- Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.
A1. My name is Kristin Payne! I have been a public performer for over 20 years in the Dallas/Ft Worth metroplex as an actor/voice actor, stilt walker, living statue, aerial artist, dancer, mermaid, princess, and clown. I have been teaching musical theater and stage combat to children for 15 years, and have 3 beautiful children myself. My life’s purpose is to inspire and motivate children to believe in themselves, and create more beauty for this world.
- What is the inspiration behind your book “Pinki & Boots: Alleyway Circus”?
A2. In 2021, I attended a clown camp training with my performer friend, Rita. She wanted to create a clown character that was feline- I originally told her that wouldn’t work.. an animal clown? That’s weird! She created Boots, anyway. Everyone in the clown community LOVED the concept! And since we had very little resources in creating our show, we just worked that into our act and made the theme around – creating something amazing out of nothing. A little girl meets an alley cat and they join forces to make a circus out of the garbage! I wanted to write it into a book so that our message could reach more children. Our clown show can only travel so far- it just made sense to bring these characters to the page, and have our story resonate everywhere it needs to!
- When did you realize you want to be an author?
A3. I never imagined that I would be an author, honestly. I always wanted to be an actor and that’s it. I’m a spiritual person, and a psychic told me in a session that I would write and illustrate a kid’s book- initially, I laughed. I had never thought to do that. So, I’m not sure if it was a prophecy or, because someone told me I would, I decided to- but it happened so quickly! It’s still odd to call myself an author, though I’ve been in multiple published works throughout my life.
- Please tell us something about your book “Pinki & Boots: Alleyway Circus”?
A4. Pinki is relatable to all children. She’s happy and passionate, but faces adversity to then get crushed by life’s happenstances. She finds a feline friend to help her re-focus her efforts, and not give up on her dreams. It was important for me to get that message across to my young audience; preparing children for obstacles and reassuring them that they can overcome anything. I believe it is important to motivate our kids through the media they consume. I want chicken’s entertainment to be enriching, inspiring, and also- HILARIOUS! I think Pinki & Boots really does that.
- For which age group is your book “Pinki & Boots: Alleyway Circus” suitable for?
A5. My target audience for this book is 5-11 (though, most adults who’ve read it enjoy it, too!
- What is your favorite Quote?
A6. “Rules Shmooles! We don’t need that silly ol’ circus! Look around, we can make our own circus!”
- I love that Boots is so quick to challenge “the system” and is also quick with a solution. It shows what a great friend he is. It is also subtle in suggesting to kids that – they don’t need anything but the will to go on, to create magic, and obtain their hearts desires.
7. What do you like the most about your country?
A7 The USA is a complex country- I was born here, and I’ve enjoyed the spirit of… well I guess it’s similar to the message in my book. Life, liberty, and (i)the pursuit of happiness(i) – I also really like cheeseburgers and BBQ, and we do that very well here.
- What suggestion do you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?
A8. I think that the minute a child learns to read, they should focus on one book at a time. Dr. Seuss, Jacks Prelutsky, Shell Silverstein, Suzanne Collin’s and Stephanie Meyer was some of my favorites.
- What does literary success look like to you?
A9. I think I’m already living it! If you’re able to create a literary work and bring it all the way through the publishing phase, in that little success lies a whole lot of congratulations. I’d sure like for my audience to grow- but even if it’s a few hundred kids that read my book, that’s still a few hundred kids that have been inspired (instead of none).
- Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?
A10. Fred Rogers. That’s an easy answer. He saw an opportunity to use visual media to reach children on a massive scale- and his content was so loving and wholesome that he changed lives. He was truly a remarkable man and I looked up to him in every way.
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