Katie Norton

Location Northern California
Website http://

About Me

Katie Norton is a pen name. I grew up in Santa Clara County, California which morphed in my lifetime from an agricultural hamlet into the global powerhouse called Silicon Valley. I now live in Mendocino County. Katie is the name of one of my horses and Norton is a brand of motorcycle my boyfriend used to ride.

I work full time in Silicon Valley and spend the weekends with my horses.

Why do you write?

Writing is mental therapy.

Any favorite authors? Books?

Reading List:
The Song of Names, by Norman Lebrecht; Bombay Ice, by Leslie Forbes; Paula, by Isabelle Allende; Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion; About Alice by Calvin Trillin; Fiasco by Thomas Ricks; Shock Doctrine by Naomi Wolf; Arranged Marriage by Chita Banerjee Divakaruni; Travels in Persia 1673-1677 by Sir John Chardin; Columbine by Dave Cullin; White Oleander and Paint it Black by Janet Fitch; The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand; The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson; Goddess, the Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe by Anthony Summers; The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mashian Hamid; Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin; In the Belly of the Green Bird by Nir Rosen; Blackwater by Jeremy Scahill; Bin Ladin, the Man Who Declared War on America by Yossef Bodansky (published in 1999!); Georgianna, Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman; American Rhapsody by Joe Eszterhas; The Truth About Hillary by Edward Klein; Mission Al Jazeera by Josh Rushing; Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir; The Lexus and the Olive Tree by Thomas Freedman; Washington, DC by Gore Vidal; Exposing Myself by Geraldo Rivera; Reclaiming History, the Assination of John F. Kennedy by Vincent Bugliosi; All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy; Empire by Gore Vidal; How to Negotiate Anything by Gerry Spence; 1906 by James d'Allesandro; God is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens; Perma Red, by Debra Magpie Earling.

I like "journalistic fiction" or "fiction-style journalism," Tom Wolfe and Hunter Thompon. I also liked Larry McMurtry's "All My Friends are Going to be Strangers," an on-the-road book he wrote when very young right after he sold the screen play for the movie Hud, before he became famous.

My favorite writer is Gore Vidal, especially his books Julian and Creation.

I read a weekly newspaper called The Anderson Valley Advertiser, published by Bruce Anderson, covers Mendocino County politics and also prints stories from Viet Nam vets, old hippies, immigrants, all sorts of people. It's amazing. Through the AVA I found two writers I enjoy, Dayla Hepting and Todd Walton and other profound story tellers. I encourage anyone who enjoys reading to subscribe to to the AVA.

Always reading horse training books, including classical German dressage manuals written by instructors from the Spanish Riding School.

In advanced middle age after owning horses most of my life, I've realized that horse shoes are horribly damaging to horses and horses should be kept barefoot. I have been trimming my own horses' hooves, using two wonderful books, The Horse Owner's Guide to Natural Hoof Care, by Jamie Jackson and Making Natural Hoof Care Work for You, by Pete Ramey. I flip through these constantly, like a new mother clutching the Doctor Spock Guide with her first baby, although new mothers these days probably don't read Doctor Spock. When people write passionately about a subject they care about it makes for good reading.

Katie Norton's Wall

Gloria Garfunkel – Oct 05, 2012

Thanks for your comment on Mother's Day. I still laugh when I read this one.

Gessy Alvarez – Jul 26, 2012

Thanks, Katie for reading "Pink Dress." Glad you liked it.

Kenny Mooney – Jul 26, 2012

Thank you very much for reading The Drowning Man, and for the feedback. I'm glad you liked it!

Jane Hammons – Jul 12, 2012

Katie--thanks for your comment on "Forging." Esmerelda and Mary have an interesting future together!

Savannah Schroll Guz – Apr 13, 2012

Thank you again, Katie, for reading and for your comments! It's so appreciated! :-D

Steven Gowin – Mar 29, 2012

Katie, my 13 year old started taking horse back riding lessons a few weeks back. The horses are just blowing me away. I knew there was something to the man horse thing, but I'm only now beginning to understand it a little. Coincidentally, just as he was beginning the lessons, I'd seen the documentary, Buck. Anyway, I'm going to be watching for new work and check out some of your old stuff.

Barry Basden – Feb 03, 2012

Thanks, Katie, for your nice comment about 'South Oak Cliff.' That phrase just came to me, like they do when it's going good.

Rachel J. Fenton – Jan 09, 2012

Kate, thanks so much for your wonderful comment/feedback - thanks for reading, your time is appreciated.

Nathaniel Tower – Jan 05, 2012

Thank you for the comments on "A Boy Who Looks Like Horses...". I see from your profile pic that you are indeed close to your horses. Do you have any like Michael Alex?

Marcus Speh – Dec 09, 2011

thank you katie, for commenting on the serious writer piece. enjoying "ghostbusting" now, esp bc i'm also writing a ghost story. and gore vidal is also one of my favorite writers.

Joani Reese – Sep 27, 2011

Katie: Thank you for stopping by to read and like "May You Live in Interesting Times." It sounds like you live in heaven--I envy your geographical perspective ; )

Greg Davis – Jul 29, 2011

Hi Katie,
Thanks for your kind words about "Flatlander's Suite." I appreciate your comment and would love to sing it for you if I had a chance (and a singing voice that wasn't terrible).

Jack Swenson – Jul 22, 2011

Katie, glad you liked my "tots" story. Thanks for jumping into the middle of the melee.

DeMisty Bellinger – Jul 05, 2011

Thanks for your lovely comment! I'm happy you read my story.

Jack Swenson – Jul 01, 2011

Glad "My Way" made you laugh, Katie. Thanks!

Christian Bell – Jul 01, 2011

Katie, thanks for reading and commenting on "Swim"!

Barry Friesen – Jun 29, 2011

Thatnks for the hit on "Hat Trick," Katie! Herriot, huh? Funny you mention him. My wife and I have been taking turns reading him aloud. The gentle humor, yes? Thanks again.

Jane Hammons – Jun 22, 2011

thanks Katie (fist raised back at ya :)

Sophie Kipner – Jun 18, 2011

Hi Katie. Thank you so much for your great comment on my story, "The Savoy"! I'm so thrilled you liked it.

J. A. Johnson – Jun 09, 2011

Hi Katie,
Thanks for your comments on White Noise. I see "All the Pretty Horses" on your list of recent reads -- one of my favorites. Look forward to reading your stuff.
Best,
Jeff

Meg Pokrass – Jun 09, 2011

thank you Katie for your read, and comment on Bee Sting!

Tina Barry – Jun 08, 2011

Hi Katie. Thanks so much for reading "Tuscaloosa" and for your kind words and fave! I'll catch up on your writing soon.

Gary Percesepe – Apr 22, 2011

thank you katie---for reading and commenting on april 9

the music, she stopped.

David Ackley – Apr 21, 2011

Katie, thanks so much for your kind comments on "Pacific Light." One of the real benefits of being on 'Fictionaut is the breadth of experience among us all, and to have someone who's lived in Waikiki authenticate the re-imagined experience is just great.

Robert Vaughan – Apr 06, 2011

Katie,

I was raised on a farm with horses, love your profile pic. And thanks for your recent comments about my story "Watching Them." Made my day!

Jack Swenson – Mar 23, 2011

Katie, Glad to get your comment about "Big." Yes, "war is hell," even domestic war. Thanks for your good thoughts.

Meg Pokrass – Mar 23, 2011

thank you for your comment on my story "Union" Katie. I just read about you and you live close! I live in SF. Nice to meet you here! I hope to see you sometime here in the Bay Area!

Jane Hammons – Mar 18, 2011

Thanks for your comment on Descanso, Katie! I always appreciate your reads.

Katie – Feb 25, 2011

Katie,

Thank you so much for reading my piece little tangerine and commenting on it. I really appreciate your comments, thank you so much.

Soon to be deleted – Feb 25, 2011

Oh yeah and glad you like Pigs...Travis lives! :)

Soon to be deleted – Feb 25, 2011

Katie, thanks for the comment on Beets :)

Tina Barry – Feb 25, 2011

Thanks for your kind words about "Frida...", Katie. I spend way too much kissing my cat.

James Lloyd Davis – Feb 09, 2011

Thank you for the note on "Sand." And for the fave on "Foreplay."

Mark Reep – Jan 12, 2011

Hi Katie, thanks for reading & faving Blue Pinto- Much appreciated. Looking forward to revisiting those characters soon.

Jane Hammons – Jan 06, 2011

Katie, Thanks so much for telling me why you liked Headstone.

Frank Vander Rasky – Jan 06, 2011

Thanks, Katie, for your comment on “Oh, Fish Eggs!” Much appreciated. And a wink wink back atcha!

Kathy Fish – Jan 05, 2011

Katie, thank you for the kind words and fave for "Empty." I really appreciate it!

M – Nov 08, 2010

Oh and a fave on shades too. Thanks, Katie. -- Q

M – Nov 08, 2010

Katie: Thanks for your generous remarks on motorcycle and for faving shades. I very much appreciate it. I look forward to reading your work. -- Q

Doug Bond – Oct 30, 2010

thanks for reading and comments on Olde Burying Yard...never been unimpressed with stuff i see in AVA when i get hold of copy...Alexander Cockburn etc.

Randal Houle – Oct 29, 2010

Thanks Katie for your kind read and comment on "What to Bring to Critique Group." I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Kathy Fish – Oct 29, 2010

Katie, thanks for reading and commenting on "Stampede." I really appreciate it!

Matthew A. Hamilton – Oct 29, 2010

Thank you for reading Whitechapel. Glad you liked it.

Walter Bjorkman – Oct 22, 2010

Katie - Thanks for your read of Something Jazzy, very kind. I see you have a northern California background - I have a few from my time in the earlu 70's there - if you would like, check out my Hollister Chicks & Gilroy Girls.

Walt

Sara – Oct 22, 2010

Hi Katie, Thanks so much for reading Tomorrowland -- I really appreciate it. Welcome, here. I look forward to reading your work.

Kim Conklin – Oct 21, 2010

Thanks for the kind words on 4P28, Katie! Nice to meet you!

Larry Strattner – Sep 16, 2010

Thanks Katie. No secret agent experience, but I do have a dangerous daughter.

David Ackley – Sep 16, 2010

Katie, welcome to the party, and thanks so much for your favorable comments on the loose parts of my novella. I too look forward to reading more of your work.

Darryl Price – Aug 20, 2010

Welcome.

Katie Norton – Aug 18, 2010

Thanks for the welcome. Now I'm going to start reading.

Jerry Ratch – Aug 17, 2010

Welcome, Katie!

Gary Percesepe – Aug 17, 2010

hi katie,

horse lover here.

have in mytime owned thoroughbreds (hunter/jumper) as well as quarter horses and paints, and one tenn walker!

agree with you on shoes--i gave up on them, trimmed them up, youbet. so much better for the horse, for the owner too--csh wise! win win

miss my horses--also my peacocks

anyway, menocino one of my fave places on earth--and the vinyards there too, sure. have often wandered the streets there, at night, then up in the morning watching the surf spray

you have the life

welcome to this wonderful community,

gp

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