Can you share a little about your recent book?
52 Weekly Devotions for Families Called to Serve provides easy to do faith connections as a family. Parents can choose what fits each week between the hands-on activities, chat prompts, contemporary story, and Bible passages. This is easier for busy families.
It also focuses on stories with children in families who served or helped by someone who serves. Such stories encourage a child to develop a servant heart and helps kids understand the lifestyle of people called to put the needs of others first.
Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?
I never wanted to write but God called me, gave me a vision, and I received a painting of the vision hours later. So, I committed to write until God tells me to stop. He also opened many doors and sent people my way to train me. He is still sending people to train me. Writing and marketing is a constant learning curve.
How long have you been writing?
25 years
And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally? How did that come about?
I received articles contracts 3 months after I started writing and sold something every month for 100 months in a row (stopped counting then plus I was doing columns by then).
My first book proposal contract came 3 years after I started writing. I received contracts for my first books in one week (my birthday week).
Which of your books is your favorite?
My newest is always among my favorites. I also treasure my book The Gift of Bread because I grew up in the restaurant business and cooked with so many people in my family. I also treasure my nonfiction historic book that shares true stories of what happened on the home front during American war times. As a military wife and mom, I believe the stories needed to be told.
Tell us about an award you won that was particularly meaningful.
The Christian Retailing NF children’s book of the year. At that time a small group of judges chose the finalists and then retailers voted. I was up against major children’s authors (the top ones) so I was thrilled to be a finalist. I was super surprised when they called my book title as the winner. That’s The One Year My Princess Devotions. I designed the book to share how young girls could be a real princess of action of God’s kingdom. There’s a princess in action activity every day to follow Jesus and apply God’s word at their level.
How long does it take you to write a book?
I can take as long as the contract gives me. I have written 365 devotionals in four months.
What’s your writing work schedule like?
I get up when I wake up and write all day unless I am traveling. I do use some of the time for marketing. I almost never work on a Sunday.
Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?
I never could use an outline or write one. I am a mathematician. I use spread sheets to lay out my books and it works super well.
What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?
The people I have met and trips I’ve taken (speaking in China answered my lifelong dream to visit that country, so all expenses paid and really interacting with people there gave me great joy).
What has been your darkest moment(s)?
It’s always sad when a book does not sell well (and that is a relative term). It was hard writing a book as my husband died. The galleys arrived the day he started hospice care and they were the worst I ever received. A few months later the editor finally looked at the galleys, scrapped them, and hired a new freelance editor. That saved the book.
How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?
I never counted (love never counts wrongs), so I have no clue. It took 11 years to get one book accepted and 22 for another.
Where do you get your ideas?
They just pop up or I get them in talking to an editor and hearing what they need. My mind is like a popcorn popper, so ideas are never a problem. I always trust God to give them to me.
Who is your favorite author to read?
I have a few I like: Jane Austin, Max Lucado, Carol Mayhill.
What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have heeded?
Learn to market. I was told to edit a lot and followed that advise. It helped. I read the market guide every day for the first year and learned to follow the guidelines because an editor said to do that. A fabulous piece of advice!
What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?
They think what they write is pure gold when it needs a lot of refining and sifting out. Many writers write to satisfy themselves and forget it’s all about the gift you create for the reader.
Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?
- Watch for changes in magazines and send in the new needs.
- Network and learn what is needed and where.
- Spend more time on the proposal to showcase the audience and the marketing ideas.
- Start small and local and move outward.
Karen Whiting has a heart to grow tomorrow’s wholesome families today. She lets creativity flow into her writing to encourage women, families, and children. She’s a Writing and Marketing Coach (www.karenwhiting.com), international speaker, former television host, and award-winning author of twenty-six books for women, children, military, and families. She’s also a mom of five (including two rocket scientists) and a grandmother. She writes to help families thrive. She has written more than seven hundred articles for more than sixty publications. Her awards include the Christian Retailing 2014 Best Award, children’s nonfiction (The One Year My Princess Devotions) and the Military Writer’s Society of America Gold Medal (Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front).
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