CONTRIBUTED PHOTO - State Center resident David Karsjen published his first book “The Thrasher: From Fields to Fairways” which is available on Amazon.

David Karsjen, a resident of State Center, is just getting started with his creative endeavors. The Iowa native published his first novel four months ago and is working on a new book.

Karsjen’s novel, The Thrasher: From Fields to Fairways, centers on a developer who comes to the small town of Bent River. When he proposes building a golf course complex on agricultural land, the town is divided over whether it is better to grow or hold onto the small town they love.

“Anybody from a small town will relate to some portion of that book,” Karsjen said.

He noted that the idea for the novel came from his own upbringing in small towns. Karsjen grew up in Rhodes and was an Allstate agent in Marshalltown for seven years, along with residing in State Center now.

“The whole book is about a small town and it talks about the issues all small towns have,” he said.

Karsjen spent two years writing the 520-page novel and another year getting it published. It was published by Mill City Press, Inc. and released December 31, 2019.

He said he has not always dreamed of being an author, though he has spent years writing.

“I like writing and I am musically inclined. I’ve written some music,” Karsjen said

He did not set out to write a national bestseller or become famous. Karsjen already accomplished everything he wanted to by finishing the novel.

“It was all about me fulfilling the challenge and being creative,” Karsjen said.

He said once he got started, it just built from there.

“I had so darn much fun doing it that I can’t quit now,” Karsjen said.

Though his first novel was released only months ago, he is hard at work at his next project. Karsjen is a third of the way through the first book of a planned trilogy. He said the books fall under the genre of science-fiction and are set in the near future — the 2030’s.

Karsjen is thankful for the support of his family and friends and the kind words of readers.

“People are being very nice. It’s been well-received,” he said. “I’m very appreciative.”

In true Iowan fashion, Karsjen maintains ample humility despite his success. He said even now it is “mind-boggling” to him that he finished a novel and had it published.

Karsjen said many people have enjoyed trying to figure out who each character is, but he wants to emphasize the book is a work of fiction.

It can be hard for many aspiring novelists to get started because of their perfectionism. They do not want to put anything on the page unless it is exactly right. Karsjen has advice for these writers.

“Just get it down in writing. Don’t worry about punctuation, sentence structure, anything,” he said.

Karsjen said once it is on the page, it can always be improved upon.

He hopes to encourage others to take the step he did. Karsjen does not believe he is part of some elite group of people who can write. He believes it is in everyone.

Whenever someone tells Karsjen they have an idea for a book, he asks them, “Why don’t you write it?”

For the many people who want to write a book but fear they do not have what it takes, Karsjen has a hopeful message.

“Most people probably have a book in them,” he said.

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Contact Anna Shearer at ashearer@timesrepublican.com.