Great Summer Reads: An Interview with Karen White

Great Summer Reads: An Interview with Karen White

Whenever someone asks me for a summer read recommendation the first author that I think of is Karen White. Actually, I think her books are good to read any time of the year. If you like a little mystery, a little romance, and some ghosts, then there is a Karen White book out there for you. I have known Karen for over 15 years now and remember when she first made the New York Times Best Seller List. We share the love of beautiful clothing and that is how we met.

Not only is Karen a great storyteller for all of us to read, but she is in person too. When you are around her she will always have a funny story to share about something going on in her life. I was so glad that she had time in her schedule to answer a few questions that I could share with you.

Karen White, the Author

Give us a quick overview of how many books you have written and how long you have been doing this.

My first book, In the Shadow of the Moon, was published in August 2000.  Twenty-two years later, I’ve published thirty-one novels, including four collaborations with co-writers Lauren Willig and Beatriz Williams.

Did you always know you wanted to be an author? Or was there a specific idea or event that spurred your desire?

Despite having been a child with an overactive imagination as well as a life-long voracious reader, I never, never, ever wanted to be a writer.  I never even kept a journal or wrote anything outside of my school assignments.  It wasn’t until I read Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series and developed a serious book hangover that prevented me from reading another book, I listened to the ghosts of my past teachers and just started writing my first book.

Describe your writing process. Is it orderly, scheduled, daily? Kind of like a day in the life scenario.  Maybe why you escape to the beach house with Sophie every so often.

On a perfect day (one of the rare ones where I get to be home all day long), I wake up early, have my first cup of coffee and write 5 pages before I allow myself to get out of my chair and work out.  Then I shower, dress, have lunch and write more pages or edit if I’m on deadline (like now), or head online to answer emails and do any social media posts.  Of course, I rarely have days like that since I have a husband and kids and am in the middle of doing renovations to our house.  This is when I head to the beach house with my sweet dog, Sophie, to work in peace.

Is there a topic/theme/setting you’re particularly interested in that you’d like to write about in a future book?

I don’t think that far ahead!  I think I might like to explore the Florida Gulf coast again (I’ve already set a book in Apalachicola, Flight Patterns), something to do with a lighthouse, betrayal, and maybe a ghost or two.

Tell us about the new series set in New Orleans.  What inspired The Shop on Royal Street, the first book in the spin-off series based on the New York Times bestselling Tradd Street novels?   Why did you choose New Orleans for this series?  Is there a special connection?

Not many people know this, but the Tradd Street series was originally supposed to have been set in New Orleans.  I’d gone to Tulane so I was already familiar with the city, and it was the perfect setting for a story about a psychic real estate agent because of the gothic atmosphere and its haunted reputation.  But then Katrina happened and I needed to rethink the location.  I needed another fabulous Southern city full of history, gorgeous architecture and ghosts, so naturally I chose Charleston.

What are you working on now and when will it be out?

I’m currently working on The House on Prytania, the 2^nd book in my new Tradd Street spin-off series that is set it New Orleans.  It will hit book stores (assuming I ever finish writing it) May 2, 2023.

A Few Personal Notes

What books are on your bedside table right now? (Or in your bag, your car, or wherever you keep your current reads.)

I’m currently reading EDUCATED by Tara Westover, and listening to THE WIFE UPSTAIRS by Rachel Hawkins.

 Paper book or e-reader?  Which is your preference and why?

Definitely paper.  I spend my day staring at words on a screen, so I don’t want to spend my few extra minutes a day staring at more.  Also I don’t retain most of what I read on a screen—I need the tactile feel of an actual book.  I listen to audio books when I drive. There are too many good books out there and too little time!

How many cups of coffee per day when you are on deadline?

I’ve recently switched to a Nespresso machine so it’s hard to be specific, but let’s just say that by the end of the day I’ve had about six shots.  Sometimes more.  And then I switch to red wine (because it’s good for the heart).

How to Keep In Touch with Karen

You can see keep up with all things Karen White on her website www.karen-white.com. Her book tours and other announcements are always there and on her Instagram feed @karenwhitewrite.

My Favorite Reads by Karen White

It’s hard to pick just one that is my favorite. I thought I would share books that I have read over the years and thoroughly enjoyed. Now keep in mind, I have been reading Karen’s books since I met her so we may be going back into the archives here. Truth. I now have to put my readers on every time that I pick up a book and when I started reading her books that wasn’t the case. I don’t worry about that because you can always look fashionable in your readers. You can read my tips on that here. So if you haven’t read Karen’s books before now, then here are some that I think are must reads.

THANKS

As always, thanks for stopping by my little corner of the internet. Appreciate you taking the time out of your day. I hope that you enjoyed reading about one of my favorite female authors. Let me know if you which book you choose to read next.

Remember to always have a little SASs in your day!

Hugs,

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