Posted on May 20, 2021 at 8:00 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes.

Voted #1 Readers' Favorite Christian Romance Author in 2019 by Family Fiction magazine, Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings ... and ice cream.

She is an avid cross-stitcher and makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children. 

SADYE: How did you come to see yourself as a writer, and what inspired you to seek publication?

KAREN: I was always an avid reader but never really thought much about writing. Not until I graduated from college and started immersing myself in fiction again.

After graduate school I vowed never to read another textbook again. Ha!

I started jotting story ideas down in a journal and thought maybe someday I'd give writing a try.

But it wasn't until I was a stay-at-home mom with three kids in diapers and my husband came home to tell me his position had been cut that I decided to get serious about pursuing writing.

At first I thought I could help supplement the family income from home while he searched for work. I know — don't choke on your snack while you laugh.

I ended up going back to work a couple months later, but by then the writing bug had bitten hard.

It took me six years to land my first contract, but taking the time to hone my craft and learn the industry eventually paid off.

I now have twenty-two published novels and novellas with more on the way.

SADYE: Tell us something about your writing process that’s unusual or that you haven’t revealed before.

KAREN: I'm one of those odd ducks who insists on editing as I create. Most writers create first then go back and edit, honing and refining as well as adding layers and depth.

My perfectionist streak is too well ingrained. I have to edit as I go.

This habit makes my writing pace very slow, but when I get to the end of the first draft, I have a polished manuscript ready to submit.

SADYE: Which of your characters would you most and least like to trade places with?

KAREN: If I could inherit her abilities, I think I would like to trade places with Charlotte Atherton from A Worthy Pursuit.

I've always wanted to play the piano. I played flute in junior high and high school and sang in choir in college. I even went so far as to take piano lessons as an elective while at the university, but I just never got the hang of it.

Not only is Charlotte a stellar pianist, she's also a teacher of gifted children. My mom genes would love to have children around to nurture.

And heavens, but Stone Hammond is a handsome hunk of man with a heart of gold. Who wouldn't flutter at a man who vows, "I'll pursue you until a parson either joins us or speaks words over my grave." Swoon.

SADYE: What has been the most touching or memorable piece of reader feedback you’ve received?

KAREN: Hearing from readers is one of the biggest blessings of my writing career.

It's always a joy to hear that people love my stories, but the ones that touch my heart the most are the ones where readers share how something in my stories changed their lives.

For example, one reader shared with me about her struggle with severe depression.

She listens to my audiobooks and finds the messages of faith and love uplifting. And the engaging, fast-paced plots help her not only cope but get things done.

That is why I write.

SADYE: What message or theme would you like readers to take away from your work?

KAREN: As an author of inspirational fiction, there are faith elements that are key to the character development in each of my stories.

More often than not, the spiritual themes that work their way into my books are one that I myself struggle with as I search for a deeper relationship with God amidst the crazy adventures of life.

However, there does seem to be one overarching theme that makes its way into nearly every book of mine at some level – trust.

Learning to surrender control and trusting God to lead. Trusting God to turn tragedies into blessings. Trusting God when you can't see what lies around the next bend instead of succumbing to fear and worry.

So many iterations of this single spiritual discipline. It's so hard to master, yet so crucial for a joy-filled walk with God.

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Learn more about Karen Witemeyer on her website, where her books can also be purchased; like her on Facebook; and join her Facebook fan group

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Categories: Author Interview

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