Author Interview: Carlene Havel
by A.E. Albert
@aealbert23
Author Interview:
Carlene Haval
Book Title: The Scarlet Cord
Genre: Biblical Fiction – a fictionalized story of Rahab
What inspired you to write your first book?
Beginning in elementary school, I was an avid reader and dearly loved every one of my high school and college literature courses. Later, my work often involved technical writing, from job descriptions, contracts, and how-to instructions to software specifications. In 2005, when I became a believer in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world, I suddenly developed a passion for creative writing.
Is there a message in your book and/or books?
My goal is to write entertaining stories full of faith, hope, and love. I hope readers laugh and cry through my books, and hate to see them end.
Is there anything in your book and/or books based on real life experiences?
It’s fun to use the raw materials of everyday life and blend them with imagination to create a work of fiction. For example, my novella, A Sharecropper Christmas is based on family stories from the Great Depression.
Beginning in elementary school, I was an avid reader and dearly loved every one of my high school and college literature courses. Later, my work often involved technical writing, from job descriptions, contracts, and how-to instructions to software specifications. In 2005, when I became a believer in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world, I suddenly developed a passion for creative writing.
Is there a message in your book and/or books?
My goal is to write entertaining stories full of faith, hope, and love. I hope readers laugh and cry through my books, and hate to see them end.
Is there anything in your book and/or books based on real life experiences?
It’s fun to use the raw materials of everyday life and blend them with imagination to create a work of fiction. For example, my novella, A Sharecropper Christmas is based on family stories from the Great Depression.
Sometimes in the midst of an insanely frustrating conversation, I start making mental notes—realizing I want this nutty dialog for a story. Of course, I invoke artistic license to create additional drama and tailor events to the story.
What books and/or writers have influenced you the most?
There are so many. Every book I read has some degree of influence—if nothing more than a vow to avoid that writer’s style—and I’ve read everything from Beowulf to Virginia Woolf. Since both my parents are authors, I suppose they have had the greatest influence.
What has been your greatest challenge when writing?
Marketing! I really want to spend every minute transferring stories from my brain to the keyboard. Realistically, however, if I want my books to be read, I have to spend time getting them noticed.
What are you working on right now?
Joan Alley at Prism Book Group proposed a series with different authors each writing a novella based on the descriptions of love in the Bible (1Corinthians, chapter 13). My selection was “love keeps no record of wrongs” and it’s about half written. The tentative title is Evidence Not Seen. It’s a blend of mystery and romance, about a young man investigating his father’s imprisonment.
What have you learned and do you have any advice for other authors?
I’ve learned to listen to the advice of others, but in the end to listen to my own creative voice. Also, there’s no reason to get upset about the occasional negative review. Consider how “boring” and “trite” some reviewers find classics such as A Tale of Two Cities.
What books and/or writers have influenced you the most?
There are so many. Every book I read has some degree of influence—if nothing more than a vow to avoid that writer’s style—and I’ve read everything from Beowulf to Virginia Woolf. Since both my parents are authors, I suppose they have had the greatest influence.
What has been your greatest challenge when writing?
Marketing! I really want to spend every minute transferring stories from my brain to the keyboard. Realistically, however, if I want my books to be read, I have to spend time getting them noticed.
What are you working on right now?
Joan Alley at Prism Book Group proposed a series with different authors each writing a novella based on the descriptions of love in the Bible (1Corinthians, chapter 13). My selection was “love keeps no record of wrongs” and it’s about half written. The tentative title is Evidence Not Seen. It’s a blend of mystery and romance, about a young man investigating his father’s imprisonment.
What have you learned and do you have any advice for other authors?
I’ve learned to listen to the advice of others, but in the end to listen to my own creative voice. Also, there’s no reason to get upset about the occasional negative review. Consider how “boring” and “trite” some reviewers find classics such as A Tale of Two Cities.
My advice- never give up on your dreams!
Courtesy of the US Air Force, I’ve lived in six or seven US states, the Republic of the Philippines, and Turkey. My husband loves to travel, and we’ve had lots of fun satisfying his wanderlust. My home is now in Texas, in the midst of a big, extended family.
Book Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-XAFfDbKBE&feature=youtu.be
Book retailer and personal website links:
http://goo.gl/ukFXd3 (My author page on Amazon)
http://goo.gl/pkUT5D (My books on B&N)
Social Media Links:
www.facebook.com/AuthorCarleneHavel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-XAFfDbKBE&feature=youtu.be
Book retailer and personal website links:
http://goo.gl/ukFXd3 (My author page on Amazon)
http://goo.gl/pkUT5D (My books on B&N)
Social Media Links:
www.facebook.com/AuthorCarleneHavel
(My FB Page)
Contact me if you are interested in an author interview.
Great interview and an interesting post :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhen I see on of Carlene Havel's books released, I get excited. Her books are easy to read, entertaining, and filled with hope. The Scarlet Cord is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the feature,Aimee!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to feature you and your book. It was a great interview!
ReplyDeleteCarlene is an awesome writer. I've enjoyed all her recent releases. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI can tell by her many fans commenting, is says a lot!
DeleteI love Carlene Havel's books. You cannot put it down once you start reading.
ReplyDelete