Today on Wednesdays with….I’d like to introduce author Karen King. I am in awe of Karen’s talents. Not only has she written a YA novel, her newest release she’s discussing here, but she’s written books for children as well as romance novels for adults. Karen calls Worcester, England home and is a mom to four daughters and ten grandchildren. How does she do it all? She’s talking to us today about her newest release, Witch Angel, and her writing process. Welcome Karen!
Aluna’s father is the Master Wizard of the Katalan. On her thirteenth birthday she is initiated into the coven and swears allegiance to her clan. Then she has a vision about the mother she has never known and a gold sceptre with an eagle’s head handle.
She discovers that the mysterious new girl, Raffie, who appeared out of nowhere is looking for the same sceptre. Aluna hopes the sceptre will lead her to her mother so swears an oath of friendship with Raffie, pledging to find it together only to discover that Raffie is Angleyt. They are sworn enemies.
Aluna’s father is looking for the sceptre too, as are the evil Bygnorim. Will Aluna really betray her father? What dreadful secret is he hiding about her mother? Aluna and Raffie face terrible danger in their quest. Are their combined powers strong enough or will Darke Magyck win?
CL: Tell us a little bit about your writing process.
KK: It depends whether I’m writing to a commission or not. If I’m commissioned I have to plot as I have to send a synopsis and the first couple of chapters to my editor. If I’m not writing to a commission I work out the basic outline of my story then write ‘by the seat of my pants.’
CL: What was the most difficult part of writing Witch Angel?
KK: Deciding whether to make it into a trilogy or not. In the end I went for a stand-alone book, but I feel that there’s more of the story to be told.
CL: Tell us a little bit about your journey to becoming a published author.
KK: I started off writing for Jackie magazine then moved onto children’s comics such as Barbie, Sindy, My Little Pony and Winnie the Pooh before writing children’s books. I became a full time writer in 1986 and have been earning my living as a writer (and writing tutor) ever since.
CL: What advice would you offer aspiring writers on the writing business?
KK: Research your market, keep honing your work, and never give up.
CL: Any special tips for writers who are juggling writing with raising a family, working a day job or just life in general?
KK: 1) Prioritise – Ironing can wait, feeding the kids can’t.
