Thursday, February 2, 2012

Special Guest: Karen Lange



There are plenty of challenges in a friendship, but co-authoring a book with a friend takes this relationship to an entirely different level. Today I have the privilege of interviewing Karen Lange, who is co-authoring a historical fiction novel with her friend, Susan J. Reinhardt.

Maria: Thanks for joining me, Karen! Before we talk about your novel, tell us a bit about yourself.

Karen: I am a follower of Christ, wife, and mother. My husband and I are blessed with two sons, a daughter, a daughter in law, and a very cute 4-year-old grandson. In addition to writing with Susan, I blog, do freelance work, and teach online writing classes.

Maria: You stay busy! How did you and Susan decide to co-author a book?

Karen: We were discussing a particular genre one day. I jokingly suggested that we should write a book about it together. Shortly after, Susan asked me if I wanted to give it a try. And the rest, as they say, is history! This is not something I would consider doing with just anyone. Susan and I have a good relationship and work well together. We 'get' each other's sense of humor, encourage one another, and compromise well.

Maria: Sounds like the perfect combination. Tell us about the writing process. How did you decide who would write each scene?

Karen: Susan has more experience than I do, having several novels under her belt already. She started things by writing the first chapter, and handed it off to me. I wrote chapter two, then sent it to her, and so on. We discuss and agree on basic plot and character information, and then let the ideas flow. For instance, a scene in one of Susan's chapters had me laughing out loud; it was a clever twist and a way to handle a prickly character. It's an exciting process, you never know what one of us will toss the other's way. I enjoy giving Susan mini cliffhangers. I think she likes doing the same thing to me.

Maria: As you continue writing your book and plan for publication, what would you say is the most important thing you've learned from this experience?

Karen: It is important to trust the Lord and persevere, always moving forward. It also helps if you play well with others.

Maria: Well put! Any future writing goals?

Karen: I'd like to see this book through to publication. I also have several nonfiction books I'd like to write.

Maria: Share some lessons you've learned on your journey as a writer.

Karen: The writer's life is not all sunshine and roses, but it is very rewarding. Rejection is part of the process. It stings, but ultimately it takes us where we are destined to go. I believe that God has called me to write, and I continue to trust Him to order my steps.

Maria: Important things to remember. What final words of wisdom would you like to leave with our readers?

Karen: Keep writing! If you feel called to write, commit yourself to writing consistently, whether it is every day, once a week, or whatever. Polish your skills and continue to learn. Always. Be open to feedback; input from others is an important part of the writing process. Thank you for hosting us here at Life Lessons, Maria. It's been a pleasure!

Maria: You're absolutely welcome, Karen! And the pleasure has been all mine! I wish you and Susan the best as you complete your novel, and I look forward to reading it when it's published!

*Karen Lange is a writer, blogger, and online writing instructor at the Coffeehouse for Writers. Her work has appeared in print and online in business, parenting, educational, and writing publications. Visit her blog @ karenelange.blogspot.com or contact her at karenelange@gmail.com

46 comments:

  1. Trading off chapters - that's an interesting way to do it. I'd almost like to try it sometime.
    Good interview, ladies!

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    1. Alex - Thanks so much for stopping by! Sounds like Susan and Karen have given you something to think about. Maybe co-authoring is in your future! God bless!

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  2. Hi Maria -

    Thanks for having Karen and me on your blog. We're learning a lot through this co-authoring process.

    Hi Karen - I enjoyed reading your answers for the second time. :)

    Hi Alex - Trading chapters also gives us a breather. We're both busy with other projects. It also provides time to mull over ideas for our next turn.

    Blessings,
    Susan

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    1. Susan - The pleasure was all mine! You ladies are fun to host! And I can't wait to read your book! Have a wonderful week, my friend. Hugs and God bless!

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  3. Maria,
    Thanks again for inviting Susan and I to share our thoughts. It's been fun!

    Alex,
    Perhaps for your next book? Once the dust settles on this latest one of course. :) Thanks for coming over!

    Susan,
    We are learning a lot, aren't we? :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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    1. Karen - You're absolutely welcome! I enjoyed the entire process - and you and Susan made it easy for me! Looking forward to reading your completed book! Hugs & Blessings!

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  4. Being open to feedback is a good trait for everyone to cultivate. Thanks for all the tips, Karen. Great interview.

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    1. Carol - Thanks for stopping by Life Lessons! Karen IS a wealth of information in addition to being an excellent writer! Have a wonderful week & God bless.

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  5. I've often wondered what it would be like to write collaboratively. Sounds like Karen and Susan have found a good synergy.

    And nice to meet you, too, Maria!

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    1. Laurel - Thanks so much for stopping by! You're absolutely right - Karen and Susan are talented writers who have found what it takes to co-author a novel. I look forward to stopping by your site and getting to know you! God bless!

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  6. Maria, thank you for interviewing Karen. Although I read her blog a lot, and am humbled that she reads mine, it's nice to get to know her even further in this light.

    Karen, it's important that you and Susan "get" each other's sense of humor, since that goes a long way in working well together. It's also pivotal that you and Susan are committed to compromising when you reach a crossroads. It can't be easy to co-author a fiction book, yet you guys seem to be doing great!

    I enjoyed the interview. Blessings.

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    1. Janette - Great to see you! So glad you enjoyed the interview. Karen and Susan are super ladies! Hope your week is off to a great start. God bless!

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  7. Great interview - sounds like a super partnership too. Thanks for sharing this with us, Maria!

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    1. Joanne - Glad you enjoyed the interview! Both Susan and Karen are great writers, and I look forward to reading their novel. Hope you have a fabulous week, my friend!

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  8. Great interview--enjoyed getting to know you, Karen, a bit better and to learn more about the process of co-authoring a book. Also, favorite line: "(rejection) stings bad but ultimately takes us where we are destined to go." Loved that thought! Good luck on the book to both Karen and Susan, and thanks, Maria, for the interview...

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    1. Kenda - Thanks for stopping by Life Lessons! So glad you enjoyed the interview with Karen. It IS nice to know that even rejection can be used to get us where we need to go. Have a fantastic week. God bless!

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  9. Carol,
    I really think it is, and I know I have to remind myself to seek it. I often get wrapped up in the writing and forget how helpful it is.

    Laurel,
    It's funny, I hadn't given it a whole lot of thought - collaborating on a novel, that is, prior to this. But Susan's been a great blessing!

    Janette,
    Thanks so much for your thoughts! It's interesting to see how the Lord has gone before us and worked things out. :)

    Joanne,
    It's a blessing to have a good writing partner, that's for sure. It's a blessing too, to meet you!

    Kenda,
    Thanks so much! I'm learning as I go! There's so much I don't know!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  10. Great interview and so glad to see more of Karen. :O)

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    1. Diane - So good to see you! Karen and Susan were both fun to interview. They gave just enough details to really make me curious about their book! I'm looking forward to reading it someday soon! Have a great week!

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  11. Love it, love it, love it! Thanks Maria for hosting these interviews with Susan and Karen, what a pair! Very inspirational...

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    1. Marja - You're absolutely right! Inspirational is a good word for these ladies. I'm not quite sure how they found the time to co-author a book, but I can't wait til it's published! Have a wonderful week. God bless!

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  12. Diane,
    Thank you for reading the post. :) Appreciate your support!

    Marja,
    Yes, we are a pair. Not sure what kind of pair, but a pair nonetheless! :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  13. Wonderful interview with two people to whom I'm partial. :) I thought it was fascinating to hear about your writing process, the two of you together. So interesting.

    And now I want to know what made you laugh, Missy K! :)

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    1. Rhonda - Thanks for stopping by! Karen and Susan make co-authoring sound like a breeze, don't they? And I'm with you, Rhonda, what made you laugh, Karen?

      God bless!

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  14. Thank you, Rhonda! You are so sweet. :) As far as what made me laugh, well, I may have to wait a bit to share, but I will, okay?

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  15. Karen, nice to see you here. How sound confident in where you are in your life.

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    1. Theresa - Thanks for stopping by! It certainly was a pleasure to host Karen at Life Lessons. Have a wonderful week!

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  16. It was nice to know more about you and your creative process, Karen. Much continued success to you (and Susan).

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    1. Jennifer - Thanks for stopping by Life Lessons for the interview with Karen! Have a blessed week!

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  17. Good interview! It gives me the chance to see my mom through different eyes. Though I have known her all my life as my wonderful and indespensible mom, I am still learning new things about her. I am pleased to see her achieving her writing dreams!

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    1. Becky - Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! What a privilege it was to interview your Mom. And it's clear to see that you are proud of her! Mother/daughter relationships are so special. Have a beautiful week!

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  18. Theresa,
    Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it! :)

    Jen,
    Thanks so much. Your support is very much appreciated!

    Becky,
    Thank you! You made me tear up a bit. :) You are a wonderful daughter!

    Blessings all,
    Karen

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  19. So glad to see Karen her, Maria! She is a gem. I had the privilege of reading a little of her's and Susan's first draft, and it is a winner of a story; I can't wait to see it on the shelves and in my Nook!

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  20. Jen,
    Thanks for coming by! You are such a sweetheart and a great cheerleader. You make me smile. :)
    Big hugs,
    Karen

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  21. Lovely interview, Karen!! I just think it's so neat that you're co-authoring a book. :)

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  22. Jennifer,
    Thank you! Must give the credit to Maria! :) She is away at the moment, but I am sure she's looking forward to reading everyone's thoughts.
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  23. Sounds fun and interesting having to build on a chapter you did not write!

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  24. Fascinating! I'm too chicken to do a novel with anyone else. The process must be amazing. :)

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  25. Great advice, Karen. It sounds like you and Susan are having fun!

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  26. Shanda,
    It is interesting. The ideas just keep coming! :)

    Lydia,
    Well, we're learning as we go, that's for sure!

    Jean,
    We are. And I know I am learning a whole bunch!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  27. Great, positive encouragement. I do feel called to write, though I never thought of it that way before. Thanks!

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  28. Lisa,
    Glad it was encouraging. :) Thanks so much for stopping by!
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  29. Hi, I am a new follower. I stopped by to read your interview with Karen, which is wonderful. Switching off chapters sounds like a promising idea. Karen shared many productive ideas during this interview.

    Glad to be a new follower.

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  30. Hi Melissa,
    Appreciate you taking the time to stop by! Glad you enjoyed the interview. :)
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  31. Trading off chapters and coauthoring? I have always wanted to do that. *envious* It sounds as if y'all ladies will have a jim-dandy of a story once you're finished. I am proud of you amigo. Susan too. A wonderful interview Maria. *waving*

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  32. Thanks Robyn! Your support means a lot. I have to say that Susan is a very big part of our equation. Couldn't do it without her!
    Thanks and hugs, friend. :)

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