Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a band director, wife, mother of a 3-year old, and a coffee-a-holic that loves running. I grew up in Chicago and now reside in the ‘burbs(!) with my family and two pups. I love Doctor Who, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Gladiator, and…Bubble Guppies (thanks to my son). “The Bard” is my first complete published novel, but definitely not the last!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Bard” is part of a (soon-to-be-) trilogy. I am a musician (band director) and a hopeless romantic that loves mystery and suspense, with a fancy for Renaissance Italy. So… it was only fitting that amongst the suspense and mystery, my heroine fall in love with a hopeless romantic musician—in Renaissance Italy, of course.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmm…I rely on the good-ol’ notebook and pen as well as my lappy. I can’t seem to do without using both of them. I don’t write by an outline, because I don’t want to feel trapped. My characters have developed on their own with their own unique personalities, and “The Bard” ended up taking a much different route than I had originally anticipated. I guess the most ‘unusual’ thing is that I like to pretend it’s an RPG (yeah, I’ve played a lot in my life…) or a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book and play through multiple scenarios in my head before committing to anything on paper.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
David Baldacci, Steve Berry, Umberto Eco, and James Patterson have been some of my favorites in recent years.
What are you working on now?
The sequel to “The Bard” titled, “The Betrayal.” And lesson plans (a teacher’s work does not end during the summer!!) 🙂
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth! The more people talk about your book and how much they enjoyed it, the more others are apt to getting it as well. I am also trying an author reading session in August to explore that avenue of promotion.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s okay not to finish something. Consider it practice, like a musical instrument. I’ve written countless pieces of novels (quite substantial length ones at that) and have never finished them because I wasn’t “in love” with the story. If you’re “in love” with your story, the magic will happen. I’m totally “in love” with “The Bard” stories, and even though there are moments I get stuck, they always seem to work themselves out. Also, don’t be afraid to delete an entire scene. It’s scary, but if it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t fit—don’t force it. If you really like it, save it for something later.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Being an indie author is tough when it comes to promoting your work–Don’t have unrealistic expectations of becoming an overnight success. Do it because you love to do it, not because you’re hoping to become a millionaire.
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading “Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and Restore Your Passion for Life” by Crystal Paine. The second book in the Outlander series is next on my list. Oh, and I’m reading the nightly “Monsters Don’t Eat Broccoli” by Barbara Hicks. 🙂
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finding ways to promote “The Bard” while finishing the trilogy and the other story that will accompany it. My goal is to finish the sequel and have it edited by Christmas…
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
And for the last one, I’d take “The Bard” as one of them. I would use it as reference for writing in the above mentioned journal, and I could read it again and again myself, simply because I enjoyed the process and the characters’ story that much.
Author Websites and Profiles
Karen Bedore Website
Karen Bedore Amazon Profile
Karen Bedore’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile