A Conversation with Laurie Kast-Klein,
Author of "To Whom It May Concern: A Memoir of a Foster Child"
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| Featured Author, Laurie Kast-Klein "To Whom It May Concern: A Memoir of a Foster Child" |
Why did you feel you had to tell this story?
I have been told many times by so many people that I should write my story. I know that every foster child has their own unique story, but I think that my story is different. To me this is a story of the love of a mother and how her love and abandonment shaped a life.
Where do you get your ideas?
My life and that of my siblings has always been filled with twist and turns. The story just sort of told itself.
Do you ever experience writer’s block and how do you overcome it?
I laughed and cried so hard writing this memoir. I never really had writer’s block, but I did struggle. It was like going to a daily intense therapy session. I wanted to avoid writing about some things, but tried to be brave. I wanted to tell the truth even when it didn’t put me in the best light.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers on the writing and publishing process?
Find someone capable to help you with the publishing process, editing and such and then just write, write and write some more. Use your own style; write like you were telling your best friend a great story.
How do you market your work?
Have you found some avenues to be more successful than others? I haven’t done much in the way of marketing. Word of mouth has brought me quite a bit of success with this book. Facebook is an amazing tool! All of my books are available on Amazon.
If your book was made into a movie, who do you picture playing each part?
I whole bunch of freckled face kids should play the part of my siblings when they were young. Growing up missing my mom, I always imagined she was Lucille Ball, so someone similar to her would do just fine.
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Synopsis:
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About Laurie Kast-Klein
I am dedicated to the reform of our foster care system. My first book, "To Whom It May Concern: a memoir of a foster child", is how I am choosing to bring awareness to the cause.
Although these stories are about the abuse of children and women, I hope you find yourself smiling and at times laughing as you read them. Life is like that, no matter what the situation, there is humor if you look for it.
After writing my memoir, I realized I have so many stories I would like to tell. "Sarah's Place" is a tale of 3 women, their past and how fate brought them together one night at a domestic violence shelter with a dangerous intruder. It is a fictional story.
I worked 5 years at a domestic violence shelter. The memory of the women and children I have had the honor to work with will stay with me for the rest of my life. I have always felt a kinship with these survivors of abuse. Possibly the lives of my family would have been much different if there had been a domestic violence shelter when my mother was being abused by my step-father.
"Sutter's Country Home for Children" is a fictitious tale that takes place in the 1960's. My 9 years in foster care gave me so much inspiration to tell the story of these children.
"Sutter's Country Home for Children" has a young girl named Buddy in it. Buddy is also a main character in "Sarah's Place". There will be another book continuing the story of the children in "Sutter's Country Home for Children".
Look for the "The Calling of Creek Road", it will be released early fall of 2013.
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FOR MORE INFO:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurie.kastklein?fref=ts
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BUY THE BOOK
Amazon: http://amzn.to/11Jw7G4