza


Wine or beer? 
Wine


Where would you like to visit? 
Europe. My husband Paul and I met when we were young (our freshman year in college), got married a year out of college and had our three beautiful children right away. They travelled more than we did, by our choice, and I am now back in graduate school. I hope to travel once I have more time.


Favorite musical artist. 
REM, U2, and progressive rock. I went to school in the 80’s.  


Do you listen to music when you write?  
Not usually, I need to concentrate. 


When you do, what? 
Classical music


What makes you laugh? 
My two pugs Darby and Dublin wrestling with their toys or with our cat Twister, and our adult children interacting and teasing when they come home to visit.


Favorite work of art. 
Anything by Monet


How old were you when you started writing? 
Five


Describe your perfect evening. 
Hanging out with my hubbie or close friends just talking, laughing with nothing special to do or anywhere we have to go.


Where do you get your inspiration? 
Someone who has overcome something incredibly difficult or painful and still has hope or positive energy and continues to give without complaining.


What do you do when you get a writer's block? 
Go for a walk, listen to some upbeat music, or start baking something in the kitchen.


Who is your favorite author? 
I have several John Steinbeck, Leon Uris, Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Laura Ingalls Wilder


Best book you ever read. 
Trinity by Leon Uris


Last book you read. 
How Can I Help? Ram Dass & Paul Gorman


What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer? 
Therapist


Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why? 
My Dad, because he had incredible energy, drive, and continued to improve himself and give to others until the day he died.


If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why? 
Nelson Mandela. His story of forgiveness and overcoming insurmountable odds over decades of persecution inspired the world and brought nations together. Where almost anyone would have succumbed, he not only survived but he thrived, inspired, and led countless to freedom.


What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?
Love what you do and do what you love. Don’t compare yourself to others. You have a voice that needs to be heard. It is unique and special so let it shine, there is no story like yours so let the world hear it. On that note, do let your story percolate, edit and let it simmer a bit so the true flavor of you develops.


We went through a tough journey as our son fought for his life surviving bone cancer. My best friend was not as fortunate as she succumbed to breast cancer. What do you do when a loved one faces a life threatening illness? I learned a few things along the way as a caregiver, and I want to share that with the reader with poignant heart felt stories and take-away tips at the end of every chapter. I hope A Little Red Wagon full of hope can bring hope and compassion to those who find themselves on a similar path.


Do you have some links for us to follow you? 
My author page

Facebook page

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