A Perfect 10 With Author Karen Ingalls

Today’s perfect 10 interview session is with author Karen Ingalls. The questions in these interviews are designed to gain more insight into the inspiration, background and strategy of the authors that stop by.

Please enjoy this edition of A Perfect 10 and look for an exciting announcement regarding all of the participating authors for 2018.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Writing energizes me and sometimes I cannot believe how the time has flown by. I must remind myself to get up and stretch to relax my muscles. I am tired at times, but it is a “happy” tiredness because I feel fulfilled and good.

Do you ever write under a pseudonym? If not, have you considered it? Why or why not?

I have never considered to write under a pseudonym. I am proud of my work and want my true name attached to it.

Does a big ego help or hurt writers? Why or why not?

This is a very interesting question. After thinking about it, I believe that a writer needs a strong ego to feel confident in their writing skills and the purpose of their book. If the ego is too big, the person might not accept constructive criticism or rejection of their written piece. We do need to feel confident about our works, but not to the point of refusing to listen to any criticism.

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

When I was ready to publish my first book, I spent the money to get a highly-recommended editor and cover designer. I knew nothing about the world of publishing, so I sought out the help of Beavers Pond Press, which did charge a fee, but it was money well spent.

What does writing success look like to you? Have you achieved it?

I feel my writing career has been successful because of the positive reception I have received from family and strangers. To read positive reviews from people that I do not know is quite heart-warming. I do believe I am successful even though I am not on talk shows or the New York Times bestseller list.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? What sources do you use?

I definitely do research. I had to do an extensive amount of research for my book, Davida: Model & Mistress of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. For that book I used previous writings, some letters I had, the curator of the Saint-Gaudens’ National Site, and the Internet.

For my book, Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir my research included other books as well as the Internet.

And, for Novy’s Son, which is a novel, I did not have to do very much research. I did use the Internet to confirm historical, geographical, or industrial information.

How do you select the names of your characters? Have you ever regretted choosing a particular name? Why?

Since two of my novels are based on real-life stories, I rarely had to create fictitious names. When I did, I would draw from my imagination thinking what name fits that character. I have not regretted choosing a name. However, my first edition of Novy’s Son was purely fiction. I was not happy or satisfied that I did that so I rewrote the book using real names.

What is the hardest type of scene to write?

I have not come across that challenge. I think it would be very difficult to write a fight scene with fists flying, etc.

If you could have dinner with four people, living or dead, who would they be and what would you want to ask them?

I love this question. I would invite my great-grandfather (Augustus Saint-Gaudens), his mistress and my great-grandmother (Davida Johnson Clark), and my grandfather, their only child, and Uncle Louis Saint-Gaudens.

My questions:

Why didn’t you leave your wife and marry Davida?

Davida, where were you born, how did you come to the U.S., and how did you meet Gus?

For my grandfather Louis, what kind of a relationship did you have or wanted to have with your father?

How did you handle being called a bastard?

Davida, tell me about your childhood, your parents, your beliefs?

Gus, do you regret not marrying Davida?

Uncle Louis, were you ever jealous of the fame that Gus achieved?

Uncle Louis, were you in agreement with Gus’s decision to not marry Davida and claim Louis as his son?

What platform has brought you the most success in marketing your books?

My two blogs, personal appearances, and Facebook. Along with Rave Reviews Book Club

Karen’s Books:

http://www.kareningallsbooks.com

http://www.amazon.com/Davida-Model-Mistress-Augustus-Saint-Gaudens/dp/153097871

Davida: Model & Mistress of Augustus Saint-Gaudens is a historical novel based on the true story of America’s premier sculptor and designer of the $20 gold coin and his love affair with his model, Davida. It has received two awards.

http://www.amazon.com/Novys-Son/dp/BO1BO2VQY

Novy’s Son is based on the true story of the first grandson of Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Davida. The novel tells the turmoil this young man had all through his life trying to find unconditional love and acceptance from his father. A common problem in our society.

http://www.amazon.com/Outshine-An-Ovarian-Cancer-Memoir/dp/1592984622

Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir is the award-winning story of the author’s journey with ovarian cancer. It is informative and inspirational and can be of help to anyone dealing with any type of cancer.

Proceeds from the sale of all these books goes to cancer research.

Connect with Karen:

http://www.kareningalls.blogspot.com (a blog for authors and avid readers)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNLHvrnlqRY&feature=youtu.be (for Davida)

https://youtu.be/5-rNU2pUZnI (for Novy’s Son)

http://twitter.com/KIngallsAuthor

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Ingalls

http://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-ingalls

http://goodreads.com/kareningalls

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/kareningalls

http://plus.google.com/+KarenIngalls1941

http://www.outshineovariancancer.com