Hi and welcome to Bookish Book Reviews' first-ever author interview. I would first love to thank Caroline Walken for being our first victim.
Caroline's bio on Goodreads goes very in-depth about her books, but as everyone knows a book is more than a story, it's the author. It is time to learn about this author and what goes into her books.
Let's jump right into the Interview.
South: If you could travel to any fictional book world, where would you go and what would you do there?
Walken: Although the Harry Potter books were great, I really enjoy the next series J.K. Rowling created with Fantastic Beasts! I love the time setting of course, but the creatures are over the top!
South: I completely agree. I absolutely love Harry Poter and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. How do you get inspired to write?
Walken: I always had these wildly imaginative scenarios in my mind, even as an adult. After reading a book or watching a movie I would often comment that I wish the story had went this direction; or the character had thought of doing something else.
My husband was the one who first suggested I try my hand at writing. To be honest I thought I would barely get 10K on paper before I ran out of steam. Not only this this not happen, but I discovered my artistic outlet.
South: What was the first book that made you cry?
Walken: To be honest it happened as an adult, I read Lovely Bones; that is the book that made me cry! It is a fantastic novel, you just need to keep that Kleenex box nearby!
South: I will definitely have to check that book out. How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Walken: On average; it takes two years or more. This is why I am so respectful of an author’s work. I know the hours they devoted to a novel, the days spent staring at the same paragraph in an attempt to have it flow smoothly.
When I am not writing; I am reading my fellow writers work. It is so important for them to see that feedback, to feel that connection with the reader.
South: What has influenced you the most as a writer?
Walken: I know many will list the writers they admire; many of which are well known names. The largest influence for me is the indie-author community. The band of renegades that write for the pure pleasure of storytelling. Money is not the driver; it is hearing how someone connected with your character. The thrill in celebrating with a writer friend has won a book award. The community supports and lifts up new authors, aids you when you have a challenge and generally raise their own glass to your all of your successes.
South: Do you like audiobooks, physical books, or e-books better? Why?
Walken: I do love physical books however most of my reviews are from e-books. I have not tried audiobooks yet, perhaps soon I will.
I am also a bit of a nerd; I collect antique books. I love volumes from the turn of the century. I have Black Beauty volume from the late 1890’s that is one of my prize possessions.
South: What is your preferred font to write in?
Walken: I am old school; it is Times Roman.
South: What was the hardest part of writing your author bio?
Walken: I find it hard to brag. I am simply a private person and I didn’t know how to do this at all! The skeleton of my bio; was written by someone that reviewed one of my books! The only time I have plagiarize!
South: I do understand that. What inspired you to write Behind the Fan?
Walken: ‘Fan’ was inspired by an elderly woman named Cookie, I met her while I worked as an aid. She was sweet as could be...unless you needed her to take a shower, get dressed, come to the dining room; basically anything! I had just joined the staff and already bore the bruises as a result of being pinch by Cookie!
Finally a co-worker explained how she convinced Cookie to cooperate; she told her that her husband was coming to see her. I had read her chart of course; her husband had passed several years before. In fact; Cookie’s immediate family had all passed on by the time she came to the home. To say the least, I doubted my friend suggestion.
Then, I witnessed this myself. In an attempt to secure Cookie’s cooperation, I told her that her husband was coming. It was amazing; she brightened and craned her neck to see what outfit she wanted to wear. What was more astounding was she basically transported herself to a happier time. She imagined herself dressed in a bright blue dress; not the drab printed cotton top and polyester pants. She touched her neck to make sure she had remembered to put on her pearls; despite the fact she wore no jewelry! That wasn’t all, she hummed songs from the big band era that only she heard in her mind. I watched as she smiled and nodded; enjoying the company of loved ones only she could see.
The DON scolded us; telling all the aids to stop doing this. We should instead remind Cookie where she was, remind her of the present date and current events. We were young lovesick women ourselves; we adored Cookie’s undying love for her husband. We fantasized that by allowing her to live in her imaginary world; that we helped the two connect. As a whole, we refused to destroy Cookie’s world and allowed her those brief glimpses into heaven.
Cookie passed quietly in the night. I hoped when she was tucked in that last evening an aid told her that in the morning; she would see her husband. I heard she died smiling; perhaps he had found his way to her to escort her home one final time.
South: What were you feeling when your first book was published?
Walken: I sell through Amazon and uploading that first book was gut wrenching! I will confess however, when I hit that ‘publish’ button and saw my words in book form-I screamed! It was so thrilling, I just kept paging through the preview in awe!
South: Are you married or engaged?
Walken: I have been married to my best friend for over 30 years!
South: Do you have any pets?
Walken: I have a dog named Jack; and I am a rider. I own a Quarter Horse mare named Walkin N’ The Dark.
South: How did you feel when your short story was published by Rejected Manuscripts?
Walken: The short story featured by Rejected Manuscripts was a bit autobiographical so when it was published my family and friends had a good laugh! It is likely the only time I will be that forthcoming!
South: I think this says a lot about a person, what is your favorite color?
Walken: I like red! Red lipstick, red dresses, red wine!
South: Personally I like black as it matches everything. If you could go back in time, what would you say to yourself when you first started writing?
Walken: It would be the same thing I tell myself now; drown yourself in the story. Let the setting surround you, become that character. Any time I have strayed from this, the story felt flat. You can’t look at writing as how many book can I pound out in a lifetime. You should instead ask; how can I share this world that I see in my mind?
Thank you so much Caroline for joining me!
Go check out Caroline Walken's books on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/carolinewalken
Caroline has won many awards
Short Story: Mirror Image—Honorable Mention in the 2021 Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction Contest.
Behind the Fan– September 2020 Behind the Fan is a Semi-Finalist in the Kindle Book Award 2020
Behind the Fan awarded the Bronze Medalist in the 2018 Wishing Shelf Book Award for Independent Authors
Short story; In Hiding included in the 2017 Closed Doors: Best of Writers Assembled Collection
Nowhere on the Map accepted for the 2018 Reader’s Choice Award in the Romance category
Short story; The Rule of Ten, included in 2018 The Best Rejected Manuscripts.
Thank you agian Caroline for letting me interview you!