Pump Up Your Book Chats with Kristy Haile

Kristy Haile 4 Californian Kristy Haile earned an Associate’s degree in Dental Hygiene from Northeastern University in Boston and then worked as a hygienist in Massachusetts and California. She moved from her hometown of Turlock, CA to Los Angeles, where her two children became actors on TV (The Office, Criminal Minds, Desperate Housewives), movies (Chihuahua: The Movie) and in commercials. At age 4, son Ty came to believe he was Santa Claus. Haile kept a journal of the funny and unusual things her son said and did over the next two years, as well as of people’s reactions to his self-identification as the “new real Santa Claus.” That journal was the basis for her latest book, I Am Santa. You can visit the ‘I AM SANTA!’ website at www.iamsantabook.com to connect with Kristy.

I Am Santa

I Am Santa 1

Q: Thank you for this interview, Kristy. Can you tell us why you wrote your book?

I wanted to be able to share the story of my son becoming Santa Claus with everyone because of how much it has touched our lives. Santa Claus is an important icon that over the years has brought so much hope to people. Santa Claus embodies good values, giving and believing. All of which, my son Ty has captured in his imagination. I believe Santa Claus is an icon in which we all we all need to keep alive.

I Am Santa

Q: Which part of the book was the hardest to write?

Remembering and actually writing the words describing those real life situations when I had not given my son the support or the attention that he needed.

Q: Does your book have an underlying message that readers should know about?

My book ‘I AM SANTA!’ strives to let everyone realize that each and everyone of us have the choice to make life a positive journey in which we only focus on the positive in life, holding on to our imaginations and believing in our dreams.

I Am Santa 2

Q:  What was one of your favorite books as a child?

‘Horton Hatches the Egg’ written by Dr. Seuss

I Am Santa II Kristy Haile & Family

Q: What is your favorite book as an adult?

‘The Weight of Water’ written by Anita Shreve

Q: What are you reading now?

‘Breaking Dawn’ written by Stephanie Meyer

I Am Santa 3

Q: Do you remember when the writing bug hit?

Since I was a child I have always enjoyed reading and writing-however, nothing had ever inspired me enough to write a book until my son told me he is the new real Santa Claus. I could tell early on that Ty had a very active and creative imagination. My daughter Ellalyn has always adored her little brother Ty. She always insists upon reading him his bedtime stories, in fact she has always read a lot of books to Ty which he enjoys.

Since Ty and my daughter Ellalyn act in Hollywood, being a set mom has given me the perfect opportunity and time to become a writer, turning my journal about Ty into a book.

I Am Santa III Ty with actor Shemar Moore (set of Criminal Minds)

Q: Besides books, what else do you write?  Do you write for publications?

As of right now, writing books is my main focus.

Q: Do you have a writing tip you’d like to share?

Write about what truly inspires your heart and soul.

I Am Santa 4

Q:  Would you like to tell us about your home life?  Where you live?  Family?  Pets?

We are a very active family that enjoys going out, enjoying life and each other. My husband and I have been married for seventeen years. We have a daughter Ellalyn and a son Ty. Both kids play sports, are actors and involved in numerous activities. Our family loves pets, in fact we have two dogs (Woody and Buzz), two cats (Blackie and Pepper) and one Beta fish (Zurg).

I Am Santa IV Ty with actor Tim Guinee (set of Criminal Minds)

Q: Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

I enjoy writing using my laptop computer as I sit on my favorite couch by the front window.

Q: What do you do to get away from it all?

Going to the beach is my special place that I go to which allows me to relax and rejuvenate.

I Am Santa 5

Q: Were you the kind of child who always had a book in her hand?

As a child I always had a book in my hand.  I read all the time even when I would go shopping with my mom.

I Am Santa V Ty with director Felix Alcala (set of Criminal Minds)

Q: Can you remember your favorite book?

‘Horton Hatches the Egg’ written by Dr. Seuss

Q: Do you remember writing stories when you were a child?

As a child I would write short stories about the happenings of every day life.

I Am Santa 6

Q: What was the first thing you did as far as promoting your book?

I let friends and family know about my book.  I had originally only told my husband and my two children about the book during the writing phase.

I Am Santa I Ty at the Los Angeles Zoo

Q: Are you familiar with the social networks and do you actively participate?

The second thing I did as far as book promotion was to have a Facebook fan page for my book as well as a Twitter account for my self and my son.

Q: How do you think book promotion has changed over the years?

Book promotion before was a bit slower because it was done mostly through catalogs, bookstores and word of mouth.  Now there are avenues to let more people know about your book via the internet through social networking such as Facebook and Twitter, individual websites and blogs such as WordPress just to name a few.

I Am Santa 7

Q: What is the most frustrating part of being an author?

Being a published author now, I have found my self embracing every situation which arises instead of letting any situation frustrate me.  I truly enjoy getting my book out there for all to read and be a part of.

I Am Santa VI Ty at the Los Angeles Zoo

Q: What is the most rewarding?

Hearing how my book ‘I AM SANTA!’ has touched readers in their own personal lives.

Q: How do you think book publishing has changed over the years?

Since, ‘I AM SANTA!’ is my first book I am unsure as to how publishing was prior.

I Am Santa 8

Q: If you had one wish, what would that be?

My one wish is to continue living my fabulous and active life with my husband and two children.

I Am Santa VII Is he adorable or what?

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world other than where you are right now, where would that place be?

If I could be anywhere at this very moment, I would choose to be on a beach listening to the waves crash as I enjoy the fresh ocean air.

Q: Your book has just been awarded a Pulitzer.  Who would you thank?

If my book ‘I AM SANTA!’ had just been awarded a Pulitzer I would thank my husband Reece, my two children Ellalyn and Ty, as well as all of the inspirational people who have helped me live fabulously each and every day.


Comments are closed.