Meet Karen Cogan: Romance, Faith, and a Little Imagination

I've always loved stories and the way they can draw us into another person's world. Writing gives me the opportunity to create characters readers can care about and situations that touch the heart. I especially enjoy writing stories about love, faith, family, friendship, and the unexpected ways life can lead us in a new direction.

My latest contemporary Christian romance, Forget Me Not, was inspired by the uncertainty we sometimes face when looking toward the future. Miranda, a school secretary, meets Paul, a coach, and the two begin to develop feelings for each other. But when Miranda's mother begins showing symptoms of Huntington's disease, Miranda faces difficult questions about her own future and decides to be tested. I wanted to explore how fear and uncertainty can affect the choices we make, especially when love is at stake. The story is about finding the courage to love, trust God, and embrace the possibilities of tomorrow even when we don't have all the answers.

My characters often begin with a simple idea or a “what if” question. I imagine the challenges they might face, the dreams they hold close, and the fears that sometimes keep them from reaching those dreams. As I develop the story, I get to know their personalities, their strengths and weaknesses, and the experiences that have shaped them. I want my characters to feel like real people, with struggles and emotions readers can relate to. I especially enjoy watching them grow through their relationships, their faith, and the unexpected turns life takes. Sometimes my characters surprise me by taking the story in a direction I hadn't planned!

I'm not much of a morning writer, so I usually settle in to write after lunch. I like to have a plan for what I want to accomplish, whether it's working on a new chapter, editing a manuscript, or developing ideas for a future book. Of course, writing isn't always just writing! There are characters to develop, stories to polish, and plenty of behind-the-scenes work involved in being an author. I also spend time connecting with readers and finding ways to share my books with new audiences. I try to balance the creative side of writing with the business side, though some days one takes over more than the other. The best days are when the words flow and my characters seem to come alive on the page.

One of the most rewarding parts of being an indie author is having the freedom to write the stories that are close to my heart and share them directly with readers. I enjoy being involved in every step of the process, from developing an idea to seeing the finished book available for readers to enjoy. It's also exciting to know that my books can reach people I may never meet in person. When a reader tells me that a story touched their heart, encouraged them, or simply gave them a few hours of enjoyable escape, it reminds me why I love writing. Being an indie author has its challenges, especially when it comes to marketing, but the creative freedom and connection with readers make it worthwhile.

One of my biggest challenges has been learning that writing the book is only part of being an author. As an indie author, I'm also responsible for editing, publishing, and marketing my books. Learning to navigate advertising platforms, newsletters, and social media has been a whole new adventure! Sometimes it feels as though there aren't enough hours in the day to do everything. I've had to learn to be patient, keep trying when something doesn't work, and celebrate the small victories along the way. I've discovered that being an author requires not only creativity but also persistence and a willingness to keep learning.

I use several tools to help with both the creative and business sides of being an author. Atticus is one of my favorites for formatting books for publication. I also enjoy using Canva to create graphics for my books and social media. Since indie authors wear so many hats, I'm always looking for tools that make the process easier and help me reach more readers. I've learned that technology can be a wonderful assistant, but the heart of every story still comes from imagination, creativity, and a love of writing.

My advice to new authors is to write the story that's on your heart and don't give up just because the journey seems overwhelming. Learn your craft, be willing to revise, and remember that writing and publishing are two different skills. You don't have to learn everything at once. Take one step at a time, and don't be afraid to ask questions or learn from other authors. I'd also encourage new indie authors to be patient. Building a readership takes time, and success rarely happens overnight. Most of all, enjoy the journey. Every book you write teaches you something new, and every step forward is progress. Believe in your stories and keep going!

Book promotion is one of the biggest learning curves for me as an indie author! I use a variety of tools and approaches, including newsletters, social media, reader promotions, and paid advertising through platforms like Amazon and Book Bub. I also enjoy creating graphics and short videos to introduce readers to my books. Since I write in several genres, I try to reach readers who are most likely to enjoy each particular story. I'm continually experimenting to discover what works best, because marketing strategies that work for one book don't always work for another. It's a learning process, but I enjoy finding new ways to connect my stories with readers who might love them.

There's always another story brewing! I enjoy writing contemporary romance, historical romance, and children's books, so I have plenty of ideas competing for my attention. I'm continuing to share my contemporary Christian romances with readers while also looking ahead to new projects in children's fiction. I love the variety of writing in different genres because each one challenges my imagination in a different way. I never know when an idea will turn into a new story, but I'm excited to see where the journey takes me next!