Interview with Karen Olson

What genres do you write in?

Children’s chapter books, picture book, coloring book. Adult journals & notebooks

When did you start writing? What kickstarted this?

Grieving for the death of my best buddy, Nike, led me to write my first story, “A Dog’s Bucket List” (published Summer 2020). Writing a children’s book had long been on my own bucket list but I could never find the ideas and words to inspire me. That was until Nike was gone and I seriously mourned him for months. I was 59 when I started writing! My book began on a weekend when I had given myself permission to just sit around. Skimming through ‘The Usborne Write Your Own Story Book”, which is actually meant to help children write stories, I decided to see if I could write a story using my memories about Nike. I selected a prompt to write about a talking animal, which started with the classic “Once upon a time…”, I began handwriting a story with Nike as my talking animal. By the end of the afternoon, I had ten things in a story I called ‘Nike’s Bucket List.’ I enjoyed the time I spent writing about the memories of my best buddy. In the months that followed, I made dozens of additions and revisions. All of Nike’s activities in the book actually happened, but I wrote them from what I imagined to be his quirky personality and perception of life.

What's in your writing space? Why did you choose it?

I wish I could say I have a super cozy chair in a secret hideaway where all my writing happens—but I don’t! I don’t even have one specific writing space. Sometimes I write in a chair in my bedroom, other times in the living room, my old office downstairs (I’m retired now), or even outside when the weather’s nice. Wherever I am, there’s usually a cat or dog or two keeping me company.

What is something about you that makes you different?

I don’t know if this is necessarily different, but first, I’m pretty much a lone body. I have my husband and daughter, but I like to be by myself. I’ll focus on my writing self for this question. You won’t find much of the ‘proper’ writing techniques in my work. I write what I write! Getting to the nitty gritty of what I should and shouldn’t do isn’t all that interesting to me.

Got a routine? How would you describe it?

You can probably tell from my previous answers that I don’t have a routine! I don’t usually write a story with paper and pen or write at a specific time of day or have a word number goal. I use my iPad for about everything. I think of ideas as I walk, clean or swim. Those ideas are dictated to my iPhone. Since I usually don’t read what I dictated until later, I often can’t make sense of what my idea was!

Any writing pet peeves?

For myself, it’s not being organized and not being able to find a note or file with an idea I was going to add to a story. With other people’s writing, it’s using a phrase multiple times in a book. For example, “she ran her hand through her hair”, or “he bumped her shoulder”.

Name the titles you've published. What's the most recent? Do you have a new release coming soon?

A Dog’s Bucket List (chapter book), A Kid’s Bucket List Journal (activity book), Where Are the Candy Bars? (early chapter book), The Bluebird Who Couldn’t Sing (picture book - that is the most recent actual book), Animal Mix-Ups (a coloring book for kids and older), several adult notebooks and journals that I self-published this past spring. I have been stuck on a children’s chapter book for at least three years! But hopefully I’ll decide what I want to do with it and finally get it out by fall.

For your new release...What are 5 reasons someone should read this book.

I’m going to use "The Bluebird Who Couldn’t Sing” for this one.

Five reasons: 1) the illustrations are very cute, 2) the short rhyming verse will be enjoyed by young kids, 3) children can learn that practice can help build skills, 4) a great book for preschool or kindergarten teachers to discuss perseverance and joy, 5) it’s just a fun little book!

Do you have any crazy quirks?

No, I’m absolutely non-quirky. But…some people say I have a dry sense of humor. Maybe that’s why I’m not known as a very funny person. They just don't get it! Ah, here are some quirky things (that should be considered normal in the next question). I say ‘Q-pon not ‘Coo-pon, ‘ahnt’ not ‘ant,’ and ‘kai-o-tee’ not ‘kai-ote.’ (coupon - aunt - coyote )

What is something that makes you "normal"? Is there something others can relate to?

I don’t like criticism! I know it’s important, and people usually give very helpful tips, but I still like to do things my way. Plus Im very sensitive. That might make me a little normal, as people may say they welcome criticism, but do they?

Your favorite book. Why is it your favorite?

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley. Why? This book sucks me in every time I listen to the audio version. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, (and often mixed with a mystery), and this story flows in such a connected way. It has history, romance, time travel, plus the main character is an author.

Who is your favorite author. Did this author inspire any of your writings?

Probably Susanna Kearsley, but since she writes historical fiction, I can't imagine that she has inspired me.

You are in a room filled with aspiring writers. What would you tell them before they write their first book.

➤There are lots of free webinars out there, take notes and keep them organized. (I tried and failed to keep writing tips in one note book, marketing in another, but it's still a good idea.) ➤Use tools such as the Hemingwayapp.com which highlights long, confusing sentences, passive verbs, too many adverbs, grade level. An easy tool is the FIND tool in your document. This highlights how many times you used common words such as “I”, “that”, ‘superduper.” Sites like Wordhippo.com finds synonyms, rhyming words, etc

➤Read your book out loud

➤If you mumble and grumble after a writing club session, stick with it and you might find you've learned a lot.

➤You'll see lots of tips about SHOW DONT TELL, which in my case, is difficult to think like that, but it's worth working on.

➤Research what topics are popular and write about those. But, if you're like me, I can't force myself to write about something that I don't want to. I can't force myself to write. I write what I write WHEN I want to write.

➤And if you dictate your ideas onto your phone, check it to see if it makes sense!

➤If you're not having fun with it, why are you writing that story? Take a break and see how you feel.

➤Don't expect instant success. Plan how you want to market your new book. Having beta readers or ARC (advanced Reader Copy) gives you initial reviews.

➤If you're writing kids’ books, I highly recommend the annual Storystorm (taralazer.com) which starts every January 1. It's free and can be incredibly helpful to get your creativity moving along.

Your ideal audience. Who is she/he?

My favorite audience is children ages 5-10, and the parents and teachers who share stories with them. Books need to get the attention of the adults first. I love writing books that are fun to read aloud, make kids laugh and create imaginative moments between kids and the grown-ups.

Do you have a newsletter or website? Share it here. What can someone expect from your newsletter?

I have a new website which I have been experimenting with. It has lots of links!

https://kolson-storiesandscribbles.my.canva.site/books Also can see my whole collection at: Linktr.ee/kolson.author I don't have a newsletter at this time.

Is there anything you would like added to the interview?

I have degrees in Elementary Education, focusing on Early Childhood, and in Nursing. I worked as a registered nurse for many years and am now retired. We have lived in the Northwest for the majority of our lives, and I love to be able to say every day, “It’s so beautiful!” I love animals and have volunteered with a shelter for several years, and am developing a new passion of birding. There is still so much to do and learn!