Interview with Karen Whiting with a Giveaway

» Posted on Apr 18, 2014 in Blog | Comments Off on Interview with Karen Whiting with a Giveaway

This week I’m hosting Sandra Orchard with Perilous Waters and Karen Whiting with Nature Girl (non-fiction). If you want to enter the drawings for the books, please leave a comment on your post with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (April 20th) evening.

naturegirlcoverInterview with Karen Whiting:

1.  What made you start writing?

Although many people suggested that I write and share activities I did with my children, I started to write because God gave me a vision (and then I received a painting of the vision).

2.  How long have you been writing? When did you sell your first book?

I started in the fall of 1994 (almost twenty years ago). I sold my first book in 1997.

3.  How do you handle rejections?

I never have received that many, but I view them as challenges to improve or redirection to go in a different path. One of my first rejections included a checklist or what was wrong. It was almost all checked. I thought-Oh, if I write a new piece that they can’t check I’ll sell it. I used that list as a guide and sold the next piece I sent to that periodical.

4.  Why do you write?

I have too much in me to keep it to myself. As Paul was compelled to preach so I am compelled to write (1 Corinthians 9:16)

5.  What would you be doing with your free time if you weren’t writing?

I’d enjoy my grandchild and do more handcrafts. I’d also be volunteering with children and missions.

6.  What are you working on right now?

I’m finishing a new book on hope that is for women, especially for women who don’t read the Bible a lot and may not be very involved in church.

I am also a new contributing writer for Molly Green Magazine (staring with the July/August issue). That will be a great place to share ideas, crafts, and fun with homeschool families.

7.  Do you put yourself into your books/characters?

I use stories from my life and children in my devotions. I use crafts and the love of crafts from my experience and the creativity instilled by my grandmothers in my inspirational craft books. All my books are undergirded with my desire to help families thrive and experience the joy I have had of growing up in a great family and raising a wonderful family.

8.  Tell us about the book you have out right now.

Nature Girl: a guide to caring for God’s creation is packed with fun and information. This encompasses all that is green from making your own beauty products (spa day) and healthy food parties with recipes to caring for plants and animals and conserving resources.

The book offers fun partying at parks to make the great outdoors a place to hang out (instead of malls). Crafts, games, quizzes, experiments, and tip list plus quotes and stories of real girls provide lots of activities and exploration for girls.

I hope the book will inspire young women to care for the earth and enjoy the splendor of all God made.

9.  Do you have any advice for other writers?

Be persistent and don’t give up too easily. Also make sure your writing is ready. You don’t want to give birth to an Ishmael when God has plans for an Isaac—his way may take much longer but it is best.

You MUST develop a marketing plan for the book. That means developing your ability in several areas (media, social networking, article writing, speaking) and building networks with readers, retailers, meeting planners, affinity groups, and more. Follow successful authors and CAN’s blog (http://bit.ly/1qPWHZy) to learn both the craft and the marketing.

10. How important is faith in your books?

It is essential.

11. What themes do you like to write about?

Family, exploring scriptures through hands on learning, and encouraging people.

12. What is your favorite book you’ve written and why?

Stories of Faith and Courage on the Home Front: From the French and Indian War to the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  As a military wife, mom (and dad who served in WW2) I have a special place in my heart for women and families who support the military and have forged this nation with their faith and courage. I am honored to have been able to share amazing true stories of people often overlooked in our history. The book won a few national awards and that’s because the stories and people in the pages are remarkable.

13. What is your writing schedule like?

I usually start by 9 am and try to stop by 5 PM. I write or work on marketing full time. I tithe my time to Christian Authors Network. I’m on the board of directors of this organization where members must be published in CBA and we help one another promote our books.

14. You also write many one-year devotionals. What are the challenges for writing a short book? A long book?

A long book has to be planned with a theme for each month or week and I keep a spreadsheet so I won’t repeat ideas or scriptures. I have to divide it into how many to write each day to stay on track. I have to know the voice to use for the book and maintain that tone and voice. Some may be for youth and need humor, some are for hurting women and need a gentle compassion, while others for girls may need to explode with fun and creativity.

A short book needs to make every word count and I must choose the best activities and thoughts to include. My books for women on time and the home are only 64 pages but they are packed with creative solutions, inspiration, and practical tips. I had to write tight which often meant brainstorming lots of ideas and choosing the ones that women most needed.