Writing and writers: Karen E. Coles

Karen E. Coles is a full time novelist, nature lover, tea drinker extraordinaire and self-confessed owner of “a very strange mind”. Her latest book, Wormwood – the culmination of the Mesmeris trilogy, about a malign religious sect – dropped on June 22, and so Karen was more than happy to discuss her work, in this informative, insightful, open and honest chat.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I was born in Taplow, Berkshire, but now live in beautiful South West Wales. I lived in quite a few different parts of England and Wales between the two. I studied Fine Art at university and, until I discovered writing, worked as an exhibiting artist and occasional art tutor.

What were you like at school?

Quiet and serious. I hated school and did my best to fade into the background as much as possible.

Were you good at English?

It was one of my top subjects, together with art and biology.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?

I want to write books that people will remember forever.

So, what have you written?

I’ve just completed a trilogy of novels about a violent religious sect – Mesmeris, Infixion, and Wormwood. I do have a blog but rarely post as it takes time away from my main writing.

Tell us a little about your book.

My latest release, Wormwood, is the culmination of a trilogy of books about Pearl, a normal young woman, and her struggle to protect the people she loves from murderous cult leader, Papa. The other main character, Spicer, is a young police officer. He too wants to rid the world of Mesmeris. Together they must succeed, or lose everything, including their lives.

Tell us about this series…

The Mesmeris series is essentially all about the battle between love and hatred, or good and evil. Papa, the cult leader, abducts his devotees as children, then indoctrinates and desensitises them until they no longer know the difference between right and wrong. He uses them to increase his own social standing and influence, controlling them through what Pearl believes is simply mind control. Perhaps it is – or perhaps it’s something else, something far more dangerous. Mwahaha!

Give us an insight into your main characters. What do they do that is so special?

The main character, Pearl, is an ordinary girl ruled by her heart – and her hormones – and both these lead her into big trouble. She’s seventeen when the story begins and twenty-three when it ends.

Spicer is older, with a tragic past. He’s sensitive and wants to be the good guy. Sometimes, that’s not possible.

What genre are your books?

I find this question so difficult. In the first book, Mesmeris, Pearl is seventeen, so it should fit into the YA (Young Adult) genre. However, the book is quite disturbing in many ways, as well as violent with strong language, so I would say probably suitable for older teens onwards. The other two books, Infixion and Wormwood, are, of course, older as is the main character. I don’t like categorising, but would put them in the suspense/occult genre.

What draws you to this genre?

As a child I was obsessed with dark fairy tales and Greek myths, and read every book they had in our local library. Although they’re disturbing they’re far enough removed from everyday reality to be enjoyably scary. I’m not a big fan of stories that are too much like real life. I already live real life. When I’m reading, I want to be transported somewhere else.

Which actors would you like to see playing the lead characters from Mesmeris?

Gosh! If my books were ever filmed, I think I’d want unknowns to play the parts, perhaps university drama graduates. I don’t have any actors in mind when I write my characters. They are themselves.

How much research do you do?

For this series I didn’t have to do too much as it’s mostly imagination. I did, however, check that I got terminology right and that sort of thing.

When did you decide to become a writer?

I didn’t really. I just thought I’d give it a go. As soon as I started I knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It was that instant.

Why do you write?

It makes me feel better. I’m happiest when writing is going well. It’s the best feeling!

What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?

There was a story I wanted to read, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. Then I realised that maybe nobody else had written it, and that if I wanted to read it, I would have to write it myself.

Do you write full-time or part-time?

Full-time.

Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

My day is very unstructured but, given the chance, I will write from waking to bedtime. I try to write something every day. When life intervenes and I’m unable to, I get very tetchy. A day without writing feels as if I’ve wasted a day of my life.

Do you aim for a set amount of words per day?

I aim to write as much as possible. I write far, far more than I use.

Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?

Both laptop and longhand. If the weather’s good, I like to sit in the garden and write on paper. If I have a totally new scene to write, I usually fine the ideas also flow better on paper.

Where do your ideas come from?

My imagination. I have a very strange mind.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?

I always do a plot outline in the hope that it’ll make the writing process easier. I’ve never managed to stick to it. I usually end up ditching the outline and just seeing where the characters want to go.

How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

I think I’ve become more relaxed in my writing – less concerned with getting it ‘right’ – so I’m a lot freer, both in style and content.

What is the hardest thing about writing?

Opening the document, especially if it’s been a few days since I wrote anything. Then, it’s positively terrifying.

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

Because it was the third in a trilogy, I was constrained by what had happened in the first two books. That threw up some difficulties. My main problem though, as with all my writing, was my haphazard writing method. I have notes on scraps of paper, passages written in different notebooks. A lot of the time, I can’t remember if I’ve typed something or just written it on the back of an envelope. I waste a lot of time trying to find bits of writing – sometimes only a line or phrase.

What is the easiest thing about writing?

Writing an exciting scene for the first time, when the ideas are coming so thick and fast it’s a job to get the words onto the paper/screen.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

Anything between eighteen months and three years. I’m not a speedy writer (see awful writing method above). I’m also very fussy. I have to love, not just like, every single bit of the story. Consequently, it takes me a long time to get it right. I’m hoping to improve my speed with the next novel, but not banking on it.

Do you ever get writer’s block?

Not really, unless you count being frightened to open the document. Once I start I’m usually okay.

Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?

Any of the books on writing by James Scott Bell. He doesn’t tell you how to write, but gives some excellent exercises that trigger ideas and creativity.

Which writers inspire you?

Graham Greene, the Brontes, Edith Wharton, Iain Banks, David Mitchell. The list is endless really.

How much do you read?

I read every day. Sometimes I have more than one book on the go. Graham Greene is my favourite ever writer. I’m in love with every sentence in Brighton Rock! I love the Brontes, Iain Banks’ early novels, David Mitchell, Margaret Attwood, Sarah Waters, Helen Dunmore, Maggie O’Farrell, Jane Rusbridge, Markus Zusak, Elena Ferrante. I could go on – and on.

What is your favourite book and why?

Brighton Rock, without doubt. It has everything I want in a book. It’s seedy, menacing, tragic. Not to mention the writing, which is superb.

For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?

Hardback are my favourite, then paperbacks. I rarely read ebooks.

What are you reading at present?

Rook by Jane Rusbridge. I absolutely love it. Just my cup of tea.

Do you proofread all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?

I do it first, then my eldest daughter checks it over for anything I’ve missed.

Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit?

No. I should I suppose, but don’t.

Who edits your books?

Myself. I was conveniently nearby and was also free!

Tell us about your cover art and how they came about.

I was lucky enough to win a competition to have a book cover designed by Jennie Rawlings and she produced the beautiful cover for Wormwood. She also designed the covers for Mesmeris and Infixion, using stunning drawings by Ally Coles.

Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?

Yes, I think so. I have bought books with covers I don’t like if I’ve heard that the book itself is good. However, in a bookshop, I’ll go for a cover that appeals to me, as long as the blurb sounds interesting, and I imagine most people are the same.

Why did you choose to self-publish?

When the first two books were written, I had an agent and they were initially published by White Glove. I wasn’t really happy with the arrangement and decided to go it alone.

What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?

I would always go for traditional publishing given the choice. Without a marketing team behind you, it’s very difficult to get reviews and hence visibility. The one advantage of self-publishing is that you have control over your ‘product’.

How do you market your books?

I’m rubbish at marketing. I do tweet and post on Facebook sometimes, and occasionally write a blog post, but I hate doing it. It makes my toes curl!

What do you do to get book reviews?

In the past I have asked people to review if they’ve told me they enjoy the books, but again it’s one of those things I hate doing.

What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?

Reading is subjective, just like art. Not everyone will like the same thing, thank goodness. I know my books won’t appeal to everyone, so bad reviews are to be expected. Good ones are very nice to have though.

Which social network worked best for you?

I think I’ve probably sold more books through Twitter than anywhere else.

Any tips on what to do and what not to do?

Be yourself. Don’t push your books all the time because people will just unfollow or mute you (quite rightly).

Why do you think that other well-written books just don’t sell?

There’s a lot of luck involved, I think. Getting your book seen is the important thing. Unfortunately, I haven’t worked out how to do that yet.

What do you think of “trailers” for books?

I love watching them.

Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own books?

No, but I’m now thinking about it!

Do you think that giving books away free works and why?

I do an occasional free promotion day. It does sometimes help, but not always.

Did you format your own book?

Yes, but only with the help of my fellow writer and friend, Gail Rennie.

Do you have a favourite motivational phrase?

I don’t have one. Not keen on all that malarkey!

How do you relax?

I sit in the garden, drink tea and cuddle my cocker spaniel.

Where can you see yourself in 5 years time?

Hopefully, sitting in the garden, writing on paper.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t ever think you can’t do anything. You can if you want it enough.

What struggles have you overcome as a writer?

I’ve had to work VERY hard to learn the mechanics of writing.

What criticisms have helped you grow as a writer?

One of my beta readers, very early on in my writing career, told me I was being lazy and that I could do better. She was right, and I think of it every time I write.

Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

Alexander Fleming. He’s my hero.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?

Wuthering Heights. I love the bleak, dark atmosphere. It irritates me when people call it a love story. It’s not. It’s about obsession.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Keep writing and don’t give up.

What are you working on at the minute? Do you have any upcoming projects?

I’m working on a historical novel inspired by a murder that took place in Victorian times quite near to where I now live.

Is there anything unique about yourself that you would like your readers to know?

I doubt I’m unique, but I like snakes, insects, and most of all toads. I also talk to myself.

How can readers discover more about you and you work?

Blog: https://mesmeris.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005946528361

Twitter: @KEColeswriting

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8508583.K_E_Coles

Where can one buy your books?

The Mesmeris trilogy is available in paperback and ebook formats from Amazon UK and Amazon.com

Thank you very much, Karen, for taking the time to take part in this interview.

Image credits: Karen E. Coles/Jenny Rawlings

Author bio: James Gent is a freelance writer; passionate about pop culture, books & book people, and social media. He has contributed to several published anthologies including 1001 TV Series You Must Watch Before You Die, penned the group biography for the official Monty Python website, and is currently editing Me And The Starman, a tribute to David Bowie, to be published by Watching Books later this year.

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