Interview with Simon carr
Author of Karen
satirical science fiction writer from Blackburn in the north of England.
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How would you describe Karen to a new reader?
- It's what you think it is, Karen is the facebook stereotype brought to life, thrust into the middle of an ailen invasion.
What was the inspiration behind Karen ?
- I think we all know a Karen, I wanted to write about some of the 'Karen' type situations we can probably all relate too in some way.
Which authors do you admire? How have they influenced your writing style?
- I'm a fan of Douglas Adams and I try to emulate his style a little especially with narration.
Can you tell us a little about the locations in your book?
- I made up a small town in the uk called Wossly for where Karen lives, the rest of the story takes place on a planet called Hobe and its three moons, Hobe is on the other side of the planet and the homworld of the uninvited guests attacking Wossley.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
- My advice would be not to stand still, dont wait for instant success, just keep writing, when you have published one book, write another,learn from each book but dobt dwell on them keep moving forward, keep trying to make the next book better, look at them like football games, you can have bad games but the main thing is to keep learning and keep getting better.
What's your writing process?
- Hectic, I'm a single dad so I'm usually found mixing it up with cooking dinner while doing laundry,inbetween throwing a chapter at my laptop anywhere I can find space to rest it.
Which character in Karen has had the greatest impact on readers?
- Obviously Karen herself is the main attraction, but the bad guy, commander A#shole has had a lot of people laughing.
If Karen were to be adapted for TV or film, who would you see in the lead role? Who did you have in your mind’s eye when you wrote him/her?
- I think Sheraden Smith would make an Awsome Karen.
How have readers responded to Karen?
- They seem tantalated by the concept at first but then really enjoy my bizarre sci-fi nonsence situations, it does seem very suited to the concept and works well.
Where next? What are you working on now?
- I wrote a book earlier this year called Our Fathers, I always planned on doing follow ups, but the people who have read it really want one now, so that's coming next.
