Not My Home…

April 1, 2009By Karen Barnett 3 Comments

I was fortunate to grow up in a fantastic home. My parents have always been amazing — steady, loving and supportive. I had great older brothers who served as role models to me. One taught me that I could have an opinion and stand up for it (thanks Mark!). Another taught me that it was … Read More

Reading Upside-Down and Backwards

March 31, 2009By Karen Barnett No Comments

My daughter was reading to me the other day from a Dr. Seuss book called, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut. It’s an adorable book, but it got me thinking. The technologically savvy kids of today are reading completely differently than my generation and those that came before me. Much of their time is … Read More

Nasties or Loveables?

March 30, 2009By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

These are words I NEVER thought I would hear my sweet six-year-old daughter say: “But Mom, I LOVE that mad cow germ. It’s sooooo cute!” And then, from my nine-year-old son: “No, the flesh-eating bacteria is way cooler. Look, it’s got a little knife and fork!” I know what you are thinking—what kind of wacko … Read More

Next Right

March 27, 2009By Karen Barnett No Comments

This week was Spring Break for our kids and I decided it was a good opportunity to go and visit my folks. We had a great visit. During the four hour drive home, we saw plenty of road signs and it got me thinking about directions. I remember how often I was fooled by these … Read More

Lost

March 24, 2009By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

My son said something funny today that got me thinking. We were talking about some little collectible figures that he treasures. He mentioned that he had lost one of his favorites. I asked, “Lost, as in ‘it’s lost in your room somewhere or lost as in ‘you took it to the park and haven’t seen … Read More

March 23, 2009By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

It’s in the mail, it’s in the mail, Glory, Hallelujah, it’s in the mail! (Happy Dance!!!) Just in case you weren’t aware — I’ve been editing, rewriting and generally tearing apart the first 20 pages of Shaken in order to get it ready to send ahead to the critique panel at the Mount Hermon Christian … Read More

Rest

March 22, 2009By Karen Barnett No Comments

I have such great friends. Everyone has been so supportive lately as I whine about getting ready for Mount Hermon. Well, maybe “whine” isn’t the right word — more like panic. After spending the last week working on revisions to the first 20 pages of Shaken, I posted this stupid comment on Facebook: “After spending … Read More

March 20, 2009By Karen Barnett No Comments

Tell me how can I become a butterfly? You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar. Trina Paulus. I read this quote, scrawled on a whiteboard, the first time I walked into a weight watchers meeting, in October of 2007. I was full of doubts. “This … Read More

The Revision Process

March 17, 2009By Karen Barnett 4 Comments

Yesterday, I got a huge gift from a friend. Leiah has a background in publishing and I had twisted her arm into reading my manuscript. I can’t imagine how nerve-wracking this must be for a friend. “Okay, you want me to critique this? Are you SURE? Will we still be friends afterwards?” So, yesterday we … Read More

God’s Scrapbook

March 13, 2009By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

Today I got to play “model” for my friend, Bethany Haile. She is an awesome photographer who has recently started her own business. Even though I grew up the daughter of a photographer, it felt very strange to have the “focus” completely on me. But it was very fun to see Bethany at her best, … Read More