Author Interview Thursday: Welcome Karen Anne Stewart

Welcome to Author Interview Thursday, hosted by the Never Too Old for YA & NA Books group on Goodreads.

Saving Rain

Healing Rain

After the Rain

Buy links:
Saving Rain: http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Rain-Fir...
Healing Rain: http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Rain-Se...
After the Rain: http://www.amazon.com/After-Rain-Fina...

Let's hear what Karen has to say!

Welcome Karen!

1.      When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 

I have always enjoyed creating stories, but it wasn’t until college that I developed a love for writing.  I decided then that I wanted to write a novel.  It was several years later that I took that first step and began Saving Rain.

2.    How long does it take you to write a book? 

Saving Rain is my first novel.  It is the first in The Rain Trilogy.  Once I began Saving Rain, it only took me a few months to finish it, I just couldn’t stop writing!  I became addicted to the story very quickly. Saving Rain was an intended single novel, but I ended up making it a trilogy.  I fell in love with the characters.

3.    What do you think makes a great story?

I love so many different genres, so that’s a difficult question for me.  My favorite genre is new adult romance.  I love a story that gives the characters depth.  I need more than just mushy romance, I want to experience a myriad of emotions when I read a novel.  There are so many great authors out there that really deliver excellent stories, and I appreciate that when I read.

4.    What is your work schedule like when you're writing? 

Crazy!  I’m a wife, mother, and I work full time, so my schedule is hectic, like most people’s lives are. Mostly, I write in the evenings, but I am never without my netbook.  I use many of my lunch breaks to write as well. 

5.     How do you balance family and writing?

That’s a work in progress for me.  I love spending time with my family, so I write usually around 8:00 and late into the night.    

6.    Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? 

Everyday life.  I have some experience working with abuse survivors.  I admire their courage.  Seeing human trafficking on the news made me want to write Saving Rain.  Although Saving Rain is fiction, there is too much real abuse going on out there, it’s devastating.  My hope is that Saving Rain will bring some additional awareness to human trafficking and other forms of abuse.  I am very excited that the Human Trafficking Hotline information will be included in the back of the second and third novel in The Rain Trilogy.  The hotline information is already on my website, with their permission, at www.karen-annestewart.com.

7.     What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? 

I had no idea how addicted I would become to writing.  I am in LOVE with writing, possibly even a bit obsessed ;).

8.    How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? 

I have completed the first two novels in The Rain Trilogy and am almost half of the way through the final novel in the trilogy.  I would have to say Saving Rain is my favorite so far, I guess because it’s my first, and I loved developing the beginning of the relationship between Kas and Raina.  I really like where the second novel takes that relationship though. 

9.    Are your characters based on anyone you know?

They are fictional.

10. Do you have a favorite place you love to write?

I love to write on my couch, in my pj’s, curled up in a blanket, listening to music. 

11.  Tell us one thing we wouldn’t know already know about you.

I have been accused of being extremely strong-willed.  I will admit when I’m wrong, so I guess that’s good.

12. What do your family and friends think about your books?

They have been very encouraging.  I have some wonderful friends and family who have my back and don’t mind to listen to me vent when I’m worried or stressed.  I have a few friends in particular who have been there from day one, listening to me throw out ideas about the story line.

13. What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I love to spend time with my family.  I love to read, hike, and travel.  I would love to travel more.

14. Do you have any suggestions to help aspiring writers better themselves and their craft? If so, what are they? 

Yes, don’t second guess yourself and never give up.  Also, don’t take criticism too personally, although, that is hard.  

15.  As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? 

There’s this story my family keeps telling me about when I was three.  Apparently, I said that I wanted to be a giraffe when I grew up.  I was a very short child.  I haven’t grown that much over the years.  I have always wanted to help people, and I earned my social work degree.  I’m not in that field anymore, but it still means a great deal to me.

16. What are your favorite books and which authors inspire you?

My favorite books are new adult contemporary romance.  My favorite author is James Patterson.  My favorite book is Great Expectations.  I love so many genres, from Shakespeare to Fifty Shades of Grey. The way James Patterson has his readers get inside the head of the villain, rationalizing why the villain is doing what he’s doing, amazes me.  It’s also a little creepy how he is so good at doing that.  I’m a huge fan of his.  

17.  For an aspiring writer what do you feel are certain do's and don’ts for writing a successful book?

I’m not sure I’m qualified to answer that question.   Personally, I would say don’t let fears of what people are going to say or think affect your writing.  Go with your gut.  I’m a big believer in going with your gut and your heart.

18. What are you working on now?

I’m working on a few different books.  I’m finishing with The Rain Trilogy, and I have two other books that I am writing.  All are new adult romance.  I can’t seem to get away from it.   I love an alpha male with a sensitive side, that gets me every time.

Thanks so much for being here today, Karen! So great that you stopped by!

Karen-Anne Stewart has always adored reading and has now fallen in love with writing. Her written works are The Rain Trilogy: Saving Rain, Healing Rain, and After the Rain. Her debut novel, Saving Rain: The First Novel in The Rain Trilogy, was a nominee for the Book Junkie’s Choice Awards and is a nominee for the 2013 RONE Awards. 

When Karen-Anne isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, and visiting new places. She fuels her addiction of creating new stories by her only other addiction, caffeine, and listening to a myriad of musical genres. Tucked away near the Blue Ridge Mountains, Karen-Anne lives with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and their cat. She plans on writing new adult romance as long as her fingers maintain dexterity. 

The Rain Trilogy is a powerful story of abuse, human trafficking, and beautiful, redeeming love (intended for readers 18+). 

Karen-Anne loves to connect with readers! 

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