Interview with Kaitlyn Kashman

Words of a Journey: My Thoughts on Life and Living
Kaitlyn Kashman
Modern History Press (2011)
ISBN  9781615990528
Reviewed by Theresa La (age 16) for Reader Reviews (09/10)



Today, Tyler R. Tichelaar of Reader Views is pleased to be joined by Kaitlyn Kashman, who is here to talk about her new book “Words of a Journey: My Thoughts on Life and Living.”

Kaitlyn Kashman is a seventeen year old teenager who lives in Calgary, Alberta. She is presently completing her last year of high school. Kaitlyn is an active leadership student in her school and is also a competitive dancer. She dances at Airdrie Dance Academy and is enrolled in tap, jazz and hip hop. She loves to dance; it is a time where she can let go and forget about the busy world.

Kaitlyn has a younger brother and sister as well as an older brother. She lives with her mom and step dad. Her biological dad is currently living in British Columbia. Kaitlyn is currently living a very busy life, balancing work, school, dance and extra time for herself. She works at Michael’s Craft Store and enjoys her job.

Tyler: Welcome, Kaitlyn. It’s not often I get the pleasure of talking to such a young author, so to start out, will you tell us how old you are now and how long ago you started working on “Words of a Journey”?

Kaitlyn: I am seventeen years old and I started writing this book last September. Some of the writings in “Words of a Journey” are poems and quotes that I have written throughout the years of my life.

Tyler: Did you start writing with the intent to write this book?

Kaitlyn: No, I didn’t start writing with the intent to write this book. It started out more as just a leisure activity. Writing was something I did in my spare time. It was something I did when I was upset and I needed to just let all my feelings out.

Tyler: What made you decide to write a book?

Kaitlyn: My grandmother had called me one afternoon last September and asked if I was interested in publishing my poetry and quotations. This is when I decided to write the book. My grandmother had set up the opportunity for me and I could not decline the amazing offer.

Tyler: What about “Words of a Journey” do you think will appeal to readers?

Kaitlyn: I think the journal will appeal to the readers. You can’t find many books out there that give you that secret place where you can write down how you are feeling or how writing made you feel. I also think that since it’s written by a teenager, teenagers will find it more appealing. They can relate to it more, and some might have gone through the same struggles as me. “Words of a Journey” could help teens get through their very own challenges.

Tyler: Who do you see as your target audience, and why do you think they will want to read your book over the many other books out there for young people?

Kaitlyn: I see pre-teens to teenagers as my target audience, most likely between the ages of 11-17. I think they will want to read my book over others because it’s written by a teenager, someone just like them. I think they will be able to relate more to my writing and be able to gain inspiration and confidence from it. I think they will also read my book over others because it’s a different book and it’s something new and different than what pre-teens and teens are used to reading.

Tyler: What are some of the struggles you’ve experienced that inspired your writing?

Kaitlyn: Some of the struggles I experienced ranged from family problems, to having my heart broken and losing friends.

My parents divorced three years ago, and at first it was okay. I understood that my parents were unhappy and I accepted it. Then time progressed and my dad decided that it would be best for him to move away; this caused a huge battle for me. I have always been a daddy’s girl so with my dad moving to British Columbia, it became extremely hard to see him and keep in contact. As a year passed, my dad stopped all contact and it become an effort of my little brother and I to call or plan when we would next see him. We continually got let down. This is one struggle that I have gone through and I still am continuing to make it through. I have an amazing stepfather who has helped me through. He stepped in my life when my biological dad stepped out.

Teenage girls are bound to fall for many guys, have their first loves and eventually get their hearts broken. This was another struggle I went through. Love is something that no one can define or can tell you how it feels. I believe that I may have loved a boy once, but I continue to have different or more powerful feelings for other guys. Breaking up with a guy can feel like it’s the end of the world for a teenage girl, I struggled through that. You soon realize that you are young and it’s not the end of the world. That guy is just another person who helped you create your story.

I moved three years ago and have lost many friends; I was forced to make new ones. I had to start at a new school; it felt like I had to start all over. This was another struggle that I faced, but moving away from my friends wasn’t the end. It was just the beginning to something new.

Tyler: What did you learn from those struggles?

Kaitlyn: I learnt a lot of things. I learnt that sometimes it’s in your best interest to move on, let go and stop waiting around for something that might or might not happen. I learnt that losing friends and breaking up with boyfriends are all a part of the journey; they are just another chapter in your book of life. They taught me new things, showed me the world from another set of eyes and let me feel new things that you’ve never felt before. I learnt that I won’t ever forget or regret anything I did or have done in my life because everything and everyone has helped create the person I am today.

Tyler: Kaitlyn, you’ve talked a lot about relationships and boyfriends here. Do you think boys would benefit from reading your book as well, or do you think the audience is mostly female?

Kaitlyn: I think boys could benefit from my book as well. Boys my age have a hard time confronting feelings, and hopefully, my book will help them with this. I think some of my other poems and quotations can also relate to the male audience.

Tyler: The book is not only about struggles, but also about the joys of life. What are some of those joys and why are they important to remember?

Kaitlyn: Some of the joys of life are being with friends. Friends will teach you new things, show you the world and be there when you need them the most. The day I meet Feben, Crystal and Trevor is a day that I will never forget. They are the ones who are helping me create who I am. They are the reason I am experiencing these simple joys in my life.

Spending time with my grandparents is another joy of life. My grandparents have given me opportunities that I could have never imagined. My Nana has taken me to some of the most amazing places; they are trips I will treasure for the rest of my life. I’ve learnt many amazing things from my Nana; she is truly a hero of mine. I continue to look up to her.

Falling in love is also another joy of life. Meeting a boy that makes you feel like you can be yourself. The feelings are indescribable. When I see the boy I’ve fallen in love with, my heart races and his smile just brings joy to my life.

Other joys of life are meeting new people, the amazing activities you experience and just living life the way you’ve always dreamed.

Tyler: “Words of a Journey” is largely written as poetry. What about poetry appeals to you as a way to share your thoughts?

Kaitlyn: Poetry appeals to me because I feel like I can almost hide some of my secrets within the poem. Writing a story, you include names and details but in a poem you don’t have include all of that.

Tyler: Do you have a favorite poem in the book and will you share it with us here?

Kaitlyn: My favorite poem in the book is “The Story of Friendship.”

The Story of Friendship

There is a beginning
But never an end
It starts with just one
Who gains a friend
They say hello
But never goodbye
That is the day
That will never die

Tyler: What made you decide to leave space in the book for readers to write their own thoughts?

Kaitlyn: My grandmother had suggested it, and I was a little on the edge about making it part journal but then I realized how much it could benefit readers. I always wish that I had somewhere I could write after I read a poem. I get inspiration when I first read it and if I don’t write down my thoughts, I usually forget them. The journal gives teens the advantage to write what is on their mind the moment they are reading the poem or quote.

Tyler: How do you go about writing your own poems—do you just sit down and decide to write one or do you need something to happen first to inspire you?

Kaitlyn: It really depends. Sometimes my writing just comes to me at random times. It might be after something big happens, it might be when I realize what has happened, and sometimes it’s when I actually accept the circumstances. I can also just sit and write but it’s mostly when certain things happen or occur.

Tyler: What do you hope will be the end result for people who read your book?

Kaitlyn: I hope they will gain inspiration and I hope they will be able to relate to my writing. I hope that my writing will give people confidence to go for their dreams and live the life that they want.

Tyler: It’s unusual for someone your age to publish a book. Can you tell us a little about how that came about?

Kaitlyn: My grandmother called me and explained the opportunity of writing this book and getting it published. I never imagined that I would have a published book, but with my grandmother’s help, I did.

Tyler: Did you feel nervous about publishing a book with your private thoughts?

Kaitlyn: I wasn’t nervous at first, but now that it’s actually out, I’m starting to feel a little more nervous. I didn’t mention any names in my book but a few people will be able to link themselves to my writing. Most of these poems are ones that I’ve never shared so it is extremely nerve-wracking. It’s all a part of letting go and moving on. I just hope that whoever reads my book will gain courage and hope knowing that anything is possible.

Tyler: What is next for you, Kaitlyn? Do you want to write more books, or do you have other plans for your future?

Kaitlyn: I want to write more books, but I also have other plans for the future. I hope to one day teach elementary school. I love kids, and I’m a person who will sit in the dirt and play with the kids. I have a dream of one day opening a photography studio so that could also be in the future. I do plan on writing more poetry books as I grow older and experience more.

Tyler: Thank you, Kaitlyn, for the opportunity to interview you today. Before we go will you tell us about your website and what additional information can be found there about “Words of a Journey: My Thoughts on Life and Living”?

Kaitlyn: My website, www.kaitlynkashman.com, has a small biography on who I am and where I grew up. I also have a blog on my website which I update regularly. My blog will include updates, links to videos or stories that have inspired me and of course little writings about my day to day life. You can also find links on my website to purchase a copy of “Words of a Journey.”

Tyler: Thank you again, Kaitlyn. It’s been a pleasure to interview you and I hope “Words of a Journey” is only the start of a long and successful writing career as well as many other successes in your life.

Kaitlyn: Thank you, Tyler.

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