Karen Martin

Verified Standard (Annual) Account

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

I am an indie author living in regional Victoria, Australia. I am known to have run away with the Women's Circus, created plays in prisons, and written theatre that strived for transformation. I won awards for my work, received funding to travel to write in situ, and learned to listen carefully when the muses whisper in my ear.

When and why did you start writing books?

I have a background in theatre as an independent writer and director and when the concept for Dancing the Labyrinth came, it was clear it was a novel not a play. It was from then I started to write books. My objective as a writer is to make sense of the world and to share my discovery through an accessible medium. My toolkit contains: • a childhood passion for Greek mythology; • a love of archeological and historical research; • the courage to deep dive into psychological layers to articulate my/the human experience; • an awareness of the impact of living in the context of patriarchy; and • an acceptance that art reflects life.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

I love the process - even the struggles. I embrace the research, writing in-situ, and following blindly the leads that take me down unknown paths. I love finding the words to express an experience, thought, feeling, colour.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

Now you know there are no favourites ....

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

Initially, I fought against the concept of The Bringer of Happiness. Even though I toured the south of France learning about from folklore about Mary Magdalene and her teachings within the Cathar faith, I did not want to write about a character who was both biblical and historical. My intention is not to offend people but to enhance knowledge and understanding. When I finally gave in to my muses I rewrote the manuscript in first person - from the perspective of the daughter of the Magdalene.

Who is your favourite author and book?

A favourite? I love all of Georgia Bain's novels - she died too young. An important novel in my life was The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. One that made an early impact was The Myths of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, and two I loved discovering when writing Dancing the Labyrinth are: When God was a Woman by Merlin Stone, and The Origins and History of Consciousness by Erich Neumann

What book are you reading right now?

I'm in the middle of researching and writing my third novel and I am re-reading M. Scott Peck's The Road Less Travelled, as well as Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson. I'm also 35% through Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami, but I am getting distracted.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

The Muses

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I live on 5 acres in regional Victoria and have chickens and goats and a cat to keep me busy. I love pottering around the garden and going for long hikes in our beautiful bushland

Do you have any new books in the works?

I am currently writing my third novel, DELPHI. It is the sequel to Dancing the Labyrinth. I hope to release it later this year, or early next. I also have two other ideas floating around, one of which I have started making notes and writing scenes.