Tina Neidlein

Writer for humor cards

Where are you originally from?
Loudonville, Ohio but I’ve been a KC girl since age 15.

Where did you go to school?
The University of Kansas

What do you do at Hallmark?
I write the funny cards.

What inspires you?
Pop culture and people…I eavesdrop/stare at everyone. Not to be rude, just curious what’s going on with people who aren’t me.

The three words that best describe you:
Chatty, clumsy, smartassy.

How do you envision the recipient when you write?
I try to focus in on someone in my life and imagine what kind of message would work for them. Then I switch to someone else. Putting it in real terms takes a lot of the guesswork out. Just yesterday, I was charged with writing some humor cards for people going through relationship issues, and I immediately thought of two people I know going through a divorce, and just tried writing something that might work for them.

My creativity is due to:
Not being afraid to try.

What is your vice?
Gossip magazines.

What makes you laugh?
My hilarious co-workers, my engineer husband (who doesn’t get to joke all day like I do, so he turns it on at night), the Daily Show, 30 Rock, the old “Airplane” movies, and that damn Keyboard Cat on YouTube. (Look it up. Right now.)

What makes you cry?
Just about everything, I am a complete sap. Commercials, movies, TV shows…you name it. I almost cannot attend my son’s kindergarten programs anymore, I sob so much.

What is your greatest talent?
I am unbelievably great at being able to tell if a picture isn’t hanging straight.

Which living person would you most like to meet?
Um, this is where it gets embarrassing. Probably Justin Timberlake. But I’ll say Michelle Obama. But I’m still thinking Justin.

Who would you want to play you in the movie about your life?
Since I get told I look like Hillary Swank about once a week, I’ll go with her.

Why do you do what you do?
I love humor, and I love communicating, and to help other people communicate through humor is an absolute dream job for me.