The Hurt

November 2, 2009By Karen Barnett 3 Comments

Ow, ow, ow! Have you ever asked someone for a critical eye and then actually gotten your wish? I sent my first two chapters off for a professional critique. I’ve been critiqued before — it’s part of the learning process. You get great advice and come out the better for it in the end. But, … Read More

…And then…and then…

October 26, 2009By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

All writers have their pet words — and I don’t mean “fluffy” or “spot.” I recently discovered that, like a hamster running the same wheel day-in and day-out, that I keep re-using two words in my writing: “okay” and “then.” “Are you okay?” “Is it okay to go back in the house?”, “Okay, I don’t know what you … Read More

Friday Book Pick — Sushi for One? by Camy Tang

October 23, 2009By Karen Barnett 3 Comments

Welcome to the weekend! For those of you looking for a few quiet reading hours over the weekend, I try to spend each Friday blog recommending a great read. I generally emphasize fiction titles with Christian themes. Today’s pick is Camy Tang‘s Sushi for One? I fell in love with Tang’s writing after picking up … Read More

How’s the Book Coming?

August 20, 2009By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

Click on the cartoon to read it. Courtesy of “Will Write for Chocolate by Debbie Oh. “So, how’s the book coming?” It’s the question that is making me cringe. I am happy that my friends are aware of my dream and that they are supportive and interested. But, I’m at an uncomfortable stage in the … Read More

Friday Book Pick: Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

July 17, 2009By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

I have a confession to make. Though I love to read, I avoid non-fiction books like the plague. I’ve learned over the years that it doesn’t matter how intriguing the topic, after a few chapters (sometimes only a few pages), my eyes glaze over. I don’t know why this happens to me. I have friends … 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