It is such a privilege to have Young Adult Author Karen Gammons as my guest today. Karen is the author of Prince Andy and the Misfits:Shadow Man and lives in Northeast Texas with her husband Troy and their three children: Caleb, Randi, and Haylee.
Welcome Karen!
Karen: Thank you for having me. I'm really excited about this, since it's my first interview.
Wonderful! It's always a thrill to showcase new authors! First of all, how did you get started writing, and what inspired you to write Young Adult as opposed to other genres?
Karen: Well, I actually started out by writing an adult mystery. I used to read a lot of Mary Higgins Clark and Murder, She Wrote. When Caleb was just a baby, he would sleep for three to four hours every afternoon. I don't really watch T.V. and I had a lot of time on my hands. Troy bought a computer to do his work on when he was home at night. He told me that I could use it whenever I wanted. I thought to myself, that if Mary Higgins Clark could write books, so could I. In a little over two months I wrote a murder mystery. Troy was impressed, and he found a literary agent for me. She read it and loved it. But, it needed a lot of work. At the time, I was pregnant with Randi, and so I put it on the shelf, and it is still sitting there. When the kids were older, I read them a lot of children's books, and my interests started changing. I started writing Prince Andy and the Misfits: Shadow Man in 2001, and I finished in 2007. Which one of your characters is your favorite? I've met your husband, so I know he's a fan and reads your work. Do your children read your stories, too?
Karen: I have several characters that I just love. Andy would be my first. He started out as my nephew, Andrew. But over time, Prince Andy has taken on Caleb's personality. Shimmer would be my next favorite character. She has always been modeled after my daughter, Randi. Randi is cute and very feminine, but she can stick up for herself. Both Randi and Haylee have read the book and loved it. I read it to all three of them right after I finished writing it, so Caleb has, at least, heard it.
Who are your favorite authors, and what favorite books did you read growing up?
Karen: There are so many, but here are a few: J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, Robert C. Obrien were some of my favorite authors. The Lord of the Rings, Hobbit, The Wind in the Door, Mrs. Frisby, and the Rats of NIMPH.
Have you always lived in Northeast Texas, and why do you love it there?
Karen: I was born in Montana, and we lived there until I was 6 mos. old. Then, we moved to Denver, CO. We lived there until I was 13 yrs. old. Then, my parents moved us to New Boston, Texas. I love Northeast Texas. The tall pine trees, lush green fields, and the weather. In Colorado, it was cold a lot longer than it is here. I like the fact that we only have a few months of cold, and then it gets warm again.
What is your favorite time to write? Do you need quiet or music to write?
Karen: My brain starts kicking in around 12:30 in the afternoon. I have to have at least two glasses of tea sweetened with stevia before I can think. I do my best writing while I'm driving down the road. Scary, I know! (Don't worry, it's only daydreaming. Both hands are on the wheel!) Things just seem to come to me best, when I'm driving. I need quiet to write. My children know that when mom is writing, they have to find quiet things to do.
Give us a little news on where you will be appearing next.
Karen: I have a book signing at the Spring Festival in New Boston, Texas on May 14th. I would love to have everyone come and see me. I just love talking, especially if you are an author or trying to become an author, and you have questions to ask. I don't mind sharing what I know.
Do you have another book in the works?
Karen: My next book, Prince Andy and the Misfits: Epidemic in the Dark Lands is finished. I just have a little bit more to do, and then I'm sending it off to the publisher.
Thank you so much for interviewing me Patty. You can visit my websites listed below, just click on the link. Also check out my book trailer. Caleb, Randi, and Haylee made it for me, and I think they did an awesome job!
I highly recommend this new author. Karen is a sweet and talented lady. The young adult genre is not always easy to nail and Karen does it skillfully!
Thank you Karen, we will look for much more from you!!
Patty Wiseman, Romance Author
2 comments:
Nice interview. I learn a little more each time I read one, especially one with new authors. Congratulations to Karen.
I loved your interview, Karen. I have such a visual of you driving and daydreaming! The cover to Prince Andy and the Misfits is awesome. Big congrats and happy writing. Great job, Patty!
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