Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written, five completed books and several more partially written. Alas, one of the five, the first novel I ever finished, is mostly lost to history. Only the first fifty pages currently exist. A word of advice: Always back up your work!
I keep threatening to rewrite that first book. It’s a cute story, a sweet sports romance about a bickering figure skating pair who fall in love at the Winter Olympics.
My other four books — three novels and a novella — are available on Amazon. I write a blend of romance and women’s fiction, sweet stories in contemporary urban settings that aim for the funny bone as well as the heart.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Who Wants to Know? is my latest release. One of the main characters, Margy Hurley, has moved back to her childhood neighborhood in Queens, NY, to open a French bistro. Much of the action takes place there. My thirty years of working in the restaurant business inspired the setting. Needless to say, I had a blast working real-life work experiences into my plot!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I skip around to various parts of the story as I write the first draft, and I usually build my scenes in pieces, such as dialogue, description, etc. So keeping track of my progress by word count, like many writers do, doesn’t work for me. Instead, I keep track of how complete my various scenes are.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The one book that had the most to do with me wanting to become a novelist is Shining Through by author Susan Isaacs, published way back in the 1980s. She mixes laughter and tears so well, and when I read that novel, I thought, that’s what I want to do.
What are you working on now?
A rock and roll romance/saga set in the 1970s, which will either be a trilogy or one long novel.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still trying to figure that out!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing! Being discouraged is part of the process, but don’t give up. I tried giving up writing fiction, but these characters kept on coming, walking through my imagination with their stories. Finally, I decided to give it one more shot. The result is my debut novel, Spare Me the Drama, which you can find on Amazon.
Author Websites and Profiles
Karen Tomsovic Website
Karen Tomsovic Amazon Profile
Karen Tomsovic’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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