Friday, October 4, 2013

Guest Post Author Karen Guzman

Karen Guzman is the host of the popular blog Write to Despite

How/why did you start to write?

I started writing stories in fifth grade, which resulted that year in two production of two little “books,” one about a pony and one about a dog. Surprising, right?

What was your first published piece?

A short story titled “Get On With It.”

Where was it published?

In a very tiny literary magazine out of the midwest. Believe it or not, I’ve actually forgotten the magazine’s name. At the time it was such a major thing to me, and now I can’t remember the publication’s name. I remember the story because it was so incredibly sophomoric. Yeech.

How long ago?

1990

What did you do before embarking on your writing career? Was it an asset to your writing? How?

I worked as a newspaper journalist right after college, stopped briefly while I earned an MFA, and then went back to newsrooms for another 13 years. The benefits of my time as a reporter and feature writer are just too numerous to mention. Working in daily journalism gives you a front-row seat on the world, the communities, issues, and people that you write about, and it’s an absolutely fantastic education. It helped me grow up, a lot.

What inspires you?

Nature, the Divine, deeply felt and beautifully written literature.

Please share one of your successful author platform building technique

I wish I had more to share. Our blog www.WriteDespite.org
is my first platform. It’s doing well, but to grow, we need to get the word out more broadly and provide more varied and compelling content.

Parting words

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Karen Guzman writing samples...


Feature story that appeared in Chicago Tribune