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Tell us about you, what you like to do, your background.
I am a California native, born and raised. I attended Long Beach Poly High School and California State
University Dominguez Hills, where I received my BA in Literature and Communications. This was a huge
success for me, because I am the first in my family to graduate from college, and I did it as a single parent. I
currently work as a Probation Officer. I am the mother to an 11 year old, named Adara, who is my life. I’m
a big square, but a goofy one. I enjoy outings with the family, cookouts and getting together for the holidays.
I love music and watching movies of any kind, I like getting down in the kitchen, going to concerts and of
course, writing. And for some reason, I am obsessed with Sea World and Shamu (laughing). Also, nothing
feels better than doing the girly thing, getting dressed up and going out to dinner with my significant other. I
am also hoping that as I travel more, I can add to my list of interests.
How long have you been writing?
I have been writing since I was a kid, 9. I have always had a passion for literature.
How did writing become your passion?
For as long as I could remember, I loved to read and write. There was always something fascinating people
in normal circumstances and people in extreme circumstances. A professor once told me, everyone has a
story to tell. Books always took me to another place, another time. Then I got tired of just reading stories
and wanted to create my own. Writing represented so many things to me. It was a way to vent, inform and
entertain.
You write fiction and poetry. How does the two go hand in hand?
Because they both relate some type of experience
Do you remember your first story you wrote when you were nine? What was it about?
Yes, embarrassingly enough! It was about another student in my class who was picking on me. For some
reason, I felt like if I put it on paper it would help someone else in the same position as me.
You have received very good reviews on your novel, Harlem on Lock. How was that for you reading
what others thought about your work?
It is always very flattering to hear all the good reviews. What the reviews did was inspire me to write more
and dig deeper into myself. To know I have fans! Little ole me? It’s a good feeling. Now, the not so nice
reviews…. Lets just say it is a good thing I have thick skin.
How do you deal with writer's block?
When I write I have a voice that talks to me. It comes out when it chooses to. I remember at one point in
my life, about 13 years ago, my voice was on a rampage, but I kept ignoring it. Then I got to a point where
my voice was gone and I developed writer’s block. For a couple of years, I couldn’t write. One of my
professors told me that what I needed to do was make my voice comfortable enough to come back out, and
when it came out, I needed to listen to it. The thing I learned from that is that you can’t neglect your voice.
So it doesn’t matter what I’m doing, I could be having dinner, working, driving, halfway asleep, if my voice
comes out, I’m writing. I have not had this problem since, but every now and then, I could be working on
something I already developed and it is just not flowing. I have two choices, I can force it or I can just chill
out. In the movie, Fade To Black, rapper, Jay’z, addresses this. He said something to the effect of, "If it’s
not flowing and I start thinking and keep going, it feels forced." That’s how I feel! So if I’m in the mist of
working on something and it is not coming strictly from inspiration, I stop. I may go eat something, listen to
a song, or call a friend. There were times where I wanted to force it out of fear that it wouldn’t come. But
the thing to remember is that if you believe in your gift, you know eventually the inspiration will bring it out.
How do you manage your time to work a full time job, be a full time mom and writing and yet still
have time for you?
My life has always been busy. The crazy part is that I’m less productive when I have more time on my
hands. I think it is about having a proper balance. My daughter is also part of the reason I manage everything
so well. She is 11, an excellent student, responsible, respectful and supportive. We go out and pass out fliers
for my book together; she comes to all my Book Signings. She is a real joy and she is at a point where she
has her own identity, her own social circle, so she does her own thing, giving me time for myself. Yet, I
think it is still important that we still have time for each other. Last week, we saw The Secret Life Of Bees.
(laughing) I cried. She didn’t.
What sacrifices have you had to make to make your dream become a reality?
I had been trying to get published four years before I was actually signed. Writing always took up a lot of
my time but I never really looked at it as a sacrifice because I have such a passion for writing. I remember in
2005 when I was trying to get my foot in the door as an author. I had just graduated from college the year
before and I had no type of connections to the industry but I had just finished my first novel and I knew my
first step was to obtain an editor. My birthday was coming up and my favorite singing group, Jagged Edge,
were in concert. I love this group so much, when I watch them perform, I cry like a baby! My sister told
me she could buy the concert tickets as my birthday gift or give me the money to put towards getting an
editor. I ended up getting the editor. Yet, after the investment, I still couldn’t get signed. I was paying for
various reading fees, sending out manuscripts, queries. I had pretty much spent over a thousand dollars and
still did not get anywhere. So I guess you could say the sacrifices have been the time I put into my stories
and the money.
Has the sacrifices made, been worthwhile in the long run?
I feel like all the sacrifices I made were worth it because in the end, I got my book published
When you write poetry, how much of your life is incorporated?
A substantial amount is incorporated. Writing has always been a type of therapy for me.
I noticed that poetry you have posted on your site is personal. Is it easy for you to put a lot of
yourself in your writing?
Yes. I’ve have never been a private person. I could meet you in five minutes and you’d walk away knowing
my whole history. I have always been a candid person. My life has been pretty interesting and crazy so far,
and I have never had issues divulging anything about it. I also learned that you never know who you can help
by relating who you are, what you been through and where you are now.
Many of our readers have at some point thought about becoming published. What advice would you
give to them?
I would tell readers not to be discouraged. It took me four years to finally get my book published. I would
also tell aspiring authors to get a good editor, a good query and synopsis. Without these, you can’t get your
foot in the door.
What goals have you set for yourself to reach in the next five years?
Within the next five years, I hope to be a National Bestseller, with about five books on the shelves. I hope to
open up my own bookstore and I have always had aspirations to open up a nonprofit performing arts center
in an inner city.
Have you started your next book?
Actually, I finished up my next novel, The People vs. Cashmere, in Feb, 07. I write pretty fast and can write
a book in about a month. Right now, I’m just doing what I call, writing for fun.
What's next for you?
My next novel is called The People vs. Cashmere. If you read Harlem On Lock and you liked it, without a
doubt, you will like The People vs. Cashmere. It sheds a lot of light on what our young girls have to deal
with. My main character, Cashmere will trip you out! The book is so intense and something is always going
on! I literally felt like I was going crazy as I wrote it.
Have you thought about writing in any other genres?
I actually have. I have a Christian short story, in the anthology, Even sinners Have Souls, that will be
released Christmas of 2009, called, Even Sinners Still Have Souls Too. This is part 3 of the series. My story
is called, He’s with Me. I also have more novels written in multiple genres that I hope to release soon.
Where can people go to learn more about you and to read your poetry?
They can visit my website www.authorkarenwilliams.com
or
www.myspace.com/alluru
or
www.qborobooks.net
Where can they go purchase your novel, Harlem on Lock?
Harlem On Lock is available wherever books are sold. Right now, I’m doing a Harlem On Lock $50.00
Macy’s gift card giveaway. The details are on my space page. www.myspace.com/alluru
Questions or comments about this interview? Have a book and looking to be interviewed? Email them to us
at authorinterviews@themeccalounge.com
I am a California native, born and raised. I attended Long Beach Poly High School and California State
University Dominguez Hills, where I received my BA in Literature and Communications. This was a huge
success for me, because I am the first in my family to graduate from college, and I did it as a single parent. I
currently work as a Probation Officer. I am the mother to an 11 year old, named Adara, who is my life. I’m
a big square, but a goofy one. I enjoy outings with the family, cookouts and getting together for the holidays.
I love music and watching movies of any kind, I like getting down in the kitchen, going to concerts and of
course, writing. And for some reason, I am obsessed with Sea World and Shamu (laughing). Also, nothing
feels better than doing the girly thing, getting dressed up and going out to dinner with my significant other. I
am also hoping that as I travel more, I can add to my list of interests.
How long have you been writing?
I have been writing since I was a kid, 9. I have always had a passion for literature.
How did writing become your passion?
For as long as I could remember, I loved to read and write. There was always something fascinating people
in normal circumstances and people in extreme circumstances. A professor once told me, everyone has a
story to tell. Books always took me to another place, another time. Then I got tired of just reading stories
and wanted to create my own. Writing represented so many things to me. It was a way to vent, inform and
entertain.
You write fiction and poetry. How does the two go hand in hand?
Because they both relate some type of experience
Do you remember your first story you wrote when you were nine? What was it about?
Yes, embarrassingly enough! It was about another student in my class who was picking on me. For some
reason, I felt like if I put it on paper it would help someone else in the same position as me.
You have received very good reviews on your novel, Harlem on Lock. How was that for you reading
what others thought about your work?
It is always very flattering to hear all the good reviews. What the reviews did was inspire me to write more
and dig deeper into myself. To know I have fans! Little ole me? It’s a good feeling. Now, the not so nice
reviews…. Lets just say it is a good thing I have thick skin.
How do you deal with writer's block?
When I write I have a voice that talks to me. It comes out when it chooses to. I remember at one point in
my life, about 13 years ago, my voice was on a rampage, but I kept ignoring it. Then I got to a point where
my voice was gone and I developed writer’s block. For a couple of years, I couldn’t write. One of my
professors told me that what I needed to do was make my voice comfortable enough to come back out, and
when it came out, I needed to listen to it. The thing I learned from that is that you can’t neglect your voice.
So it doesn’t matter what I’m doing, I could be having dinner, working, driving, halfway asleep, if my voice
comes out, I’m writing. I have not had this problem since, but every now and then, I could be working on
something I already developed and it is just not flowing. I have two choices, I can force it or I can just chill
out. In the movie, Fade To Black, rapper, Jay’z, addresses this. He said something to the effect of, "If it’s
not flowing and I start thinking and keep going, it feels forced." That’s how I feel! So if I’m in the mist of
working on something and it is not coming strictly from inspiration, I stop. I may go eat something, listen to
a song, or call a friend. There were times where I wanted to force it out of fear that it wouldn’t come. But
the thing to remember is that if you believe in your gift, you know eventually the inspiration will bring it out.
How do you manage your time to work a full time job, be a full time mom and writing and yet still
have time for you?
My life has always been busy. The crazy part is that I’m less productive when I have more time on my
hands. I think it is about having a proper balance. My daughter is also part of the reason I manage everything
so well. She is 11, an excellent student, responsible, respectful and supportive. We go out and pass out fliers
for my book together; she comes to all my Book Signings. She is a real joy and she is at a point where she
has her own identity, her own social circle, so she does her own thing, giving me time for myself. Yet, I
think it is still important that we still have time for each other. Last week, we saw The Secret Life Of Bees.
(laughing) I cried. She didn’t.
What sacrifices have you had to make to make your dream become a reality?
I had been trying to get published four years before I was actually signed. Writing always took up a lot of
my time but I never really looked at it as a sacrifice because I have such a passion for writing. I remember in
2005 when I was trying to get my foot in the door as an author. I had just graduated from college the year
before and I had no type of connections to the industry but I had just finished my first novel and I knew my
first step was to obtain an editor. My birthday was coming up and my favorite singing group, Jagged Edge,
were in concert. I love this group so much, when I watch them perform, I cry like a baby! My sister told
me she could buy the concert tickets as my birthday gift or give me the money to put towards getting an
editor. I ended up getting the editor. Yet, after the investment, I still couldn’t get signed. I was paying for
various reading fees, sending out manuscripts, queries. I had pretty much spent over a thousand dollars and
still did not get anywhere. So I guess you could say the sacrifices have been the time I put into my stories
and the money.
Has the sacrifices made, been worthwhile in the long run?
I feel like all the sacrifices I made were worth it because in the end, I got my book published
When you write poetry, how much of your life is incorporated?
A substantial amount is incorporated. Writing has always been a type of therapy for me.
I noticed that poetry you have posted on your site is personal. Is it easy for you to put a lot of
yourself in your writing?
Yes. I’ve have never been a private person. I could meet you in five minutes and you’d walk away knowing
my whole history. I have always been a candid person. My life has been pretty interesting and crazy so far,
and I have never had issues divulging anything about it. I also learned that you never know who you can help
by relating who you are, what you been through and where you are now.
Many of our readers have at some point thought about becoming published. What advice would you
give to them?
I would tell readers not to be discouraged. It took me four years to finally get my book published. I would
also tell aspiring authors to get a good editor, a good query and synopsis. Without these, you can’t get your
foot in the door.
What goals have you set for yourself to reach in the next five years?
Within the next five years, I hope to be a National Bestseller, with about five books on the shelves. I hope to
open up my own bookstore and I have always had aspirations to open up a nonprofit performing arts center
in an inner city.
Have you started your next book?
Actually, I finished up my next novel, The People vs. Cashmere, in Feb, 07. I write pretty fast and can write
a book in about a month. Right now, I’m just doing what I call, writing for fun.
What's next for you?
My next novel is called The People vs. Cashmere. If you read Harlem On Lock and you liked it, without a
doubt, you will like The People vs. Cashmere. It sheds a lot of light on what our young girls have to deal
with. My main character, Cashmere will trip you out! The book is so intense and something is always going
on! I literally felt like I was going crazy as I wrote it.
Have you thought about writing in any other genres?
I actually have. I have a Christian short story, in the anthology, Even sinners Have Souls, that will be
released Christmas of 2009, called, Even Sinners Still Have Souls Too. This is part 3 of the series. My story
is called, He’s with Me. I also have more novels written in multiple genres that I hope to release soon.
Where can people go to learn more about you and to read your poetry?
They can visit my website www.authorkarenwilliams.com
or
www.myspace.com/alluru
or
www.qborobooks.net
Where can they go purchase your novel, Harlem on Lock?
Harlem On Lock is available wherever books are sold. Right now, I’m doing a Harlem On Lock $50.00
Macy’s gift card giveaway. The details are on my space page. www.myspace.com/alluru
Questions or comments about this interview? Have a book and looking to be interviewed? Email them to us
at authorinterviews@themeccalounge.com
After taking a brief hiatus, we return with a sit down with the author of the book "Harlem On Lock", Karen Williams. In
our exclusive interview, Karen discusses everything from writers block, poetry and being an open person, to her new
projects. Karen's contact information is at the end of the interview.
(themeccalounge.com writer Rochelle Black conducts this interview)
our exclusive interview, Karen discusses everything from writers block, poetry and being an open person, to her new
projects. Karen's contact information is at the end of the interview.
(themeccalounge.com writer Rochelle Black conducts this interview)