Today’s interview is with Stephanie Haefner, author of the newly released A Bitch Named Karma. She shares with us her thoughts on karma, handling feedback–and her favorite member of New Kids on the Block!

LUX ZAKARI: How did you come up with the idea for A Bitch Named Karma?

STEPHANIE HAEFNER: It started as a spoofy kind of story with the title of Not Another Chick Lit Novel. The concept was kinda like those silly movies….Not Another Scary, Date, Teen, Dance, etc.  Movie. The idea was to have every cliche of the chick lit genre all happen to this writer all at once. But it started to sound too silly and the more I got into the story… Well, there started to be a real story there, not just a bunch of funny stuff. The name no longer fit when I began weaving in the karma theme.

LZ: Do you think you’ll ever give the concept of Not Another Chick Lit Novel another go-round? What cliches were involved?

SH: Well, A Bitch Named Karma kept with a similar theme… Lexi thought her bad karma was because of the cliches in her books. As the book goes on, she starts to realize her bad karma wasn’t caused by something as silly as bad cliches, but of bigger problems in her life.

LZ: Does the concept of karma play an important part in your life?

SH: I have always tried my hardest to be a good person, regardless of what I got out of it. Treat people how you want to be treated. I guess I have always lived by the motto “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” I’m nowhere near perfect and I admit, I am human and I do have my catty moments! But I do try to keep my mean thoughts to myself!

LZ: Is there a scene you’re most proud of in your current work?

SH: There are so many great scenes in A Bitch Named Karma…funny scenes, sassy scenes, heartbreaking scenes. The main character, Lexi, has a ton of really funny and witty lines that I am quite proud of! But I have to say, the end still makes me tear up every single time!

LZ: What lessons have you learned about the world of publishing/marketing? What lesson has been the most valuable to you?

SH: Wow, so much! The most important lesson I think I’ve learned is that your book, your masterpiece, your baby, can never go anywhere or ever become anything truly fabulous without the help of a lot of people. If a writer is not open to critique or is unable to accept that their work has flaws, they will never make it in this business. You have to be open to criticism and take it seriously. Learn from it, grow. And keep writing. Never stop. The more you write, the better you will get.

LZ: As per your Lyrical Press author page, you’re a “lover of romantic comedies.” What romantic comedies–be it books/movies/etc.–resonate and inspire you most?

SH: Great question! I am such a sucker for a romantic comedy! I love to watch romance bloom and feel that first spark of attraction and the butterflies of a first kiss! And laughter–really, what is life without laughter?

As far as movies go, some of my favs are You’ve Got Mail, Overboard, 50 First Dates, Pretty Woman, The Wedding Singer, and I’m not sure if these really count as rom-coms, but I adore American Pie, American Pie 2 and American Wedding. Underneath frat-boy humor are great stories about love and the bonds between friends and family.

As far as books go, I really love Ann Brasshare’s The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series–YA but I just adore every single word of those books! They’ve got it all!

LZ: Not so much a question but just for funsies: As per your blog, you’re a huge New Kids on the Block fan, so I must ask you to choose your favorite: Donnie, Joey, Danny, Jonathan or Jordan.

SH: I love you for asking this question! Jordan Knight, hands down! (Have you seen those abs? Even at 39 years old… Wow!) I’ve always gone for the tall, dark and handsome types!

LZ: What writing goals do you have for 2010?

SH: I have been in editing mode for what feels like forever. It’s seriously been about a year, between editing my last book, Spellbound, then editing some novellas I wrote, to pre-edits on A Bitch Named Karma, then actual copy edits. And I just did an entire POV change on Spellbound. I am beyond ready to create again!

I have two main goals for 2010: find an agent/publish Spellbound and write a sequel to A Bitch Named Karma. (Opening scene has already been written… tentatively titled Karma Kameleon! That’s some top secret info there…haven’t revealed that to anyone yet! LOL!)

* * * *

To purchase A Bitch Named Karma from its publisher, Lyrical Press, visit www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=81&products_id=234.

For info on Stephanie Haefner, visit www.stephaniehaefnerthewriter.com and  www.thewriterscocoon.blogspot.com.