Interview with Karen Strand [karenstrand] on Whohub

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What did you first read? How did you begin to write? Who were the first to read what you wrote?

I first read stories about girls my age who traveled the westward trail. I loved those pioneering tales!

I have written since I could first hold a pencil. I wanted to tell my own stories. I taped together little "books" and even illustrated them.

My family was not much interested in what I wrote. So, the first to read my writing were readers of my first published articles.

What is your favorite genre? Can you provide a link to a site where we can read some of your work or learn something about it?

My website is www.karenstrand.com
The first chapter of my book is available there.

My favorite genre is nonfiction: Biographies. Survival stories. First person adventures...

What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write?

What type of reading inspires you to write?

When I read a well-written article in a magazine I think, "Hey. I could do that!" Then I'll capitalize on their idea, or use it as a springboard to one that is entirely different.

What do you think are the basic ingredients of a story?

Whether fiction or nonfiction the story must have a good hook,
descriptive sentences, dialogue. And, of course, a beginning, a middle and an end.

What voice do you find most to your liking: first person or third person?

I prefer first person. Even when writing someone elses story, I will usually handle it as an "as-told-to".

What well known writers do you admire most?

There are so many! C.S. Lewis is one of them.

What is required for a character to be believable? How do you create yours?

The writer must write "with a camera as well as a pen." This is done by incorporating all or some of the five senses:
We need to SEE the character
We need to HEAR the character
Touch, taste, smell the character in order to bring life to him or her.

Are you equally good at telling stories orally?

Yes if I have an interested (or captive) audience.

Deep down inside, who do you write for?

I aim to write for the reader.

Is writing a form of personal therapy? Are internal conflicts a creative force?

My journal writing is a form of personal therapy. Have not thought about this in regards to my published material...

But when applicable, internal conflicts can add emotion and feeling to a story.

Does reader feed-back help you?

Yes! Especially when it's positive, because if I'm doing a self-help article or such, I'm encouraged to do more of the same.

Do you participate in competitions? Have you received any awards?

I entered a national Guideposts writing contest and won a one-week GP workshop in New York. Only 15 of the 6500 entrants were chosen for this honor.
I won a Writers Digest contest in their "Chronicle" section.
I won honorable mention for my poem in Personal Journaling magazine.
I won recognition by the American Association of American Penwomen.

Do you share rough drafts of your writings with someone whose opinion you trust?

On occasion, I take rough drafts to my writers group for a critique.

I sometimes have my husband read them, also.

Do you believe you have already found "your voice" or is that something one is always searching for?

I have found My Voice.

What discipline do you impose on yourself regarding schedules, goals, etc.?

I am undisciplined. A very busy life leads to my writing whenever I can. But if there's a deadline I'm immediately on it.

What do you surround yourself with in your work area in order to help your concentrate?

Quiet. Soft lighting. A pleasant looking office. No music, unless I DON'T need to concentrate.

Do you write on a computer? Do you print frequently? Do you correct on paper? What is your process?

I compose on my computer.
I write on my computer.
I do all editing, rewriting on the computer.
I print out the completed article or story in hard copy.

What sites do you frequent on-line to share experiences or information?

Mostly, I refer to other websites for research purposes. Long live GOOGLE.

What has been your experience with publishers?

Wow. Publishers, I cannot comment. But editors-there are good ones and bad ones.
The good ones show a genuine interest and are willing to work with me if an article needs changes. The bad ones toss out the baby with the bathwater-because there's more fish in the stream.

What are you working on now?

I am working on an in-depth article about the use and abuse of TASERS.

What do you recommend I do with all those things I wrote years ago but have never been able to bring myself to show anyone?

If they were written years ago, get them out and I guarantee you'll see ways to improve them. Then make the changes and go for it.

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