“The adoptive mother of my daughter had
read my name upside down on the adoption
papers and had always remembered it,” says
Hana. When the daughter was 23 years old,
the adoptive mother decided to try to find
information about her biological mother on
the internet. Because Hana had just penned
the first of her Chicken Soup stories, the
Post-Gazette had featured an article about
over 20 years and had two children with her.
You don’t just stop loving someone after
that.”
Her patience and understanding nature
was rewarded since it led to a proposal and a
marriage that’s lasted more than two decades.
Perhaps even more amazing is that Hana
eventually became good friends with Bill’s
first wife. She explains, “I think jealousy is
more about insecurity than it is about love.”
Besides writing stories for Chicken Soup
for the Soul, Hana has written poetry,
biographies, novels and over 30 children’s
books. She has also released Vinegar Fridays,
a book which is available on Amazon.com.
It gives lots of helpful tips for the many uses
of vinegar as it applies to health care, greener
cleaning products and even as a beauty aid,
based on her blog GreenGrandma.org.
Besides her prosperous writing career,
Hana also does voice-overs for books,
including children’s titles. It’s not surprising
that she would be a favorite for voice-over
work, with her velvety voice that delineates
a life which has weathered a few storms and
yet came out the better for it.
Perhaps as much as any part of her
work, she enjoys teaching and speaking at
writers conferences. She conducts a regular
workshop that meets at Northland Library
the second Monday evening of every month,
where she coaches writers who are novices as
well as seasoned writers.
The lifelong writer who completed her
first book of poetry at the ripe old age of
six, advises that anyone seeking a career in
writing should get involved with a writers
group, attend as many classes and workshops
as possible and “don’t be afraid to promote
others...there’s room for everyone.”
And perhaps most important of all, she
adds, “Be kind. It takes you a long way.” ■
For more information on Hana Haatainen‑Caye’s public
appearances, workshops or writing services, visit her
website at WordsInYourMouth.com. Her latest story will
be available May 27, in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Home
Sweet Home.”
Author Hana Haatainen-Caye with her
husband Bill and grandchildren
her in the paper. When the adoptive mother
googled Hana’s unusual name, there were all
the details she needed. This led to a reunion
within 24 hours, since the two were living
only about 10 miles apart from each other!
The story of their reunion became her
fourth published story in Chicken Soup for
the Soul 20th Anniversary Reader’s Choice.
One of Hana’s latest works for the series
can be found in Chicken Soup for the Soul:
The Dating Game. In this book Hana
relates the story of the courtship with her
husband William (Bill) Caye. Her story is
both heart‑warming and inspiring. After
finding herself a young widow at 32 with
two young children, Hana had been told by
well‑meaning friends that she would never
find anyone who cared about her daughters
the way their father had.
“They were wrong,” says Hana, who
persevered, refusing to settle for a
less‑than‑desirable situation for her children.
The story also tells how she was very
accepting of the fact that Bill was still in
love with his first wife from whom he was
divorced. “Why wouldn’t he be in love with
her?” says Hana. “He had lived with her for
Ross Township | Summer 2014 | icmags.com 33