“ I wrote my first story when I was 12-years-old. I’m sure it was awful, but I kept writing more stories. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a writer.”
These words are ones that Kathy Witt lives by. An amazingly accomplished children’s author, travel writer, and historical novelist from northern Kentucky, she credits her literary artistry on her inner strength and relentless ambition. With more than 25 years of professional writing experience, she writes about the things she loves and knows best. Her articles have been featured in many newspapers and magazines such as Bowling Green Parent, Georgia Magazine, A.T. Journeys, and Ohio Magazine, and she is a regular columnist with both Kentucky Living as well as The Travel Goods Showcase Magazine. Witt is the author of close to 30 books, including 26 children’s book’s that she wrote for an ESL program in Malaysia. She has received numerous awards and two scholarships for her writing abilities and she has two additional books due out this year-- a cookbook and a children’s book.
According to Witt, one of the many rewards being a children’s author is the connections she makes with others who share her interests. Although her newest published novel The Secret of the Belles was written as a historical novel aimed at middle schoolers, it found it’s niche with several Gone With the Wind enthusiasts.
“The people you meet are very special...The book came out in the fall of 2009, just in time for the 70th anniversary of the filming of the movie and I was invited to be on the author’s panel at the Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum for a red carpet “Re-premiere” event that included appearances by members of the cast. I had dinner with Ann Rutherford and had breakfast with Patrick Curtis and Mickey Kuhn. I’ve since been at other functions with Patrick and Mickey and it is just great fun. The man who owns the GWTW collection at this museum bought my book and mailed it to Olivia de Havilland. That was a thrill.”
A signed copy of The Secret of the Belles is on display at the Gone With the Wind Museum in Marietta, Georgia along with porcelain dolls of three characters from her book, exclusively created by Kentucky doll artist, Mary Ellen Lucas. “ Another thrill!”
In addition to connecting her personal life to her professional life, she enjoys the pure creativity of the job. “ Letting your imagination go is a wonderful feeling. You can go anywhere, do anything, be anybody – or I should say your characters can.”
- Continue to Part Two: The Wit of Kathy Witt to hear advice on pursuing a career in writing children’s books by renowned Kentucky children’s author Kathy Witt.
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