Getting to Know the Authors: Featuring Karen McQuestion!

Bio:

     Karen McQuestion is the bestselling author of books for all ages. Some of her titles include Hello Love, Life on Hold, The Long Way Home, and the Edgewood series. Her publishing story has been covered by the Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, and the national NPR show, The Story with Dick Gordon. She has also appeared on ABC’s World News Now and America This Morning. McQuestion lives with her husband and kids in Hartland, Wisconsin.
Her website: www.karenmcquestion.com\
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-McQuestion/107725872640353

She has written:

The Long Way Home, Easily Amused, Hello Love, Edgewood (Edgewood, #1), Favorite, Life on Hold, Wanderlust (Edgewood, #2), Lies I Told My Children, Absolution (Edgewood, #3), Celia And The Fairies, From a Distant Star, Secrets of the Magic Ring, Turning a Corner, Edgewood, Wanderlust (Edgewood #2), A Scattered Life, and Life On Hold.

Now on to the Interview!!

1) How old were you when you started writing, in your opinion?

  I decided I wanted to be a writer in third grade. My teacher had us write short stories and she read mine aloud as a good example. That’s all it took!

2) What do you want a reader to gain from reading your works?

  First and foremost, I write to entertain. I also hope that readers experience the story through the characters. I’m thrilled when people tell me one of my stories made them laugh or cry.

3) What are your three top suggestions on becoming an author, or being a pleasure writer?

  Practice, practice, practice! Read and write a lot, and make sure to read mindfully, noting when a story works, or not, and why.

4) What is your favourite novel, why?

  A Wrinkle in Time would be at the top of a very long list. I have many favorites. 

5) Who is your favourite author, why?

  Again, I have many. Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Anne Tyler, C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, Liane Moriarty, Dennis Lehane, Susan Ee, and the list goes on…

6) Who in your life do you credit your imagination to the most?

  I tend to think an imagination is something you’re born with. I can’t remember anyone encouraging me to be creative, but as a kid I was always daydreaming which is a helpful trait in a writer.

7) To the youth of today, if you could tell them one thing, what would it be?

  Listen to your intuition and never give up! Also, keep in mind sometimes disappointments lead you exactly where you need to be. Life is funny that way.