Kristin von Kreisler '56
Alumna Kristin von Kreisler ’56 releases her latest novel Earnest this month. The story follows a yellow Labrador, Earnest, through the break-up of a young couple and their custody battle over him. Kristin based her story off a real couple who made headlines when they spent over $100,000 fighting over custody of their dog.
Earnest is the fifth novel by Kristin, who has made a living as a professional writer. She’s worked as a freelance journalist, staff writer, and English teacher. Though Kristin graduated from St. Andrew’s in 1956, her memories and friendships from that time have remained with her throughout her life. She took some time to recount some favorite memories to us, and offer advice to the next generation of writers.
When did you graduate from St. Andrew's? Do you remember what the ceremony was like?
I graduated in 1956. There were twelve of us in the class, and I was named the St. Andrew’s Student of the Year because of an essay I wrote. Scott Field Bailey held the graduation service in the Good Shepherd Church. I fought tears all the way through the service because I didn’t want to leave St. Andrew’s. Our class had been like a little family, and I couldn’t bear that we were being sent out into the big, scary world.
Can you describe a favorite memory about your time at St. Andrew's?
I have so many memories. It’s hard to say which is my favorite. I remember playing kickball every day, and Mr. Dersham, the headmaster, blasting on his whistle, pointing his thumbs toward the ground, and shouting, “Out!” (He pronounced it “ooot.”) I remember chapel services, the hum and warmth of the gas heater, our red chapel caps, our favorite hymns, the weekly visit from one of Austin’s ministers, and their sermons, which were often about good behavior! I remember writing weekly book reports, learning about European explorers, and memorizing the Gettysburg Address in our ramshackle Pearl Street classroom, where we stuffed newspaper into holes in the wall to keep out drafts. I wouldn’t take anything for these memories. My days at St. Andrew’s were so important to me.
Do you stay in touch with any St. Andrew's friends?
Absolutely! Some of my best and oldest friends are from St. Andrew’s. I just got back from three weeks in Southeast Asia with Julie Valentine, my wonderful traveling companion. Last week I talked by phone with Lynda Bird Johnson Robb. Lucy Ross, who was in the class after mine, visited me from Austin last year. I am Facebook friends with Jace Phillips, Thomas Sumners, and Patricia Morrison. Louisa Mahone Donaghue was one of my lifetime best friends before her recent death. These special connections, which have lasted nearly all my life, have been a huge blessing for me.
In your opinion, what sort of skills can students develop while in school to make them better writers? What advice would you give students who are interested in a writing career?
I have told people many times that I have succeeded as a writer because of all I learned from Mrs. Watkins, my fifth grade teacher at St. Andrew’s. She was quite stern, and discipline, to her, was paramount. She taught us to think clearly and to express our ideas and opinions. Most important, she made us read, read, read, and then write, write, write. That’s exactly what every aspiring writer must do. By reading as broadly as possible, you can learn how authors tell stories and put together thoughts. By writing, you can gain confidence and skill, like practicing scales when learning a musical instrument. I have thanked Mrs. Watkins in my heart thousands of times for all she taught and the discipline she instilled. What a gift!
Do you need to already be a great writer to make a living at it?
You don’t need to be a great writer to be paid for writing, but you must be skilled to earn a living. There are far fewer writing jobs now than there used to be, and competition for them is fierce. It’s also fierce for getting work published, and payments and advances have dwindled greatly in recent years. All that being said, however, if you want to write, do it! The going may get rough at times, but the rewards are great. I wouldn’t trade my forty-year career as a writer for anything in the world.
Thank you Kristin for sharing your memories and advice with us! Learn more about Kristin and her novels on her website here: http://kristinvonkreisler.com/
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When did you graduate from St. Andrew's? Do you remember what the ceremony was like?
I graduated in 1956. There were twelve of us in the class, and I was named the St. Andrew’s Student of the Year because of an essay I wrote. Scott Field Bailey held the graduation service in the Good Shepherd Church. I fought tears all the way through the service because I didn’t want to leave St. Andrew’s. Our class had been like a little family, and I couldn’t bear that we were being sent out into the big, scary world.
Can you describe a favorite memory about your time at St. Andrew's?
I have so many memories. It’s hard to say which is my favorite. I remember playing kickball every day, and Mr. Dersham, the headmaster, blasting on his whistle, pointing his thumbs toward the ground, and shouting, “Out!” (He pronounced it “ooot.”) I remember chapel services, the hum and warmth of the gas heater, our red chapel caps, our favorite hymns, the weekly visit from one of Austin’s ministers, and their sermons, which were often about good behavior! I remember writing weekly book reports, learning about European explorers, and memorizing the Gettysburg Address in our ramshackle Pearl Street classroom, where we stuffed newspaper into holes in the wall to keep out drafts. I wouldn’t take anything for these memories. My days at St. Andrew’s were so important to me.
Do you stay in touch with any St. Andrew's friends?
Absolutely! Some of my best and oldest friends are from St. Andrew’s. I just got back from three weeks in Southeast Asia with Julie Valentine, my wonderful traveling companion. Last week I talked by phone with Lynda Bird Johnson Robb. Lucy Ross, who was in the class after mine, visited me from Austin last year. I am Facebook friends with Jace Phillips, Thomas Sumners, and Patricia Morrison. Louisa Mahone Donaghue was one of my lifetime best friends before her recent death. These special connections, which have lasted nearly all my life, have been a huge blessing for me.
In your opinion, what sort of skills can students develop while in school to make them better writers? What advice would you give students who are interested in a writing career?
I have told people many times that I have succeeded as a writer because of all I learned from Mrs. Watkins, my fifth grade teacher at St. Andrew’s. She was quite stern, and discipline, to her, was paramount. She taught us to think clearly and to express our ideas and opinions. Most important, she made us read, read, read, and then write, write, write. That’s exactly what every aspiring writer must do. By reading as broadly as possible, you can learn how authors tell stories and put together thoughts. By writing, you can gain confidence and skill, like practicing scales when learning a musical instrument. I have thanked Mrs. Watkins in my heart thousands of times for all she taught and the discipline she instilled. What a gift!
Do you need to already be a great writer to make a living at it?
You don’t need to be a great writer to be paid for writing, but you must be skilled to earn a living. There are far fewer writing jobs now than there used to be, and competition for them is fierce. It’s also fierce for getting work published, and payments and advances have dwindled greatly in recent years. All that being said, however, if you want to write, do it! The going may get rough at times, but the rewards are great. I wouldn’t trade my forty-year career as a writer for anything in the world.
Thank you Kristin for sharing your memories and advice with us! Learn more about Kristin and her novels on her website here: http://kristinvonkreisler.com/
