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Interview – Karen S. Bell
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When did you start writing novels, what moved you to start writing?
I started writing my debut novel in the 1990s. It took ten years or so to write with stops and starts and ten years or so to get my first publisher. Writing comes easy and when I started working it got me thinking about how difficult it is for women in the workplace. If a woman starts her career right out of college the family suffers, if she waits until they’re school age her career suffers. A real conundrum.
In what genres do you write? Do you plan writing in other genres?
I see myself as a crossover fiction writer hard to pin into just one genre. My books have romance elements, humor, magical realism, suspense, time travel and paranormal features.
Tell us about your novels. Why should everyone buy them?
First of all, to make me very happy. After that, my work delves into social issues to which we all can relate.
What is your all time favorite novel/book? What makes it special?
Hard question. But my recent favorite is a Gentleman in Moscow. Amor Towles has such a knack for creating a sense of place and engaging characters. Learned some Russian history as well.
Tell us a bit about your writing process.
I sit down at the computer and reread what I wrote recently because I forgot what I wrote then I go shopping online. Expensive avocation/hobby. When I’m in the throes of creativity, I write everywhere because thoughts just pop into my head. Then I refine those thoughts at the computer.
What author would you love to have dinner with?
Stephen King. I was staying at the Mohunk Mountain House for a thanksgiving weekend and when I walked into the elevator, I saw him. I asked stupidly, “Are you Stephen King?” His perfect answer in a sinister tone, “I’m afraid so.” What a great sense of humor.
Tell us about your hobbies and passions other than writing.
I love to travel and I love my kids and they live in disparate places so I l kill two birds, so to speak. I love swimming at my lake or in a pool. Got stung by jellyfish larvae in the ocean and all the shark attacks lately make me cautious.
We have many followers who would like to start writing a book or are already writing their first novel, any advice for these brave people?
Do it for the love of writing and don’t quit your job.
How often do you write, daily, every other day or?
I’m not disciplined about the frequency. Also, when you’re self-published there’s a lot of stuff to do other than writing. Such as completing this interview for a promo. I’m also creating an audible book so I’ve put my lastest book on hold for a while. But I still think about the narrative.
Do you keep a notebook with ideas for your novels? If so do you carry the notebook with you so you won’t forget any ideas?
No. But that’s a good idea.
How important is it to have your facts right and are there any instances when you bend history to fit your story?
I’m very careful about getting my facts right. Thank goodness for Google earth and the internet.
What are you reading at the moment?
Fates and Furies. Because Obama read it.
How is it to be an author in your country? Do you have a good support from the local public?
A self-published author who can’t afford a vanity press print run is persona non grata for book stores.
Certainly you have had some interesting episodes as an author, fans related or others, share one of them with us.
Well, I got to go to an awards ceremony in Miami from Readers’ Favorite to collect my bronze medal. I finally felt legitimate.
A final message for our circleofbooks.com readers.
I am humbled by the readers who have enjoyed my books and tell me so in their reviews. I never get tired of it. The validation that I can reach people in such a positive way is very fulfilling because a writer needs to be read. The blistering reviews I can do without, especially when they seem mean. I’m glad though the good reviews far outweigh the bad. I don’t have thick skin or the purse of a bestseller to ease the pain.
Thank you Karen S. bell. We at circleofbooks.com wish you much success!
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