Katrina Kittle, a writing professor at the University of Dayton, is releasing her new novel September 2023 and her writing journey thus far has been nothing short of remarkable.
Kittle grew up in Fairborn, Ohio as her father worked at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base. From a young age, she knew she wanted to be a professional ballerina. However, because of factors out of her control, her goal was unattainable. Despite this setback, her mentor suggested another form of storytelling.
“He had encouraged me to go explore theater,” Kittle said. “He pointed out that my dance roles that had been more successful were more story roles.”
Although dance didn’t work out, the practices Kittle gained from it helped her immensely, especially self-discipline. As she gradually transitioned into the world of English and teaching, she learned she had stories she needed to tell.
Her mentor was diagnosed with AIDS. At the time, it was a misunderstood disease. Kittle, wanting to bring more understanding to this topic, decided to write a novel featuring a character who had AIDs. She said it was hard to find neutral coverage about AIDS, so she had the goal of raising awareness of issues not majorly publicized.
“I got this idea for a story, and it needed to be a novel. I don’t know why. It couldn’t be a play or a short story, so I set out to do this thing. I needed to honor my apprenticeship and I need to honor this craft.”
Kittle wrote a total of five books with her most recent being “Reasons To Be Happy,” which released in 2011. This title has significance for any student of Kittle as this is an in-class exercise she does with her courses.
For every student who walks through her classroom doors, they must write down at least one personal reason to be happy on a piece of paper. As Kittle described it, she’s read general reasons like health and love as well as specific responses such as dogs riding skateboards and getting a perfect crack on a crab claw. The goal is to get students appreciating even the smallest things.
Kittle has another book releasing September 2023, titled “Morning in This Broken World.” With the story beginning in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, it features characters coming out of their shells and emerging as their true selves. This theme ties back into Kittle’s goal of her novels as well as her outlook on the world.
“We do lift each other. We are so much better when we support one another. I wish we could see it happen more in the world, but when I have seen it, it is the most amazing thing.”
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