Today I have the opportunity to interview Karen Mandeville.

Karen, thank you for joining us today. Welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews and thanks for taking time from your busy schedule to speak with us today.

Why don’t you begin by telling us something about, Karen Mandeville?

Hi Linda and thanks for the warm welcome. I’m excited to be here – I have been a fan of FAR for a long time now and it’s a great joy to be featured. Hmm, what to say about me? Well, I’m 28 and I was one of those people that said ‘one day I’m going to write a book’. And then that ‘one day’ came – turned out to be a lot of days and my book was written. Since then I have written another novel, two novellas and 4 short stories – all of which are to be published this year. My background is journalism but that can be a very hectic lifestyle and I never had the desire to write outside of work. Now I’m in a job that doesn’t conflict with my writing and I love it. Like many authors, I would like to make my writing my fulltime career. Hmm, what else can I tell you about Karen Mandeville … I dislike summer immensely – Australian summer – too hot bring me a sunny winters day with the chill in the air – heaven!

How did you feel the day your book was released?

Very excited. It was something that I dreamed of and thought it would stay that way. It was a huge leap in my reaching my goal of being published. I’m thrilled to have so many releases lined up for 2006. Each of them is very special, but The Dead Forest is extra special. That story consumed me. I was very nervous about sending it out and when it was finally picked up – it is a dream come true. I hope the dreams continue to come true! I actually have two releases in January – The Dead Forest and my short story in the Winter Wishes anthology. So it’s daunting, nerve wrecking and exciting all at once. I just hope that anyone who buys them, enjoys them.

Do you usually outline your stories before you write them or do you start from scratch?

I do get the ideas for the story and write an outline for it. Sometimes, I even write the synopsis before I start writing. I do a basic outline of the events and a timeline but when it comes to the writing – it’s from scratch. The outline gives me an indication of where I’m up to and helps keep the story on track.

What are some of your hobbies?

Reading, movies, I still class writing as a hobby because I’m such a dork. Traveling, going to the beach. The best thing about the Australian summer is the chance to snorkel! I have a great group of friends who keep me occupied and I love to chill out and spend time on my own.

Have you ever had that dreaded writers block?

Yes and my muse perpetually goes AWOL. Ideas come to me thick and fast but sometimes when the brain is not in the right gear – the words do not come. It’s usually because my mind is not ‘on the job’ so I’ll try a bit of mood setting. Light some candles, have a bit of a brainstorm session and usually the block is gone. Sometimes I even have to put the story away and start something else before going back to it. I find forcing a story more frustrating than anything and I end up deleting what I write because I’m extra critical of it. I try to just let the story come.

What was the very first unpublished story you wrote?

I wrote a story about two sisters. I still have the faded dot-matrix print out of it packed away somewhere. I can’t remember what the story was about, but I remember sitting at the tiny Apple computer for hours. I was 16 when I wrote that one. Over the years there have been many stories started with good intentions but The Dead Forest is the first that I have completed and it’s the first to be published. It’s very special.

Are you working on any writing projects right now?

I always have writing projects on the go. My ideas corkboard is overflowing with post-its, pieces of paper with my chicken-scratch handwriting on it. I am looking to start my fantasy trilogy. I have big goals for 2006 and beyond – I will be working hard on achieving those. I have a few things up my sleeve.

What made you decide to write?

Well, I have always loved writing. I have to write another chapter to a book that we read for school and I got the highest mark of the class. I worked really hard on it and I thought ‘hmm – I might look into this for a living’. I do love journalism but I disliked the ‘all time consuming’ aspect of it – working 24 hours a day – everyday of the year. When I had my tonsils out, I had about six weeks of sick leave to recover and that’s when I wrote The Dead Forest. Now I have a lot more freedom and I’m able to focus on my writing.

Do you have a conflicting schedule that doesn’t allow you to write as often as you wish?

Not any more. I do have a part-time job that pays my bills and allows me time to focus on my writing. Sometimes having to break away from my writing to go to work is a pain, but hey, if I want the internet, have to go to work. Sometimes it’s slow at work that I can continue on with my writing and get a bit more done.

Do you have an agent or ever-considered getting one?

No, I don’t have an agent and I am considering getting one. It’s a case of do you get one or are you able to do it yourself. I never discount anything.

What are your goals for your writing career in the future?

I have many writing goals for the future. I would like my trilogy to go directly into print. I love the ebook format so I will continue to write for that avenue. My writing goals include getting better as an author and as a story teller. To come up with stories where readers can be taken to another place and time and experience what the characters are experiencing.

What actor or actress would you choose to play the characters in any of your books?

Hmm … great question … tough question! I think I would like to have an unknown actress and actor. For the three women though – ohh – I’d love it if Marguerite could be played by a brunette Kate Winslet. Ohh, Angelina Jolie – she’s my fav, but I don’t think she’d fit into the movie somehow.

Is this your only website? Or do you have another you would like to share?

I am part of several groups. The Great Escape Artists is a collection of great authors. We are the ‘tour guides’ and we take you to places, through our books.

I’m also one of the muses with the Behind the Muses group. The BTM group have written an anthology about the muses and will be available through Triskelion Publishing.

I do have my newsletter, BeDevilled, that I send out every month. Anyone interested in joining for the latest news, sneak peeks and chance to win prizes can join at … http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karenmandeville

This one is really an eye catcher. I really liked it. http://www.karenmandeville.com/

Thanks. Everyone comments on the sparkles. They were a bone of contention for my spider … but he did a great job. Keep an eye out for constant updates!

Do you have a link where anyone can buy your books that you would like to share with us?

Sure – Triskelion Publishing and Whiskey Creek Press Torrid.

The Dead Forest – Triskelion Publishing – available now
For His Delight – Winter Wishes Anthology - Whiskey Creek Press Torrid – available now
Lust Thy Neighbour – novella – Triskelion Publishing – available April
Games We Play – Spring Fling Anthology - Whiskey Creek Press Torrid – available April
The Heist – novel – Triskelion Publishing – available June
Joy Ride – Summer Sizzlers Anthology - Whiskey Creek Press Torrid - available July
Gretel’s Gratification - Whiskey Creek Press Torrid Twisted Tale – available September
The Salon – Fall Fires Anthology - Whiskey Creek Press Torrid – available October 1

Do you have any thing to add?

I’ve had a great time today Linda, thanks so much for your time and great questions. I’ll continue to lurk on FAR. To the readers who took the time to read this interview, thank you … and I hope if you read my work that you enjoy it.

Karen thanks so much for visiting with us today. Take a look at Karen’s website and learn more about her great books. You don’t want to miss all the books that she has out and her future ones. It has been a pleasure talking with you and best of luck to you in your writing career.

Thank you and three cheers for FAR’s continuing success.

Interviewed by: Linda L