Sarah Reinbold

Writer Interview

Sarah Reinbold lives in Akron, Ohio with her husband, dog, and cat. When not writing she composes on her piano, competes in triathlons, gardens, reads, and earns a living by creating e-learning courses.

Moe: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Sarah Reinbold: My grandparents lived on a horse farm in Kentucky. We stayed with them every summer. There was a summer we played Nintendo from 7 am until 10 pm. We would only stop for breakfast oats, ham salad or pimento cheese for lunch, and potatoes, green beans and meatloaf for dinner. No. Wrong summer. That was the summer I became a magician.

The summer I became a writer was the summer my grandma finally lost her memory. She wandered the house at night with a Raggedy Ann doll. My grandpa got up every hour to use the bathroom. I remember his coughing and the flush. One night, I found a box under the sofa bed. It was full of yellowed stationary; my grandpa’s name was in print at the top. I sat down on the bed and began to write. I didn’t stop until the sun came up and all the stationary, over 80 pages, was gone. It was the best kind of tired. I heard the horses waking, the birds outside the window, I watched the fog lift, and I felt that everything was right. It was then I knew. I would always want to write.

Moe: Describe three lessons you have learned about writing?

Sarah Reinbold: 1. Thinking gets in the way of writing.
2. Read.
3. When you think you are finished, push yourself to keep going.

Moe: What are you working on now?

Sarah Reinbold: I’m working on short stories, plays, and the second draft of a novel. I’m also working on understanding the intricacies of the publishing world!

Moe: Do you have a favorite writing related book?

Sarah Reinbold: Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

Moe: What is your favorite writing website?

Sarah Reinbold: Preditors and Editors.

Moe: Do you have an important writing tip you’d like to pass along?

Sarah Reinbold: Make sure you block off time to write – schedule it like an important appointment!

This interview was first published on the Book-in-a-Week website, August 2007.