Interview Karen Hudgins

by

Sandy Semerad

I thought the pairing of a pastry chef with a copper fortune heir in Midnight With Maverick was especially interesting. Why did you choose that combination?

Carol Sue had her career set in the prior book, ONE NIGHT WITH ZORRO. She likes copper cookware, so I just paired her with The God of Copper! Really, I wanted a western touch to go with Maverick and a strong, contemporary hero. I picked Arizona, researched, and settled on copper for the hero’s family business. Doesn’t hurt that she has red hair with coppery highlights--Matt’s favorite hair color, of course.

What inspires you to write?

I feel better when I write and am creating something that wasn’t here five minutes ago. Writing is giving to others. So when readers react positively to my work, it thrills me. I never tire of that. So personal satisfaction would be my answer.

Do you prefer writing contemporary suspense to other genres and if so why?

I write contemporary romance, in which I can easily include suspense, intrigue, humor. For a short while I tried heavy mystery writing. I quickly discovered that I was working ‘against the grain’. I like contemporary romance characters who are larger than life. I feel a freedom in this genre to let them be themselves.

How do you remedy writer’s block?

I get writer’s stall, and it’s because I need to figure out something before I can produce more pages. I’ll often wait it out at the computer until something comes. That something might not be what I use in the end, but it does get me ‘streaming’ and keyboarding.

Who is your favorite writer and why?

I like variety too much to pick a fave. Yet, Susan Elizabeth Phillips does a great job. She’s brilliant and awes me with her writing courage when it comes to story content, orchestration of characters, conflicts, and above all, her humor. But there are many others as well who produce good reads.

What is you favorite book and why?

No all-time favorite book to report. Each book offers me something, whether it be an interesting technique, story element, or memorable characters. Once one begins writing, one never reads the same.

When you’re not writing what do you love to do?

Digital photography. You can see some of my work on my website, under “Other Interests”. Since I like color, form, texture and living things, capturing flowers close-up offers me the best of all those. I do other subjects, too. Depends on where I am and what I see that hits my heart and grabs my eye. Like our books, it’s another way of seeing the world.

What is a secret about you that your readers would be surprised to learn?

I’m not telling! But one thing might be that I didn’t like The Lord of the Rings. (Please, no letters, okay?)

What writing projects are you working on at the moment?

TONIGHT WITH TARZAN, The next book for my Super-Hero Series. This one will have adventure, and the first fan who e-mails me with the name of the first actor who played Tarzan and what year, you’ll receive a free copy of MIDNIGHT WITH MAVERICK!

When is your most productive time to write and why?

I get further when I write in the morning or in the dead of night, whichever comes first! Morning gives me clarity, energy, and a whole day ahead to work, which I love when it happens that way. But peace comes in the night--good focus and no noise or interruptions.

Which books on writing have you found to be helpful?

A few are: Dwight Swain’s Techniques of the Selling Writer--if you haven’t already, read it even though you might not understand it all; “Shut Up, He Explained” by William Noble--for dialogue, since it’s tough to master; and “The Writers’ Journey” by Vogler, for story structure. Most writing articles found in trade journals or RWR give us individual topics or boost our creativity into higher gear. I used these resources closely in the beginning.

How do you envision your future in 2004-2005?

Rewarding, meaningful. I’ll be busy writing and happy to have a new book out. I do more speaking engagements now, which is enjoyable. I plan to focus, promote, and keep growing. These are all integral parts of continuing my Writing Life, which is never dull!