Kate A. Thompson
Categories: Female Authors - Anglophone Authors - Authors of Non-Fiction - Fundy Coast - Saint John River Valley
Source: Author / auteure
Biography
I was not born in New Brunswick, but I am proud to call myself a New Brunswicker now, having lived here most of my life. I moved around a lot when I was younger but consider Saint John to be my hometown. I attended Saint John High School and later went on to study at the University of New Brunswick (Saint John campus) where I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree. I also obtained a Master of Library and Information Studies from Dalhousie University. I currently reside in Fredericton, where I work for the New Brunswick Public Library Service.
How has New Brunswick influenced your work?
I’ve wanted to write stories since I was young, and I’ve always been fascinated by history. New Brunswick is a place that is rich with history, which means there are lots of interesting stories to tell. There is much to be proud of here, but sadly, many people don't seem to recognize that. Without a connection to the past, people lose sight of why things are the way they are today. I think it's important to write about New Brunswick's history so that connection isn't lost.
The first time I got to see my work in print was when I co-authored St. Rose of Lima: Stories from the Church on the Hill. It was a social history of a church in my hometown. It was such an honour to be invited into people's homes to hear their stories and to preserve them for future generations. I hope I will get more opportunities like that to show people how great my little province is.
What is your favourite New Brunswick book, and why?
The very first New Brunswick book that
I remember reading was Toes in My Nose by Sheree Fitch. Even though she lives in Nova Scotia now, I can remember my elementary school teachers telling me how she was from New Brunswick and I could be a writer just like her some day. I was amazed by how she could string words together – it made her poetry so fun to read!
I'm also very fond of Riel Nason's The Town that Drowned. It was interesting to read about how something like the installation of a dam can affect not only the landscape, but an entire community's sense of belonging and togetherness.
What do you consider to be the highlight of your career so far?
Self-publishing my second book, Faith & Falafel, and seeing it on shelves in bookstores. I couldn't believe that people would pay money to read something I'd written.
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Featured Publication |
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Faith & Falafel: My Spiritual Journey in Israel (2007) |
Excerpt: For Kate and her friends, Israel Study Tour 2005 started out as an opportunity to learn more about the land where "Jesus walked". Throughout the trip the students marveled at centuries-old ruins and breathtaking landscapes and witnessed the scriptures coming to life. When two of the group's members were struck down with illness, however, the trip became more than a vacation. It became a faith-enhancing experience that left a permanent impression on everyone who went through it. |
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Find this author in the New Brunswick public libraries catalogue.
Source(s): Author.
