Please Welcome Karen Ingalls – Author and RWISA member

 I am so pleased to host Karen Ingalls at my blog today. Karen is a member of both Rave Reviews Book Club and Rave Writers International Society of Authors. RWISA is an exclusive branch of #RRBC, and some of the very best Indie authors can be found on its virtual shelves.

Karen Ingalls is one of those authors, and I hope you enjoy the following interview.

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• How long have you been writing?

I began writing as a preteen journaling, writing short stories and poetry.

• How many books have you authored? Please give us up to 3 titles?

Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir

Novy’s Son, The Selfish Genius

Davida: Model & Mistress of Augustus Saint-Gaudens

• Do you have a writing schedule?

No, I do not. I think it would be good for me and be better time management.

• You’re a member of RAVE WRITERS – INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF AUTHORS (RWISA). Why do you think you were accepted into this exclusive group?

I was and am quite honored and surprised that I am a member. I believe my style and quality of work is the type of writing that RWISA looks for. My many thanks for the recognition and honor.

• Modesty aside, what separates your writing from the millions of other writers in the world?

I write about subjects of which I am passionate about. Social issues such as health related and family dynamics are my primary topics.

• If you could spend a day picking the brain of one author, who would that be? Why?

There are so many authors who I admire and love to read their books. Picking just one I would say Mitch Albom. I like the subject matter which is primarily spirituality that is in all his books. His style is simplistic and yet very deep. He also appears to be humble and approachable.

• Are you a die-hard INDIE writer who loves having complete control of your work, or, if you were offered a publishing contract today, would you sign on the dotted line?

If the publishing company would take away a lot of the burden of marketing, then I would give it serious consideration. Yet, on the other side, I would not to lose my control of my work.

• As an author, where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In five years, I would like to have completed the 8 short stories I am writing for my 8 grandchildren. Each story will let them know more about their Oma. And, I hope to have two more books published which are residing in my brain and heart patiently waiting for me to put the words on paper. In 5 years I also plan to be sitting in the same office overlooking beautiful Lake Dora here in Florida.

• What is the ONE tool that has been the most beneficial tool in the marketing of your books?

I would have to say that RRBC has put me in contact with some very amazing people who have encouraged and supported me. I have learned how to use Twitter, FB, and my blogs more effectively.

• Name one writer that you know of, member or non-member of RRBC, who you feel should be added to the RWISA Roster of elite members? Why?

Michael Lynes. His book is outstanding and I look forward to reading more from him.

• What is the one piece of advice that you could share that would be most valuable for those aspiring to not only be writers, but those aspiring to be great writers?

Follow your dream! Do not let naysayers or your self-doubt stop you. Also, I think it is good to talk to other authors and learn from their experiences.

• Do you believe that writers who churn out several books a year are really putting out quality work?

I have not found that authors who write many books in a year have the same quality and depth to their work. At least, I have not found any such authors.

• If you had promised your fans a book by a certain date only to find that your book wasn’t the best it could be, would you go ahead and publish your book just to meet that self-imposed deadline and deliver as promised, or, would you disappoint your fans and shelve the book until it was absolutely ready? No matter your reason, please explain why?

I would not publish a book until I knew it was ready. My fans would understand and would want and expect only the best from me. The book is coming from a deep part of me and therefore I would hope that my fans would appreciate my quality of work even if it missed the promised deadline.

• In your opinion, what makes a book “a great book?”

For me a book must have depth and inform or challenge me in my thoughts about life’s issues. The plot must be believable and the characters strong. I do not like “fluff.”

• If you received a review of your book which stated that there were editing & proofing “issues,” what’s the first thing you would do? And the second?

First I would be shocked to receive such a review. I have a highly qualified editor who has done all three of my books. I would go to her and we would sort out if there are any editing/proofing issues. If not, I would then contact the reviewer to further understand and hopefully resolve the concern.

WRITING FROM THE HEART

                As a young girl and now as a mature adult, I write from my heart. When I began journaling as a pre-teen I wrote about my unanswered questions, fears, doubts, and dreams. That process continued throughout the next seventy some years resulting in three published books and several articles.

I write about subjects for which I feel passionate. As a preteen growing up in a dysfunctional home I wrote about the heavy drinking, abuse, and abandonment I feared would happen. Expressing my emotions and dreaming what life could be like helped me to formulate my goals and hopes. Unconsciously I created the person I wanted to be which was different from my two primary role models.

 

I became a holistic nurse and developed my own practice as a nurse therapist. My writings were now newsletters and articles based on health/wellness and spirituality.  I was fulfilling the dream of helping people to become healthier physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

My first published book was definitely written from my heart. It started out as a journal about my experiences when diagnosed with cancer. It soon became a book, which has touched the hearts of men and women facing cancer or other difficult challenges.

The two novels I have had published are about family dynamics, which are very important influences as to the type of adults we become. The loss of the “Iron John” in the relationship between fathers and sons is quite evident in many families. Men must know how to raise their sons showing and teaching them unconditional love and respect.

When one writes from the heart, the author is in touch with those things of which he/she is passionate about. It comes from the deepest part of ourselves…our soul.

Add Karen’s books to your library 

Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir – http://goo.gl/bg0CpF

Novy’s Son: The Selfish Genius – http://goo.gl/9r78rg

Davida: Model and Mistress of Augustus Saint-Gaudens – http://goo.gl/nIzrKX

Social Media

Twitter: @KIngallsAuthor

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Ingalls/1473379352893458 (goo.gl/mgK8xW)

Blog

http://www.kareningalls.blogspot.com

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Thank you for supporting our RWISA (RAVE WRITERS-INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF AUTHORS) Members!  Please follow and support the entire tour by visiting 4WillsPub.