The Pull of History

July 7, 2009By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

I laughed out loud the other day when I read a Facebook post from another writer who mentioned being sucked into the “black hole” of historical research. It’s a pull I’ve been fighting myself. Somehow, when I read historical fiction, it never dawns on me the hours that writers put into getting the historical background … Read More

Writing Update

July 3, 2009By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

I know, I know… I’ve been strangely quiet this week! With my kids off to camp this week (well, one off to camp, the other at Grandma’s & Grandpa’s), I spent the days focusing on my re-write of Shaken. I’m still trying to hit the 60K word goal set for me by two agents at … Read More

Friday Book Pick: City of God Series

June 26, 2009By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

Happy Friday to you! Looking for a good weekend read? Every Friday I post my recommendation for great weekend reading material, largely emphasizing Christian fiction. This week I am recommending Randall Ingermanson‘s City of God series. I read book one in the series, Transgression, last March and was completely astounded by Randy’s writing style. He … Read More

It is for Freedom…

June 25, 2009By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

For those of you that have been following the saga of Chrys, Emily and the newly emerged “Freedom,” I thought I would give you and update on their status. Freedom had some difficulties upon his (her) arrival. She got stuck on her back while her wings were drying. After kicking furiously for about 10 minutes, … Read More

The Power of a Name

June 24, 2009By Karen Barnett 3 Comments

My kids and I have been conducting a science project this summer. We bought a “Butterfly Bungalow” at Frogs and Pollywogs and sent away for our painted lady butterfly larvae. They sent us three caterpillars, sealed in their jar complete with their rapid-growth food. I remember looking dubiously at the three critters, so tiny and … Read More

Advice from the Experts

June 22, 2009By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

I’m neck-deep in a rewrite of Shaken, so I decided to go to the experts — a.k.a. the Internet –for some advice. You can find some great stuff on google. 🙂 Here are some great quotes about editing and rewriting. Enjoy. Sit down, and put down everything that comes into your head and then you’re … Read More

Friday Book Pick: City of Angels by Peterson and Bell

June 19, 2009By Karen Barnett No Comments

Happy Friday to you! Looking for a great weekend read? I just recently finished a great book, City of Angels by Tracie Peterson and James Scott Bell. This novel unites the talents of two of the most successful writers in Christian fiction: Tracie Peterson, with an incredible 82 books to her name (mostly historical Christian … Read More

Starbucks

June 16, 2009By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

I told you folks to enter the Starbucks contest! Just because I stacked the ballot box didn’t mean you didn’t have a shot. Well, I won! (Thanks Bethany). Now I have to figure out how to order. Someone is going to need to help me. I’ve only ordered at Starbucks once and I felt like … Read More

God’s Heart Crashes My Pity Party

June 15, 2009By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

Okay, confession time! One of my biggest struggles is discontentment. I find it difficult to go to other people’s homes because I always come home feeling bad about my own. In truth, I love my house. It’s got character, it’s got space, it’s got a nice layout and it has a MASSIVE backyard. I know … Read More

Friday Book Pick — Sisters in Time

June 12, 2009By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

Since our local schools are just letting out for summer, I decided to dedicate this week’s Friday Book Pick to more summer reading suggestions for kids. A few weeks ago I lined out three series that I recommend for different age groups. This week, I’m adding another series for young girls, Sisters in Time put … Read More