Karen Harrington was born and raised in Texas, where she still lives with her husband and children. She received a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Karen's first writing gigs were in corporate America as an editor and speechwriter. Her fiction writing has been recognized by the Hemingway Short Story Competition and the Texas Film Institute.
Thanks to the wonderful world of social networking... Reading is Fashionable met author Karen Harrington... received a copy of her book to GIVEAWAY!!!
The book... Janeology... synopsis via HERE
When a prosecutor decides Jane's husband Tom is partially to blame for the death and charges him with "failure to protect," Tom's attorney proposes a radical defense. He plans to create reasonable doubt about his client's alleged guilt by showing that Jane's genealogy is the cause of her violence, and that she inherited her latent violence in the same way she might inherit a talent for music or a predisposition to disease. He argues that no one could predict or prevent the tragedy, and that Tom cannot be held responsible.
With the help of a woman gifted with the power of retrocognition—the ability to see past events through objects once owned by the deceased—the defense theory of dark biology takes form.
What unfolds is an unforgettable journey through the troubled minds and souls of eight of Jane's ancestors (named below), spanning decades and continents, this debut novel deftly illustrates the ways nature and nurture weave the fabric of one woman's life, and renders a portrait of one man left in its tragic wake.
Janeology is available HERE
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NOWWWW... Are you ready to MEET the author... I am...
Where are you from?
Dallas, TX
Tell us your latest news?
The paperback of my debut novel, Janeology, was just released.
When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve always written throughout my school years. I got serious about writing fiction when I went to college. But then I had to pay the bills, so I worked as a writer and editor for several corporations.
What inspired you to write your first book?
Though Janeology isn’t my first book (there’s a stash of those in my drawer) I was intrigued by those headlines about mothers who kill. I wanted to know what had gone wrong in those cases. Where was the mothering instinct? What could have happened in the days before a woman snapped. That was really the genesis for this novel. I wanted to gather, or create, answers to those questions that kept me up at night. I was also pregnant with my first child when I began sketching this story. I think that because my maternal instinct was in high gear, the stories of those mothers was all the more troubling for me.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I tend to be more minimalist in my style. I adore Hemingway’s economical, clear writing and I aim for that in my work.
How did you come up with the title?
The novel features the genealogy of my character, Jane. So it was a natural to create Janeology, which rhymes with genealogy.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Yes. I’d like readers to think about nature and nurture as it relates to their own family history. None of us have to be defined by the dysfunctional cycles running through our families. One can break that cycle.
How much of the book is realistic?
I studied several high profile legal cases about mothers who kill, particularly the Andrea Yates case. I was most intrigued about Andrea’s husband and his role and reaction to the tragedy. This is why I chose to have the book from the point of view of a man who is in love with this troubled woman.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
No, none of these events have occurred in my own life.
What books have most influenced your life most?
Is it cliché to say The Bible? It has influenced me profoundly. There’s great drama and redemption there, which is the key to any powerful story. And I also discovered Hemingway’s works when I was a new writer. I think his style influenced me. And of course, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. That book is like an old friend.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Hmm, that’ s an interesting question. I’d probably give a different answer for each decade of my life. In the early years, it was Louisa May Alcott and Harper Lee. In school, my English teacher, G. Clifton Wisler, was a published author and I looked up to him immensely. Right now, I’m going through a Pat Conroy phase. I stand in awe of his description and emotion.
What book are you reading now?
Beach Music by Pat Conroy.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Oh, yes! Will Allison is wonderful. I’ve also discovered Elizabeth Berg, Kelly Braffett and Amanda Eyre Ward and just wish they wrote faster!
What are your current projects?
A new contemporary YA novel, No Ordinary Girl, is currently being shopped by my agent. It’s the story of Jane’s daughter who had to grow up in the shadow of an infamous mother.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
My faith and my faith community.
Do you see writing as a career?
My dream is that someday I won’t be the big tax deduction in our family. So yes, I hope that one day I can tell you I make my living as a writer. Before becoming a stay at home mom, I was a corporate speechwriter. I’d love to write political speeches one day. That’s a whole different kind of writing, but it’s very rewarding.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
That’s hard to say. Of course, I continue to grow as a writer so I think I could improve on the writing. But I think that once a piece of art is out there, you have to let it go and stand for itself.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? – My love of reading and books made me want to try and create my own stories.
Can you share a little of your current work with us? – I hope to have news of No Ordinary Girl soon, but I will give you the first sentence. “You’ve never met anyone like me.” What do you think??
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? – I’m a stay at home mom to two beautiful little girls. The real challenge is finding significant blocks of time to write and balance my role as a wife and mother.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work? – There are so many, but right now if you put a gun to my head I’d say Pat Conroy. He has the ability to make characters walk right off the page.
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)? When Janeology debuted in 2008, I trekked all over Texas to signings and events. So much fun.
Who designed the covers? – The original cover was designed by Kam Wai Yu of Kunati Books. The paperback cover was designed by Stan Hulen of Hulen Design in Dallas, TX.
What was the hardest part of writing your book? – Janeology includes a narrative that goes back in time so that we meet four generations of Jane’s family, both maternal AND paternal. The challenge was to make sure I connected the dates and times to all eight members of this family tree. I had to create a complex genealogical chart to keep track of the characters.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? – Maybe the biggest lesson was that when writing a novel, you absolutely must work on it every single day. Skipping even one day disconnects you from the story. You have to stay in the story to keep the tone and writing consistent.
Do you have any advice for other writers? – Write every day, even if it’s just 30 words, even if it’s not connected to a larger work in progress. Give your grocery shopping list adjectives if you have to, but write! Writing takes a mental muscle and you have to train and work that muscle each day just as an athlete has to stretch daily or a pianist has to sit at the keyboard and practice. Completing a novel is really the culmination of practicing your craft every day.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? – I love hearing from my readers and participating in book clubs! This has been one of the great joys of being a published author. Hearing questions and getting reactions about the story is exciting. I’d also like to invite folks to visit me at www.karenharringtonbooks and also check out the haunting trailer for Janeology found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCTPmdpwSks
Dallas, TX
Tell us your latest news?
The paperback of my debut novel, Janeology, was just released.
When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve always written throughout my school years. I got serious about writing fiction when I went to college. But then I had to pay the bills, so I worked as a writer and editor for several corporations.
What inspired you to write your first book?
Though Janeology isn’t my first book (there’s a stash of those in my drawer) I was intrigued by those headlines about mothers who kill. I wanted to know what had gone wrong in those cases. Where was the mothering instinct? What could have happened in the days before a woman snapped. That was really the genesis for this novel. I wanted to gather, or create, answers to those questions that kept me up at night. I was also pregnant with my first child when I began sketching this story. I think that because my maternal instinct was in high gear, the stories of those mothers was all the more troubling for me.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I tend to be more minimalist in my style. I adore Hemingway’s economical, clear writing and I aim for that in my work.
How did you come up with the title?
The novel features the genealogy of my character, Jane. So it was a natural to create Janeology, which rhymes with genealogy.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Yes. I’d like readers to think about nature and nurture as it relates to their own family history. None of us have to be defined by the dysfunctional cycles running through our families. One can break that cycle.
How much of the book is realistic?
I studied several high profile legal cases about mothers who kill, particularly the Andrea Yates case. I was most intrigued about Andrea’s husband and his role and reaction to the tragedy. This is why I chose to have the book from the point of view of a man who is in love with this troubled woman.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
No, none of these events have occurred in my own life.
What books have most influenced your life most?
Is it cliché to say The Bible? It has influenced me profoundly. There’s great drama and redemption there, which is the key to any powerful story. And I also discovered Hemingway’s works when I was a new writer. I think his style influenced me. And of course, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. That book is like an old friend.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Hmm, that’ s an interesting question. I’d probably give a different answer for each decade of my life. In the early years, it was Louisa May Alcott and Harper Lee. In school, my English teacher, G. Clifton Wisler, was a published author and I looked up to him immensely. Right now, I’m going through a Pat Conroy phase. I stand in awe of his description and emotion.
What book are you reading now?
Beach Music by Pat Conroy.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Oh, yes! Will Allison is wonderful. I’ve also discovered Elizabeth Berg, Kelly Braffett and Amanda Eyre Ward and just wish they wrote faster!
What are your current projects?
A new contemporary YA novel, No Ordinary Girl, is currently being shopped by my agent. It’s the story of Jane’s daughter who had to grow up in the shadow of an infamous mother.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
My faith and my faith community.
Do you see writing as a career?
My dream is that someday I won’t be the big tax deduction in our family. So yes, I hope that one day I can tell you I make my living as a writer. Before becoming a stay at home mom, I was a corporate speechwriter. I’d love to write political speeches one day. That’s a whole different kind of writing, but it’s very rewarding.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
That’s hard to say. Of course, I continue to grow as a writer so I think I could improve on the writing. But I think that once a piece of art is out there, you have to let it go and stand for itself.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? – My love of reading and books made me want to try and create my own stories.
Can you share a little of your current work with us? – I hope to have news of No Ordinary Girl soon, but I will give you the first sentence. “You’ve never met anyone like me.” What do you think??
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? – I’m a stay at home mom to two beautiful little girls. The real challenge is finding significant blocks of time to write and balance my role as a wife and mother.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work? – There are so many, but right now if you put a gun to my head I’d say Pat Conroy. He has the ability to make characters walk right off the page.
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)? When Janeology debuted in 2008, I trekked all over Texas to signings and events. So much fun.
Who designed the covers? – The original cover was designed by Kam Wai Yu of Kunati Books. The paperback cover was designed by Stan Hulen of Hulen Design in Dallas, TX.
What was the hardest part of writing your book? – Janeology includes a narrative that goes back in time so that we meet four generations of Jane’s family, both maternal AND paternal. The challenge was to make sure I connected the dates and times to all eight members of this family tree. I had to create a complex genealogical chart to keep track of the characters.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? – Maybe the biggest lesson was that when writing a novel, you absolutely must work on it every single day. Skipping even one day disconnects you from the story. You have to stay in the story to keep the tone and writing consistent.
Do you have any advice for other writers? – Write every day, even if it’s just 30 words, even if it’s not connected to a larger work in progress. Give your grocery shopping list adjectives if you have to, but write! Writing takes a mental muscle and you have to train and work that muscle each day just as an athlete has to stretch daily or a pianist has to sit at the keyboard and practice. Completing a novel is really the culmination of practicing your craft every day.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? – I love hearing from my readers and participating in book clubs! This has been one of the great joys of being a published author. Hearing questions and getting reactions about the story is exciting. I’d also like to invite folks to visit me at www.karenharringtonbooks and also check out the haunting trailer for Janeology found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCTPmdpwSks
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