Norm:

What would you say is the best reason to recommend someone to read I Am Santa! As a follow up, what do you want your book to do? Amuse people? Provoke thinking? Is there a message that you want your readers to grasp?

Kristy:

To be inspired. I want my book to inspire people to live a positive and happy life with meaning and purpose. I really want readers to grasp that we all can be who ever we choose to be in life.

Norm:

Why do you think this is an important book at this time?

Kristy:

So many people are in need of help. Whether or not that need is food, clothing, shelter or even a simple smile, we can all do our part to help people. A little help goes a long ways. 

Norm:

In fiction as well as in non-fiction, writers very often take liberties with their material to tell a good story or make a point. But how much is too much? How did this apply in I Am Santa! 

Kristy:

The story of Santa Claus has always held a special place in my heart. I still remember as a child how excited I would be at Christmas time. I loved buying presents for people and going to bed early on Christmas Eve dreaming of what Santa Claus would have for me the next morning.  I somehow lost that excitement as I grew up.  Christmas became nothing more than a routine and buying the presents that people said they wanted. 

When my son became the new real Santa Claus all of the excitement, hope and love of Christmas came flooding back into my heart.  My son’s story is definitely unique which allowed me to give the story of Santa Claus an all new angle. My son doesn’t just dress up in the little red Santa suit; he has a mission and takes his job as the new real Santa Claus very seriously.  My son’s mission is to help people all year long.  He is constantly thinking of new ways to help people.

I wrote I AM SANTA! Because of how much my son inspired me and continues to inspire me to live a positive life, always smiling and helping other people. My hope is that others will look at this new angle to the Santa story and help others all year long.

Norm:

What was the most difficult part of writing your book?

Kristy:

About half way into writing ‘I AM SANTA!’ I began to doubt that I should be writing a book based upon the imaginative thoughts my son had shared with me.  I never wanted my son to feel as if I had publicized his personal conversations with me.  So I stopped writing for a few weeks during which I talked to my son and my husband about what I should do.  In the end my son Ty encouraged me to keep writing what he came to call his book.  My husband also encouraged me to continue writing ‘I AM SANTA!’ because it would be something we could forever cherish about our son. 

Norm:

How much of Nicolas's dialogue is authentic? Did you modify it in any way, as your story is based on the imagination of your son, Ty Haile? 

Kristy:

I kept track of the Santa Claus stories from my son in a journal because they truly touched me and meant a lot to me.  So in my journal writing I definitely abbreviated some of what he would tell me and I didn’t write down every piece of our dialogue.  So it isn’t word for word what he had told me.  However, as I was writing I AM SANTA! I would frequently ask Ty different things along the way about what he had told me which made the dialogue easy.

Norm:

What did your family and friends think about I Am Santa !  And what were their reactions when they heard about your son's imagination and that he was the new Santa Claus? 

Kristy:

I only told some of my close friends and family that I was writing I AM SANTA! The majority of my family and friends had already seen Ty with his Santa suit on frequently but I think that a lot of people were amazed as to the extent of his imagination.  I hadn’t shared our conversations with other people until the book.

I do have to say that most people think it is great that Ty thinks he is Santa Claus.  People see how we embrace Ty and his imagination and become inspired to embrace their children’s imaginations more.

Norm:

Can you tell us how you found representation for your book? Did you pitch it to an agent, or query publishers who would most likely publish this type of book? Any rejections? Did you self-publish? 

Kristy:

Over the years I have learned that no matter what type of goals one may have they have to have a tough skin in order to attain those goals.  Rejection I have come to accept as a normal part in the journey of going after what you want in life.  I don’t dwell on rejection; I simply acknowledge it and move on still going after my goals.

I wanted someone to publish I AM SANTA! Who really believed in the story and reasons for me writing it.  So I knew that the perfect publisher would come along and they did.

Norm:

What will you be doing for promotion and how much of it is your doing? 

Kristy:

We are currently reaching out to charities to help them year round.  We put on a barbeque once a month for the homeless.  We collect blankets, food and clothing for the homeless year round as well. We recycle plastic bottles and cans to help fund our help for the homeless. Beginning April 1st we will be airing 2-3 minute webisodes of our little Santa counting down to Christmas which will also include a fun segment as well.

Norm:

Where can our readers find out more about you and I Am Santa !   and what is next for Kristy Haile? 

Kristy:

At the book website www.iamsantabook.com there is a lot of information as well as how to contact me about I AM SANTA! 

I plan on continuing to let my son inspire myself as well as others.  We want to continue to help others in need as much as we can.

Norm:

As this interview draws to a close what one question would you have liked me to ask you? Please share your answer. 

Kristy:

How has having Santa as your son changed your life?

It has completely transformed and changed our family life. We place little value on material items and buying for ourselves.  As a family we are all looking for ways to help others.  We are a happy and content family because our lives are about getting out and having fun together and helping others together.  We value each and every day and are so very thankful for every day we have been given.

Norm:

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors

Click Here To Read Norm's Review of I Am Santa!