Ree Augustine

Some of Ree's earliest memories are with a book in her hand, and today, she still loves to read stories of all kinds, from children’s poetry to adult suspense novels. Before her love of reading turned into a love of writing, she took many turns in her life, some of which were an accountant, a retail clerk, and a volunteer worker for abused women. ​

When she and her husband started their family, she became a stay-at-home mom to two boys. It was then, in a few solitary moments, she put a pencil in her hand and discovered a love of writing. Now, she spends her mornings in Eastern, PA creating stories of her own with her writing partner by her side, a sleepy greyhound. Quiet things inspire her: a word, a child’s desire, a tug in her heart. Afternoons and evenings are for family, friends, and lots of daydreaming. Visit her website at www.reeaugustine.com or follow her on Instagram ree.augustine. ​

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Interview with Ree Augustine

Thank you, Ree Augustine, for taking the time to chat!

When did you know you wanted to become an author?

I'm not sure I ever wanted to be an author per se. I just wanted to write and have a story published. Being an author is so different than being a writer. So to answer the question in a different way, I wanted to be a writer when I started reading to my young kids.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

The moment I started to write stories, whether published or not.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

So many people inspire me in my life. With writing, I'm a huge fan of Kate DiCamillo. But there are many more.

How do you come up with your ideas?

My ideas come from all kinds of places. For Hangabout: Far from Home, I wanted to do a love vs. fear theme, and I thought a cat and dog would be a great way to illustrate that. Then the story took me on its own journey and wound up being an entirely different theme. For my current WIP, my character is based on a piece of artwork that one of my kids made when they were young.

Are your characters inspired by or based on real-life people?

Not really. But I might take something someone said or did and work it into a character. The other day I met someone at the train station, and they had something very interesting in their pocket. I definitely want to use that with a future character. ​

What comes first, the plot or the characters?

Character. Character. Character. I might have a setting in mind, but the character leads the way.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I play three games of solitaire before I write each morning. ​

How did publishing your first book change your writing career?

I've gotten to meet readers and young people who want to become writers. It's been very rewarding.

Have you ever gotten writers block? How did you work through it?

I don't really get writer's block. I do have many stories that never see the end, though, because the story just isn't working.

What are you working on now?

A story about a lopsided gargoyle who is trying to find a world he belongs to.

What advice would you give aspiring authors?

I hate giving advice because everyone's experience is so different. What works for me is to write every day. I also had to keep making the decision to write every day, even if publication never happened. ​

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I love to run. (I'm very slow, and it might look like I'm walking, but for me, it's a run.)

What are three things that are unique about you?

I'm pretty ordinary, but if there's one thing that's a little unique, it's that I drink celery juice every morning.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

This has been so fun. Thank you for doing author spotlights. OBP has been a wonderful place to call home for Hangabout: Far from Home. Thanks to all of you who work behind the scenes.

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