Barber, Karen 1953-

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Barber, Karen 1953-
(Karen L. Barber)

PERSONAL:

Born December 19, 1953, in Washington, DC; daughter of Robert (a budget analyst) and Susan K. (a homemaker) Brown; married Gordon Barber (a telecommunications network manager), August 25, 1973; children: Jeffrey, Christopher, John. Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: Attended University of Maryland, 1971-73, and College of Charleston, 1973-74; University of South Columbia, B.A., 1975. Religion: United Methodist.

ADDRESSES:

Office—Guideposts, 39 Seminary Hill Rd., Carmel, NY 10512. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Trident Academy, Mount Pleasant, SC, language development teacher, 1975-77; Guideposts, Carmel, NY, contributing editor, 1996—. Lay minister and speaker to Christian women's groups.

WRITINGS:

Ready, Set … Wait: Help for Life on Hold, Baker Book House (Grand Rapids, MI), 1996.

Surprised by Prayer: The Wonderful Ways God Answers, Guideposts Books (Carmel, NY), 2001.

Work represented in anthologies, including Daily Guideposts. Contributor to magazines, including Sweet 16, Home Life, and Angels on Earth.

SIDELIGHTS:

Karen Barber told CA: "I got my start in writing by winning a chance to attend a week-long training workshop sponsored by Guideposts magazine. This workshop contest is offered every two years and allows anyone, regardless of credentials or experience, to enter a manuscript. Out of the thousands of submittals, fifteen or so are chosen. The writers attend this intensive learning opportunity under the direction of the magazine editors and other luminaries in the inspirational field. When I attended in 1980 we were fortunate to have sessions led by authors Catherine Marshall and John and Elizabeth Sherrill, as well as editors Van Varner and Jim McDermott. In subsequent years I was privileged to take part in a number of weekend 'refresher workshops' that centered on discussion, development, and revision of specific stories for the magazine. I feel Guideposts is unique in offering this kind of training to aspiring writers, and I owe a debt of gratitude to the magazine for helping me develop and mature as a writer.

"When I write, I see myself as something of a faith experimenter, who in turn invites others on journeys of faith. My current vision is to help as many people as possible learn how to revolutionize their personal prayer lives."