What literary character most influenced you when you were young, and why?
Every character in every book I read influenced me to some degree. I would try to be like Harriet the Spy or Nancy Drew or Laura Ingalls or Anne Frank or even a Dr. Suess character!
Can you recall the premise of your earliest work?
My first serious work – other than short stories as a child – was when I was about 10 and I started a novel about two stolen cheetahs. I got about 80 pages in but never finished it. I have fond memories of my father writing as I dictated to him.
Do you have a favourite writing “place”?
Somewhere cozy with a blanket and a cup of tea.
Reading is….
Reading is a chance to learn about who we are, why we’re here, and what motivates us.
Reveal some themes that often come up in your work… (lawns, romance, Uruguay…??)
Learning we all have choices and the opportunity to change and better ourselves.
A Choice (or seven):
Hamburger or Hotdog? Hot dog – big fat German smokey sausage dog.
Twist or Tango? Twist (because I can fake it better than the Tango).
Poetry or Song? Song.
Lake or Mountain? Lake.
Notebook or Keyboard? Both – depends on my mood.
Character or Plot? If I HAVE to choose, character. However, I prefer stories with both.
Movie or Book? Book.
What advice would you give someone who said: I’m thinking of writing my life story…?
Write. You can learn so much about the world and yourself by writing. It can be cathartic.
For someone interested in being published, I’d suggest they tell their story in a way that includes either character and/or story arcs.
Nienke Hinton is a writer currently working on a screenplay. Over the years, she has had
several short stories and poems published. Finishing a novel still eludes her, but she continues to try.
She was managing editor at a trade magazine publishing house for many years and now works as office and marketing manager in her family heating business.
Website: http://nienkehinton.blogspot.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/nienkehinton
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nienke.hinton
