I have had the joy of getting to know Karen online and finally in person when we did a book signing together in Pigeon Forge. Karen is such a fun and interesting person, and I’m so glad to get to introduce you to her today. (And learn a bit more about her myself.) Karen is also graciously giving away a signed copy of Where Trees Touch the Sky to one lucky U.S. Resident. Be sure to check out the details at the end of this post. Now before we jump to the meat of the interview, allow me to formally introduce you.Â
KAREN BARNETT is the award-winning author of nine novels, including When Stone Wings Fly and The Vintage National Park Novels. Before becoming a novelist, she worked as a ranger naturalist and outdoor educator at Mount Rainier National Park and Oregon’s Silver Falls State Park. When not writing, Karen enjoys photography, hiking, public speaking, and decorating crazy birthday cakes. She lives in Oregon with her family. Learn more at KarenBarnettBooks.com.
You can connect with her through: Website  | Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | Ranger Bear FB | Ranger Bear Instagram  | BookBub Â
Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Karen with rapid-fire.
CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?
KB: How about just pineapple? I’m on a weird auto-immune diet right now that doesn’t allow either pizza or candy. I’m going a little crazy, but I’m happy it’s working. And once you’ve been off sugar for a while, fresh pineapple is an incredible treat!
CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?
KB: Test the waters.
CC: Guacamole or salsa?
KB: Guac. Yum!
CC: Silly hats or silly socks?
KB: Socks. Hats rarely fit on my melon-sized head.
CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?
KB: Secret handshakes sounds like more fun!
Yikes on the diet, but I totally need to get the sugar out of my system. I hope it helps you! Let’s dive into the meat of the interview now.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
KB: I’ve always been an avid reader, and I spent as much time in the public library as my parents would allow. I think I was still pretty young when I stopped once to gaze at the long rows of shelves in our library, amazed at the sheer number of books that were available to me. A grand thought crossed my mind–I could add even more stories to these shelves for other people to enjoy. Of course, I had no clue at the time how difficult writing a book would be.
My dream was never about bookstores or best-sellers lists. It’s always been about libraries!
CC: I love that! My public library was how I survived. I will forever be grateful to see any of my books in that wonderful building.
What does your writing process look like from beginning to end?
KB: I like to do a lot of research ahead of time. Since I write stories set in national parks, that means visiting the park to get a sense of what makes that place special. If I get a chance to visit a park archive, I’m like a kid in a candy store. Just call me a history geek!
After that, I typically write a short (and loose) synopsis. Since I tend to write by the seat of my pants, I avoid outlining. For me, that’s too many spoilers. I enjoy discovering plot twists in the same way that readers do, and the story comes to life when the characters do things that surprise me. I’m sure that probably sounds crazy to non-writers because the characters come out of my imagination. But I’ve learned to give my fictional friends freedom to make some of their own choices.
CC: I completely understand this sentiment. LOL And may I say how jealous I am of you getting to travel to the parks for your research? Maybe one day in retirement.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
KB: Fear. Fear and self-doubt lead me to some dark places and convince me that no one will like what I’m currently writing. The internal voices whisper stuff like, “Why did you write it that way? That sounds dumb. This is boring. Who cares?” That can slow my writing process to a crawl. The only thing that brings me out of it is remembering that God is right there with me. Like the story of the loaves and fishes, He can take my meager offering and feed souls with it. It’s not up to me. It’s all Him.
CC: I cannot tell you how much I needed that reminder tonight. May we all offer up our meager offerings for His purpose.
What has been the biggest challenge for you on your writing journey?
KB: My biggest challenge has been procrastination. There a thousand little distractions that seem more fun (or more critical) than sitting down and getting my daily word count done. Because of that, I end up getting increasingly anxious as my deadline approaches. That stress tends to suck the joy out of the creative process.
CC: Ain’t that the truth. Facing my own deadline, I’m feeling that heartily.
Before we dive into the second section of our interview, allow me to share the blurb for Where Trees Touch the Sky.Â
Some secrets have shadows as long as the redwoods are tall.
In the early 1920s, the accelerating destruction of the California redwoods is more than nature-loving Marion Baker can bear. Throwing herself headlong into the work of the Save the Redwoods League, she is shocked to learn that Frank Duncan, a man she’s grown to love, is the son of one of the area’s worst timber barons. Though devastated by the betrayal, she realizes this could also be an opportunity–if only she can convince him to help preserve her favorite grove from his father’s greedy grasp. Is her love strong enough to persuade him to save these precious trees? Or will Marion choose to sacrifice her beliefs to keep Frank by her side?
Nearly fifty years later, in 1972, polio survivor June Turner is deeply proud of the legacy her great aunt Marion has left as a redwood warrior. And despite her disability, June is determined to prove herself capable as a ranger at the recently established Redwood National Park, even if it means taking to the trails with her crutch in hand. What better way to carry on the family tradition of preserving Gods magnificent creation?
When aspiring film student Adam Garner approaches June to help make a documentary about Marion’s life, she swiftly grabs the opportunity to spread her aunt’s worthy reputation. That is, until they unearth a secret that might shatter the family legacy. In the scramble for answers, June may lose not only her family pride but also her own dreams.
Karen Barnett’s beautifully crafted split-time novel, set against the majestic backdrop of a beloved national park, immerses the reader in history that feels as fresh as if it happened yesterday.
Purchase your copy at Amazon |  Baker Book House | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook
CC: Where did you get the idea for the series?
KB: In a way, this story has been percolating ever since I was in elementary school. While cleaning out her classroom, a retiring teacher let us adopt some of her discarded textbooks. I snatched up a couple of children’s literature compilations. Reading late into the night, I fell in love with a Newberry Honor book called Big Tree by authors Mary and Conrad Buff. It told the tale of the redwoods from the point of view of a single tree. I have dreamed about these forests ever since. In Where Trees Touch the Sky, one of my main characters names a specific redwood after a friend of hers, and I included that tree in honor of the children’s book I loved.
KB: Publishers often ask writers to describe our target audience. A couple of years ago, I met a woman who embodied my ideal reader. She loved camping in national parks, but due to her husband’s illness, she was now unable to travel. I felt very honored when she shared that my books filled that need for her, and now I often picture her as I write. My national park novels have been described as “armchair travel.” I love it when people tell me my books inspired them to visit parks, but my heart truly goes out to the readers who can’t. Â
KB: June Turner, the heroine of my 1972 timeline, was both the most challenging character to write, and also the most fun. I struggled to accurately portray her disability and also to be sensitive to how she was described. It was a bit overwhelming to consider what June might have endured as a disabled park ranger–not just physical barriers, but discrimination from people who assumed she wasn’t capable of doing the job. On the other hand, that made her a lot of fun, too. She turned into a real spunky character who was able to speak up for herself. I learned a lot in the process of writing her!
CC: I love that you have shown that aspect of life for people. My MIL is legally blind, but she has always done her best to not allow her limitations to slow her down or keep her from what she wanted. It’s time to wrap this up and I always like to end with a fun question.
You find a genie in a lamp. What are your three wishes?
Giveaway
Karen is graciously providing one U.S. resident, 18 years and older, with a copy of Where Trees Reach the Sky. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Entries open until 11:59 p.m. EST on October 1.
The redwood trees would be awesome to see. Great interview!