SEATTLE — Her name graces book covers around the world, but bestselling author Kristin Hannah lives a fairly anonymous life on Bainbridge Island.
"I mean, I think that's the great thing about being a writer,” she said. "Most of us walk around unrecognized all the time."
That could change, thanks to her latest release "The Women.”
It's a work of historical fiction about young nurses who served during the Vietnam War, and it spent weeks at number one on the New York Times bestseller list.
"Back when I was a stay-at-home mom, writing during naptime, I could never even have imagined the kind of success that ‘The Women’ has had,” Hannah said. “It's beyond surreal."
That's right - Hannah wrote her first book while parenting a newborn. She was inspired by her own mother who died young from breast cancer, but always encouraged her to write. It was a leap of faith - she left a career as a lawyer to pursue writing fulltime.
In the 35 years since, she's published more than 20 novels - including one that was adapted into a Netflix series and used a local legend for inspiration.
“Firefly Lane” follows two best friends as they grow up in Snohomish and ultimately work in Seattle television - determined to follow in the footsteps of longtime KING 5 anchor Jean Enersen.
Hannah wrote her into the 2008 book after watching her on TV for years, but they didn’t officially meet until this month.
"What would surprise people about you?" Enersen asked.
"People are always most surprised that I'm not like wildly emotional,” Hannah answered.
But "The Women" is packed with emotion. It chronicles the horrors of war and the resentment, shame and PTSD experienced by vets - especially, women - in the years after Vietnam.
"I met up with a woman named Diane Carlson Evans who was a nurse in Vietnam and is the founder of the Women's Vietnam Memorial. And she really was kind of my mentor, my inspiration, my fact-checker through all of this,” Hannah said. "All too often, our stories are forgotten, marginalized, lost. It's about remembering women's contribution in history."
Women of all kinds continue to shape Hannah’s storytelling - including Enersen.
"This was so wonderful, thank you,” Hannah told her.
Enersen replied, “Wonderful to meet you - really, really wonderful, and good luck with your books and your movies!"
Hannah’s stories convey so much to people, and she hopes her personal might also speak to them.
"Whatever you want to be, the point is to start. To begin. To go on the journey,” she said. "You have to be brave. You have to take the risk. And then you have to follow through. And believe in yourself."
KING 5's Evening celebrates the Northwest. Contact us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Email.