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Karina Halle Interview 6/2/2012 9:24:15 PM
Canadian author Karina Halle discusses her novels and the writing life! LTS: For today’s featured author, I’d like to introduce you to the lovely and wildly creative Karina Halle, a talented writer from my neck of the woods. I’d like to begin by having you share a little information about yourself with our readers, Karina. What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
KH: Pretty cliché stuff. I read. A lot. I just got a bike, so that’s been taking up a lot of my time. I love to travel, go sailing, hiking, etc. I’m also a pretty good cook and opening a bottle or two of wine with friends is always a good time.
LTS: Has writing stories always been a part of your life and becoming a published author a life long dream?
KH: Writing stories has always been a part of my life, ever since I was old enough to pick up a pen and make stabbing motions with it. I don’t think being a published author was a conscious dream though, I just wanted to create for a living – that’s why I dabbled in screenwriting and travel and music journalism for some time.
LTS: I had a chance to read an excerpt from your novel Dark House and I like the way you drew me into the story and how you have the ‘show, don’t tell’ technique or writing well in hand. You now have seven novels available on Amazon. Where do you find the inspiration behind these stories?
KH: Everywhere. I’m influenced by historical events, film, other books and music. I’m always imagining other lives, asking the “what if” questions in my own and I just go from there.
LTS: What is your favourite genre to read/write, and why?
KH: There aren’t many genres that I won’t read and write in, but I think anything scary, thrilling and romantic will definitely work its way to the top of my to write/to read list.
LTS: The road to publication is difficult at the best of times. What made you decide to take the road of self-publishing as an indie author?
KH: To be honest, it was laziness and lack of patience. And yes, that totally bit me in the ass. Without knowing much about the self-publishing industry, I saw articles on Amanda Hocking and thought, “I can do that…” This was after I had written my first two books and I didn’t want to bother with the whole long, tiring, soul-crushing process of finding an agent. Little did I realize that Amanda Hocking was NOT the only self-published writer out there. I had no clue how oversaturated the market was.
LTS: What is the best and worst part of being an indie author? Who would you recommend this mode of publication to?
KH: The best part is having to rely only on yourself. Knowing you made it, that all your successes are by your own hand. And, of course, getting the biggest cut of the royalties. The worst? Let’s see. The worst is trying to be taken seriously. So many bloggers, reviewers and readers will not give self-published books the time of day. This is slowly changing, thank goodness, but the stigma still exists (and frankly, I can see why it’s there).
I’d recommend self-publishing to someone who is A) confident in their talent as a writer B) is able to accept outside opinions and criticism and use it to make themselves better C) someone who is tireless and will not give up D) someone who knows how to write, hopefully with some sort of training E) someone who recognizes that, at least at the beginning, there will be a ton of sacrifices with money and lifestyle. You need unlimited drive and a very thick skin.
LTS: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned on the road to publication?
KH: Get an editor. And make sure you like what they do. Just because they say they are an editor – even if they are recommended – doesn’t mean you’ll be happy with them and it doesn’t mean they’ll be good for your work. Get a professional cover designed. Just because you like it, doesn’t mean it’ll catch the public’s eye. Remember, covers do sell books.
LTS: Excellent advice, Karina! Still on the subject of writing styles, are you a plotter or pantser? The readers would like to know if you tend to plot out your story line in great detail or if your writing is more organic with the characters and events unfolding as you write.
KH: I’m a total plotter. I firmly lay out my scenes but more often than not my characters dictate how things go. So I let them run free within the wider structure.
LTS: Some authors meditate, others need to fuel up on coffee or listen to music. Do you have any rituals, ones that can be shared with the readers, that you must do before you hunker down for a writing session?
KH: I disconnect from the internet and all distractions. I get my music playlist ready (made specifically for the book I am writing). I get a beverage (coffee during the day, wine or kava at night) and I go. Or I just stare at the page for hours.
LTS: At one time or another, most writers hit the wall and their work stalls because of the dreaded writer’s block. What do you do to get around or over this mental wall to resume writing?
KH: I tell myself I’m going to have to fix it after anyway, that a crappy first draft is better than no first draft. If I’m really stuck, I go back and read what I’ve written and find out what the hell is bugging me. It’s usually something I’m unhappy with, a certain scene or the structure…then I go back and edit that. It really frees me and makes continuing easier.
LTS: Who is your favourite author and how has he/she inspired you to write or influenced your writing style or choice of genre?
KH: Stephen King is my favorite author. I love his work, love his imagination. I also love that he’s not always praised for being a great writer and that hasn’t stopped him. He keeps going, keeps thinking, and he keeps challenging himself and I think that approach is crucial.
LTS: What do you foresee in your future over the next five years and do you hope to branch out into other genres? When can your fans expect your latest release?
KH: Oh, yes. I’m branching out into several other genres in this year alone, including adult contemporary romance, adult horror/romance and more YA horror. My fans can expect my latest release at the very end of June (hopefully). I’m currently debating which book will be released though, so I can’t say anything concrete. Also, I’m a tease.
