Karen Janowsky
Author Interview - Karen Janowsky
Author of Dear Prudence
Two lost souls find a tether in the power of love.
Pru Blum’s life hasn’t been easy, but working as a cellist with the Lower Georgia Symphonic Orchestra is her solace. She depends on her friends and uncle for support, but she’s resolved to become stronger and more independent. However, avoiding her abusive ex, Cliff, isn’t easy…especially since he’s a member of the orchestra too. His overbearing personality and unwanted attention stop her in her tracks each time she tries to move forward.
Shawn Levinson’s life seems disjointed, almost as though it’s someone else’s. His parents adore and expect him to marry his girlfriend, Helena, and for him to work for her father’s corporation. Deep down, he knows their relationship is a sham. Besides, sitting at a desk and wearing a tie forever isn’t his dream. Whenever he tries to follow his own path, though, everyone dismisses his hopes as foolish. He doesn’t have the strength to oppose two families, so he escapes to Georgia to work on his parents’ retirement home and look for some clarity.
When these two lost souls literally collide, sparks fly, but neither wants the complication of a relationship. And Shawn hasn't mentioned anything to Pru about Helena. No matter how hard they try to distance themselves, they can’t seem to keep away from each other. By the time they’re ready to admit their feelings, their pasts and secrets are poised to blow up in their faces. Falling in love may be exactly what they need…if they can each get out of their own way.
Author Interview - Karen Janowsky
Author I draw inspiration from:
I love a lot of authors and genres, but Emily Henry's "The People We Meet on Vacation" was how I got hooked on rom-com novels. I've read all her books, but I think that one's still my favorite. Penny Reid, Roxy Noir, and Casey McQuiston, are also authors whose works I tend to devour (and I"m sad that I think I've read the latest from all of them, and now have to wait for more!).
Author Interview - Karen Janowsky | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
Curled up in bed with three or more sleepy cats, listening to the rain.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Nora Seed from Matt Haig's "The Midnight Library." As someone who always plays the "What if I'd done THIS with my life instead of THIS" game, I'd want to talk to her about all those possible lives she could have led, and what happened in the one she ultimately chose.
Author Interview - Karen Janowsky | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
Always. I can't remember I time when I didn't--not even as a really little kid. Well, okay. When I was four I used to wish I could be a beagle like Snoopy.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Hardbacks are definitely the prettiest and most impressive looking, but they can be a little unwieldy. I love the feel and look of paperbacks, but they tend to fall apart once I've abused the spine a bunch of times. Plus, as I get older, both hardbound and paperback books are harder to read. They seem to have smaller sized font than they did a decade or so ago (yeah, I'll go with that explanation). I like my Kindle a lot because I can hold a lot of books on it, carry it around pretty easily, and make the print super-big!
The last book I read:
"Love Theoretically" by Ali Hazelwood--I think it's her best so far. I'm a big fan of hers because her books have such strong, intelligent, characters. At the same time, they're easy to empathize with. Plus, Hazelwood creates such fantastic banter between everyone. She's another one of my favorite rom-com writers.
Author Interview - Karen Janowsky | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
Definitely computer, although I keep a notebook with me at all times to jot down bits of dialogue and other ideas that pop into my head throughout the day. At home, I can go hours immersed in either research or writing, without realizing I've forgotten about things like eating or getting out of my pajamas some days.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Cassandra Mortmain from I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. She reminds me a little of myself at that age--having a lot of big emotions, big writing dreams, and uncertainty about what to do with all of it.
Author Interview - Karen Janowsky | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
A superhero. Preferably one who looks super-hot in a warrior/swimsuit getup and red boots, and who flies an invisible jet.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
The late twenties through the thirties. Sometimes I'll watch movies from those eras just to look at the clothes!
Place I’d most like to travel:
The countries along the Mediterranean Sea, and lose myself in the art and culture.
My signature drink:
A good, dry red wine, or a cup of chai from my local Indian place.
Favorite artist:
Toss-up between Maxfield Parrish and Alphonse Mucha. The Art Nouveau period is one of my favorites.
Number one on my bucket list:
Weirdly, I don't have a bucket list. My favorite and most important things to do are to be with the people I love, meet new people to love, keep teaching yoga, read a lot, and write. As long as those things are happening, life is good.
Anything else you'd like to add:
My version of Eat-Pray-Love is "Eat the cookies-Write the words-Try not to lose your cool." I'm doing those things pretty well, especially the cookie part. The keeping it together bit continues to be a work in progress.
Find more from the author:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkarenjanowsky/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karen_janowsky
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063337293596
Webpage: https://www.KarenJanowsky.com
Author Bio:
Karen wanted to be an author and/or Wonder Woman when she grew up. One of those jobs was already taken, though. She lives with her husband, son, and six cats in Maryland, where she teaches college literature and writing.
