Kerry Kletter

Kerry Kletter holds a degree in literature and is the critically-acclaimed author of the young adult novel The First Time She Drowned. She has an extensive background in theater, having appeared in film, television, and onstage. She lives in Los Angeles and adores her friends, her partner David, dogs, neuroscience, funny people, Montauk, surfing, and French fries. East Coast Girls is her first adult novel.

Twitter: @kkletter 

Instagram: @kkletter

Have you ever experienced Imposter Syndrome?

I’m not sure! I went and looked at the exact definition which is “the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved” and based on that I would say no simply because I don’t really see myself as “successful.” But maybe that in itself is a form of the syndrome-- How we perceive ourselves versus how others perceive us? Do most people really see themselves as successful? I feel like most of us are always looking at the next thing as the defining moment of success so it’s forever unattainable. So maybe Imposter Syndrome is just being human in which case, yes I have!

Is there another profession you would like to try?

I would love to be a therapist. I’m fascinated by psychology and neuroscience. I love listening to people’s stories and trying to figure out what makes them tick, and I think it would be rewarding to help people. I’m not sure how good I’d be because any time I see someone cry, I automatically start crying.

If you could create a museum exhibition, what would be the theme?

All kinds of love across history. I would fill it with photos and stories of how people met, how they overcame difficult obstacles and made great sacrifices in the name of love, how it changed them. It would have stories of rescue, whether physical or emotional, real tear-jerker stuff. It would honor the best of humanity and I would visit all the time and cry because I’m such a huge sap and I love stuff like that.

What do you worry about?

Mostly I worry about losing people I love. I worry about making the wrong decision—not on big stuff but more minor things. For instance, if I’m booking a trip I stress about which flight to pick. I think, “What if I book this flight and it’s the one that goes down.” It’s very neurotic. Beyond that I worry I’m not living fully enough though I have no clue what that means—it’s some amorphous idea, some fear that I’ll have regret when I’m older. I worry about our country right now and I worry about my friends, and lately I worry about the state of publishing and all the independent bookstores struggling to survive.

What brings you great joy?

Connection first and foremost. Hugging my boyfriend, laughing with my friends, making someone sad feel better or celebrating someone’s good news. Beyond that surfing really good waves, writing a sentence I love, a good long run on a cool overcast day, and eating anything with a lot of sugar in it.