I'm sincerely honored to host Karen Mueller Bryson, Ph.D. Karen is an award-winning, Amazon best-selling author. Ms. Mueller Bryson can also add to her accomplishments screen play writing, play writing, and founder of ShortOnTime books. Some of you may know Karen as Dakota Madison. Please welcome this amazing writer and advocate.

Gosh, Karen, where to start? I have so many exciting questions. I'll start off by asking about your books under the name Karen Mueller Bryson. You have managed to write such an eclectic realm of titles ranging from a book focusing on the survivors of loved ones who have committed suicide to the story of an incredible roller derby queen. How do you choose topics in which to write about?

Sometimes I feel like I don’t choose topics, they seem to choose me! For example, I didn’t actively pursue writing a biography of Roller Derby Queen Cindy McCoy. I was actually asked by a screenwriting associate of mine if I would consider working on the project after he wrote the screenplay of her life story. At other times, things will come to me in dreams. For example, the idea for my kids’ time travel story, The Incredibly Awesome Adventures of Puggie Liddell, came to me in a series of dreams.

When writing screenplays, stage plays, romance, and non-fiction do you find yourself using different writing processes for each genre?

The process is usually similar. I tend to do more outlining for non-fiction books. I use very brief outlines for fiction books but I tend to become more emotionally involved in the stories and with the characters when I write fiction.

I noticed you have published several series books as Dakota Madison. The Fire and Ice, Match Play, and The Amulet of Mysteries series are all very popular. Do you prefer to write series books rather than "stand alones"?

I actually prefer to write stand-alone books. The Matchplay series only became a series because readers asked me to continue writing books for the characters. I have so many ideas for new books and I’m in middle age, so I don’t feel like I have enough time to write everything I want to write in the years I probably have left.

If you could pick a favorite heroine and hero who would those characters be and why.

My favorite couple, by far, is Kian Kavanagh and Taylor Thompson, from the Fire on Ice series. I think the reason I like them so much is that they are probably the closest in personality to me and my husband. The only reason I had the courage to write about a professional hockey player is because my husband is from Canada and he knows a lot about hockey.

Tell me about the twelve books in twelve months undertaking. It sounds very exciting!

After completing National Novel Writing Month in 2012, I had so much fun writing my first romance novel, I didn’t want to stop. So I decided to write a novel every month for a year. I completed novel twelve in October. The challenge was certainly one of the most difficult things I had undertaken but I have a lot to show for it!

You are a seasoned and professional author. New writers are always hungry for publishing and crafting wisdom. What advice would you give to an up and coming writer?

I would suggest writing every day. I get up every day between 4:30am and 5:00am and write for a few hours until I have to get ready for work. I don’t ever skip a day. I even write when  I’m on vacation and I write on Christmas morning.

I would also suggest reading every day. It’s important to immerse yourself in the genre in which you’re writing. It’s also important to understand what’s selling in your genre and why certain books sell better than others.

Please share with us your most difficult scene to write in your new release, After Alex Died.

The book is about a college student who is coming to terms with her brother’s suicide. She falls in love with one of the boys who bullied her brother. As a survivor of suicide myself, the book was cathartic to write. I feel that the book is more than just a romance novel. It’s a story about what it means to truly forgive another person.

What new projects are you currently working on?

I’m working on two new romance novels. Once deals with a woman who leaves her abusive husband and finds love again. The other is about kids who “age out” of the foster care system when they turn 18 and basically become homeless.

Now it's time for the rapid fire questions. These are a fun and quick way to get to know an author. Here goes...

Beach or Swimming pool?

I love the beach but I don’t swim in the ocean.

Rain or Sunshine?

I live in Arizona. It’s always sunny!

New Orleans or New York?

I like them both.

Lasagna or Enchiladas?

Depends who is making it! Probably lasagna.

Morning or Evening Writing?

I’m a morning person.

Thank you so much for being here today. It has been so wonderful talking with such an accomplished writer.

EXCERPT

Dee Dee DeMarco's brother, Alex, was funny, free-spirited and creative. He was also gay. Tormented by bullies, Alex killed himself on his 15th birthday.

Two years later, and now in college, Dee Dee believes getting a summer job working with a college-prep program for disadvantaged high school students is a stroke of luck, until she discovers that the guy assigned to co-lead her group is Cameron Connelly, a star basketball player and one of the bullies who tormented her brother to death. How can Dee Dee possibly spend the entire summer working so closely with one of the boys she blames for her brother's death?

AUTHOR BIO

Dakota Madison has been writing since she learned to read and fell in love with books. When she's not at her computer creating spicy new romances, Dakota is traveling to exotic locales or spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds.

Connect with Dakota Madison on her Facebook fan page:
https://www.facebook.com/DakotaMadiso...

Or connect with her on her blog: 12novels12months.tumblr.com/

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