Part Three: A FEW PERSONAL QUESTIONS!
M: When you are reading for pleasure, what is the one thing that will make you put down the book and quit reading?
Karen: I read a lot and in nearly every genre. There isn’t a day in my life when I haven’t read something. I read a novel every day or two. Do I actually enjoy all the books I read? No. And, the older I get, the more like an editor I become: I give most books two or three pages to wow me. If they don’t, I skim the rest of the book and consider that I’ve put forth valiant effort. I would say seventy-five percent of everything I read isn’t really something I enjoyed. Too many characters, plots and subplots, heck, too many pages (if you can’t tell a wonderful, full story in 75,000 words, believe me, you’re not helping yourself by extending it another 25,000 words or more! and, yes, my own writing does reflect that these days), and I’m generally long gone, on to the next, what-I-hope-will-be adventure.
I’m a sucker for true horror: evil lurking in the black woods (as in, my own Woodcutter’s Grim Series {does that make me conceited?}, but Stephen King has written some amazing stories like this in the past) or menacing castles (Dracula); dinosaurs taking over an amusement park (Jurassic Park); creatures slithering out of shadowy places (Alien); unique terrors (The Ruins). Unfortunately, I can’t find a lot of great horror to read these days. Few are writing anything that’s true, true horror. I do love werewolves and vampires, but
I’m very selective about what interests me in the paranormal genre. Only the unbeatable, original vampire novel, the Underworld Series (movies), and my own writing are things I can consistently immerse myself in. When horror crosses the line into thriller and psychological suspense (which are genres that are both so {maybe too} realistic, considering the times we live in), to me you’ve lost that element of horror that comes from an evil that doesn’t really exist in our world. That’s what makes it horrifying—the fact that it doesn’t exist in real life. The evil has to be unnatural, not man-made, or it simply doesn’t grab me, make me read it word for word, and hold me enthralled, unable to put it down, until I’ve read every last page. M: That is interesting as horror seems so far from the romances you write! When I read Shadows in the Heart I was impressed that each story had a message and some even had happy endings!
What is the most unique thing about you?
Karen: Should I be answering this? I’ve already crossed the line into conceit in the last question, lol. But, honestly, if an author doesn’t enjoy what she writes, then why does she bother writing? I write to entertain myself first and foremost. I am thrilled that readers enjoy what I have to offer, too, though.
To answer your question, I suppose as a writer I’m unique because I pretty much write in most all genres. My reviews and awards would testify to the fact that I write well in all of them, too. I love that I’m never writing the same thing. If you read my work, you’ll always get something new and different. How many authors can claim to write for every taste? Admittedly many more than in the past, but authors these days still generally stick to a single genre that readers expect with each new release. I can’t and won’t be pigeonholed by myself or by my publishers (not that any have ever tried). To me, that’s the greatest part of being a writer. For a breakdown of all my books based on genre, visit my website.
Maybe it also makes me unique that I can consistently write well and write fast (see my Works in Progress page for a glimpse of my annual accomplishments), but the secrets of my success are all spelled out step by step in my writing reference titles. I really do follow my own methods. Honestly, when you find out how I do it, it really doesn’t seem that amazing beyond my talent for self-discipline and organization. Read my article “The Secrets of Productivity (can be learned)” to find out just how easy it can be.
M: Obviously, with all of your works and awards, you do work hard and have found a method that is successful!
Where do you see electronic publishing in regards to regular print houses in the next ten years?
Karen: First, I want to say that I’ve been huge proponent of books in all formats for many years. In the next ten years—in the next five!—I believe electronic publishers and regular print houses will be competing side-by-side on equal footing. I think Star Trek has it right. In the future, most of us will be reading everything from a “padd.” (This will in part be due to the cost of printing, storage and “going green”, but also, sad but true, because so much in this day and age is throwaway, even books. How much easier to read something once and delete it than with e-books?) But in the future there will also be old-timers like me who love and revere the joy of holding, reading and collecting printed, bound books that are worthy to be put on a shelf for another re-read in the future.
One of my publishers sent me this link that tells us about the new iPad, which sold 300,000 devices and over 250,000 downloaded books on the first day it was released. Check it out. We’re living in interesting times.
M: That is an interesting article. Thanks for sharing the link. I definitely love my Kindle!
Did you have any input in getting the covers for your books?
White Rainbow - Coming Soon
Karen: Actually, for the last couple years, I’ve been designing my own covers almost exclusively for all my books. In truth, I wanted a bit more control, first, because sometimes I would be waiting endlessly to get a cover from a publisher—I needed it for an ad or something else. This way, I never have to wait. Also, I wanted more control because a lot of publishers have been using those strange “Pixar” cover art design programs that I dislike intensely. Also, I’ve always loved playing around with designs, space, colors, etc. so it was pretty natural for me to move in this direction. I love it. I’m getting better at it, too, I think. I also create all the cover designs for Jewels of the Quill anthologies and for some of my author friends. To see all my cover designs, visit http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/KarensCoverDesigns.html M: You are definitely multi-talented. I liked all the new covers for the Wounded Warrior series and I didn't know until this interview that you had created them!
Tell us a little about your next book or WIP please!
Karen: My upcoming 2010-2011 releases include:
-White Rainbow, Book 6 of the Wounded Warriors Series {inspirational romance} (electronic release May 14, 2010 from Uncial Press; trade paperback currently available)
-Retired and on the Rocks, Book 1 of the Denim Blues Mysteries Trilogy {inspirational romantic mystery} (June 2010 release)
-“Paper Tigers”, Book 5 in my Kaleidoscope Series in Halloween Treasures, A Jewels of the Quill Halloween Anthology {romantic suspense} (September 2010 release)
-Mind Games, Book 11 of the Incognito Series {romantic suspense} (October 2010 release)
-Kaleidoscope Series collection {contemporary romance} (December 2010 release)
-Love Is Blind...and It Don’t Pay the Bills Either, Book 2 of the Denim Blues Mysteries Trilogy {inspirational romantic mystery} (January 2011)
-Dark Approach, Book 12 of the Incognito Series {romantic suspense} (March 2011 release)
-“Moonlight Becomes You”, Book 4 of the Woodcutter’s Grim Series in Tales from the Treasure Trove, Volume VII, A Jewels of the Quill Anthology {romantic paranormal horror} (March 2011 release)
-Souls on (B)Oring Street, Book 3 of the Denim Blues Mysteries Trilogy {inspirational romantic mystery} (June 2011)
-“Wings of Love”, Book 1 of the Cowboy Fever Series in Christmas Gems, A Jewels of the Quill Christmas Anthology {contemporary romance} (September 2011)
Again, these will be submitted to critique partners as I finish them. When I get the critiques back, in between the following other work I’ll be doing, I’ll polish and submit them:
September: Writing Shards of Ashley, Book 5 of the Family Heirlooms Series {inspirational romance}
Early October: Revising Souls on (B)Oring Street
Late October: Researching and outlining “Losses and Gains”, Book 2 of the Cowboy Fever Series, which will be in Heart Gems, A Jewels of the Quill Valentine’s Day Anthology {contemporary romance} (February 2012 release)
Late October: Researching and outlining “For Always”, Book 3 of the Cowboy Fever Series, which will be in Tales from the Treasure Trove, Volume VIII, A Jewels of the Quill Anthology {contemporary romance} (September 2012 release)
November: Revising Shards of Ashley
Early December: Polishing Souls on (B)Oring Street
Late December: Researching/outlining Worlds Collide, Book 6 of the Family Heirlooms Series {inspirational romance}
Wow! That is a lot of writing and a lot of work! For more information about Karen and her work visit her websites at:
http://www.karenwiesner.com, http://www.firstdraftin30days.com, http://www.falconsbend.com and http://www.JewelsoftheQuill.com
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