KARINA KARINA
An Interview With Writer Karina Kantas
By Sophie Morgan
It seems that now days ‘day jobs’ and ‘passions’ can mix. I know they can! You want to know why, because of my conversation with author, sometime administrative professional Karina Kantas. Here she has kindly taken time out to discuses her latest book In Times of Violence, where anger and emotion reign free; we talk words, we talk about influences, we talk determination and we talk about free time.
Being able to call yourself a published writer is a powerful achievement.
Art Nouveau Magazine: Northampton to Corfu; why the change…despite the obvious…weather?
Karina Kantas: It had nothing to do with the weather (laughs) I came on holiday to Corfu when I was 19 and met my now husband.
ANM: You say you write about life; so how is life in general?
KK: Most of the characters in my books are trying to find themselves. They don’t fit in; never felt they belonged. They’re searching for something. Is everyone truly satisfied with their life? It’s about choices. Have you made the right choice?
Life is exciting, it’s about new experiences, whether good or bad. It’s an ugly world we live in and unfortunately, violence plays a huge part. I don’t think I stretch the truth. I tell it how it is. Everyone wants to be a rebel. I allow my readers that pleasure.
ANM: Do consider yourself to be a ‘starving’ artist…i.e do you have a day job; or have you managed to continue writing without doing as little ‘corporate’ intervention as possible?
KK: I’d have to be a best selling author 3 times over to afford to write full time. I work through the summer months, as a doctor’s receptionist/assistant in a private surgery in a tourist resort. I work nightshifts, which give me plenty of time to write. I’m also a housewife and a mother of a four year old, Sofi.
I spend the winter sitting by the computer working.
ANM: I took a look at your myspace page and I have one word for you METAL is this a major influence in your work?
KK: Most definitely. Rock music, whether classic or heavy has, and will continue to play a huge part in my life. Whether I’m writing a thriller, fantasy or comedy, rock music is always playing in the background. The music, vibe and lyrics inspire me.
I used to live the lifestyle of a biker; I even sang lead in a rock band. Although those days have passed, I still have the passion.
ANM: Can you tell me a little bit more about Heads & Tails; you say it’s a collection of all genres; where just a bunch of short stories you had and stuck them together?
KK: Head & Tales is a collection of 28 short stories. They’re in the genre of horror to comedy, science fiction to thriller. 13 of the stories have previously been published in online journals and printed magazines. Although the collection consists of stories of different writing styles and genres, these stories have one thing in common…. They are inspired by Iron Maiden’s Best of the Beast album. But don’t expect stories related to rock or bikers. They’re just short, entertaining stories, which will delight, fright and leave you questioning your sanity.
ANM: As a self confessed avid reader; why should I read your book?
KK: In Times of Violence is edgy, original, and a bloody good read. It’s a page turner, a book you will not want to put down.
It’s time for chick lit to take a back seat and allow urban thriller front row. My readers have loved I.T.O.V and begged me to write a sequel, which I have done.
ANM: Umm freelance journalism, sounds interesting, tell me about it?
KK: I’ve written articles for several magazines; anything from band reviews, summer articles, film reviews, and recently, a piece about a local demonstration against a planned rubbish dump next to a popular tourist resort. This report was sent to Greenpeace. I’m also a featured book reviewer for Future Fire.
ANM: What was the most important piece of advice you were ever given…did it help and what is your piece of advice?
KK: I knew I wanted to be a writer since my teens. I was determined it was going to happen. My first piece published, was a film review. The cheque is framed and sitting above my computer. That was the starting block. I had the bug and there was no stopping me. Being able to call yourself a published writer is a powerful achievement. My advice to other wanna-be authors is; never give up. Never give in!
ANM: In reference to your latest book In Times Of Violence and previous titles and such Hard Justice very …err ‘atmospheric’ any reason for that?
KK: In Times of Violence is an urban thriller. Huntress, which should be released late this summer, is the follow up to I.T.O.V; but this one is strictly for adults. Huntress is much more than a sequel, containing hard core drugs, sex and rock and roll. Lawless Justice is another urban thriller; this one is about a gang of female vigilante bikers. Sexy, dangerous women you will love to hate! The books are violent, Huntress is sexually explicit; but that’s what you expect in a novel about bikers.
The characters are tough, mean and violent, but there’s another side to these stories; the warmth and love each member has for their brother/sister. It’s not just about the excitement and violence, it’s also about the respect, love and feeling of belonging. Against your better judgment, you’ll find yourself liking and even caring about these tough characters. I’ve never enjoyed reading books that are over descriptive. I want to get to the action and plot. I want to know the characters and not yawn in the process. This is what I give my readers; exciting, hard-edged books that entertain and thrill.
ANM: What books are you reading at this very moment and who by?
KK: Not reading anything at the moment.
ANM: What’s your next career step; is it another book or are you going in another direction?
KK: In Times of Violence, Huntress, and Heads & Tales are self published books. I’m in the process of finding an agent for Lawless Justice, then, hopefully get a mainstream publisher. Give me an agent and there will be no stopping me! These novels deserve a larger audience; the problem is getting the word out there. My readers range form the ages of 15-80 and all have enjoyed I.T.O.V. Look how big S.E.Hinton’s Outsiders is. In Times of Violence could be just as popular given the chance. I would love to see Lawless Justice turned into a movie. It would be edgy, totally original, and different to what’s on the cinema now. My plans include a re-write of a two book fantasy series, Illusional Reality, and to write Lawless Justice as a screen play.
ANM: Do you have any final words?
KK: Just a warning to new writers/authors. Writing is a hard career. Many nasty, cruel people out there will take advantage of you. I’ve been badly burnt several times, but theses are lessons that need to be learned. Be careful. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
For everything Karina Kantas please visit http://www.freewebs.com/froget/.
