Hi, my name is Katie Fritsche. I am an English Major at Jacksonville University who is studying to be an English Professor. I enjoy writing and sharing my unique voice as an author with the world is one of my greatest wishes for sure. It is nice to meet all of you. I hope you enjoy my books in future.

Where are you from?

I am originally from Jacksonville; Florida and I have lived here for the entirety of my life.

Why do you write? 

I write because writing has always been a part of my life. I never wanted to be a writer. There are so many other things at which I excel that I could do in life and go far but writing is the one thing I do well with the least amount of effort. In fact, it is the reason why I was created on this Earth, to write for the people and to change their lives with the weight of my words. I started writing to explain the things that happened in my life that terrified me and the endless movements I have endured to become someone. I write simply because it’s a unique part of who I am that has been gifted to me by God and the Holy Spirit and its something that I will never give up on as its my passion and my gift to share my writing with the world.

What do you write about? 

I write mainly nonfiction and poetry and I write about the things that I see that make up my world, the people, etc. I have always been told that the greatest thing you can do is to tell the truth and to write them from what you know and who you are. So, I just simply write the truth about what I see.

Do you have a specific writing style?

Yes, Yes, I do. Every writer has their unique voice and way of writing their story. Read my work and you will find out how true my voice really is as an author.

What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? 

Distractions, life’s annoyances, just power through.

What is the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?

The most memorable thing that was ever said to me about my work was from an old teacher named Mrs. Brooks. On the last day I saw her, she told me to “Remember me when your famous”. Ill never forget the last time I saw her because she always supported my dreams and had a passion for writing unlike anyone id ever seen. I hope someday I can have that same moment again with another person who believes in me enough to read my work and support it.

How long have you been writing?

I’d say since Elementary school. I remember passing out my poems that I had written to the teachers in the bus lot as I waited for the bus to take me home. I cannot exactly remember the day I started but I can remember how I started. My passion for writing delved from all the literature I devoured as a child, library after library, in fact I used to get in trouble in school for reading because I loved it so much. As I read more and more, those words and ideas just poured into my head until finally I began writing and that is how I got my start as a writer.

When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?

I did not. I have always known I had a gift for literature and writing beyond anyone I have ever met but originally, I did not want to become a writer. But still writing is who I am, and you cannot change who you are and what God gives you, you must be grateful for who you are.

What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

My work schedule and life schedule are very busy as I am currently in my sophomore year of college. I usually find time at night to write or on the weekends when I am finished with schoolwork but I work a part time job as well so there is not a lot of time for me to write. It is amazing I have even published a book ha-ha!

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

My most interesting writing quirk is to sound like I am speaking to the reader. I do not know why, but I just love having a good conversation with my reader through writing. I think its nice to talk back to the reader in your book because it is like you break the fourth wall and get to really talk to your reader. Everyone has writing quirks and I think its what makes us writers.

How long does it take to write a book? (if you have written one -published or non)

I have both written and published my first book recently. It took me about a year and a half to finish my book. I am very busy with college but I think it depends on how much time you have to write, and it also depends on your motivation. If your motivated and have God in your life you can do anything for sure such as write a book, just must work hard.

Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?

I would say read a lot to be honest. Get your hands-on good literature, read the stuff that inspires you to write, and when your working on a book of a certain genre, try to read only books of that genre. While working on my first book, I only played music that inspired me and read only nonfiction as that was the genre, I was writing in. I can say though its very helpful to read in the genre your writing in because you get the best ideas from reading other peoples writing too. Soon you know what is good and bad when it comes to that genre which is how you become a better writer. If you want to become a better writer, I suggest you just write, revise your work, and get feedback on it. That is the best way to improve oneself in writing by being involved in the process and realizing that writing is not the only thing in this life for sure. So, become a better writer.

What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?

As I mainly write nonfiction and poetry, the main challenge is focusing on what I want to write about in each chapter. I often find challenges with the way I want something to sound such as a sentence about a subject such as hope. Otherwise no challenges really. Writing just seems to come naturally, I never face any challenges with it because its who I am as a person and there are no challenges, I face with being who I am.

Check out Words and Consequences on Lulu

What do you think makes a good story?

I think a good story can come from anywhere. What makes a story good is that it makes other people relate to it, certain types of people like certain kinds of story. I think we all have a story to tell be it good or not. Sometimes the greatest stories come from places of deepest pain and yet it is still a good story, it’s a great lesson for my life. I think it all depends on what you think is a good story and that we must respect the hard work writers put into their stories no matter whether we consider them good or not. Just because you do not like a story does not mean someone else wont as well so respect the story, be it good or not. This is all I have to say about stories for now.

What does your family think of your writing? 

Somedays they support me, other days it is a challenge to live up to their expectation because every expectation they set I set it two times higher because I want to make them proud for sure. Half of my family supports it and another half I do not really know how they feel. I cannot read their minds so who knows. I do not care what they think of my writing or of me, my job is to protect them and honor my family. I do not have the time to worry about what people think of me, I am too busy trying to become the person I am meant to be. That is all I can say of my family for now. They can speak for themselves for sure.

Do you see writing as a career?

Until recently, no. I have always known I was going to be an English Professor and teach writing, but I have never tried to make money off my writing. It is a gift given to me by God and I do not want to tarnish the gift he gave me for the sake of profit. Its up to him to decide whether I will be doing this as a career. He leads and I just follow. I am not in this for the money or fame for sure.

Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?

Tell the readers I care about them. Tell them I wish I could be there for them too. I see so many people struggle, and I want to help them, but I am here trying to get an education. I hope they are given strength by my words and encouragement from God to keep moving forward and that they help others in the fight for this world too. After all we are all people trying to exist in this world and be who we are at the same time so do not change who you are to make someone happy if it makes you unhappy. This is all I have to say for now.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Always. I’ve tried denying it but it is the gift that doesn’t go away. I do not want it to go away and I accept it as a part of who I am. Besides its dead useful to be a writer and I am proud to be considered one. In all, writers unite.