Karen Winn: 'It takes both perseverance and a love of writing to be in it for the long haul'
BY Katie Smart
17th Feb 2022
Karen Winn studied on our Write to the End of Your Novel course in 2018. Her debut novel Our Little World will be published by Dutton this May.
We spoke to Karen about her time studying with us, the inspiration behind her gripping coming-of-age debut and her advice for aspiring novelists…
You studied on our Write to the End of Your Novel course back in 2018. How did your time on the course impact your approach to writing?
My CBC Write to the End of Your Novel course in 2018 was a wonderful experience. It was invigorating and inspiring, and a supportive environment. Writing a novel is a long, arduous journey, and I loved how this course dissected various elements of novel writing – building suspense, writing good dialogue, creating structure, among others. In particular, I remember finding the lesson on building suspense particularly helpful as it related to my own novel writing process.
It was also probably the first time that I thought my book could actually be something. At the end of the course, I was picked by Anna Davis as the recipient of the tutorial (awarded to one student), and that was a huge confidence booster. As a writer, you get so bogged down in your writing process that sometimes it’s difficult to see your work objectively, so it was flattering – and encouraging – to realize that others saw promise in my novel.
Many of our students form writing support groups. Are you still in touch with any of your course mates?
I know that some of the people in my class were discussing keeping in touch and continuing to write together. I was fortunate enough to already be in a writing group, so I didn’t explore this option. But that’s what is so valuable and great about online writing courses like those offered by CBC: you can figure out what works best for you, and run with it.
Your debut Our Little Worldis to be published by Dutton this May. Can you tell us a bit about your novel and the inspiration behind it?
Set in the 1980s in a small and idyllic New Jersey town, Our Little World is a lyrical coming of age novel with a looming mystery about two sisters with a relationship equal parts love and envy, whose lives are suddenly and irrevocably changed by a neighbourhood girl’s disappearance.
When Max and his little sister Sally move in across the street, soon-to-be seventh grader Bee and her sister Audrina are excited that their circle of local friends has expanded. But what begins as a usual fun-filled summer – playing kickball in their cul-de-sac and swimming at the local haunts – quickly turns dark when Sally goes missing at the town lake. In the aftermath, Bee and Audrina’s little world cracks, both inside the home, as secrets, guilt, and jealousy come between them; and outside of it, as the illusion of stability in their close-knit community is shattered.
The starting point for the novel came from an incident that occurred in my own childhood, when I was swimming at the local lake. My mother couldn’t find me, as I loved to swim underwater for long periods of time, so she panicked and alerted the lifeguard. When I came up for air, I noticed swimmers were exiting the lake – though I wasn’t sure why. I followed them and spotted my frantic mother standing with the lifeguard, who was nervously pointing out other children and asking, “Is this her?” That incident has always stayed with me, and it seemed like a powerful starting point for a story: What if I – or someone else – had gone missing that day?
You explore family relationships as they strain under the pressures of a missing child and shameful secrets. Do you have any advice for writers looking to portray complex relationships?
You have to dig deep and be willing to probe the dark side of human nature. Complexity is what makes people interesting. I’m drawn to books and TV shows that explore long-held secrets and examine the effects of tragedy. Think about what type of tragic circumstances could be the inciting incident for your own novel. And find out what your characters’ secrets are, because these are their vulnerable points. Use this knowledge to your advantage. Make your characters uncomfortable. Create drama surrounding these secrets. You’ll invariably find a story there to tell.
What books have you enjoyed reading recently?
Where do I begin? There are so many! I’ll highlight a few upcoming novels that I’m lucky to have already read. I love Kathleen West’s forthcoming third novel, Home or Away (out 29 March); this is a great family drama about competitive youth hockey and the way your past can catch up with you. The Hitman’s Daughter by debut novelist Carolyne Topdjian (out 22 February) is a suspenseful gothic mystery about a woman with a checkered family history who uncovers secrets in an old, haunted chateau. Another debut I highly recommend is Betty Yee’s Gold Mountain(out 5 April); this young adult historical fiction novel follows a Chinese girl who assumes her dead brother’s identity to come to America and work on the Transcontinental Railroad, so she can earn the money needed to free her wrongfully imprisoned father.
What does a typical writing day look like for you?
My husband and I have two young children, and I’m also a healthcare consultant, so my days are anything but typical! I’m often juggling many roles and finding time to write. This means jotting down notes and sneaking in time wherever I can, even while waiting in the car during my children’s activities! I’m a morning person, though, so when I’m really immersed in my writing, I’ll be up at 5 am, or even earlier, brewing coffee and powering up my laptop.
Do you have any top tips for the aspiring authors reading this?
Keep going. In my experience, it takes both perseverance and a love of writing to be in it for the long haul. Because it’s definitely a long haul. And just like anything else in life, it takes practice to become a better writer. Find a writing group. Take some writing classes. Take a CBC course! Write, and write some more. Think about the overall theme or idea you are trying to convey, and when you’re stuck, revisit that premise and allow it to guide you.
Finally, what’s next for you and your writing journey?
I’m working on my next book, which takes place in Boston and revolves around a group of women friends. This novel will explore various complex relationships and expose long-held secrets, with a tragedy that sets everything in motion. It's going to be another immersive page turner! For all my latest writing news, you can find me on Instagram and Twitter at @kbookwriter.