Author Bio:
Carol McKibben was a magazine publisher for more than 20 years. She began a new career in freelance writing and editing in 2007. As well as editing other authors’ works to realize their dreams, she has completed Luke’s Tale, Snow Blood Seasons 1 and 2 and published a memoir, Riding Through It. Carol is currently working on Snow Blood Season 3.
Carol currently writes from the heart and through a dog’s eyes. Often telling her stories to Laberdoodles, Basset Hounds and any stray that happens by, it wasn’t long before people stopped to have a listen as well. Now Carol writes for people and speaks to large audiences, dogs included.
What inspires you to write?
For Riding Through It, I wanted to share what I had learned with others.
For Luke’s Tale, my blind Labrador retriever, Luke, was my inspiration. Dogs have such unconditional love for us … and my question is simply, if dogs can love us unconditionally, why can’t we love each other in the same way? I wanted the narrator of the story to be from that perspective of loving unconditionally. And, I really felt a spiritual influence for this book. After I first began it, a psychic that I had never met told me: “The spirit guides around you are urging you to write the book you’ve started on unconditional love.” I was so shocked by what she told me. There was no way she could have known about it. I kept having dreams about the book and its content. Take what you will from this. I am humbled by the fact that I felt divinely guided. If it has meaning to just one person, I will have achieved my purpose.
Believe it or not, unconditional love is the underlying theme for the Snow Blood series. It’s told from a dog’s perspective. No matter his circumstances, Snow Blood ultimately is loyal and devoted. And oddly enough, so are the vampires in the series. They represent a microcosm of beings capable of loving and protecting each other. It makes quite a statement about man’s inability to perfect it, doesn’t it?
Tell us about your writing process.
With Riding Through It, I wrote a draft, gave it to an editor, got her feedback and threw it in the trash. I started over and probably wrote 6 drafts.I didn’t outline!
I was very fortunate with Luke’s Tale. I met Lonnie Ostrow, Barbara Taylor Bradford’s editor/marketer. He loved the premise and agreed to edit it. I think after the first draft we did 3 rounds. Then, after my Beta Readers gave me feedback I revised one more time. Again, I didn’t outline.
Lonnie worked with me on Snow Blood as well. We did three rounds and then after the Beta Readers weighed in, I did one more edit. Hey from 6 on the first to 4 on the next two … I’m getting better! And, I did outline. Just on the computer. I used it as part of my research.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I create each of my characters by writing descriptions of each. Once I put them on paper, they come to life. And, honestly, I run along after them writing down everything they do and say.
Who are your favorite authors?
John Irving and Stephen King. I love Dean Koontz as well. I read any and all that they write.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
The experience with Outskirts for Riding Through It was good. They held up their end of the bargain. But I just didn’t have all the time I needed to do soooo much marketing!
When Troll River Publications offered to take me on, I was more than pleased. Yes, it’s like self-publishing, except Troll River does A LOT of marketing for its authors. I get a lot of help getting the book “out there” to readers. Troll River doesn’t just put you on all the outlets and then tell you, “if you want us to market you, that will be $XXXX please.” Troll River takes what it does out of its commission. And TRP has done a lot for me. So, rather than being self-published, I think I am “boutique published.” A bit of a difference.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
It’s an interesting place right now…don’t count out all the options just yet.
What genres do you write?
Coming of Age, Memoirs, Paranormal, Romance, Vampires, Dog-narrated stories
What formats are your books in?
eBook
Website(s)
Carol McKibben Home Page Link
Link To Carol McKibben Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on Smashwords
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