#AtoZChallenge - V is for Kari Veenstra #giveaway

Kari Veenstra 

Kari grew up climbing trees and shooting arrows in the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific. After graduating high school, she stuffed her belongings into one small suitcase and traveled to America for college where she developed her passion for writing. A journalism internship in Washington, D.C. led to a successful copywriting career until Kari switched to writing fiction so she could spend more time with her kids. Her debut novel The Rescuer was published Feb, 2020.

1- What made you decide you wanted to be an author?

I started writing stories as a teenager when I ran out of books of my own to read in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. I decided I wanted to be an author when I realized the stories that I write fill a current gap in the industry--young YA with male protagonists, high stakes action, and zero-to-limited romance.

2- In what category/genre do you write? Why?

I write Young Adult science fiction and fantasy. Much of my writing also has a dystopian bend. I'm drawn to the genre because of the high degree of creativity afforded. I love creating exciting new worlds with a variety of world-specific challenges, then filling them with universal problems and truths.

3- What part of one of your stories was the most fun to write? The most challenging? (And which book/s are those in?)

One of the funnest scenes to write in The Rescuer (YA SF) was an action scene featuring a hair-raising intrusion into a flight academy through a high-tech mechanical obstacle course. Visualizing this scene and describing all the moving pieces took a lot of work, but I really enjoyed exploring this element of the world. One of the most challenging scenes to write (also featured in The Rescuer) was a heart-felt moment where my main character, Prok Zandin, is forced to confront the ghosts of his past and the grief he still carries over the death of his mother for which he feels responsible.

4- Would you please, in 160 characters or less, give a #WriteTip ?

I used to keep my writing close to my chest, afraid to share it with anyone, afraid it was terrible. Only when I got brave enough to show it to others, did I start going places. #WriteTip - Be bold.

5- Do you work on more than one book at a time? Why or why not?

I get ideas for more than one book at a time, but I file them away because I can only draft one story at a time. I like to think that I pour my heart and soul into that given story, making it hard to divide my creativity and concentration between multiple pieces.

6- What do you love and hate most about being a published author?

I love the fact that I AM a published author. It's such a feeling of pride and accomplishment to have created something from start to finish that a publisher acquired and put out for readers. Having readers read and love my work is a joy like no other. The thing I hate the most about being a published author is fans asking when my next book is coming out, haha! I am SO grateful for their support, but the guilt can get overwhelming when my answer is consistently "I'm not sure, but hopefully soon." It's a lot of pressure.

7- Do you publish traditional, self, hybrid, other? Why?

My debut novel was published traditionally by a small press in 2020. Even though that publisher is no longer operating and I own all the rights to my books, I would still love to be published traditionally. One of my dreams is to get an agent and a publishing deal at a stable house. There's nothing wrong with the other options, but this is the path that personally appeals to me. I see it as a bit of a challenge to write something that gets the attention of the "gatekeepers."

8- What question are you dying to answer?

* Question: Who is your favorite character in your novels?

* Answer: Isn't that like asking a parent to pick a favorite child? If I am forced to choose, I would have to say that Mavrick Denly, the arrogant, pretentious bully heavily featured in the Krador Kronicles would be my favorite. I like how he's morally gray, yet still operates under some sort of *code* that only he understands. He's brutal and mean, but somehow still ends up fighting for the right side of things. He has some deep secrets and I can't wait to write more of his story and reveal them to my readers.

9- Would you please ask our audience an intriguing question to answer in the comments?

What book have you read recently (or not-so recently) that really stuck with you by challenging or changing your worldview?

10- For our blog readers who haven't read anything by you, which of your books would you suggest they start with?

I currently have one novel, The Rescuer - Book 1 of the Krador Kronicles. It features a plucky underdog in a dystopian underwater world who risks his one shot at a better future to find and rescue a missing friend. It's not available for sale through traditional methods, but readers who are interested in it can purchase it via Paypal on my website, or message me for a signed author copy. The Rescuer – Story with Kari Veenstra

Kari would love to do a giveaway - A signed copy of her debut novel The Rescuer! Winner's choice of paperback or hardcover.

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Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge 2023
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