Do It Write: Where Karen Cino writes @Karencino #RLFblog #CozyMystery
Karen Cino, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Before we talk about your office, please tell us about your latest book.
New Beginnings Cookie Cutter Cozy Mystery by Karen Cino
Genre Cozy Mystery
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG 17
After a traumatic event in her life, Connie Acosta heads down to the Jersey Shore to stay with her friend, Sara Mazza, who lives in a fifty-five and over community. For Connie, this is a temporary stop until she figures out what she wants to do.
Connie and Sara have a brief discussion and decide to start the baking business they had spoken about decades before. But things take a dramatic turn when Sara gets Connie involved in a mysterious adventure at the clubhouse.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since I’m fourteen years old. I wrote my first short story when I was a freshman in high school. Since then, writing has been my whole life.
What was your first published book?
My first book published was Roses. Roses is a Women’s Fiction Contemporary Romance with Romantic Elements.
Tell us about your writing space or home office.
I recently finished my office adding lights. I bought two new book cases to make that eight bookcases in total. My parents bought me my desk and I put my apple desk top on it. I use it to edit because the screen is big but I write on my laptop.
Anything special about your space?
I can see out the side window and it’s the first office space that I’m completely happy with.
What do you love most about that area?
I love the fact that it has a french door, which I can close and block out the television coming from the other room.
What would like to change about your home office?
I’d like to have all my bookcases in the room with me. I also would love to have one chalk wall so I can make my notes all in one place.
If money was no object, what would your home office look like?
It would like like something out of HGTV. I’d probably hire the Property Brothers to make me a big space with my own wet bar and coffee station!
What office equipment do you use most, other than your computer?
I use my printer. I print out whatever a wrote for the day. When I do my edits I have to have a hard copy. I have two prints.
What do you think is a must have for an efficient office?
Most important feature of an efficient office is privacy. Once I get going, there can be a high school band playing behind me and it wouldn’t interrupt me. But I need quiet to start so I can focus.
Are you a writing mom/dad?
My kids are now on their own. But I was a writing mom when I wrote my first seven books.
How do you juggle writing and family?
I always made it a point to find an hour a day to write. I always put myself on a 1000 word a day schedule, which I still keep today. Some days I’ll write 1000 words and other days I can right up to 3000 words. But it essential to have a schedule.
What book or books about writing do you recommend for new authors?
I’d recommend any of the books the Writers Digest Books. Every one has been a fountain of information to me. I still refer to many of them when I’m stuck. Joining writers groups is another way to learn. I belong to Romance Writers of America, Women Fiction Writers Association and Liberty States Fiction Writers. There are so many groups. If your a mystery writer there’s Sisters in Crime. You can find multiple online genres through Romance Writers of America.
What do you like to read for relaxation?
I read women’s fiction, lots of cozy mysteries and you can never go wrong with a Stephen Kind novel.
Do you have an author newsletter?
Yes. If you would like to receive my quarterly newsletter you can sign up here: http://http://bit.ly/2V4OEQL
Where to buy New Beginnings
Publisher Mandolay Press
Amazon https://amzn.to/2GWtUlc
Karen Cino Social Media
Karen Cino is multi-published and has been writing since she was fourteen years old. She started her career by writing poetry, short stories and writing articles for her high school newspaper. Her daily walks down at the boardwalk are what gets her muse going. It clears her mind and helps her find realistic plot ideas and the characters boosting up her muse. Karen loves writing about local places that people can relate to.
Karen loves the summer, loves the beach. Her previous books were written and take place in various places across Staten Island. Karen relocated to Barnegat, New Jersey in 2015. She traded in the Staten Island Boardwalk for the shoreline in Long Beach Island. Her Camp Mirage Series takes place in Barnegat, NJ.
Karen is a member of Romance Writers of America, Women’s Fiction Writing Association and Liberty States Fiction Writers. She was Vice President of the New York City Chapter for four years and President for three.
Karen has two adult children, Michael Giordano who’s a singer, songwriter and producer and Nicole Giordano who works in Retail Management and is also a photographer. In 2014 Karen married John Gatti. Her husband is an actor, teacher and attorney.
Website http://karencino.com
Blog http://karencinobooks.com
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/karencino
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008LCG31Y
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4444484.Karen_Cino
Newsletter http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/home/?u=372e9cad72e3faf1c0a8b9a4e&id=9ac84ba873
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/karencino
Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/Karen-Cino-296585170371401/
