Karen White Unveils the Secrets Behind Her Bestselling Novels

A Journey Through Southern Culture, Strong Female Characters, And The Art Of Storytelling

Karen White shares insights on her Southern roots, writing process, character development, and upcoming works in this in-depth interview.

Karen White, a luminous beacon in the world of contemporary fiction, has captivated readers with her richly woven narratives and unforgettable characters. With nearly two million books in print, translated into fifteen languages, and a succession of bestsellers on both the New York Times and USA Today lists, her acclaim is well-deserved.

A master storyteller with a unique ability to blend family drama, mystery, and romance, Karen draws upon her deeply Southern roots, crafting tales that resonate with authenticity and emotion. Her novels, often set against the backdrop of the South, reflect a profound understanding of the region’s rich culture and complex characters. From the hauntingly beautiful landscapes of New Orleans to the historic charm of Charleston, Karen’s settings are not merely backdrops but living entities that shape her narratives.

Her latest works, including the celebrated The Lost Summers of Newport and the new The House on Prytania, showcase her skill in creating multi-dimensional stories that explore the intricacies of human relationships and the enduring power of love. Karen’s upcoming novel, That Last Carolina Summer, scheduled for release in July 2025, is another testament to her prolific writing journey that continues to inspire and entertain.

In this issue of Reader’s House magazine, we delve into an enlightening conversation with Karen White, exploring her transition from the business world to becoming a bestselling author, her creative process, and the personal experiences that fuel her narratives. It is a privilege to bring you closer to one of today’s most beloved authors, whose dedication to her craft and passion for storytelling leaves an indelible mark on readers everywhere.

What inspired you to set many of your novels in the South, and how does the region influence your storytelling? 

My family has been in the South since before the American Revolution,  so my roots  grow deep in this region.  Both of my parents were born and raised in Mississippi and my summers were spent visiting grandparents and cousins regardless of where in the world we lived.  Although I never  lived in  the  South until  after I was  married, I   always considered myself  Southern.    There  is  something poetic  about   the  way  people talk and the way they tell their stories.  Even the oppressive heat of a July afternoon spent on my grandmother’s porch became a cornerstone of my childhood memories and part of what I attempt to recreate in my novels.

How did your experience growing up in a house full of brothers shape the strong female characters in your books? 

I learned early on that my brothers would always be stronger and taller than I was, and I was destined to be on the losing end of any snowball fight or any other feats of strength.  I spent a lot of my younger years hiding from my brothers while they chased me with a large insect or reptile.  That’s when I discovered the immersive world of books and the power of words that were my only weapons against my  brothers.  But it is my maternal grandmother who raised six children while running her own business despite having only a third grade education that inspired my strong and resilient protagonists.

Can you share the story behind your transition from a career in business to becoming a bestselling author? 

I left my job as an operations manager for a software development company when my first daughter was born and we moved to Atlanta.  In between feedings and diaper changes, I rediscovered my love for books which had been mostly dormant since I’d finished college.  I’d never planned to be a writer, but after binge-reading Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, I had a book hangover and couldn’t read another book.  So I did what my teachers had always said I should do and wrote my first book.  I entered it into a contest and ended up not only winning but  also garnered  an offer for representation by a New York literary agent who sold that book and the next nine.  I kept writing and selling books and it was only after twelve or so books that I realized that perhaps this writing thing wasn’t a fluke and just maybe I was meant to be a writer after all.

What was the most challenging part of writing your first novel, In the Shadow of the Moon, and how did you overcome it? 

Time!  With two young children and a husband who traveled most days for work, I had to be really efficient at time organization.  It’s true, however, that the busier a person is, the better they are at time management.  As an empty-nester now, I find it much hard to manage my time—something for which I blame social media. It can be entertaining and helpful, but most of the time but I find that it takes up a lot of my time. 

The Tradd Street series is beloved by many readers. What inspired you to create this Charleston-set mystery series? 

I cut my reading teeth on the Nancy Drew mystery series so it was probably inevitable that once I turned to writing, creating a female-centered series with a paranormal bent would be a natural progression in my career. 

How do you balance elements of family drama, mystery, intrigue, and romance in your novels to create such compelling stories? 

My goal since writing my very first novel is to create the sort of book with the same kind of elements that I enjoy in the books I read:  multi-layered stories with multiple interwoven elements.  That creates multi-dimensional books that are enjoyable not just to read, but to also to write. 

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are hesitant to take the leap into writing? 

Read, read, read–across all genres.  Then, to borrow from Nike, just do it.  Write.  Don’t worry if you’re doing it the right way (there is no right way), and quiet all the voices in your head and just write.  It won’t be perfect, but as long as you have words on the page, you can fix them later.

Can you tell us about your writing process and how you develop intricate plotlines and memorable characters? 

I’m a terrible example to new writers!  I don’t prewrite or do character sketches or write an outline.  I start with my protagonist and setting (which is always a primary character in my novels) and the protagonist’s internal and external conflicts and just start writing.  I see the story unfold from my protagonist’s viewpoint and I just write it down.  And, no, I rarely know the ending when I start.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are struggling to find their unique voice or style? 

Just keep writing until it clicks and you know you’re on the right path.  It’s like being proficient on an instrument or sport: it takes practice.

What has been the most rewarding part of your writing journey, and how do you stay inspired to keep creating new stories?

My favorite part of writing is typing THE END.  My second is hearing from readers.  It’s humbling when I learn that my writing has inspired or comforted, and thrilling when they talk about my characters as if they’re as real in their heads as they are in mine.