I don't want to be Paris Hilton

Not that I think people will look at me and confuse me for the superficial space cadet, but I can't help wonder if I'm turning into her profesionally.

In the past few years I've attended four writers' conferences. I didn't know anyone when I registered for them, but that didn't matter. Somehow I always ended up knowing tons of people, even to the point of introducing virtual strangers to each other with the ease of introducing a childhood friend.

I recently attended the ACFW annual conference, even though I haven't actually written any fiction in months. Instead of working on a manuscript I've been reviewing books, posting blogs, and establishing my freelance career. My lack of manuscript didn't matter, though. I still mingled, networking and meeting fabulous people.

That's when it hit me - I'm turning into the Paris Hilton of the novel world. I don't haven't done anything, I'm not really doing anything, and yet I know everyone. I can socialize and schmooze without having accomplished anything.

While that's enough for Ms. Hilton, I want more. Don't get me wrong - it tickeled me like a peacock feather when I met Mary Coneally this weekend, but I don't just want to know her. I want my books to compete with hers for the Carol Award. I don't just want to know 75% of the Hartline Literary Agency - I'd like for one of them to represent me!

So what's a girl to do??

Write.

That's the only thing I can do. If I don't start producing novels, then I'm no better than Paris - known by association. I won't let that happen to me. In order to make sure that doesn't happen, I need to get to work...

The Return of Slap-Happy Matty

Tired and incoherent, our hero returns...

Discussing an author I recently met:
Karin: "She writes romantic suspense."
Matt: "Is that when the guy ways to propose until the day before the wedding?"

Discussing acrylic nails:
Karin: "After they grow out I have to get the growth filled in."
Matt: "Kind of like caulk?"

Watching Matt wander aimlessly through the kitchen:
Karin: "What are you doing?"
Matt: "I don't know. My tired-to-cuteness ratio is off."

Lamenting our pizza & ice cream dinner while snuggling in bed
Karin: "Ugh. I don't feel so good."
Matt: (shyly) "Sorry. Is it my armpit?"

She'll always be Cammie to me...

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Happy Birthday to Cammie!

Happy Birthday to YOOOOOUUUUUUU!

What Do You Think?

First - this picture has nothing to do with the post. I just really like it :)

Okay, here's the deal. I'm almost done with my website (and when I say that I'm almost done, I mean my web designer is almost done). The only thing I really want to add is a section "About Me". This has been hard to write, not because I can't think of anything good to say about myself but because it's just so hard to narrow it down. (hee, hee)

Anyway, before I commit this to my website for all eternity (or at least until I want to change it), I thought I'd get some advice from the ones who know me best, but since my cats can't type, I'm asking you. Any comments are appreciated (though I'll only consider the nice ones):

I'm a daughter, sister, friend, and wife. I've worked on a ship, at a ski and golf resort, as a staffing specialist, and I still substitute teach. While I treasure my relationships and have enjoyed my work experiences, something was always missing. I found it in 2007 when I sat down to write a novel. I just wanted to see if I could to it. Six weeks after I started, I had 80,000 words. I didn't need any more encouragement.

I researched publishing, writing, agents, editors, but the more I researched, the more I realized how little I knew. I wanted to learn more, but I also wanted to keep writing while I learned.

Enter the Elk Rapids News - a small, weekly newspaper in need of a writer. I applied, and they hired me. Two years later I'm enjoying my freelance career as much as I enjoy writing my novels. Whether I'm writing devotionals, how-to articles, or a feature story about a local hero, I compose each piece with the care at attention I give to my fiction. I've realized that I don't just love writing make-believe, I love writing.

Since I started freelancing, I've had over one hundred articles published and have finished three full-length manuscripts. I'm also an active member of the American Christian Writers' Association and the American Christian Fictions Writers' Association. Someday I hope to modify this website to include two sections: Karin The Freelance Writer and Karin The Novelist.