Purdue Alumnus

5 Questions with Karin (Brown) Gillund (HHS’08)

(Writing as Karin Biggs)

What is your background?

I come from a family of proud Purdue grads (my dad is one of the out-of-this-world Purdue astronaut alumni!). My husband and I met through Purdue Musical Organizations — I was a Purduette, and he was our drummer. After eight years in the event planning industry, I made the decision to become a stay-at-home mom and pursue my interest in creative writing.

How would you describe your writing process?

It’s very similar to event planning! I find it helpful to have a plan of where I want to go and a checklist of what’s needed for a successful plot, but I have to leave enough room for creativity and flexibility.

Are you planning on writing more books?

I’m working on a young adult romance surrounding the Roswell incident of 1947, and I plan to continue The King’s 100 as a series.

What will readers take away from your book?

The King’s 100 is a romance with an ensemble cast and a message of following your heart. It is intended for teens, but I think it is fitting for anyone in need of an escape.

How are you spending your days right now?

Most of my time is dedicated to my 4-year-old daughter and newborn baby boy. When time allows, I work on my manuscripts and marketing plan. I also like bingeing shows on Netflix and singing along with karaoke videos on YouTube.