Karen Kelly
Author Interview - Karen Kelly
Author I draw inspiration from: Shakespeare. With every line I write, I’m thinking: Is there a briefer, cleverer, more incisive, or more original way to say this? Shakespeare is the apotheosis of all of that. There are scads of other writers who inspire me, of course. Those at the top of the list include Nabokov and Faulkner, mainly for their fearlessness, their commitment, and their backbreaking effort.
Author Interview - Karen Kelly
Favorite place to read a book: Screened porch, chaise longue, summer day, late afternoon, light breeze, quiet playlist.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: How about book author? Let’s see how fast I can type Truman Capote.
Author Interview - Karen Kelly
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: It occurred to me that it was something I’d like to do when I was about seven years old, reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Forty years later, I decided to give it a try.
Author Interview - Karen Kelly
Hardback, paperback, e-book or audiobook: Definitely NOT audiobook. I like to interpret the characters’ voices, inflections, and tones for myself. My favorite is a beautiful hardback—the art and craft of the cover really completes any work—but I’ll admit that I often read e-books these days, or I should say nights. I can read to my heart’s content without disturbing my husband’s sleep.
The last book I read: I was rushing to catch a flight the other day, so I went into my library and grabbed the first book I saw that I’d never gotten around to reading. It was Plainsong by Kent Haruf and it was so good. Another recent and excellent read was Less, by Andrew Sean Greer. But I’ve been reading a lot this summer, so the list is long.
Author Interview - Karen Kelly
Pen & paper or computer: Pen and paper only when I’m trying to figure out something problematic. I scribble around until the bits and pieces start to form a coherent thought. But typically, I type. And delete. And type again. Ad infinitum.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: I really liked Benjamin Federov in Shaw’s Voices of a Summer Day. Probably because I, too, tend to be nostalgic. But I am also drawn to dry wit, so maybe Melrose Plant (Lord Ardry) from the Richard Jury series by Martha Grimes. And, sadly, (it’s too late now) I long wished to have a friendship with Carrie Fisher. She is a character in her auto-biographical books, so that counts, right?
Author Interview - Karen Kelly
If I wasn’t an author, I’d be a: It may not be a profession, but I would be an excellent chatelaine. I like entertaining, having house guests, providing a mise-en-scene and a meal.
Favorite decade in fashion history: 40s, 50s, & 60s – Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Balmain—all that elegance and glamor. Think Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn.
Place I’d most like to travel: Anyplace with a beach and my ever-expanding family.
My signature drink: Hendricks Gin martini, dry with a twist.
Favorite artist: Andrew Wyeth and John Singer Sargent.
Number one on my bucket list: I guess it’s strange, but I don’t have a bucket list. One thing I really wanted was to someday be watching my grandbabies playing on the beach, and I got it!
Anything else you'd like to add: I’m honored that you’ve included Bethlehem in your summer reading, and that you can accommodate a review. Thank you so much!
Author Interview - Karen Kelly
