Karen, we first met through Guardian Angel Publishing as follow authors. I understand you have several books published with HBE Publishing and you have three books under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing. Congratulations! Well done my friend. Now on to our interview…
DMc: Do you hold a day job while continuing to follow your writing muse? If yes, what is your career beyond authorship? If not, how do you keep your day structured so you are productive?
Karen: I left my job as a Title 1 Instructional Aide and Literacy Tutor almost 10 years ago to learn the craft of writing for children. Some days the only work I get done is in my head and other days I might do a lot of writing, but I try to stay connected with my characters and storylines in some way every day.
DMc: As noted above, please share the titles, genre, publisher and synopsis of each of your published books.
Karen: PEN THE TALE, OOGIE: picture book, published by: HBE Publishing - When a storytelling bear named Oogie must prepare for hibernation, Mr. Fox talks him into writing his stories down. Oogie suffers all the angst writers do including the dreaded rejection. GRRR!! Will Oogie give up or find a way to leave the gift of story?
DROTS THE DRAGOBOTOSAURUS: picture book, published by: HBE Publishing - Gavin McCracken knows to win the robotics competition and beat the shining star, Sophie Tucker, he’s going to have to design and build something spectacular. He puts his favorite things together and builds a Dragobotosaurus, but when there’s a glitch in the coding, everyone is left yelling, “Gaaviin!”
Hopefully, I’ll have a new title coming out in 2021 with Guardian Angel Publishing.
DMc: What is your process in creating your characters? Do you create a profile outline or other technique?
Karen: Sometimes I come up with a title or the name of a character first, as in Drots the Dragobotosaurus, and then I have to figure out who they are and what they want. Sometimes an idea for a story comes to me and I develop a character around the events. I usually spend a lot of time thinking about my characters and getting to know them before I write anything down on paper (other than a few notes.) Then I will usually write a rough draft on a legal pad before I go to the computer.
DMc: What is your process in creating your storylines? Do you create an outline, free write or other technique?
I live and play with my characters and storyline in my head for a long time. I like to have a basic idea where the story is going, before I write anything down. Sometimes I do create an outline, but usually I don’t. Once I have a rough draft, I do a lot of revising and editing before I take it to my critique group.
DMc: Do you attend writer’s workshops and conferences? If yes, what do you feel is the most important aspect of attending?
Karen: I joined SCBWI in 2012 and started attending regional conferences, workshops, webinars, and I’ve also been to the international conference in LA several times. I’m always learning something new. I feel it’s important for me to attend these events to connect, grow, and expand my knowledge in this everchanging business.
DMc: Please share with our readers your current work-in-progress, your marketing strategy and how to reach you.
Karen: I’m working on a couple of new picture books. One is about a dragon and one is about a goose. I’m always looking for opportunities to market and share my work. I do a lot of arts and craft fairs, boutiques, holiday events, school visits, library talks, book fairs, author events and I’m always trying to expand my social media presence.
You can find out more about my books by visiting my website: www.kcmonkeybug.com
Karen, it’s been an honor to interview and profile you at Write What Inspires You! Wishing you all the very best personally and professionally. I look forward to reading your books at my Facebook Live Story Time on Saturday’s at 9 am EST.
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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!
Angel's Forever Home ~ March 2019 ~ Mascot Books ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older
Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved
A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist
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