Karen Guzman Writes Women’s Fiction

Women’s Fiction differs from romance in that a happily ever after is not guaranteed, but a deeply emotional story is. Wild Rose author, Karen Guzman, has just published a lyrical novel about two women struggling to make sense of their lives.

Welcome, Karen. Can you tell us more about yourself and your writing?

Is writing something that comes easy to you or not?

Writing comes pretty easily to me. But that isn’t to say I don’t struggle and wrestle for the “right words” sometimes. Especially when it comes to describing nuanced mood states! Sometimes the right words are a gift that comes to me; other times I’ve got to hunt for them.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I write literary fiction and women’s fiction. I didn’t choose my genre. I think genres choose authors. We gravitate naturally to the material and the voice that capture the narratives we want to share.

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

Right now, Andre Dubus III is in my head big-time. And it’s all for the good. While I’ve been influenced by many authors over the years, the most recent novel I read was Dubus’ utterly amazing Gone So Long. Dubus impressed me in every way, a contemporary master at work. I liked his dad’s short fiction, too, years ago!

Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?

After publishing two novels, I am now working on a short story collection. Two of the stories are being published this year in Gargoyle Magazine, a terrific literary magazine in the Washington, D.C. area. I’m excited to be forging ahead on this new project, going shorter is a challenge, and it’s refreshing to me after the long narratives.

Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

I always seem to include elements of the longing for spiritual connection and the quest for a transcendent connection in my work. Even when I don’t set out to, they sneak in there! Arborview is a very spiritual book. It’s just my natural inclination. I’m drawn to these issues, and find them incredibly moving and relevant.

Arborview

by Karen Guzman

Ellen Cahill’s financial future rides on the success of her new pastry shop. A bruising divorce has drained her bank account, along with her spirit. A man enters her life promising love, but Ellen, haunted by the past, questions whether she can pull off this new beginning. College student Rosa Escamilla has her own culinary dreams–and a difficult mother who’s dead set against them. Rosa won’t be deterred. She scrapes up the money to enroll at a prestigious culinary school, setting out to prove everyone wrong. When hidden betrayals by the people they love most surface for both Ellen and Rosa, can they overcome the blows they never saw coming on the road to where they want to go?