Karen Robards: Write Your Story Your Way
Karen Robards is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of 50 novels and one novella. She is the winner of six Silver Pen awards and numerous other awards. Follow her on X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
Karen Robards
Photo by Ingrid Estrada
In this interview, Karen discusses the true-to-history inspiration behind her new thriller novel, Some Murders in Berlin, her advice for other writers, and more!
Name: Karen Robards
Literary Agent: Robert Gottlieb, Trident Media Group
Book Title: Some Murders in Berlin
Publisher: Mira
Release date: June 25, 2024
Genre/category: Thriller
Previous titles: The Girl from Guernica, The Black Swan of Paris, The Ultimatum, The Moscow Deception, The Fifth Doctrine, and 50some-odd more
Elevator pitch: Taking readers to WWII and the heart of Nazi Berlin: When a serial killer stalks the total blackout that is night in Nazi Berlin, famed Danish profiler Dr. Elin Lund is summoned to assist the investigation into the gruesome murders of eight young women. Forced into a reluctant partnership with Kripo Homicide Detective Kurt Schneider, she must use every bit of her knowledge and experience to help him catch the murderer—because if they fail, it’s their lives that are on the line.
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What prompted you to write this book?
People think serial killers are a recent phenomenon, but they’re not. A serial killer really did stalk the young women of Nazi Berlin, taking advantage of the nightly blackout to commit a series of horrific murders. When I came across this true crime story while researching something else, I was immediately transported into the ‘What if?” world that authors fall into when a story begins to percolate in their mind. And from that Some Murders in Berlin was born.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication?
About 18 months.
Were there any surprises or learning moments during the publication process?
How easy the process was. My editor Nicole Brebner and the people I work with at Mira are such professionals that Some Murders in Berlin went from unedited manuscript to polished, published book without a hitch.
Were there any surprises in the writing process?
For me, the writing process is always full of surprises. I’m a total pantser. When I start a book, I have the kernel of an idea and that’s it. I sit down with my laptop and off I go. Characters, plot, everything takes form and shape as I write. The worst thing about it is I have occasionally been known to write myself into a corner. In The Fifth Doctrine, for example, I had a great time getting my main character, Bianca St. Ives, blown up, kidnapped into North Korea, and thrown into a dungeon with other hapless captives while she (and they) awaited certain death. Having done that, I realized that now she had to escape the dungeon, singlehandedly kill a small army of soldiers standing guard outside, break out of the heavily fortified prison camp, escape North Korea, and make it home alive. And how to accomplish all that was not Bianca’s problem, but mine. It made for an interesting few days while I figured it out.
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
I hope readers will get a few hours of escape into another world, some thrills and chills, a little vicarious romance, and a whole heck of a lot of entertainment.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
Write YOUR story, YOUR way. Beta readers and critique groups are fine if you find them useful, but in the end, it’s YOUR voice that will make your books stand out.
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