Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Exclusive Interview with
Karen J Hicks
When did you start writing?
As a child on a Wisconsin dairy farm, I'd make up stories when I mowed our large yard to keep from being bored. In high school English we wrote novellas. After reading mine, the teacher encouraged me to pursue a writing career.
What makes writing your passion?
An idea will float into head, and I can't ignore it. I'll work it around in my brain for awhile. Sometimes I try to forget it--which never works. lol Eventually I can do nothing but transcribe it onto the page.
How long have you been writing?
As a single mother, I had to work day gigs, so I used my talents on job manuals, newsletters, etc. Working as manuscript assistant for author Steve Allen whetted my appetite more. I took some time off and moved to a cabin in the North Georgia mountains where I finished my first published book and worked on my second. Once I retired, writing took over full-time.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Thrilled, of course, but also a sense of achievement for reaching a long-standing goal.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
I don't create characters. It's more like they come to me when I play "what if" with a plot idea. When naming them, I like to use either first or last names of friends just for fun and to honor them.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
Unless you are a celebrity or have other inside avenues, major publishers aren't interested in talking to you. Even agents are hard to get. And they syphon off too much of the money. Self-publishing avoids all that, but then you have the distribution problem.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
I accept it as part of the process and let it ride. I'll take walks, work on puzzles, etc. until suddenly things gel in my mind and spew onto the page. A lot of advancement is made through dreams or just subconsciously while I sleep.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
Support from friends and family is paramount. And if you want to write, then write! Don't worry about the after. Write for your soul. You book will find the audience it is meant to, even if that's small. Take pleasure in seeing your ideas on paper.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
You're doing great, kid. Keep doing what you're doing and believe in yourself. All the detours that will come in your life will bring excitement and help you become the person you are meant to be.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Yes. I think about what is said and use it to improve my next book.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Happy that someone has enjoyed what I've written, and/or it's helped them in some way.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Our past always informs our writing. But, specifically, in the 3 books of my DREAM SERIES, Brynn and Canaan follow my own travels from Tennessee to California. My self-help books come from my experiences. And I've written real life things about others--THE COMING WOMAN is about Victoria C. Woodhull, the first woman to run for U.S. President (1872). A few of my short stories also came from my life. OSCAR PERFORMANCE is one. And COLORS OF LOVE is another. WHERE'S GEORGE? is a true story I worked with the old TV show UNSOLVED MYSTERIES to bring to the screen.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
Possibly Suzi in Colors of Love. But loosely. I also like to think that I'm ballsy and practical like Anne Collier in my latest: FETAL ATTRACTION.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Absolutely the book cover is important. If it doesn't grab someone's attention and make them pick up the book to see what it's about, you won't get a sale.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
Even with friends, I'm more of a written communicator, but I love to hear from fans. You can leave a note on my website: www.karenjhicks.com. I'll always respond.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Content that I have done what I was supposed to do with my life.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Hard to say. I have several. I love J. D. Robb and Michael Connelly. I pick an author and then try to read all their books in order of publication if I can. Jodi Picoult is another favorite and Janet Evanovich. Harlan Coben, Karin Slaughter, Stuart Woods. Lee Child's Reacher books. Like I said, I have several!
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
Of course I'd like a best seller, but I'll be happy if every person who reads one of my books finishes it feeling that it was time well spent. I think FETAL ATTRACTION would make a fabulous movie!
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
Yes. All my earlier books! I think I'm a much better writer now. For example, I'd like to flesh out the story of A DATE WITH MURDER more.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
I like being me and where I am in life.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
Trolls are not worth my energy. You cannot argue or convince them so they are best ignored and thought of as the sad people they are.
What would you say to your readers?
I hope you check out all my books and enjoy them. I'd love to hear from you on my website as to which is your favorite and why.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I am retired and live in Henderson, Nevada. My adult son is not far from me in Las Vegas, where he is a revenue manager for Caesars Palace. My granddaughter Sophie is grown and works as a tax consultant in Los Angeles. She and I have a special bond from her teenage summers road-tripping with me.
What is your day job if you have one?
Thank goodness I no longer need one. But I've worked at everything from graveyard waitress at Denny's to owning my own secretarial/bookkeeping company--and everything in between. I was fortunate to work for The American Film Institute, Dove Audio, The Oak Ridge Boys, Richard Pryor, and as I mentioned, Steve Allen. I also made money writing screenplays for various producers.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I love to read. I watch TV. Work on jigsaw puzzles. I do online crosswords and other word puzzles to keep my brain healthy. Walk in nature. Spend time with family and friends.
Did you have a happy childhood?
I lost my mother when I was four years old, and my father remarried a couple of years later, so that was hard. But overall my childhood was wonderful. I love animals and nature so growing up on a farm was paradise.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
I'd say the encouragement of Mrs. Carlson, my high school English teacher. Even after I graduated, we corresponded and met for lunch when I was in town and she kept prodding me to pursue writing. Then working with Steve Allen's publishers made me decide this was my retirement plan.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I have a few screenplays that are unproduced that I might turn into books, like I did with FETAL ATTRACTION. Right now I'm waiting on my next inspiration.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
Don't take away the arts! And I also believe we need life courses in high school. Teach things like budgeting, marriage and parenting, auto maintenance, investing, etc. Things that can help them as adults.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
I wish that myself and my friends and family are healthy and happy.
I wish FETAL ATTRACTION would be made into a movie.
I wish my books will find their audiences and live on after I am gone.
What is your favorite music?
Blues all the way. Like old time blues. Etta James, B.B. King, Ma Rainey, T-Bone Walker.
Share a secret with us 🙂
I'm addicted to Candy Crush. (sigh)