Ask the Author: Karen English
Answered Questions (6)
Karen English
It began as a comment our housekeeper made to me when I was about 8 or 9. She pulled me aside one day and said, "You know if you ever went to Africa, they'd kill you. They don't like no light skinned Negroes in Africa." Years later, I knew I wanted to use that comment in a book--and then just flesh out a narrative around it.
Karen English
Ramp up your empathy. Then look around. There are so many stories to write.
Karen English
I'm finishing up a Carver Chronicle book and I've got until September 1 to get it to my editor. I'm also working on a talk I'll be giving at Vroman's Bookstore on Friday. It's the Whole Foods of bookstores. I always over prepare then try to wing it. That usually doesn't work out very well.
Karen English
DO NOT give up. I went through about 90 rejections before I sold anything. I knew I was just going to keep writing and submitting anyway.
Karen English
There's no retirement. You can keep writing as long as your mind holds up. And, it makes you find the world so interesting.
Karen English
This is going to sound crazy, but I haven't had it yet. I always feel the pressure of so many stories and so little time. It's a different kind of pressure--but it's uncomfortable just the same.
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