Welcome Karoline. I am sure you are excited about your book coming out December 9th. Congratulations. Let’s start by learning all about you.
Karoline: Thank you. I am excited. As for about me: I love reading and writing women’s fiction, romance, and humorous cozy mysteries. Right now I’m working on a cozy set in upstate N.Y.
My short fiction has been published by various places:
The Visit published back in 2010 by Eastown Fiction.
L’Chaim was published by All Things Girl, October 2013.
I was born in upstate New York and have lived in South America, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. At the moment, I live in a small Connecticut town with my husband.
When I’m not writing, I love reading, spending time by the water, traveling, and doing anything that has nothing to do with math.
Other random facts about me:
- Favorite colors: Red, pink, yellow
- Dog or cat: Dog. But cats are okay, too
- Favorite go-to authors: Ann B. Ross, Debbie Macomber, Jane Heller, Danielle Steel, Janet Evanovich, Sue Grafton, Anne George
- Favorite place to be: The beach!
- What I really need: A maid
- I wish I lived: On a beach in New Jersey
- Favorite places I’ve lived: São Paulo and New Jersey
- Favorite movies: Nacho Libre, Coming to America, My Cousin Vinny, Ushpizin, The King’s Speech
- Wish I could write: Deep literary fiction
- Favorite poet: Sylvia Plath
- If I wasn’t writing I would: Be a math person, maybe
Joanne: I always love to hear how everyone got started in this crazy world of writers. When did you first know you wanted to be a writer and was there a particular inspiration to get started?
Karoline: I’ve always been an avid reader, and writing was always in the back of my mind. One day I decided to stop thinking about it and actually do it. I started with short stories and eventually wrote The Art of Being Rebekkah.
Joanne: That is a big leap from short stories to a novel. Some people may not realize that. Easy to say, sometimes hard to do. Do you have a background in writing or take any special writing courses that helped you along the way?
Karoline: I took writing courses through Long Ridge Writers Group.
Joanne: Do you always write in the same genre?
Karoline: I tend to gravitate to women’s fiction and romance, but my second novel, in progress right now, is a humorous cozy mystery. I can’t see myself ever writing science fiction; my mind just won’t work that way!
Joanne: Many of us cross over genres and it is difficult to pinpoint one to fit our books. For the book we are promoting today, what shelf would we find it on if it were in a bricks and mortar bookstore?
Karoline: The Art of Being Rebekkah is a romance at its heart. I’d place it with women’s fiction.
Joanne: Are you published through a traditional publishing house? If yes, how did you find your agent and publisher?
Karoline: In the fall I’m going to be published by E-lit books, a company started by my agent, Frances Black of Literary Counsel. My book was finished in November of 2011, I began querying agents in January 2012, and signed with Frances in October 2012.
Joanne: What was the hardest part for you in the writing process; the outline, synopsis, query or building the story itself?
Karoline: Oh, the synopsis, definitely! I love outlining and building the story.
Joanne: I can certainly agree with you there. The synopsis can be brutal. Are you a pantser or a planner?
Karoline: Planner! I have to outline, even though my outline evolves as my characters and story evolves.
Joanne: Can you share a few paragraphs from your book to wet out appetite?
Karoline: Of course! Happy reading-
The Art of Being Rebekkah
“I do want children, a lot of children,” Rebekkah cried, unable to stop herself. “I don’t have a career. Being a wife and mother is all I want to do.” She didn’t know why she continued to sit, spilling out her private life to this stranger, but she couldn’t seem to get up and walk away.
It was Ellen’s turn to pale as her eyebrows rose and her mouth formed a surprised O. “Then you don’t…” She closed her eyes then opened them slowly. “I’ve upset your life enough as it is in the last few minutes.”
“I don’t what?” asked Rebekkah, grasping Ellen’s forearm. “You were going to say something. What could be any worse?”
Ellen squirmed in her chair and murmured something Rebekkah didn’t catch, then ran her fingers through her bangs, causing then to stick out at pointy angles. “I know it’s not my business, but it’s obvious you don’t know anything about this. How old are you? If I wasn’t sure it was pretty much impossible I would think you were his daughter.”
“Twenty-five,” Rebekkah replied quickly. “What were you going to say? If what was impossible?”
“I don’t think I…” By this time Rebekkah was sitting so close to the edge of her chair that another inch and she’d be on the ground. “Please, just say it.”
“God forgive me if this is wrong of me, but you so obviously want children.” Ellen paused and played with her wedding ring. “You’ll never be pregnant. Not by Avram, anyway. He’s had a vasectomy.”
Joanne: Thanks Karoline. Oh boy. And just how did Ellen know that? That certainly wets my appetite for your book. Where can readers get your book?
Karoline: I love connecting with other writers. My website is karolinebarrett.com.
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/books/the-art-of-being-rebekkah/vmxYO9xpDUK6xkplKcVckg
Facebook: Karoline’s Facebook author page
Twitter: @KarolineBarrett
Pinterest: Pinterest
Email: karoline@karolinebarrett.com
Agent: Frances Black, Literary Counsel
Publisher: E-Lit Books
Publicist: CHARLEEN FAMIGLIETTI charleen@djccommunications.com
Where to Buy: AMAZON PAPERBACK
Writing Under Fire 
I enjoyed the interview, Karoline and Joanne. The excerpt drew me in, and like Joanne, I wondered how Ellen knew about the vasectomy. Guess we’ll have to read the book to find out.
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