Episode 153: From Midlist to Breakout Author — Interview with Karen Dionne

by Gabriela Pereira
published in Podcast

Hey there word nerds!

Today I have the pleasure of hosting Karen Dionne on the show.

Karen was the first author I ever interviewed on DIY MFA Radio, and is now the first author that I’ve brought back for a second solo interview because she’s just that awesome.

In this episode we discuss Karen’s novel The Marsh King’s Daughter, the very book she was working on way back in 2014 when I first interviewed her, and I have a feeling this book will be one of the summer’s biggest hits.

In this episode Karen and I discuss:

  • How to write the book that’s in you by mining what you know, and why this can make a bizarre setting not only unique but memorable.
  • How to write complex characters that will jump off the page for readers.
  • How to write a relatable villain, and why showing that your bad guy isn’t all bad makes the story more engaging and keeps readers flipping pages.
  • How to hit your reader with a major shift in chapter one.
  • How switching gears in what you write can help you reach your writing goals.

Plus, Karen’s #1 tip for writers.

About Karen Dionne

Karen Dionne is the author of The Marsh King’s Daughter, a dark psychological suspense that is out now. She is also the cofounder of the online writers community Backspace, the organizer of the Salt Cay Writers Retreat, and a member of the International Thriller Writers, where she served on the board of directors.

She has been honored by the Michigan Humanities Council as a Humanities Scholar, and lives with her husband in Detroit’s northern suburbs. To connect with Karen and learn more about her work check out her website at https://www.karendionne.net

The Marsh King’s Daughter

When the notorious child abductor, “The Marsh King,” escapes from a maximum security prison in Michigan’s remote Upper Peninsula wilderness, Helena Pelletier is sure she can use the hunting and tracking skills she learned as a child to find him. After all, no one is The Marsh King’s equal when it comes to navigating the marshland—except Helena herself, his daughter.

But as Helena hunts her father to return him to prison, gradually she realizes that his escape is the first step in an elaborate scheme to kidnap her and her two young daughters. As their cat and quarry game unfolds, she must use all of her wilderness skills not only to thwart his plan, but to survive it.

If you decide to check out book, we hope you’ll do so via this Amazon affiliate link, where if you choose to purchase DIY MFA makes a small commission at no cost to you. As always, thank you for supporting DIY MFA!

Link to Episode 153

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Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome!

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