This month, I’ll be participating in The Fabulous Blog Hop Tour with authors; Dellani Oakes, Karen H. Vaughan, Crimson Kildare, Ruth Davis Hays, and Kat Marlow.  Stay tuned to learn more about these up and coming literary stars.  We’ll be sharing interviews, of authors AND their book characters, not to mention, excerpts from their novels.

Karen Vaughan has been kind enough to take a few minutes out of her busy schedule to talk about her new book “Daytona Dead” and what life as a writer truly means.

What is your story about?

Karen Vaughan: My series involves Laura a 30 something lady who happens upon a lot of dead people in fact she could very well be a corpse magnet.

Where does your story take place?

KV: Laura and her fiancé Gerry live in Toronto Canada. I am Canadian myself and like to use locations I know.

Is writing a natural talent, or did you take classes to hone your craft?

KV: I always liked writing in school. I got good marks but never really thought of it as a career. I would write stories to entertain myself.

Do you have a ritual when you write?  (Special time of day, music etc.)

KV: I can write basically when the mood strikes me. I can write with either TV in the background or music. My musical tastes go from classic 70s rock to present day.

KV: Do you write in multiple genres? Right now it’s been mysteries or romantic suspense. I am going to try straight romance and have considered sci-fi fantasy.

Most people want to know, is writing really all that hard?

KV: Some days it flows well but there are times when I have to pull teeth to get the characters to talk to me.

Do your family and friends read your work?

KV: Yes they have and for the most part they love the stuff. I do however have a few grammar Nazis who strongly suggest I need help. There is a critic in every crowd I suppose. My husband is convinced I am seriously warped. What writer isn’t?

Have you ever had writers block and if so, how did you overcome it?

KV: If I can’t get my characters to talk to me I let them sulk for a bit while I write some flash fiction or read and then come back to it. I figure the characters will get jealous and start yelling.

Do you have an illustrator, or co-author, if so, who?

KV: I am not one of those people who can collaborate well. I am greedy. People feed me ideas for a project and if they fit I use them. As far as illustrators go, I ask my artistic friends to do different covers for me. I asked my son in-law to do the cover for Daytona Dead.

Do you write according to the trends or from the heart?

KV: I write from the heart or at least the recesses of my weird imagination. Dead on arrival was based on a dream I had.

Who is your favorite author of all time?

KV: Hard to say about a favorite but I really like Janet Evanovich, Sue Grafton and Leslie Langtry

Have you gotten in trouble for your work?

KV: Not yet but if a certain person finds out he is the victim in my w.i.p. he might get miffed.

Do you read online reviews?  If so, how do you deal with the negativity?

KV: I do sometimes. I like reviews that have the courtesy to tell me why I sucked not just that it did.  I can handle negativity pretty well unless the review is downright mean for no reason

What’s best: Pen and paper, or laptop?

KV: I mostly use a laptop but if I am out and about I usually have a note book for ideas.

What are you reading now?

KV: On my tablet, I am reading Sacrifice by a fellow Canadian author Carolyn Arnold and my paperback of choice is Gone by Lisa Gardiner.

If your house was on fire, what would you save: your computer, or your book collection?

KV: The laptop! I can replace the books.

Do you consider yourself a tech wiz?

KV: NO!

What’s your next project?

KV: I am working on another one for the Laura and Gerry series. I am also dabbling with a romance I want to write for Tirrgear Publishing.

What’s the strangest length you ever went to research your book?

KV: When I was writing Dead comic standing I watched a lot on the comedy channel. I had also tried doing stand up. I wrote the comic routines for my characters I felt like I was doing stand up while sitting down.

What would you like aspiring authors to know about the realities of a writing career?

KV: Patience, perseverance and handling rejection would be a huge asset. Just have fun with it and don’t take yourself to seriously.

About Karen Vaughan:

Karen Vaughan lives in Peterborough Ontario with her husband Jim and a four legged off spring named Sugar. She is the mom of a 22 year old daughter and four grown step children and a 2 1/2 year old grandson named Ike. DEAD COMIC STANDING is her second novel. Her first novel DEAD ON ARRIVAL garnered praise from friends, family and online gamers.  She also enjoys doing crafts and other hobbies. Her latest book is called OVER HER DEAD BODY is the second book to DEAD ON ARRIVAL. DAYTONA DEAD is the third in that series which is soon to be released.