I’m excited to introduce you to contemporary romance writer Karin Beery for today’s feature author. At the end of the interview, be sure to enter for a chance to win a paperback copy of her book Avoiding Marriage.
Welcome, Karin. I find many people are curious about what inspires authors to start writing. Could you tell us what inspired you?
I wrote my first manuscript in high school because I was bored (I was a straight-A student filling my time with requirements that didn’t really interest me). I didn’t write again until less than a year after I got married, when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. I’m a true escapist—avoiding reality by slipping into a good book or movie—so I devoured fiction during his treatments. Eventually, I ran out of books I wanted to read, so I wrote my own! It was terrible, but it launched everything for me. (FYI—hubby is happy, healthy, and cancer free!)
We are relieved to hear that your husband is now cancer-free. Must have been a frightening experience.
What advice would you give a new writer or someone just starting out?
Steve Jobs once said something to the effect of: it takes 4-5 years to master something new, so give yourself 7-8. I’m always amazed at how many new writers have never studied fiction writing, never attended a conference, and never hired a professional editor, but they think their first manuscript should and will be published. It’s truly one in a million who can do that. Your chances are better if you slow down, learn the craft, then write a great book.
I couldn’t agree more! What is the most difficult part of writing for you?
The first draft! I have such anxiety about it that I put it off and put it off and put it off. Ugh. It’s one of the reasons I don’t have more books published—it takes me forever to write that first draft. Once it’s written, though, I love editing it.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve written eight books—three are published. Three are terrible. I hope to clean up two of them for publication someday, but the third … you’ll just have to trust me. My agent has one right now that’s the first in a 3-book series (book two is done and I’m working on book three). I hate saying that I have a favorite, because I love all of my stories, but I’m really excited about the manuscript my agent has—it’s based on a local fundraiser and stars a championship ballroom dancer and a former Division I college football player.
What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your books?
That I don’t like writing! I thought that would be the easy part, but I’ve discovered that I’m an editor who writes, not a writer who edits. I have a hard time visualizing everything for that first draft, but once it’s written, I know how to analyze it, break it apart, and put it back together.
If any of your books have been made into audiobooks, what were the challenges in producing it?
My debut novel released on audiobook this year, and I love it! The narrator did an amazing job. My publisher worked out most of the details for me, so all I had to do was pick a narrator, then review the chapters after she recorded them. I was intimidated at first, but the narrator (Jasmine Rose) was so easy to work with and she did such a good job.
Can you share a snippet of your featured book that isn’t in the blurb or excerpt?
I’d love to! This is when Jess(ica) and Carter meet—they become unexpected friends despite their apparent boredom with each other’s careers:
“Jess Miller, this is Ted Richardson from CNMC,” Russ said. “He’s our contact for the work-study program, which starts next year. This summer we’re going to work out the details.”
She shook hands with the taller, blonder man. “Nice to meet you.”
“This is Carter Palmer. He’s a historian.”
“Genealogist,” Carter said.
“What’s the difference?” Jess asked.
“I focus on people, not events.”
“You study dead people?”
He smiled, crinkling the skin at the corners of his dark blue eyes. “I study and preserve the past.”
“I’m the farm manager.” She offered her hand. His callus-free handshake was surprisingly firm. “I’m not sure if I can help you with anything, but I will if I can.”
“I’m really just here to see how this program works so I can propose a similar venture for the history department.”
“You teach history?”
“I do.”
Jess smirked. “So, you’re a historian.”
What was the inspiration for the story?
It was two-fold: first, there was a hiccup with my next manuscript, so it took longer than expected for my agent to start submitting. I didn’t want to go too long between books, though, so I decided to self-publish a novella.
Next, I had several people comment on how much they enjoyed the characters in Practically Married, my 2019 release. I loved the character Jess in that story, so I decided to dig into that and write a novella about her.
What do you want your readers to take away from this book?
My goal is always the same—I just want people to be entertained. Fiction has always been an escape for me, so I want to give others something fun, sweet, and romantic to escape into. I can promise you there will always be hope and romance in my novels.
She’s trying to make things right.
Two years ago, Jessica Miller made a mess of her already confusing life. Now, she’s back 
in Boyne Heights, and she’s determined to fix her reputation. She can’t seem to avoid the past that haunts her, but that’s the joy of small-town life—word spreads and people remember. Intent on her mission, however, she faces her past head-on, taking a job with her ex-boyfriend while avoiding her grandmother’s attempts to find her a new one.
About the Author:
Karin Beery grew up in a rural Michigan town, where she wrote her first novel in high school. Today, she writes hopeful fiction with a healthy dose of romance, including her award-nominated sophomore novel Practically Married. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s reading, editing, or teaching it. In her free time, she enjoys watching University of Michigan football (usually) and action-adventure movies with her husband and fur babies.
Purchase Practically Married here.
Connect with Karin on her website
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Comments 2
About how she got started writing
I found it most interesting that she enjoys editing more than writing, because I thought I was alone in this! I feel totally lost while I am writing, but I am confident and comfortable with editing. Perhaps there is hope for me yet!