Born in 1979 Karen was raised in a small town on the south coast of England. Unfortunately a lot of health issues have controlled her life restricting her ambitions. Although after leaving school she went to college and trained to be a nvq 3 health care assistant in the hope to continue on to become a nurse but life had other ideas for her and she was diagnosed with a rare disease that stole her youth and banished her dreams.
Amazon Link for my book http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1530350735
Matthew Toffolo: What is the general theme and tone of your novels?
Karen Rhodes: My Cushings Journey is my true story of how my life has been restricted by lots of illness and how a rare disease has impacted my life and of those around me. Its written with a lot of emotion sad funny and informative.
MT: Why should people buy your novels?
KR: I hope that by reading my book people will be more aware of the symptoms of Cushings Disease and ways to get the help needed but mainly to give support to others who have been through the same problems.
MT: How would you describe your novels in just two words?
KR: Emotional inspirational.
MT: What movie have you seen the most in your life?
KR: My favourite movie has to be Days Of Thunder with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman im also a fan of fast and furious and of course Harry Potter
MT: Was being a novel writer something you’ve always dreamed of doing?
KR: I had always thought about writing my story but never knew where to start until recently a friend who has a few novellas published helped me to write and publish it. I am overwhelmed by all the support i have received.
MT: Do you have an all-time favorite novel? Have you read a novel more than once?
KR: As im Disabled I have a lot of time to read. My tastes do vary I enjoy reading Kathy Reichs and Danille Steel is also a favourite.
I like stories that keep you guessing and you just cant put it down because you just have to know what happens next.
MT: What motivates you to write?
KR: The motivation came from my rare disease being rare. Not much is known about cushings disease and how it effects the body physically and emotionally. when i was first diagnosed google scared the life out of me and there just isnt much info out there so writing my story with help to raise some awareness. Also i have included the story of losing my baby and my mums struggle with mental illness i just want others to know they are not alone.
MT: What artist would you love to have dinner with?
KR: Dinner with the gorgeous Ronan Keating would be a dream come true especially if Mikey Shane and Keith joined us too 🙂
MT: Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
KR: I love my music Boyzone andRonan are of course top of my list but as with my reading my taste varies depending on my mood. you will find Queen Def Leppard & Guns n Roses in my cd collection and also country or even panpipes. The past two years i have taken up Adult Colouring which i find very theraputic.
MT: Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
KR: Advice for others. Dont be afraid to write about yourself and putting yourself in the spotlight. Get advice from others and make a plan. So many people say ” I should write a book ” laugh and dont so i say write it you got nothing to lose.
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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go to http://www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
Novel Writing Festival 