Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Hodges.
Hi Karen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
After I published two poems as a teen, I had high hopes to pursue writing further but it had to wait…I wasn’t sure what kind of writing, but scary movies were never far from my weekends. The book thoughts would linger year after year tempting me to leave everything behind to pursue my passion, I had ten chapters at that time… and this first book took nearly ten years. Courage being that… After I found myself, through many years of trauma healing after a bad marriage. I was able to finish The Haunting of the Monastery and fulfill my dream!
I’ve grown even further into my writing, and I have a side project called Paperman will be released from Archway shortly! Archway started out a group project, but many people had to quit, not many can keep up with me, so Paperman is solely me. I actually did two versions of the book with both publishers. It’s been very exciting news coming into the writing world! I’m also working on a title called Persephone’s Nanny. These are all creations I’m looking forward to through Page Publishing. They have taken me far!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Struggles come with success, people doubted me and bullied me most of my life, they took everything I had and left me for dead, life hasn’t been easy; writing was the only thing I had for myself, that lasted, that stuck, that was easy to recall.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I grew up being The Fabric Maker’s Daughter, which will be a novel all its own. I was shielded from a lot. When I got on my own, it was a culture shock and abandonment of self. I had to do major healing in my life including difficult closures. The locals call me “Rob Zombie or Female Stephen King,” & the worst, beautiful… For being blond, an only child, and a local tradesman’s daughter, no one expected horror novels from me, they wanted beauty pageants. They also didn’t trust me to complete such a long strenuous activity. I basically had to believe in myself; My father believed in me, he would tell me what movies to watch as a child, I lived for Long Island Medium and Amy Allen.
Later my mom (English Major) began reading and editing my first chapters of Monastery. She always was a wonderful literary coach! I recently mailed my book to Theresa (Long Island Medium). I specialize in poetry, horror, thriller, and drama, soon I’ll be releasing a paranormal romance, The Corset Killer. Page Publishing, said they wanted it I just have to shuffle through a few chapters and get the script ready. I’m eager to try new things as I continue to study and grow further into my thirties. My biggest goal is to speak at schools and inspire the youth to achieve more!
How do you define success?
Success– is confidence in one’s self.
It takes several years to gain actual maturity within one’s self. This is something a parent can’t teach a child. This is self-taught and self-mastery, discipline the ability to be alert and independent. Gratefulness is the number one key to confidence. Those are skills not everyone can handle. Thank you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-haunting-of-the-monastery-karen-hodges/1142814530
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etymologykaren/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/EtymologyKaren
- Other: https://medium.com/@etymologybykaren
