Dec 12, 2008

Karen Harrington Interview

Earlier this month, I was checking out Scobberlotch, Karen Harrington's blog, and she offered to guest blog for anyone interested. Karen is the author of Janeology.

I took the opportunity to ask her a few questions; questions I've always wanted to ask a writer and questions that are just quirky enough to get her attention and yours. Without further ado, I'd like to welcome Karen to Savvy Verse & Wit and to thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer my questions.


1. How do writers work out to stay in shape and healthy?

As for me, I try to get up and stretch several times while I’m writing. My husband is a PA for a spine surgeon and I asked him what the best, ergonomic position for writing was, he said “The best position is the NEXT position.” This has been great advice. I also plan my housework around my writing. Vacuuming is my warm-up, believe it or not. And of course keeping up with my toddlers is like having a health-club membership. I also try and drink a lot of water during the day. I admit, I am not a super healthy eater because sometimes, when my kids are in preschool, I forget to eat altogether. When they are here, I find myself eating whatever they have left on their plates (a lot of half-eaten peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.)

2. Do you find there are particular foods that make you more creative or that keep you
inspired?

I don’t know if coffee is what inspires me, but I cannot imagine my day without it, so it must have some bearing on my writing. Interestingly enough, when I read a scene in a novel about a big feast and what all the characters are eating, I feel hungry and want to make a big dinner. That’s one of the reasons reading/writing is so powerful. It can influence all your senses.

3. If you were to pick a playlist for your latest writing project, what are the top five songs on that list?

Right now, I am writing a piece called Prodigal Son, which centers on a very disillusioned son of a mega-preacher. I created an ITunes playlist specifically for this book (something I do for every project.) Here’s a sample of what’s on it:

  1. Wake Up Call – Maroon 5
  2. Human Wheels – John Mellencamp
  3. Viva La Vida – Coldplay
  4. If Everyone Cared – Nickelback
  5. Over You – Daughtry

What’s funny is that if my husband hears me rockin’ any of these songs, he now knows that I’m working on Prodigal Son.


4. What rituals or steps do you use to remain confident in your writing?

Reading a lot is the best reinforcement. You read some stuff and you think, “I can do better than this.” And you read other stuff and you think, “I want to write like THIS!” As far as general confidence, that wavers a great deal. When I first completed JANEOLOGY, I had the overwhelming sense of “Hey, I’ve got something very interesting here. Something I would personally love to read.” And then, I remember the fear I had the day before my book was released. I had a moment or two where I didn’t want it to go out into the world, but then I got a few positive reviews and it eased the process. I can see a day, perhaps when I get to book 5 in my writing career where I will trust my instincts more.

5. In terms of friendships, have your friends shifted since you began focusing on writing? Are there more writers among your friends or have they stayed the same?

I’ve never thought about this until now, but the answer is yes, I do now have more writer-ly friends just since the publication. I’ve networked with many of them through my publisher and we have built a very supportive network of sharing information and encouraging each other. Also, I’ve met several local writers as a result of MySpace. I’m thankful for this because writing can be very solitary and it’s good to meet others who know what you’re going through.


6. (Because I love this question) Can you describe your ideal writing space and how it
differs from your current writing space?

In terms of aesthetics, I have a pretty ideal space right now. My office has a huge window that looks out on our pool. There are three fountains running in the morning. I’m able to listen to the sounds and rest my eyes on the blue water. The desk and the computer could be anywhere or any kind, just so long as I have my dictionary and synonym finder nearby. I used to be a corporate speechwriter and had to write under all kinds of, um, interesting conditions in interesting situations. This experience taught me how to write anywhere, with any level of noise or distraction or screaming (which is why I can write with toddlers nearby.) One day, I would love to have this kind of space near an ocean or lake. Anything with a view of water.

Check out what else she had to say about her current writing space.

Thanks to Karen for joining us today and for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer my questions.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

She sure is pretty. And i like the name of her blog even though I have no idea what it means.

And the writing space is beautiful, it's like almost sitting by the pool all day long and writing.

Serena said...

I think her blog tells you what it means...I forget though...something about loafing around.

Anonymous said...

Great interview. Karen is so wonderful in her support of bloggers.

Malcolm R. Campbell said...

I've always wondered why people want to ask writers questions while not giving, say, undertakers and insurance salesmen the time of day when it comes to doing their lives on day at a time.

Even though I wonder that, I find myself constantly reading the answers. The answers I saw here were cool, enjoyed over my morning coffee why looking out the window at the woods behind the house where the birds are creating quite a racket over something.

Nice post.

Malcolm

Jo-Jo said...

Nice interview Serena...and she is very pretty! And boy does she have good taste in music!

Florinda said...

I'm glad you took Karen up on the guest-post offer (she was at my blog yesterday). Excellent interview - I enjoyed her answers, and I thought you asked great questions, too!

Anonymous said...

Great questions; I enjoyed this interview.

and I like your (is it new?) blog header!

Serena said...

bkclubcare: Yes, the header is new. It's in a revamp stage...Monica from Monniblog helped me create it from some of her images and my photos. She did a great job. I just sent her a little thank you.

Karen Harrington said...

Serena,

Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog today. :) I enjoyed answering your questions.

Have a great Friday!

K. Harrington

Ladytink_534 said...

Very good questions!!!

Darlene said...

Great interview. Love the closet full of books! Karen is really great about taking time for us bloggers, that's for sure.

Iliana said...

Loved the questions Serena! I've had Karen's book on my radar for a while. Must get to it one of these days :)

Serena said...

Karen: I had a great time hosting you and interviewing you. I think you are fantastic.

Anonymous said...

serena - that was a nice interview!:) and btw, is your header new? i follow you on reader and i came here today and it looks new to me.. it is a very nice header!

Serena said...

Ramya: Thanks the interview was fun and the header is new! Monica at Monniblog and I worked on it all week. LOL

Anna said...

Wish I had that nice of a writing space...or at least I wish hubby would keep the desk neat for me. LOL

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Wendi said...

Great interview!! Your interview has been added to About the Author - An Author Interview Index! ~ Wendi

Serena said...

thanks for keeping track of these.