On Being a Writer
 Writing isn't only a career for me, it's, well,
a calling. It's a vocation. It's taking every single one of my experiences and
translating it into a basic emotion, and then giving it to a character. I've
had to take a skeleton and flesh it out with my life, my imagination, my
flaws, my fears, my failings, and then put these characters who are as real to
me as my family or my friends in horrible situations in which I know they'll
fail. I've had to create, in 400 pages, an entire miniature world built from my
expectations, dreams, and wishes, and then set it spinning while praying it
doesn't wobble off its axis. I've had to decide what I believe in and why in
order to translate it into values and beliefs. I've pushed myself to learn
more, to understand more, to give more so that each successive book connects in
a deeper way to readers.
That doesn't mean I
always succeed. But I give it my all when I'm trying.
Fan Mail
I never feel that I am articulate
enough in thanking people who write me. But I want you to know that I am
still awed whenever I get a fan letter. I don't think I'll ever get used
to the generosity of readers. Thank you.
REVIEWS I'm
reluctant to share my opinions for one reason: the book is always more
important than the author. On this subject however (and this is the only
place you'll see my opinion) I feel very strongly. As a reader, you have
the right to say anything you want about any of my books. Or about me, for
that matter. Some comments I might use to grow or change or learn.
Some comments I might dismiss. But you will never hurt my feelings by
being honest.
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Vampires, Werewolves, and
ChickLit - Oh My!
Why I don't write any of the above:
Vampires - I dated a Lt. Col. once, who took out his false teeth before he
tried to kiss me goodnight. In his words, he wanted to experience the
enjoyment of my tongue. That's as close to a vampire as I want to get.
Werewolves - I was married to a man who resembled Wolfman. He
is my ex-husband. 'Nuff said.
Chicklit - I've already lived through the angst ridden years; I have no earthly desire
to revisit them even in fiction.
And...
I'm a romantic at heart. There's a whole bunch of stuff I won't
write because it's just not for me.
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Would you
like to ask a question? Feel free to ask, and I'll answer here if it's a
question I get asked a lot. Email me at
karen@karenrnanney.com
Castles
Mediterranean.
I began sobbing and couldn't stop for what seemed like hours. To say that
I'm affected by places is an understatement. I could believe, without too
much convincing, that buildings retain the memories of those who lived in them. 
Why
the MacRaes?