Fallen Angel Reviews welcomes, Karen Wiesner. Thank you Karen for taking a few moments to answer a few questions for us.

What made you decide to become a writer?

I believe it was a desire I was born with, as I’m sure most writers would agree. From the earliest age, I was daydreaming about everyone else’s life and a much more exciting one for myself. Being a people watcher, wondering what everyone was thinking and what they were really like underneath the surface, also helped my desire to be a writer blossom.

What do you think is the hardest thing about being a writer?

Too many books to write, not enough time. Promotion of new releases is also hard when all I want to do is jump into another writing project.

I believe your husband created one of your covers. How much easier or harder was it working with him on the design, than working with a normal cover artist?

Yes, my husband painted the cover for my paranormal romance SWEET DREAMS (Hard Shell Word Factory). It’s actually kind of funny because I have specific ideas for each of my covers, some that he didn’t believe he could translate. But ultimately he painted exactly what I was looking for. This is generally the same situation with everyone I work with--my specific ideas that I can’t imagine how a cover artist will translate usually come out beautifully.

I’ve also begun designing book covers. Though almost all of them have been for my author friends instead of myself, I designed the cover for my newest release, MIRROR MIRROR. I’m extremely proud of it. If anyone is interested in viewing my cover designs, point your browser to www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/KarensCoverDesigns.html.

You write mysteries with Chris Spindler. What are the advantages and disadvantages of co-writing with someone?

So far, I haven’t experienced any disadvantages in writing with Chris. We have the perfect partnership. Before we ever wrote anything together, we hammered out a contract about how our partnership would work. We rarely need to refer to it. We just work so well together. Some of the nicest benefits to working with a partner is that you have two sets of eyes critiquing the work, and of course the brainstorming process is unequaled! The only disappointing part is that Chris and I seem to know each other so well, yet we live on opposite ends of the world (Chris lives in Germany, I’m in the USA) and we’ve never actually met in person.

You write in so many genres. Are some harder than others? Do you have a favorite?

No favorites because each genre I write in has its own uniqueness that appeals to me. That said, the mysteries, action/adventures, and the horror that I’ve just started writing (haven’t attempted to sell them yet) are harder to write. They require in-depth research, the necessity of conveying that information without bogging down the reader, and of course each has its own different mind-set when approached.

I’m no longer writing children’s stories, though I have quite a few sold that haven’t come out yet. I’ve also given up all writers’ reference outside of the book coming out in 2005 from Writer’s Digest books. I really had to look at what I’m capable of and how much time I want to devote to certain genres, and these two had to go to make room for the others.

How do you prepare yourself when you are swapping genres from romance to mystery to non-fiction to children’s books? Is there a process you go through to get out of one mind-set and into the next?

Not really because, the truth is, if a story or a book is ready to be written...as in, it’s completely brewing like mad inside my head and it’s all I think about, it’s going to be written and I’m already thoroughly drenched in the proper mind-set. With certain books (romance, horror or suspense), I do like to or need to set the scene with music that helps me get in the appropriate mind-set.

Tell us a little bit about FIRST DRAFT IN 30 DAYS. We have many aspiring writers who read our interviews. How would this book help them?

If I had to sum up the book briefly, I would say it’s a new way of looking at outlining. The outline has become the first draft of a novel/novella with this method. The premise of FIRST DRAFT IN 30 DAYS is basically my method of organization in approaching 1st) writing each book, and 2nd) planning my career in the long-run. For my novels, I start with an extremely detailed outline, which is, in essence, the first draft of the book. I also use project goal sheets. Since I write 1, 2 or more scenes per day, I can know down to the day how long it'll take to finish a book. And, since my first draft of a book is generally my final draft, I can write 3 or more fiction novels per year. FIRST DRAFT IN 30 DAYS takes the mystery out of writing novels and in planning a writing career that continues to have momentum. The amazing thing about the process is that it’ll work for any writer—in whatever stage of his or her career. Published, unpublished, twenty books already under his belt or not even one. It’s also so flexible, a writer can incorporate only the parts that benefit him into his own way of working. For more detailed information, visit my website: www.karenwiesner.com (First Draft).

The Gypsy Road Series is Contemporary Romance. Tell us a bit about the inspiration for the series, and the heroes and heroines.

The second book in the series also has a suspense element, but all of the stories are contemporary romances. This series and these four characters have actually been with me since I was a teenager. The basis of the series is a group of friends who have been together forever, but all of them have issues that have kept them from giving their hearts away. Each of the four books in the series features one of these “gypsies” and their journey toward accepting love. All the books are currently available from Hard Shell Word Factory www.hardshell.com.

The Angelfire Trilogy is also contemporary, but I believe is more erotic. Tell us a bit about this series.

Well, yes, all are mainstream contemporary romance, and one of the stories (the 3rd, FOREVER MAN) is definitely erotic romance, but the first two are much more sweet than most of my other books. This trilogy started with just FALLING STAR—stripper meets preacher, but other characters kept presenting challenges to me that I couldn’t resist developing. Darlene and Jace are mentioned in FALLING STAR, and I found the two of them irresistible, so FIRST LOVE (book 2) was born. Darlene’s sexy psychopath brother, Brett, mentioned in both FALLING STAR and FIRST LOVE, absolutely intrigued me. I had to know what made him tick and, romantically, who would satisfy him. Savvy was the perfect woman for the job. All the books in this trilogy are currently available from www.hardshell.com. Truthfully, I still haven’t let the characters introduced in this trilogy go. I’m planning an Angelfire Trilogy II, which I’ll begin work on as soon as my Wounded Warriors Series is complete.

The Wounded Warriors Series is a mix of mainstream romance and romantic suspense titles. Tell us a bit about this series.

My Wounded Warriors Series is very dear to my heart. While it started off with the premise of characters who have been with me since I was a teenager, another, larger group of friends (similar to the Gypsy Road Series), this series has evolved into heart-rending issues that are both timely and possibly controversial. RELUCTANT HEARTS, Book 1 (mainstream romance), deals with a host of issues, such as the influence parents have on their children with the decisions they make—for good or not-so-good. It also deals with endometriosis and dealing with the death of a loved one.

WAITING FOR AN ECLIPSE, Book 2 (mainstream romance), has been called “almost too painful in its starkness” by reviewers, and I suppose the issue of divorce is that way. I flipped the coin of what’s usually done in this one and put the husband, Steve, in the position of being the responsible one who cares for the children and home while the wife is out running around. Why did I do that? As anyone who knows my writing can tell you, I hate stereotypes. I always go against that grain.

MIRROR MIRROR, Book 3, is my newest release. This is a romantic psychological thriller that really is out on a limb for me. I pitted a psychic heroine who doesn’t realize her own powers with a psychic villain who uses his powers for evil. Through this, she comes to grips with her husband’s death fourteen years ago—a death she predicted long before it happened, and she also saves the man she loves with her psychic gift.

The last three books of the series have the following issues: WAYWARD ANGELS, Book 4 (mainstream romance, coming September 2005) deals with an oft-mentioned character in previous books in the series, Gregg Stevens, who’s spent a lifetime dealing with his grief and problems in self-destructive ways instead of following his Christian upbringing, but he’s comes to grips with his past and this makes a huge impact in his decisions. When he meets up with a child-woman who’s suffered from bipolar disorder for most of her life—and who recently accepted Christ herself—things get very interesting. This won’t be a preachy book in the least—I’m not capable of writing a book like that. Gregg is an irresistible character with a sense of humor and Stormie is so impulsive and child-like that they’ll provide necessary levity to the book.

UNTIL IT’S GONE, Book 5 (mainstream romantic suspense, coming September 2006) deals with infidelity and forgiveness and long-lost siblings.

Finally, WHITE RAINBOW, Book 6 (mainstream romance, coming September 2007) features a character who was basically a “villain” in previous books in the series. Jessie was Steve’s wife in Book 2, and she has a lot of sins, scars, and emotional baggage to work through to become a beloved heroine—I have every intention of redeeming her completely in this one.

The first 3 books in the series are available now from www.hardshell.com. I’m having a giveaway celebration for the release of MIRROR MIRROR. Visit my fiction website for details (www.karenwiesner.com--click on the fiction button).

What kind of things do you do to make yourself more accessible to your readers?

I answer all the fan mail I receive personally, whether by e-mail or snail mail. Readers can write to me at kwiesner@cuttingedge.net or Karen Wiesner, PO Box 118, Black River Falls, WI 54615. Fans can join my newsletter for updates by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KarensQuill or sending a blank e-mail to KarensQuill-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

How did your husband propose to you?

Actually, this is kind of a funny story because he was trying so hard to be romantic and I was ruining everything. I got home from work one night, he showed up and kept trying to get me to come out with him. I wouldn’t go. Finally, he brought into the house the yellow rose (to this day, the most beautiful rose I’ve ever seen!) he’d planned to give to me, complete with romantic music, when he proposed before a romantic body of water that was special to us. The ring was around the stem of the rose. You can imagine my shock after making it so hard for him to carry out his romantic plans!

What one thing is always in your handbag?

I was going to say lip balm, but that’s not very “writerly.” I do always carry a small notebook in case I come up with some ideas on a story.

Karen Wiesner is an accomplished author with 26 books published in the past 6 years, which have been nominated/won 27 awards, and 14 more titles contracted for spanning many categories and formats. Named a “leading romance writer” in The Writer Magazine, Karen’s many romance series’ and titles are available from Hard Shell Word Factory http://www.hardshell.com. These novels have been nominated for Romantic Times BOOKclub’s Reviewer’s Choice Award, the Frankfurt Award, multiple EPPIEs, the prestigious 2001 Daphne du Maurier Award, and From the Heart Romance Writers The Lories’ award. Karen’s new release from Hard Shell is MIRROR MIRROR, Book 3 of the Wounded Warriors Series.

Karen also writes police procedural mysteries with award-winning author Chris Spindler. The first book in their Falcon’s Bend Series, DEGREES OF SEPARATION, is published by Quiet Storm Publishing www.quietstormpublishing.com and is available now in hardcover. DEGREES OF SEPARATION received a 4 ½ star review from Romantic Times and was a March 2004 Top Pick. TEARS ON STONE, Book 2 of the series, will be available in 2005. Visit Karen and Chris’ Falcon’s Bend Community, where you’ll find giveaways, fun facts, games, and information about the series at http://www.falconsbend.com.

Karen’s best-selling writer’s reference titles, ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING The Definitive Guide {The Most Complete Reference to Non-Subsidy E-Publishing} and WEAVE YOUR WEB {The Promotional Companion to ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING The Definitive Guide}, have won and been nominated for the Frankfurt Award, multiple EPPIEs, and the 2002 Indie Awards. The Guide was excerpted in the 2001 Writers Digest Novel & Short Story Market and made the 2001 Inscriptions’ Books of the Year list. eBooks N’ Bytes chose it to be their first winner of the eBooks N’ Bytes Award of Excellence for Epublishing Book of the Year (2002). Note: Karen will not be updating her e-publishing and author promotion titles. Karen has sold her first writers’ reference title to Writer’s Digest Books. FIRST DRAFT IN 30 DAYS will be released February 2005 and will be a Writer’s Digest Book Club Main Selection.

Karen also writes children’s books under the pen name Karen Sue Wiesner for Writer’s Exchange E-Publishing http://ebooks.writers-exchange.com. Both of her current releases--TAKING RESPONSIBILITY BUILDS TRUST (Making Good Choices Series) and CODY KNOWS with Linda Derkez--were 2004 EPPIE Finalists. Karen’s first book of poetry, SOUL BLEEDS The Dark Poetry and Other Wanderings of K.S. Wiesner, finaled in the 2002 EPPIEs and is available from Atlantic Bridge Publishing http://www.atlanticbridge.net.

Karen is the founding member of Jewels of the Quill www.JewelsoftheQuill.com, a promotional group of Midwest women authors who write in a variety of genres. The group has monthly spotlights and giveaways at their website, and was featured in the September 2003 issue of Romantic Times BOOKclub. Jewels of the Quill recently sold two anthologies to Whiskey Creek Press http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com. Tales from the Treasure Trove, Volume I will be released September 2005. Tales from the Treasure Trove, Volume II will be released in 2007.

Currently, Karen has also completed the first two books and proposals for the third and fourth books in a new mainstream spy action/adventure series, the Incognito Series. Books 1 and 2, NO ORDINARY LOVE and UNTIL DEATH DO US PART, were finalists in FTHRW’s 2004 Lories’ Best Proposal contest. NO ORDINARY LOVE also finaled in the L-Edit Slip Contest. Karen is represented by the Three Seas Literary Agency.

In addition to writing, Karen enjoys designing websites and graphics for her pages. She also enjoys designing cover art and logos for books. Visit her comprehensive website www.karenwiesner.com for more information.

Thank you for the interview, Karen.



Interviewed by: Jaynie