Pay It Forward
INTERVIEW WITH CATHERINE RYAN HYDE
I was very privileged to have an exclusive interview with Catherine Ryan Hyde,famous author of several books including “Pay It Forward”
Good Morning Catherine, It’s so nice to finally be able to talk to you one on one.
Thank you so much for letting me have some of your precious time.
Marie: Catherine, you are known all over the world now, what is the impact in your daily live?
Catherine : In some ways, I strive to keep my life much the same as it was
before all this happened. I live in the same house and enjoy the company of
the same friends.
For almost three years I traveled extensively to promote
and support the idea. I’ve had to cut down now, because I need to turn my
attention to future books.
The biggest difference in my day right now is
that I correspond with people from all over the world. I have “penpals” in
places I’ve never been and will probably never get to see. And the stories
they tell me are heartening.
Marie: Our readers love to hear positive stories.And your book “Pay It Forward” has excited so many people,what is your message to them concerning doing good for others without asking anything in return?
Catherine: One is to think in terms of small-to-medium world change.
Sometimes people set out to change the world in such huge ways that they
become discouraged, and go back to doing nothing at all.
I like to tell people that if you add three acts of kindness to the world today, you will
have changed the world by three acts of kindness, no matter whether your
recipients Pay It Forward or not.
It’s also a good idea to let go of the
results of your actions. Don’t worry too much about whether someone will
Pay It Forward or not. You did your part, and that’s enough for now.
Marie: The “Pay It Forward” Movement and the “Pay It Forward”Foundation wer started by you a few years ago, what is the biggest thrill that has come from those two sites?
Catherine: Probably the fact that more people visit the sites all the time.
Initially I assumed that the publicity from the book and the movie was
driving people’s interest.
I thought it would die down over time. But it
seems to be even stronger now, which suggests to me that it has planted
roots and is driving itself. That’s very exciting.
Marie: In the area where you live have you seen improvement due to your book or the movie?
Catherine: It’s such an international movement. I’m not sure I see it
happening any more where I live.
But we did have a wonderful incident after 911. A couple was stranded here in my little tourist town, and a shop owner loaned them her car to drive home to Texas. I think they were surprised to hear that the woman who wrote Pay It Forward lived in that little town. But things like that happen all over, so I can’t really take credit.
Marie: Has your confidence in humanity grown since the publishing of Pay It Forward and the movie that followed?
Catherine: I always had confidence in humanity. I think now I have a
better opinion of grown ups. When I first wrote the book, I made Trevor 12
because I thought only a kid could pull this off. But grownups have come
through and proved me wrong in a delightful way.
Marie: This morning I was waiting at the hospital oncology department and saw so many people volunteering with cancer patients that it did make me feel better. It did improve my perception of people.
There are a lot more good people on this earth than bad ones. The problem is that good people don’t sell papers that well, that’s why I started a new website where the world can read about good deeds that people do and send their stories too. In a way, I guess I was inspired by your own “Pay It Forward Movement” website.
Marie: Can people other than students apply for your reward at “Pay It Forward” foundation? For example, there are a lot of “Over 50″ who would love to participate in the movement.They are the ones who have more time on their hands and if encouraged a little could do marvelous things.
Catherine: The Pay It Forward Movement site was created to gather the
stories from adults and other non-students, and to reward their efforts with
recognition. We don’t give grants to individuals, however. The way the
Foundation is established, all of our grants must be to schools. But we
encourage far more projects than we fund. And, indeed, many great projects
require no money at all.
Marie: How can our readers find your sites?
Catherine: You know, I really never plan the movement. I never have. The
movement itself I something I lit a match to, but now it goes on quite by
itself. I observe, I support, but I never really know where it will go
next. I find that exciting.
And people can always see what’s new by
visiting us at
www.payitforwardfoundation.org and
www.payitforwardmovement.org .
We try to update the sites fairly regularly.
Marie: Are you working on a new book related to the pay it forward concept?
Catherine: I’m working on several novels for young adults (more a high school age
audience) but none are related to the Pay It Forward concept. That’s a book
you write only once, I believe. I love what it started, but as a writer
it’s time for me to move on to other things.
Marie: Catherine, it was a pleasure to talk to you today.Thank you so much
and I wish you the best with your “Pay It Forward” Foundation.