New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Hawkins writes novels that have been praised as touching, witty, charming, and heartwarming. A native Southerner who grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee where storytelling is a way of life, Karen recently moved to frosty New England with her beloved husband and multiple foster dogs. Her highly acclaimed Dove Pond series is a nod to the thousands of books that opened doors to more adventures, places, and discoveries than she ever imagined possible.
We chat with author Karen Hawkins about her latest release A Cup of Silver Linings, along with writing, book recommendations, and more!
Hi, Karen! Tell our readers a bit about yourself!
Hi! I’m Karen Hawkins, a NYT and USA Today best-selling author. I’m a born-and-raised southern girl, which is why I set my current Dove Pond series in the mountains of western North Carolina. It’s like a trip home for me as a few years ago, because of my husband’s job, we moved to the snowy Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. I love mountains, no matter what state they’re in, but I miss my Smoky Mountains.
I’m currently writing a series about the Dove family. All seven sisters have different magical abilities which serve are the catalyst for changes in the lives of people who live in their small town. Each book is about the strength of family, the joy and power of love, and the magic of being a part of a small Southern town.
How’s your 2021 going in comparison to that other year?
Ugh, that “other year.” I’m soooo glad it’s O-V-E-R. So far, my 2021 is going very well. My family is healthy, and now everyone has their vaccination. (YAY!) In fact, I just got back from seeing my parents in Tennessee for the first time in a year and a half. I missed them so much.
Sadly, my writing slowed down during that “other year.” I may be a bit of an introvert and work from home, but it’s hard to focus when you’re worried about people far away, especially elderly parents. It took me a while to get my production back up, but with the help of my amazing editors, I did it!
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
First book I remember reading (that made enough of an impression to remember the name): MY FRIEND FLICKA. I wept over that book. And when I finished, I re-read it, which was a new thing for me. I’ve read that book twenty or thirty times now. I just loved it!
The book that made me want to become an author: Georgette Heyer’s DEVIL’S CUB. I wanted more books like that and they were hard to find.
The book I can’t stop thinking about: THE SWORD OF SHANNARA. That was my first fantasy book and I just fell in love with the magical, mystical elements, which is why I’m so happy to be writing about magic today.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I’ve always been a huge reader which is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from being a writer. I used to read two to three books a week, but then I started working on my PhD in political science and, with a full-time job and two small children, I didn’t have the time to read any more. To maintain my sanity, I started writing a book. I only had twenty or thirty minutes a day, so it took me a year and a half, but I finished it and had such a terrific time writing it, that I knew this was what I wanted to do for a living. When I got my first contract, I dropped out of the PhD program, burned my statistics book on the front lawn, and never looked back.
It was meant to be.
Your latest novel, A Cup of Silver Linings, is out July 6th 2021! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
A warm, cozy, heartfelt hug.
What can readers expect?
Family, love, surprises, friendships, and a touch of Dove Pond magic. A CUP OF SILVER LININGS is centered around Ava Dove, who is fighting to keep a secret from people she loves, and a teenager named Kristen and her Grandma Ellen who are struggling to form a relationship after the death of Kristen’s mother.
What was the inspiration behind A Cup of Silver Linings?
Magic. I want some! J There are times the real world can feel overwhelmingly negative, so I wanted to write a series that will give readers hope. I use the magical element as a catalyst for the story rather than using them as an answer to the various struggles we all face.
Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
That “other year!” My beloved husband is known online as Cap’n Hot Cop because he used to be a policeman but is now a private jet pilot. He was furloughed for a few months and, as he loves his job and is one of those people who can’t stand “not working,” he quickly got bored and rattled around the house like a loose pebble in an empty box. Needless to say, that made it super hard for me to write. He’s back at work now, and all is good, but those were a challenging few months, and I got very little written.
The other challenge I faced was in the challenge I set for myself in writing about heavy subjects, but in a positive, comforting way. That’s my goal with this series. I want us all to examine the more serious, painful topics of life, but through the gentling, comforting lens of love and magic.
Were there any favorite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
In A CUP OF SILVER LININGS, I’m aware that a lot of people aren’t going to like Ellen. She’s very controlled and way-too-certain of herself, perhaps to the point of selfishness. But as I wrote her, I came to enjoy her depth, her struggle to express herself, and eventually, her growth. She changes a lot over the course of the book, and I came to appreciate her toughness and the reasons behind it.
I also loved writing about Ava and Sarah’s relationship, and how their mother’s early death set them on the complicated path that they’re dealing with in A CUP OF SILVER LININGS. The death of a parent changes the dynamics of a family in ways we sometimes don’t realize until much later. That was fun to explore.
What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?
Best: It’s a business, so treat it like one. Ask for what you want, demand what you need, and don’t be afraid to say no.
Worst: Never used adjectives or adverbs. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this and yes, it’s possible to use too many, but none? No. My favorite authors ALL use adjectives and adverbs. They can quickly set a mood or scene, add to dialogue without muddying the flow of a conversation, and enrichen description. That said, there are stronger ways to describe a scene or a person, so I work hard not to get too addicted to the “quick set-up” offered by adjectives and adverbs.
What’s next for you?
I’m writing Ella’s story right now, the third Dove Pond sister. She’s a chef who suffers from relationship-phobia. The story is about fears of both success and failure, trust, forgiveness, and really, truly delicious cakes.
I’ve been baking lots of cakes as I write this book as I want to include some of my family’s recipes. Sadly, my grandmother (a simply phenomenal cook) had a tendency to write things like “add a pinch” or “add just enough of” which means I have to find the exact measurement before I put her recipes in print. Argh! Adored the woman, loved her cooking, but her recipes need a little refining.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
Oh wow. I have so many!
I just read LIZZIE AND DANTE by Mary Bly, which was a lovely, heartwarming story that made me yearn to travel back to Italy. I can’t say enough about this book! It gave me all the feels and while I shed a few tears, there was so much happiness laced through the story, that I loved, loved, LOVED it.
Another book I loved was Mary Alice Monroe’s THE SUMMER OF LOST AND FOUND, which is set in that “other year” and was a delight from first page to last. She managed to turn a weird, stressful time into a totally charming read that I enjoyed so much that I’ve set it aside to read a second time.
Also, a month ago, I was lucky enough to read an Advanced Reading Copy of Sonali Dev’s coming book INCENSE AND SENSIBILITY which is a lovely, fun retelling of one of Jane Austen’s books. I loved the cultural take on a familiar tale and fell in love with the strong, complicated hero, too. I adored the huge cast as well, as I come from a large family and could relate to the web of relationships represented. All in all, such fun!
All three of these made me smile, laugh, get teary-eyed, and hug the book after I devoured the last word. SUCH great books!
