Author Interview with Karen Rock
I’m interviewing Karen Rock, author of contemporary romance “Someone Like You”. Thank you for answering my questions, Karen, and welcome to my blog.
Author Interview
1. When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I knew I was a writer from a very young age. I used to love making up stories in my journals and wrote plays that my friends and I performed for fun. When I graduated high school, I wanted to go to NYC and write for a soap opera but my mother made me go to college (smart move- since they wouldn’t have hired me without a degree!). Although I became an English teacher, I never stopped writing and now that I’m a full time author I’m happy for all that I’ve experienced along the way.
2. Where did you get the inspiration for Someone Like You?
A lot of my friends are using online dating sites and meeting great people. I thought it’d be interesting if two best friends decided to partner in a start-up and create a dating app to help others fall in love, and then fall for each other as well J Plus- I love friends-to-love stories!
3. What is your editing process like?
My process is to write the complete story first and turn off my inner editor who would slow me up with making sure I followed all kind of grammar rules… very stifling to creativity which is most important in the first draft. Next, I go back and revise for bigger concepts like characterization, romantic arc, themes and so on. When I’m sure that I’ve fully developed my concepts and made them consistent throughout the book, then I put on my editor hat and look at grammar, sentence variations and word choices.
4. What was the most challenging part of writing this book?
Actually this one was a lot of fun to write! I worked in Manhattan when I was younger and always thought it was the most romantic place to fall in love. It was great to set the love story there, but I had to do research to make sure everything was still the way I remembered it… especially the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and places that update their exhibits.
5. What are your writing goals for 2014?
I’m still setting them- lol. I will write more Harlequin novels, of course, and plan to expand more in my YA career. I have a sci-fi YA romance in the works and a seaside YA romance series ahead.
6. Are you working on something now?
If so, can you tell us a little about it? I’m just wrapping up my latest Harlequin novel. It’s about a woman who rescues an orphaned bear and the Conservation Officer who at first opposes her then helps her. It’s set in the gorgeous Adirondack Mountains (where I live) and it’s been wonderful to have the couple on top of mountains and in forest meadows in the most romantic scenes! *sigh
About the Book
Title: Someone Like You
Author: Karen Rock
Genre: Contemporary, Sweet Romance
You can’t program love…or can you?
Kayleigh Renshaw has come up with the idea for a brilliant “compatibility app,” a new kind of matchmaking software. All she needs is a programmer to help her bring the idea to market…and she knows exactly who she wants. But Niall Walsh—a code whiz and her former best friend—has been avoiding her since he returned from Afghanistan. In spite of their history, and some sparks that go beyond friendship, he’s proving reluctant…. Is it her, or is something darker holding him back?
Author Bio
Karen Rock is an award-winning YA and adult contemporary author. She holds a master’s degree in English and worked as an ELA instructor before becoming a full-time author. With her co-author, Joanne Rock, she’s penned the CAMP BOYFRIEND series with Spencer Hill Press under the pseudonym J.K. Rock. She also writes contemporary romance for Harlequin Enterprises. Her wholesome romance, Heartwarming novels have won the 2014 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and the 2014 Golden Quill Contest. When she’s not writing, Karen loves scouring estate sales for vintage books, cooking her grandmother’s family recipes and hiking. She lives in the Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, daughter, and two Cavalier King cocker spaniels who have yet to understand the concept of “fetch” though they know a lot about love. To find out about her upcoming releases, appearance and latest news, visit http://www.karenrock.com or follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/karenrockwrites or Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/karenrock5 She’d love to connect with you!
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