Q&A with Kristin Hannah discussion

I look forward to hearing from you about anything and everything...

Hi Kristen, I just wanted you to know that every book of yours that I have read so far I have finished with tears streaming down my face and a huge lump in my throat!! The Things We Do For Love had me crying so hard my husband thought someone close to me had died! Thank you so much for keeping me entertained and touching my heart!!!

hi i really wanted to know if you were planning on adding it to an ebook for those of us who have a nook, nookcolor, kindle, or other reading device? please?
and i would really like to add i LOVED magic hour, it was the best book i have ever read and i was truely balling by the end i have never had that reaction to a book before! fantastic fantastic author and awesome book!!!

Kristin...I have to tell you and Susan (up above) can attest to this, I am not an emotional person, but the endings of Winter Garden and The Things We Do for Love had me balling like a baby!! I was hooked on your writing since then!!

Although I haven't read every book you've written,I can say I've loved everyone I read. Please keep writing.

Do you think that writing novel series is a good way to go or is it better to write individual stories?

Susan wrote: "Hi Kristen, I just wanted you to know that every book of yours that I have read so far I have finished with tears streaming down my face and a huge lump in my throat!! The Things We Do For Love had..."

Thanks so much, Susan. I'm glad you love the books. Have you read winter garden yet?

Naomi wrote: "Kristin...I have to tell you and Susan (up above) can attest to this, I am not an emotional person, but the endings of Winter Garden and The Things We Do for Love had m..."

Thanks so much! Winter Garden is the only book of mine that made me cry...

Betsy wrote: "Although I haven't read every book you've written,I can say I've loved everyone I read. Please keep writing."

Thanks, Betsy. What have you read?

R & R wrote: "Do you think that writing novel series is a good way to go or is it better to write individual stories?"

Hi, thanks for the question. Unfortunately, I am not the one to ask about series. For the most part my books are completely stand alone. I don't write continuing characters. Do you like series?

Kristin wrote: "Naomi wrote: "Kristin...I have to tell you and Susan (up above) can attest to this, I am not an emotional person, but the endings of Winter Garden and [book:The Things We Do for Love..."

Oh my gosh...how could the comments(I am trying not to have spoilers) that Angie made to Lauren towards the end of the book not make you cry?!?! I am getting misty just thinking about it!

I'm so glad the book moved you so deeply, Naomi. :)

Out of all of the stories you have written, who is your favorite character and why?

Hi Kristin! I recently read true colors and I have to say you are a fantastci author. Your words flow onto each page with such grace. I felt as if I knew Win, Aurora, and Vivi every time I turned the page. What was you inspiration for this novel? Do you have sisters? I look forward to reading more of your work. I am picking up Angel Falls tonight, and Winter garden is on my list to read.

yo kristin. preordered the newest to arrive 3/22. read 154 last year. why is it so difficult to write about smells, taste and touch? it seems eyes, ears are most common. what is universal within the senses?
georgia from AZ

I really enjoyed "Winter Garden" but would like to know if you had auditioned other endings? I don't know what to think because it seems to me a "Hallmark Special" ending. As well, I would love to hear what others thought.

Maureen wrote: "I really enjoyed "Winter Garden" but would like to know if you had auditioned other endings? I don't know what to think because it seems to me a "Hallmark Special" ending. As well, I would love to ..."

Spoilers**Spoilers**Spoilers

Oh, I can tell you that I didn't see that ending coming at all. In fact, the ending really saddened me because I thought how "unhappy" she was the greater majority of her whole life and how if she would have responded to the professor's request, she either could have had some happiness at the end of her life or even sooner, plus would have known that a child she loved was still alive.

Yes, I agree it was so very sad for the failure on her part but in the grand scheme of life of the times, how likely was it that the husband and child would have survived? Do refernces have any statistics? I did like the ending, as I mostly like tied up loose ends, but I was surprised this question even occurred to me as I am usually unquestioning about the works of others.

Kristin wrote: "I look forward to hearing from you about anything and everything..."

Hi again Kristin,

I didn't mention before that I "read" Winter Garden as an audiobook and I wonder( as I often do) how much of what I loved so much about it was due to the excellent narration. I plan to read it in paper form one day to check this out.

How do you decide ( or is it up to the publisher) which books to put in audiobook format? Do you audition and choose the narrators? Have you ever narrated one of your own books?

Kristin wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Although I haven't read every book you've written,I can say I've loved everyone I read. Please keep writing."

Thanks, Betsy. What have you read?"

Hello,
I went to one of your websites and found a list of the 19 books you'd written.So I copied the titles down,alot of the them were your earlier books. I went through a reincarnation romance phase and remembering thinking that yours were amoung the best ones written.
Magic Hour
AngelFalls
Comfort and Joy
Once in Every LifeTime
When lightening Strikes
True colors
FireFly Lane

Hi Kristin!

I have only read one of your books so far - Firefly Lane. I truly enjoyed reading about Kate and Tully, and reminiscing about growing up in the same time frame!
What made you write about the two misfit friends and how they grew up and stayed friends through all the distance and issues and everything else they went through?

Hey Kristin! Oh my gosh. I won an Advanced Readers Copy of Night Road from Goodreads and read it back in January. I have to say that book was one of the two BEST books I've read. Ever. I'm 16 years old, and back in December, two of my best friends were killed in a drunk driving accident. Night Road really helped me come to terms with the accident, and to make sense of the whole thing. It was also the first book I've read of yours, and I just love the way you write your characters. It's like I was there with them, and I could sympathize. And I cried like a baby when the accident happened. I made my mama read this book, and she loved it just as much as I did. Anyway, I just wanted to say that you're my favorite author! :)

Hi Kristen!
I've only read one of your books so far:The Things We Do for Love.
It was AH-MAY-ZING! I'm going to be honest and tell you that when my mom gave it to me i had no intention of actually reading it, but once i opened it i couldn't put it down. I love how you tell the story in two different perspectives. Now I really want to find more of your books to read. Which do you recommend next?

Mini read Winter Garden and keep the tissues handy!!!

Hi Kristen:

I just wanted to say, "Thank You". Authors like you, are the reason that I am a voracious reader and keep all the booksellers on Amazon.com in business.

Your writing is magic and I just can't thank you enough for giving me hours of unadulterated pleasure.

I've read Magic Hour, The Things We Do For Love, and Between Sisters and loved them all. Out of all the books you have written....which one was your favorite to write?

Sincerely,

Kelly

Emily wrote: "Hey Kristin! Oh my gosh. I won an Advanced Readers Copy of Night Road from Goodreads and read it back in January. I have to say that book was one of the two BEST books I've read. Ever. I'm 16 years..."

Hi Emily---wow! What wonderful praise from a sixteen year old. I am so so glad the book resonated with you. It's an especially important topic for a girl your age. Be safe! xo

Emily wrote: "Hey Kristin! Oh my gosh. I won an Advanced Readers Copy of Night Road from Goodreads and read it back in January. I have to say that book was one of the two BEST books I've read. Ever. I'm 16 years..."

My post cut off. Sorry, techo-challenged. I wanted to say that my prayers go out to the families of the friends you lost. Unfortunately, too many of us have stories like that in our lives. I hope you pass the book along to your friends..

Mini wrote: "Hi Kristen!
I've only read one of your books so far:The Things We Do for Love.
It was AH-MAY-ZING! I'm going to be honest and tell you that when my mom gave it to me i had no intention of actually ..."

Hi Mini---I'm so glad you enjoyed it. And thank your mom for me. I'd recommend Firefly Lane, Magic Hour, Between Sisters or Winter Garden. Let me know what you choose and what you think--

Kelly_shannon wrote: "Hi Kristen:

I just wanted to say, "Thank You". Authors like you, are the reason that I am a voracious reader and keep all the booksellers on Amazon.com in business.

Your writing is magic and I j..."

Hi Kelly--thanks so much for posting. I'm so glad you love my work. My favorites so far are Winter Garden, Firefly Lane, and Magic Hour, mostly because they were each wonderful experiences to write. What will you read next?

Kristin, I just want to say that I love the female relationships you write about in your books, especially the ones between sisters. They are heartwarming and real. What inspires you to write about the dynamics between women?? I find there is usually greater emphasis placed on the female to female relationships in your books rather than the female to male relationships. It is one of the things I really love about your stories!! I always feel a connection or an understanding with the women characters. Magic Hour and True Colors have been my favorites so far but I still have Firefly Lane and Winter Garden waiting on my shelf at home :)

Thank you for continuing to write and entertain!

Kristin, I have read many of your novels - Firefly Lane, Magic Hour, Between Sisters, Distant Shores, On Mystic Lake, True colors, and Winter Garden. There are so many more i plan on reading but have found myself caught up reading Emily Giffin's novels as well! I got to admit, one of your novels that do not get enough credit is Distant Shores. This novel is incredibly realistic - it is not all about fairy tales - it is an a situation that i imagine thousands of married couples feel and go through. And more importantly, it proves that love can pull through.

When you write your novels, can you feel your own emotions and opinions in each of your character? Do you write about things you would actually consider doing yourself if you were in a difficult situation which many of your characters go through?

Kristin wrote: "R & R wrote: "Do you think that writing novel series is a good way to go or is it better to write individual stories?"

Hi, thanks for the question. Unfortunately, I am not the one to ask about ..."

The jury is still out for me on series and know that you haven't written any...(-: As an author, I wondered if you have considered carrying on the story of a favorite character or if there are some minor characters that you might like to explore what happened to them in more detail.

I've noticed that series novels focus on a different character. I'm not sure if that works for me as much because sometimes I want to know what happens next for the protagonist...

I am really enjoying this discussion and the questions that everyone is bringing to the table for you. Thank you for opening up to us.

You are one of my most treasured authors to read!

Rhonda

Amanda wrote: "Kristin, I just want to say that I love the female relationships you write about in your books, especially the ones between sisters. They are heartwarming and real. What inspires you to write about..."

Hi Amanda--great to hear from you. If you like female relationship stories, Winter Garden and Firefly Lane are going to be right up your alley. :) I really write from the heart about women and for women, mostly because I believe so completely in the power of our relationships with each other to shape our lives. We need each other!

Melissa wrote: "Kristin, I have read many of your novels - Firefly Lane, Magic Hour, Between Sisters, Distant Shores, On Mystic Lake, True colors, and Winter Garden. There are so many more i plan on reading but ha..."

Hi Melissa--thanks so much for writing in. In a very real way, each of my characters--male and female--tends to explore some side of my own life or my own nature. Some characters--like Tully from Firefly Lane--are difficult for me to write because they are so completely foreign to me. I try to put my self in the character's situation, yes, but ultimately, what drives the book forward is what I think they would do, not what I would do. They really become their own people in my mind. :)

R & R wrote: "Kristin wrote: "R & R wrote: "Do you think that writing novel series is a good way to go or is it better to write individual stories?"

Hi, thanks for the question. Unfortunately, I am not the o..."

Hey Rhonda--I do occasionally think about a few characters that I've left behind, specifically Tully from Firefly Lane, Alice from Magic Hour, and a few others. Perhaps someday I'll look back on them, but for now, I love the challenge of starting each new book totally fresh, with no limits other than my imagination.

Cheryl wrote: "Out of all of the stories you have written, who is your favorite character and why?"

Hi Cheryl---My favorite character is probably Alice from Magic Hour. She was a very special and wounded young girl and I loved seeing the world through her eyes. Thanks for asking!

Gewizaz wrote: "yo kristin. preordered the newest to arrive 3/22. read 154 last year. why is it so difficult to write about smells, taste and touch? it seems eyes, ears are most common. what is universal withi..."

Yo, girlfriend!!!! How great to hear from you here. What a doll. You were the first to tell me about goodreads and here I am. I honestly try to put all the senses in my novels--it really solidifies the time and place and the verisimilitude. That said, I think sometimes smell is the most forgotten sense in a novel. Why is that, I wonder?

Kristin wrote: "R & R wrote: "Kristin wrote: "R & R wrote: "Do you think that writing novel series is a good way to go or is it better to write individual stories?"

Hi, thanks for the question. Unfortunately, ..."

I always look forward to your new novels...yes, always fresh and exciting as well as suspensful and interesting. It seems that your writing always causes me to reflect about the meaning of life.

I'm never dissappointed with your novels...who needs series anyways? LOL.

A faithful reader always,

R & R

Raquel wrote: "Hi Kristin! I recently read true colors and I have to say you are a fantastci author. Your words flow onto each page with such grace. I felt as if I knew Win, Aurora, and Vivi every time I turned t..."

Hi Raquel! I do have a sister, although she wasn't really the inspiration for the story. What really made me want to write True Colors was the Innocence Project and the number of innocent people in prison. Once I had that idea, I went to the writer's toolbox--and asked myself "what if?" What if two sisters found themselves on opposite sides of the law because of a man?

Hi Kristin,
I was just wondering what are you reading now and who are some of your favorite authors?
Lisa

Hi Kristin! Thank you for replying back to me. My sister is a lawyer (like Win) strangely I felt a conncetion to Win. It is amazing how advanced technology is and how in the 90's they convicted men and women based on blood types and today you are able to determine someone's DNA more rapidly. I know some authors have a special place they retreat to when writing, where do you go gather your inspirations for the novel you are currently working on? I am excited that you will be in Red Bank NJ, which is 10 minutes from me. My coworker Melissa (daisy picture) and I can't wait to meet you!!!

Hi Kristen,
I fell in love with "True Colors" and read it in 48 hours. I then read "Winter Garden" and loved it as well. My only question is the Hallmark endings- is this something you feel compelled to do because that is truly what you believe would happen to your characters or because you feel it makes it a more heartwarming story for others? Just curious.

Lisa wrote: "Hi Kristin,
I was just wondering what are you reading now and who are some of your favorite authors?
Lisa"

Hi Lisa---right now I am reading draft number 16 of my own book, and believe me, I'm tired of it. :) Some of my fav authors are Stephen King, Michael Connelly, Harlan Coben, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Pat Conroy, Anita Shreve, and Alice Hoffman. Yours?

Raquel wrote: "Hi Kristin! Thank you for replying back to me. My sister is a lawyer (like Win) strangely I felt a conncetion to Win. It is amazing how advanced technology is and how in the 90's they convicted men..."

Hi Raquel--I am thrilled to meet you and Daisy! Be sure and let me know we've talked here on goodreads. My mind can turn to mush at a signing. :) I felt a strong connection to Winona, too. I loved that, even after several bad decisions, she became a hero. I love the idea of redemption. :)

Kelly wrote: "Hi Kristen,
I fell in love with "True Colors" and read it in 48 hours. I then read "Winter Garden" and loved it as well. My only question is the Hallmark endings- is this something you feel com..."

Hi Kelly---Thanks so much for reading my work. I am so glad ythat you liked it enough to try a second. I don't know how I feel about the characterization of a Hallmark ending, but I certainly agree that I like an uplifting ending. I love books and movies where characters are tested to their very core and triumph in the end. To my mind, it's too often that women characters are victimized and then accept their fate. I believe in redemption, triumphant returns, and good things happening to good people. What about you? Would you have prefered an unhappy ending to Winter Garden?

I liked the ending of "Winter Garden." I just wonder if you ever saw the ending going in a different direction. To be honest, I tend to like your books because not only do they provide a riveting story but they offer a hopeful message at the end. On the other extreme I also tend to appreciate books with what I call realistic and some might say pessimistic endings. Richard Yates is one of my favorite authors. I love him but man he can be bleak. I tend to gravitate to one kind of book over another depending on my mood. What I am finding though that it is hard to find an author that doesn't fall into one of two extremes. Most authors either always write happy or hopeful endings and other authors tend to write only bleak or depressing endings. As a reader it is exciting to come across the unexpected. Knowing that a book will turn out happily or sad doesn't ruin it for me but it does take away some element of the surprise. I have only read two of your books but I am guessing you always strive to go toward the positive resolution. Your answer really clears up what motivates you to write positive endings. One thing I find interesting is that I think an author's gender and marital status tends to reflect what kind of book you are going to read. I am applying this theory to novels. I find when a female author mentions on the back of the book that she is married and has children there is a 95% chance her book will have a positive ending. If the female author does not mention a spouse or children (even though she might have them) their endings tend to be what I call more realistic in that everything doesn't always work out. This is just a theory of mine but has proven me correct when I read current authors. However, I don't think the same thing applies to male authors. Tom Perotta is a favorite of mine and he doesn't necessarily give his main characters what they want even though he is married with two children. This puzzles me but so far it has helped guide me to find books depending on what I am in the mood for. In the grand scheme of things I just want to read a good story but I always wonder if what has or has not happened in one's life might influence the characters you write about and what happens to them. Sorry this is so long.

I've only read "Firefly Lane" and loved it. I can really relate to it since my mom is currently battling cancer. May I know if you have someone close to you who had or who have cancer?

Hi Kristen!

I just wanted to let you know how much Firefly Lane affected me. I work in oncology and it really hit home. I cried for an entire night after I read the book. My husband finally said "It's not real life". I told him that's where he is wrong. It is real life. I see it everyday. You made it so realistic. I could picture so many of my patients in Kate's place. Kate dealt with her life and death so gracefully. I think anyone reading her and Tully's story would benefit from it. You have a true gift.

To be honest, I haven't gotten to reading another book written by you, YET. I think you are an amazing story teller. I am just working up to being emotionally able to do it...lol.

I know the writing process is long and drawn out. But, I was wondering if you get emotional as you are writing the story?

Hi Kristin- I am a big fan of your books and am looking forward to the newest about music therapist ( i am a music therapist)
How do you come up with the ideas for your stories???

Kelly wrote: "I liked the ending of "Winter Garden." I just wonder if you ever saw the ending going in a different direction. To be honest, I tend to like your books because not only do they provide a riveting s..."

Hey Kelly--fascinating theory! You're certainly right with regard to me. I do tend to gravitate to hopeful endings--not always happy, sometimes bittersweet, and on rare occasions, even sad, but generally hopeful. Is this because I am a wife and mother? I don't think so. But it may well be because of the kind of wife and mother I am. I am profoundly optimistic in every facet of my life, and most importantly in my parenting. As a reader, I really do like positive endings more than negative ones. Thanks!