After spending 6 years writing 13 manuscripts, I sold two books in one week back in 1991. My first two novels were published in 1992. I've been fortunate to have 2 to 4 books published
each year since. Writing is a profession, a job I attend to every day. It's
never about a muse sitting kindly on my shoulder. It's about outlining,
plotting, connecting with my characters and their emotions on a daily basis.
I began writing
because I had back surgery and was flat on my back for about 4 years. In those
early days, I would write longhand on a legal pad, then lie on the floor with a
keyboard on my lap. I typed from pages clothespinned to a waste paper
can beside me. After attending a month long, in-house rehab, I got back on
my feet but not without pain. Diagnosed with osteoarthritis,
arachniditis, and fibromyalgia, I spent my days writing to raise me to a realm
above the pain. Writing novels has always been a creative and emotional outlet and
keeps me feeling productive when my physical activity is limited.
I've never liked or
adapted to writing books on the computer. When the fibromyalgia began
affecting my eyes about 20 years ago, I started dictating my books into a tape
recorder. I still do. I send the tapes to my typist and she
transcribes them for me. (Soon I'll have to switch to a digital recorder and transcriber, but that's another blog story!) During the editing process, I read hard copy
over and over again until I'm satisfied with it. My husband, my virtual
assistant before virtual assistants were popular, puts my editing changes into
the computer. It's a system I've developed over the years that works for
me.
The truth is that at
this point in my career I thought I'd be cutting back. But I've always
felt I have to grab an opportunity or a contract whenever I can...whenever the
project is one my heart wants to tackle. Because my writing is all about
relationships, families and friends whether I'm writing cozy mysteries or
romance. My heart has to be in it.
This year I will
definitely have four new releases--2 Caprice De Luca Home Staging mysteries for
Kensington and 2 romances for Harlequin Special Edition. In addition I
hope to complete Book 8 in my indie SEARCH FOR LOVE series--THE WEDDING
PROMISE. It's the sequel to HER SISTER.
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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 95th novel will be released in 2016.
Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.
Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below.
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5 comments:
Wonderful post, Karen, and congratulations!
What a interesting story sad you had to get sick but God really blessed you with a talent to share. I love Staged To Death and can't wait to read the rest..
Congratulations!! Thanks for the wonderful stories!
What an amazing writing journey. I hurt just reading how you wrote through your pain. You are a wonderful writer and a beautiful soul.
Amazing what God does through adversity! You have definitely made lemonade from lemons!!
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