Kristen Hannum, journalist and writer

My grandmother warned me against writing. She sat me down and talked to me after my brothers had gotten into my diary.

“If you write it down, there it’s going to stand, against you!” Gramma said with little sympathy.

No sympathy at all, in fact.

But I knew I wanted to be a writer, so obviously I couldn’t listen to her warning. (Although I suspected even then that she was right!)

I’ve been a journalist and editor all my adult life. I’ve authored close to a thousand published feature articles and a similar number of editorials and other shorter pieces. I’ve worked as managing editor at two trade journals, and now do freelance editing for authors, academics, students, and businesses. (My editing site is at edit-please.com.)

Most of my published work appeared in The Catholic Sentinel, archdiocesan newspaper for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, where I was on staff for more than 15 years. I’ve also been published in Defenders of Wildlife’s magazine, The Reporter Magazine, Oregon Business, The Oregonian, U.S. Catholic, Colorado Country Life, and others. I’m a member of the Historical Novelist Society and the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Association. I’m also grateful to be a member of a critique group that includes poet and author Lee Patton.

Mostly I love to write, despite the fact that my grandmother was, without a doubt, right. Once you write something, there it stands, possibly against you, maybe for you, but certainly out in the world and hopefully a part of the conversation.

The photo is one I took from the Iznaga tower, in the Valle de los Ingenios in Cuba. In the early nineteenth century the 45-meter tower was the tallest structure on the island, looming above the surrounding sugar cane fields. The bell at its top rang to announce the beginning and end of the work day, and also the times for prayer to the Virgin Mary.

The entire area, including gorgeous nearby Trinidad, has been a World Heritage Site since 1988.