Meet your neighbor: Renate Harder

Published 11:48 am Thursday, July 25, 2013

Shoal Creek is home to one of Alabama’s most unique and adventurous writers, Renate Harder. Harder is a native of Germany but now a U.S. Citizen. She has traveled to 36 countries throughout the world. Now living in Ashville, Alabama, Harder has settled into retirement and has written seventeen books culminating her experiences in the United States and abroad.

Harder said that her stories grew from both living and traveling around the world. Some of the locations Harder visits in her books include Mexico, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Bali, China Europe and Turkey.  Harder said that her and her husband enjoy traveling and are always saving so that they can take these trips. “This is our passion,” she said.

Harder was a teacher until retirement. This career launched her over several countries including Germany, Egypt, Guatemala and the U.S. But her career was not the only reason for her travels. “ I have had an interest in other countries’ geography all my life. My main interest is to study their art,” said Harder.

With 36 countries to draw from, Harder began writing her books that are fictionalized but based around facts. According to Harder all of her books contain short stories. She said that each short story has a centralized character who has a crisis and looks toward a solution. Harder said that the country the character lives in is always tied into the story.

Harder also said that she feels with people from other cultures. This, she believes, helps her to write these stories and connect with her characters that are from different cultural backgrounds. Harder said that she has an extreme interest in all international things. “We think and feel like cosmopolitans,” said Harder in reference to her husband and herself. 

Although Harder has had a life that is unlike most, this 76-year-old still enjoys a seemingly normal retirement. In her spare time Harder does crafts, drawings, plays the piano and swims regularly at the Gadsden YMCA. She is also a member of the Alabama Conclave of Writers. Harder visits the writer group at the library of Pell City, as well, for critiques and editing. She has won 37 awards for her writing. 

Harder is always looking for an opportunity to share her experiences. She said her books are created for that purpose and not for the financial gain. Her books are self published and available through direct contact with Harder herself. Books can be ordered through email: harder07@windstream.net or by phone: 1-205-594-3299.