#WriterWednesday Author Interview with Mary P. Karnes

The wonderful Mary P. Karnes is my guest today for #WriterWednesday!

The last thing I ate, chocolate – I will never regret this choice.

The last thing I regret eating, bacon (I generally don’t eat processed meats.).

The last thing I ordered on-line, a new iPhone screen protector – a necessity!

The last thing I regret buying, another winter beanie – I have about ten!

Favorite places, my hometown, Ojai, California

Places I’d never want to go to again, Kansas – it’s a lovely place, but we only lived there a year and didn’t set down roots.

The coolest person I’ve ever met was James Taylor – I wanted to get his autograph for my husband, a huge fan. I couldn’t get near him. But I shouted out, “I gave birth to four children listening to your music.” (True story) His response? “Let that lady up here!” I got the autograph.

The celebrity that did live up to my expectations: Mohamad Ali (not a kind person to fans)

My favorite book as a child, Are You My Mother?

A book I’ve read more than once, Gone With the Wind

Hardest thing about being a writer. Writing when you are not motivated.

Easiest thing about being a writer: You can write anywhere.

Something I’m really good at: Motivating young women (I have four daughters and am a wedding planner)

Something you’re bad at: keeping track of my glasses

Something I’d walk a mile for – a good cup of coffee

Something that would make me run screaming from the room: a mouse

Things I always put in my books: wedding tips

Things I never put in my books, personal situations of my wedding clients

Favorite book genre: thrillers

Books I’d never buy: Sci-Fi

About Mary:

Mary Karnes, a college English major and former teacher, is the mother of four who raised her family through six corporate moves. She always dreamed of being an author and dabbled with writing throughout the years. Once the children were grown and out of the house, she started a wedding planning business, while simultaneously chasing her dream of being a traditionally published author. Her ‘Wedding Planner Mystery Series’ was born, with her business providing delicious subject matter for her books.

The first in the Wedding Planner Mystery Series, WEDDING BRIDE AND DOOM, debuted August 2023 and the second in the series, SAVE THE FATE, published October 2024. Book Three, UNVEILED SECRETS, published October 2025. The fourth book in the series will debut in the Fall of 2026.

Mary resides in New England and Southern California with her husband, Ken. She is hard at work writing book number five in the “Wedding Planner Mystery Series,” as well as working on something a little different, a stand-alone domestic thriller. Her door is a revolving one with her children and grandchildren visiting frequently.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://www.marykarnesauthor.com

 Instagram: @marykarnesauthor

Instagram: @marypkarnesweddings

 Facebook: Mary Karnes Author

Things New Writers Need to Know

Here’s my list of things new writers need to know (and things I wished I had known when I started.)

1. Start early. I didn’t think about writing a book until after grad school (and I didn’t get published until my forties).

2. Find a writing group. You need the support and opportunities that it can provide you. I have met so many amazing and generous people from my writing groups.

3. Writing is a business, and you have to treat yours like one.

4. There are a lot of administrative and marketing tasks involved in the life of published authors.

5. Get serious about your writing and stay focused. Otherwise, you may never finish that book.

6. Write the first draft. Get it written. Stop revising the first four chapters over and over. You can revise it during the editing stages. (This is why my first book took five years to write.)

7. Guard your writing time. If you don’t, it will slip it away. I have to treat it as work.

8. Keep your computers patched and secure. Make sure you have anti-virus software. Back up your files regularly. There is nothing worse than losing a file, especially if it’s your manuscript.

9. Go through your “how to write” books and keep the ones that speak to you. Give away or sell the others. Sit down and write! (BICFOK - Backside in chair; Fingers on keyboard). I was reading too much about writing and not writing.

10. Read everything you can get your hands on in your genre.

What would you add to my list?

Author J. M. Shaw is my guest for #WriterWednesday

I’d like to welcome J. M. Shaw to the blog for #WriterWednesday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: The hardest thing, hands down, is editing.

Easiest thing about being a writer: The easiest thing is writing the rough draft. Letting your imagination run free is much easier than trying to wrangle it in during the refining process.

Things you need for your writing sessions: A hot coffee, a comfortable seat, a quiet space—preferably tidy—and my laptop.

Things that hamper your writing: A messy space, a runaway to-do list, random phone calls, or my kids’ constant demands for snacks are all things that stifle my creative process. Sometimes, I’ll have to concede and take a day off writing because the fight for a conducive writing environment is just too exhausting.

Words that describe you: If you ask my husband, he’d say creative, driven, and compassionate are words that best describe me.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: In contrast, my family has described me as loud, socially awkward, and, at times, obsessively creative. While I appreciate brutal honesty, their delivery leaves much to be desired. On the otherhand, there are worse things to be called, so I’m not that offended.

Last best thing you ate: I am a sucker for chocolate in any form, but my favourite has to be Coffee Crisp bars. This past weekend, I splurged, and it was as good as I remember.

Last thing you regret eating: Years ago, I went out for a quick bite with my mother. We stopped for Chinese food at a local mall. It left a bad aftertaste in my mouth and, less than an hour later, I came down with food poisoning. At least I didn’t have to suffer alone, since my mom and several other patrons of said restaurant were also violently ill.

The last thing you ordered online: I recently ordered a trilogy—a highly acclaimed fantasy adventure. Now it’s sitting on my bookshelf, urging me to read it.

The last thing you regret buying: I bought a sweater dress a few months back that looked so good on the digital model. When it arrived, it was not only the wrong size but also far shorter than I expected—barely reaching my hips. Needless to say, this item was quickly returned for a full refund.

Things you’d walk a mile for: I love walking, and I could easily manage a mile. If someone offered me a Coffee Crisp, I wouldn’t hesitate to don my shoes and hit the trails.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: I find the sound of nails on a chalkboard the most uncomfortable sound, and you’d have to tie me to a chair to keep me from bolting for the hills.

Things you always put in your books: I have an odd sense of humor—situational banter with a sprinkle of irony and, if the mood is right, a little bit of slapstick to curve the edges. I will often break up the tension by throwing in something awkwardly hilarious.

Things you never put in your books: While I’m not opposed to reading spicy romance, if there’s enough action and adventure to balance out the flavor, writing steaming romance is another thing. While I have no problem penning clean romantic arcs, I’m not comfortable writing graphic intimacy, at least not at this point in my career.

Favorite things to do: Where do I begin? Though the list is extensive, there are a few standout items: reading, writing, hiking, playing the piano, and spending a quiet morning sipping a still-hot coffee under my gazebo.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: I hate cooking. If I could pay someone to feed my family in my stead, I would gladly fork over that cash.

The funniest thing to happen to you: I was attending an author signing, sitting in front of a bookshelf while talking to someone about my latest novel. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a book begin to fall from the shelf. Without missing a beat or even breaking eye contact with the person across the table from me, I thrust out my arm and caught said book before it hit the ground. My conversation partner and I were understandably surprised.

The most embarrassing thing to happen to you: Years ago, I was out with my eldest son, who was a toddler at the time, and my screaming bladder demanded I find a washroom. I quickly found my way to a public toilet, only to find it bustling with several other nature callers. I took the next available stall and, being that I couldn’t leave my two-year-old alone, brought him into the narrow cubicle with me. He cooperated for most of my visit until the very end, when he flipped the latch and shoved the door wide open before I could stop him. Regrettably, that day, a room full of strangers got a clear view of me with my pants down.

My favorite book as a child: When I was ten years old, I came home from school to find a copy of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. I have no idea where it came from, and it was a little above my reading age, but I became engrossed in the story and instantly made it a favorite.

A book I’ve read more than once: Aside from having to read my own novel countless times—a necessity of editing—the only other book that I’ve voluntarily read more than once would be the Gray Man by Mark Greaney. Though it’s not a genre I often read, Greaney is a master of action, and his stories never fail to draw me in. Even so, subsequent passes are not nearly as enjoyable as the initial read-through because you already know what’s going to happen.

About J. M.:

J. M. Shaw is a Canadian author of fantasy fiction who lives in Alberta with her husband and two young children. She’s been writing since childhood, building worlds from raw imagination and quiet observation, but it took years before she found the courage to share them. For Shaw, storytelling has always been more than a hobby; it’s a passion.

In 2019, Shaw was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, a turning point that brought clarity to a lifetime of feeling “too much” or “too different.” Her intense focus, emotional depth, and ability to live inside fictional worlds became not flaws but the superpowers of a neurodivergent mind. These qualities shape her stories, infusing them with realism, heart, and meaning, and giving her the courage to finally share her creative works. Her worlds may be fantastical, but her characters—flawed, searching, and deeply human—resonate on a personal level.

When she’s not writing, Shaw enjoys connecting with nature, curling up with a good book, and dreaming up new worlds. She also finds joy in encouraging young writers to pursue their own passions.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: www.jmshawauthor.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmshaw_author/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jmshawauthor

Email: jmshawauthor1@gmail.com

What a Puppy Taught Me...

Last year was rough. We lost both of our beloved Jack Russell Terriers. The Pair of Jacks had lived with us for fifteen years.

When Riley died, we decided to get a puppy, and we brought home a puff ball of a dog, a Mini Aussie Shepherd. We named him Cooper. (He’s our Mini Cooper.) We had forgotten what puppy life was like. We had two Jacks. How much crazier can one puppy be?

Cooper is very active and very bright. But that also means he gets bored easily. We started puppy training early, and it was perfect for teaching good manners and getting him conditioned to being around other dogs and people.

He has such a sweet and loving personality, and he wants to be included in everything.

Here’s what he’s taught me about my writing time.

1. Take breaks. A quick game of catch or a snack trip can provide the opportunity to move around and not be sedintary.

2. People and high-energy dogs need exercise. Build time in your schedule. It’ll get the endorphins going and clear your head.

3. Take a nap or relax when you need it.

4. Never lose your sense of adventure and fun. Everything is a game to a Mini Aussie.

5. Also, don’t lose your sense of wonder and curiosity. They’re part of your essence as a writer.

Cooper is always ready to go outside and check out new things. He loves to have fun. He definitely keeps us on our toes and from being all-business all the time. And he’s also willing to be the star of my social posts.

Tell me about any fuzzy, finned, or feathered sidekicks that help you on your writing journey.

#ThisorThatThursday Interview with Jennifer Lieberman

Jennifer Lieberman is my guest today for #ThisorThatThursday!

Last best thing you ate: I’ve been obsessed with these savoury sourdough kale and cheddar scones at this coffee shop near my yoga studio.

Last thing you regret eating: The kale and cheddar sourdough scone. They’re so good. I’ve been struggling with self-control.

Favorite music or song: Rock ’n Roll, Baby!

Music that drives you crazy: Electronic music, I’m so old school.

The last thing you ordered online: Revlon round brush/blowdryer thing, total game changer.

The last thing you regret buying: I bought a couch online last year. It’s really not that comfortable, but I haven’t found one I love enough in person to replace it.

Favorite places you’ve been: Santorini, Greece was quite magical, same with Iceland.

Places you never want to go to again: A night club on New Year’s Eve. It’s just not worth the trouble, the traffic or the overpriced tickets.

Favorite things to do: I love hiking and being outdoors in nature.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: A HIT class or a boot camp workout. My nervous system wasn’t made for that. I’m a yoga and pilates girl.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: I went skydiving when I turned 18. I don’t think you could pay me to do it again.

Something you chickened out from doing: I chickened out from going over to talk to Jason Bateman when here was just a few feet away from me at the Cannes Film Festival. I love his film Bad Words and wanted to ask him about it, but I totally lost my nerve.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: I’m also an actress, and my novel was originally a one-woman-show where I played 10 characters on stage.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: My Web-Series Dumpwater Divas was a total flop. Over a decade later, we barely have a few hundred views. That being said, I am still extremely proud of it. Making it was hands down the most fun I’ve ever had.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: My first roommate in NY really did drop out of college to become a dominatrix, but that was after we lived together.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: Readers sometimes think the whole book is about me. Many people just assume it’s my life. If only I were that cool and adventurous.

The first 8-track, record, cassette, or CD you ever bought: The first album I ever bought was The Sound of Music soundtrack, I was obsessed as a kid.

A type of music that’s not your cup of tea: I don’t love music that isn’t played live by people actually playing instruments and singing.

My favorite book as a child: As a child, my favorite book was I Have To Go by Robert Munsch. I thought it was hilarious.

A book I’ve read more than once: There are several books I keep going back to. With the release of the new film I suspect I will revisit Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte yet again.

Your favorite movie as a child: My favorite movie as a child was Dirty Dancing,

A TV show or movie that kept you awake at night as a kid (or as an adult): I loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a kid. Who are we kidding? I still do. The mix of horror and romance definitely kept me up as night.

About Jennifer:

JENNIFER LIEBERMAN is an actor/writer/producer from Maple, Canada. Her award-winning Solo Show YEAR OF THE SLUT is now the 5-time-award-winning and Amazon #1 Best Selling Novel YEAR OF THE WHAT? Lieberman's short films have screened at several international festivals including the Festival De Cannes Court Métrage; DETAILS, her directorial debut was a semi-finalist for Best Female Director at The Art House Festival of Beverly Hills in 2022 and her latest short film THE PENIS FAIRY won Best Comedy Short at the Culver City Film Festival in 2023 & Best Screenplay at the Hollywood Short Film Festival 2024. Jennifer founded Make Your Own Break Ltd. to help emerging actors and writers to create opportunities for themselves (like she did).

Let’s Be Social:

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#WriterWednesday Author Interview with Tara Hodgson

I’d like to welcome Tara Hodgson to the blog for #WriterWednesday.

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: Go for walks outside no matter the weather

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: Putting the laundry away - I’m good at the washing and the drying, but HATE putting it all away!

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: An assortment of beverages (coffee, water, sometimes a smoothie) and some background noise. This is usually Gilmore Girls on repeat. Not sure why it works, but I trust the process!

Things that distract you from writing: My phone and chores. The pile of laundry sometimes refuses to be ignored.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Finding the time to write in between my day job and other realities (aka. being a mom to two young kids, sleeping, cleaning) Easiest thing about being a writer: When the words flow and you create something from nothing. It’s a magical thing when that happens.

Favorite snacks: Pickles and sliced cheese

Things that make you want to gag: Blue cheese and olives

Something you’re really good at: Saying ‘no,’ setting boundaries, and protecting my peace. Something you’re really bad at: Leaving my house to socialize

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid: All I wanted to do was be a marine biologist. For some unknown reason, this was the career to aspire to in my rural community.

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do: Public speaking because I was painfully shy growing up

Something you wish you could do: Play a musical instrument or sing well

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Nothing!

Favorite places you’ve been: Costa Rica

Places you never want to go to again: Las Vegas

People you’d like to invite to dinner: Taylor Swift, Betty White, Stevie Nicks

People you’d cancel dinner on: Any current politician.

Favorite things to do: Have a cold beer on the boat in the middle of my favorite lake and jump in the water when it gets too hot

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Confrontation of any kind

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Skydived on my 27th birthday

Something you chickened out from doing: I usually suck it up and do it anyways even if I’m dying inside while doing it

The most exciting thing about your writing life: I have the opportunity to highlight current, societal issues that are affecting teens by communicating them in a fictional manner. I love using my fiction as a means of sparking conversations and making people think

The one thing you wish you could do over in your writing life: I wish I had started writing seriously sooner. I have so much to say and feel like I missed out on so much time!

About Tara:

Tara Hodgson is the YA contemporary author of Chasing Through Time and At Least I’m Trying. As a long-time teacher, she is passionate about communicating the potential implications of a technology-centred world and spark necessary conversations about these impacts on teens, using her fiction to do so. She lives on an acreage in Sturgeon County, Alberta with her husband, two children, and a crew of cats and dogs. When she isn't teaching or writing, she is reading. She loves all genres of books, but especially YA Contemporary, Fantasy, and Dystopian (but she’ll read anything, really!) She spends her down time walking, camping, boating, and relaxing at home with her family and animals.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: http://www.tarahodgson.ca/

What To Do When You Don't Feel Like Writing

When I’m writing a book, I try to write every day. Sometimes, the universe conspires against me, or I just don’t feel sitting in front of screen. It happens. Here are some things you can do instead.

• Try to have a normal time that you write every day. (Mine is the early morning and my lunch time.) This gets your mind and body into a routine.

• Guard your writing time. Your time is valuable, and you are pulled in so many different directions. Your research, writing, and marketing time is work. Schedule it if you have to.

• If you just can’t write, give yourself some grace. Work on other “writing” tasks. Create blog posts. Make marketing graphics. Clean up files or emails. Make sure that your receipts and tax information are updated.

• I create a tentative schedule when I’m writing a book. My goal is to write 1,000 words on workdays and 3,000 words on weekends/holidays. I try to stick to that to finish my first draft in a reasonable amount of time. Sometimes, I write more to cover for “skip” days or other things I can’t control.

• Exercise. This will clear your head and give you more energy than you realized.

• Do some other project you’ve been dreading. There is always a junk drawer or closet that needs cleaning.

• Work on a craft or make a recipe. These are other creative ways to get your mind working.

What works for you when you don’t feel like sitting down to write?

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Tricia Copeland

I’d like to welcome Tricia Copeland back to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: The hardest thing about being a writer is wondering if readers will like my work.

Easiest thing about being a writer: The easiest thing about being a writer is getting lost in my characters and world.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Must haves for my writing sessions are Diet Coke and quiet.

Things that hamper your writing: Things that hamper my writing are lots of distractions and noise.

Words that describe you: Words that describe me are patient, quirky, and reserved.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Words that I wish didn’t describe me, most of the time, are structured and neat-freak.

Things you’d walk a mile for: I’d walk a mile for Diet Coke, chocolate, and one last hug from my sister which I’d walk many, many miles for.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: I hate wet socks, a messy room, and mean people.

Things you always put in your books: I always include a fun romance in my books.

Things you never put in your books: I’ll never include graphic violence or detailed intimate scenes in my books.

Favorite books (or genre): My most recent favorite book is A Million Junes by Emily Henry, but I love just about any YA fantasy, books by Cassandra Clare and L.J. Smith, and the like.

Books you wouldn’t buy: I never buy erotica and rarely horror or political thrillers.

Favorite things to do: I love reading, mostly in the form of audiobooks, and hiking and running.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: I hate washing dishes and folding laundry.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: The most daring thing I’ve done is publish a book.

Something you chickened out from doing: In middle school I chickened out of joining the track team.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: The nicest things readers say to me is that they loved a character.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: A reader once told me that my face was very symmetrical.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: I love creating video trailers for my books and audiobooks.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: Three words: I can’t draw.

 My favorite book as a child: Dorothy and the Wizard In Oz

A book I’ve read more than once: I’ve read Twilight, Lord of the Rings, Gone with the Wind multiple times each.

About Tricia:

Award-winning author and podcaster, Tricia Copeland writes young adult fantasy. Her audiobooks have garnered critical acclaim with To be a Fae Guardian winning the Benjamin Franklin Award for YA Fantasy. With the Kingdom Journals urban fantasy all released in audiobook, the final audiobooks of the fae fantasy Realm Chronicles will release in 2026. You can find all of Tricia’s books on her website at www.triciacopeland.com.

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