Karen Andrews – writer: Emerging Writers’ Festival  

What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a very small child I wanted to be an archaeologist like Indiana Jones.

What did you become?

A freelance writer/ author/ publisher/mother

What's your official title?

Writer and Publisher of Miscellaneous Press.

What's your background - how did you end up here?

I did a Cultural Studies and Literature double major at university, and then a Masters of Literature. I started writing after this, in between spells of doing other occupation(s).

How would you describe your work to a complete stranger?

I am a writer who fits in work between my commitments as a mother to two small children.

What's the first thing career related you usually do each day?

Check my emails, blog traffic statistics, RSS Feed Reader and Twitter.

Can you describe an "average" working day for you?

Before the children I sat at my desk and wrote for 9-10 hours a day. Now there is no such thing as an average working day! I would call a “good” working day one which I can fit even the tiniest bit of writing in.

Who or what in the arts world most inspires you?

I admire artists for different reasons: some, purely for their artistic merits/creations and others for their personal journeys – be they sad or inspiring - that occur ‘behind the scenes’ and inform their work.

What's the toughest challenge you've dealt with on the job?

Novel re-writes are hard. I say this because I’m in the middle of these and can’t think of anything more challenging or tough right now!

What's the best piece of advice you were ever given for your career?

Do what you love.

What are the top three skills you need in your particular role?

Passion, commitment, and an instinct to what will and won’t work in a story.

What's the best thing about your job?

The fact I’ve been able to stay home with the kids full-time.

And the worst?

On some days – see above!

And if you had to sum your working life in a word or phrase, what would it be?

‘Trying to get it right.’