Monday, February 1, 2016

Karen Rose Smith's Path to Her 95th Novel in 2016



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. 

2016 will be an exciting release year.  I hope you will enjoy all my books, visit me on my Facebook pages and Twitter feed, sign up for my newsletter and chat with me.  



*******************









*****************




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. 


*****************





******************








5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post, Karen, and congratulations!

Unknown said...

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..

gpangel said...

Congratulations!! Thanks for the wonderful stories!

Unknown said...

What an amazing writing journey. I hurt just reading how you wrote through your pain. You are a wonderful writer and a beautiful soul.

Mama Cat said...

Amazing what God does through adversity! You have definitely made lemonade from lemons!!