I have the pleasure and honor of getting to know authors, writers and poets. I get to share a bit about these lovely people I meet with you, my blog readers.

Interview with Author Karen Bentley, author of Power to Stop

Please share about your background
I’m an Army brat and lived in Italy from the age of three to six.
Unfortunately, I don’t remember much of it, so I don’t think it counts. Mostly I consider Poughkeepsie, NY as my hometown because that’s where we settled after my Dad retired. I’m the only one still living from my birth family. My only brother Carl, who had Down syndrome, died unexpectedly two years ago, and I still miss his sweet smile. For the past 12 years I’ve been living in New Hampshire with my husband, Bill, and my three big basset hounds: Dreamer, Rosie-Posey and Starbelle. Because I have to drive an hour and a half to get to a Macy’s, I affectionately refer to where I live as the fringes of colonization.

What inspired you to begin writing?
I have an awareness about what it means to be and to extend non-romantic love, which is still quite unusual on planet Earth. I feel compelled to share this awareness, and that’s the primary reason for going through the torment and drudge of getting my work published.

When did you begin your writing journey?
I’ve always been a voracious reader, so writing was an easy and natural progression for me. I began writing professionally in 1998.

What inspired you to write this book?
I was very unhappy and stressed out during the recent economic downturn, and I wrote The Power to Stop as a way to get myself feeling better. I thought I could lift myself up by being of use to the world. This is a book that’s been inside me for at least 15 years, trying and trying to get out, but I kept putting it off. It started to feel like it was a now or never situation, like I had to write it. As it turns out, because of the 30-day format, The Power to Stop was the hardest book I’ve ever written. By that I mean, I had to really dig deep and challenge myself to keep the program
fresh and interesting for 30 consecutive days.

What is the best advice you have received about writing?
Every writer or wannabe writer should read On Writing by Stephen King.

What is your advice to beginning writers?
Keep refining your work, and get it professionally edited.

What has been your greatest reward in writing this book?
I’m proud of the book. It’s well written. It’s helpful. It looks good, and it’s getting lots of endorsements and fab reviews.

Most writers are readers. What books are on your “to-read” list?
For spiritual nourishment, I turn to A Course In Miracles or to the series of non-fiction books written by Carlos Castaneda. For physical nourishment, I re-read Chris Crowley’s Younger Next Year. For a quick girly book escape, I read A Duke of Her Own by Eloisa James. These books always satisfy me and all are sure things.

Where can readers find out more about you and your book? (add in blog/website/social media links)
Go to http://www.powertostop.com and on Amazon

Question for fun sake – a fun fact about you

Most people don’t know that I aspire to hold the Guinness record for the world’s largest collection of heart objects. I probably have over 2,000 hearts, but I’ve been too lazy to get them organized and counted. I would love to display them in a heart museum and open a sacred healing faerie garden for sick and sad children. Maybe someday you’ll come and visit me and the faeries who live in my garden.