Are you a disciplined writer?
I think I am. I was a speechwriter for most of my 9 to 5 career. That role requires that you sit down and leap into the page within minutes. I was always writing on deadline. I think that experience was a God-send for a fiction writer. I don’t have a writing schedule now, but when I sit down to write, I can.
Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? What seems to work for unleashing your creativity?
No. I don’t really believe in writer’s block. I think it’s writer’s fear – fear of being perfect. Sometimes I wish I suffered from perfection. Writer’s I know who are perfectionists are spectacular when they write, but sometimes limited in what they produce. If I have something I want to write about, I can’t wait to get it on the page. I subscribe to the advice my writing professor told me. Use the BIC method. Bum In Chair. You can always write a sentence or two if you are in your writing chair.
Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your work?
Yes, I would love for everyone to stop by www.karenharringtonbooks.com to say hello, read an excerpt of Janeology, read my blog or view the haunting trailer for the book. Let me know what you think!
Thanks for stopping by! It was a pleasure to have you here!
Article comments
1 - Janet Riehl
Karen,
I love how you describe your process. It's a case of building, somewhat intuitively, yet with direction. With your background of hit the desk writing from your speech writing days, I can see how this combination worked for you: directed, disciplined intuition. I'm glad you shared this approach, because I believe it's one writers need affirmed...to combine both sides of our talents.
Janet Riehl
2 - JM
Excellent interview. It's interesting to hear from an author who doesn't believe in writer's block. :)
3 - karen harrington
JM,
Thanks for your comments. I really don't believe in writer's block. But I suppose I should qualify that statement by adding, I personally have never experienced it. I've certainly experienced writer's frustration. Then I realize it's my desire to make a first draft perfect. Ha! Has that ever happened? Legend has it Jack Kerouac did that with On The Road, but who really knows.
Best,
Karen Harrington
4 - Andrew Jalbert
Nice interview Karen. I recently ordered the book and can't wait to jump in!
Andy Jalbert
5 - Margay
Karen, great interview, as always. What a great tour you're having!