Interview With Author Karen Brough
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Karen Brough, I live in Melbourne Australia. My writing life started from day dot, and has escalated in recent years to become a full time calling. Following an auto immune ‘journey’, I began writing to God about my pain and frustration. He responded in incredible ways – this is how the ‘Be Held by Him’ series of books began.
Before being struck with health conditions, I was a primary teacher, and over the past year have joyfully begun writing children’s books.
The marketing gurus would say my tagline should be, Karen Brough is a multi award winning author of 7 books. But I would say, Karen Brough is a woman who loves to write. She loves to help encourage people whatever season they find themselves in – whether pit or mountaintop. She is a very natural girl who likes the simple things of life – family, faith and peace.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent release is called ‘I Can’t Believe They’re Gone – a kid’s grief book that hugs, helps, and gives hope.’ The backstory to this book is AMAZING… and also moving.
I had an inner desire to write a grief book for adults, a desire I’d had for years. In January of 2022, I received an inner prompt to ‘study grief.’ So, I met with an expert in the field on a regular basis and spent the year being mentored and taught by her about grief and loss.
In November of 2022, our dear friend was involved in a tragic car accident and passed away. This tragedy turned our whole community upside down, and we all grieved. A few days after her death, as I prayed, cried, and processed this raw space, I asked God how I could help her family. His response was clear: ‘Let’s write that grief book.’
It came together with such ease, as if all the grief experiences I had, the study, and what we were now walking through, came into one story of my heart. It is proving to be a great help to many young readers and their parents during the most vulnerable parts of life. It is a delight to my heart that this book serves as a redemptive thread in the middle of a painful loss. It has been a gift.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmmm…that’s an interesting question.
Probably. lol.
I often dream of book ideas and then spend the morning writing what I dreamt about.
I get so lost in story, sometimes lunchtime has come and gone, and I didn’t notice.
I regularly have more than one project on the go, and I engage with the one that feels exciting/more interesting to me at the time. The one that has heat on it.
If I find something piques my interest, an unusual word or name, a place, something I saw – I have a trello board of ideas that eventually I hope to draw upon in my future stories.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
This one is easy.
For my older readers – Sarah Young, Jane Austen or early periods and simpler times.
For my children’s book arena – Roald Dahl, Paul Jennings. I still regularly purchase way too many picture books for my own shelves.
What are you working on now?
Strangely enough, I am working on four books at the moment.
1. The final books in my series – Be Held by Him – Finding God When Life Knocks You Off Your Feet.
2. The Little Black Cloud – a tender book that hugs those who are lonely and sad.
3. An introverted author book marketing resource kit
4. The Coast is Clear – a true to life moment in time that turned into an illustrated poem. Its a book that can be read from front to back, or back to front.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Wow – this question is far to broad for me.
Having an auto immune condition, and being introverted as well, has meant mainstream ideas for marketing, just don’t ‘fit.’
So I am creating a place where introverted authors can come and reframe the ‘I hate book marketing,’ lines in their heads – and be inspired to engage with their marketing design, and rediscover or discover the FUN in book marketing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
The writing community is a give and take community.
You will get more out of it, if you are willing to invest in others, be teachable and open to new ideas – and at the end of the day – write as you are designed to write.
There will be a LOT of advice out there, but you are the only one who knows the story that has been placed on your heart.
Now…..go….and write!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“It is better to have a good something, than a perfect nothing.”
What are you reading now?
I read the bible daily, journal and connect to God’s heart – it’s how I start my day for writing.
Historical fiction is my escape – anything Julie Klassen is gold to me.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope – lots more books and helping others to shine, grow, live well!
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?
Bible 100%
Honestly, I would probably bring some puzzle books along with me, because that island is going to have a beach – and puzzling on the beach is one of my sweet spaces.
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