Interview With an Author: Karen Colley

Have I got a treat for you guys!! (Note: read this whole post! J ) Yesterday, was an good day. I had lunch with my mom and sister, had frozen yogurt with mom and my good friend and then went strawberry pickin’ with my mom. But this post isn’t just about me having a super fun day. There is a bigger point to this post. While enjoying our fro-yo, I interviewed said friend, author Karen Colley. Her debut Christian fiction novel Cord of Three came out about a year ago. Since I started a blog and recently confessed my undying love for all things literary in my last post I thought, I should take advantage of such a great wealth of knowledge.

First, let me tell you about my friend Karen. She was a police officer for 14 years and now works in dispatch. She has two adult daughters and two grandchildren. She has lived in Athens, Georgia her whole life. She has been my friend for a couple years now and has offered me sound, Godly advice on more than on occasion. I’m super proud of her for getting this book out and I had the extreme pleasure of helping her edit it before it came out. (I’m an awful speller but I’m really good at catching errors in continuity and making sure a story flows.) Here's our discussion:

Allison: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Karen: Ever since I could write, I’ve always tried to write little stories. I’ve always loved to read and always have had a good imagination. I’ve always written something: poems, or short story, in a diary or journal.

　


Allison: Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Karen: It just comes to me. Sometimes, I can just be sitting in a room listening to conversations and an idea comes to me. Sometimes from my own past experiences. I try to write in a positive way that can teach someone something good.

　


Allison: Can you give us a summary of Cord of Three? What is the message of the book?

Karen: Cord of Three is about three friends in their mid-life stage. It’s about a time when a woman would say “what now?” The kids are grown. They are waiting for things to happen, that they have been waiting on and believing in God that will happen for a long time. Things start falling together and falling apart. [The message is] Not to give up on Faith in God is number one. Never give up on God and hopes and dreams. And cling tight to the people you love the most. Enjoy the relationships and grow in the relationships with your friends and be there for one another.



Allison: Is there a particular scene from Cord of Three that stands out to your?

Karen: Sophie goes to Abbey’s house and she’s had a bad day, nothing is working right. She’s having a pity party and Abbey just went off on her. And has to set her in line. That particular scene really happened in my life. When you have a friend that will not allow you to sit in your self pity, that is what friendship is about.

　

　

Allison: What does Cord of Three mean to you?

Karen: Cord of Three means a lot to me because its one time in my life that I accomplished something that I have always wanted to accomplish.

　

Allison: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

Karen: The job has just begun after its been published. Writing is the easy part. They take your baby, something you've created and shred it to pieces. Its hard because you have edit. There are all these decisions to be made. It is very overwhelming. You wonder how it will ever fall into place.



Allison: Can you tell us about the process of writing a book?

Karen: I just write what comes to me. Then I go back and edit. I don’t look at it till its almost done. Then have someone else read it, listen to their suggestions and then I make the final decision.


Allison: Do you ever experience writers block? How do you deal with it?

Karen: So many times. I lay it down. Walk away and comeback.

　


Allison: What do you think makes a good story?

Karen: The message in a story. The reality of the story. We use books as an escape but also, there has to be a bit of reality in there. So we can say this is possible. From the Christian aspect, where if God can do it for this person He can do it for me. Trying to convey a message of hope through the writing.

　


Allison: Who is your favorite author and book?

Karen: I have two. First, Jude Deveraux, A Knight in Shining Armor--way back when I was younger, it was a feel good book I liked to read over and over, a soppy romance story to read over and over. And the next, is a small, unknown book... God on a Harley [by Joan Brady]--gives you hope, the name is a little off kilter and teaches you to let go of things in order to pick up the good stuff and grow in who you are.

　


Allison: Do you have any advice to aspiring authors?

Karen: Don’t give up. Write, write, and write some more. As Stephen King said, if you have to wallpaper with rejection letters…

　


Allison: Is there anything you’d like to share with readers and fans?

Karen: Yeah, everybody has a purpose in this life. You can do it. NO matter what it looks like, what people say, how you feel. With God all things are possible.

　


Allison: How can readers get in touch with your and/or get your books?

Karen: They can order copies from Tate Publishing on line. (http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61663-611-1). Feel free to email me at karencolley2277@yahoo.com

　


So, if this wonderful interview isn’t enough…how would you like to have your very own copy of Cord of Three signed by author Karen Colley?? Just become a follower of my blog and then leave a comment under this post. I only have one copy to give away, the winner will be selected randomly, and at this time I am only able to send to a US address. Contest ends May 8^th at midnight. (Hopefully, that means I can get the book in the mail and you could even have your copy before Mother’s Day, which is May 13^th in case you didn’t know!)Thanks for reading y’all!

*I bought the copy myself. Book retails for $20.99