Friday, December 30, 2016

Goodbye, 2016

As 2016 draws to a close, I've heard lots of people talking about how awful of a year it was, though I hope that's not the case for all of you. It wasn't the best for me either, especially since I hoped to snag an agent this year. 
There were still some important milestones I reached. I completed my rewrite of Swords & Cinder, a novel that will always be dear to my heart but is gathering dust in its folder. I also completed Saving Kentán and am just over a third of the way switching it from 1st person POV to 3rd person. I'm planning on starting 2017 with completing my rewrite and querying (hopefully by March). Finally, in 2016, I began a new novel, which I haven't done in 2 years. It's bewitching, the style and setting, but it takes a lot more brain power and focused time, which I just don't have. I'm ending 2016 a bit disillusioned, awakened from a lovely dream, and stretching my brain and muse muscles, so I'm ready to hit 2017 running.
One thing I absolutely loved in 2016 was how much time I was able to write. The twins had preschool, which gave me (most weeks) three sections of 2.5 hours to work. I enjoyed meeting my sister, Kristi, who is also pursuing her creative passion--cinematography, at Starbucks for vent/celebrate and work time. I also developed some wonderful relationships in my home--Brittany, Erica, and Amanda--as well as online--Heather, Laura, Kristin, Vanessa, and dear Tamara. I met new friends and read their amazing writing--Patricia and Kristen--and reconnected with friends of my heart--Sonia and Vanessa.
As 2017 begins, I'm blessed with the opportunity to take my family to Disney World, watch my husband run his first marathon, and fly on an airplane (for some reason, airports and airplanes inspire my muse). My plan this year is to focus on one day at a time and follow my love of writing wherever it leads. I'm beginning a full time job at the daycare where my kids attend preschool, beginning mid-January, so I know my time will be limited. My hope is that I make each moment count and learn to use my time wisely, something I struggled with in 2016. Who knows, I may take out S&C, iron it out, and rework it with some ideas springing to mind as I write this post. 
That's the joy of a new year. Fresh starts and new opportunities. See you on the other side.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Pitch Wars Mentee Bio

Hi, from Indiana. My name is Karen Mahara, and I'm super excited for Pitch Wars with my brand new manuscript. I'm participating in the #PimpMyBio, Mentee Blog Hop.

So, mentors, please pick me! <3

SAVING KENTÁN:
An Adult Fantasy
LOST meets AVATAR

BLURB:

When Alex’s plane crashes into Kentán, the secret world above the clouds, the last thing he expects is to be rescued by a flying vivacious goddess. In her attempt to save the human, Ginaveh discovers Alex speaks the Kentán language, a unknown phenomenon. She brings him to her world to discover why. But Alex’s arrival coincides with a lethal sickness that attacks the clans--responsible for creating day, night, storms, and sunrises/sunsets. Alex and Ginaveh must discover the true cause of the plane crash and Kentán’s sickness before they are forever separated, and the world responsible for the beauty in Earth's skies is no more.

*Note: the plot is inspired by the biblical story of the Tower of Babel, and the villains' motivations coincide with historical accounts of Nimrod, whom some think responsible for building the tower.

Alex and Ginaveh (sunsets/sunrises)

Cicily--Painter of the Day

                                   Victoria--Elder of Storms             Karim--Elder of sunrises/sunsets



Here's a little bit about me:

I'm first and foremost a mom. I have a six-year-old boy and twin four-year-old girls.


Don't let those angelic faces fool you. They're like quadruple the trouble.


Because of all this trouble, I'm taking a break from teaching elementary kids and subbing instead. I also work at our daycare once a week.


My amazing group of second graders were the ones who pushed me to pursue my love of writing and dream to become a published author.

I've been married for eleven years to this guy:
He surprised me for our ten-year-wedding anniversary with a trip to Walt Disney World just the two of us. And in case you're wondering, he let me eat as much as I wanted of that DeBrands ice cream sundae. You know that's love.

I love all things Walt Disney and visit WD World every other year or so. Every time I step inside Magic Kingdom, the magic returns, and I'm a kid again.


My best friends are my sisters (I have three of them).

 

But my church girls are the best. They're my biggest cheerleaders and support system outside the writing world. Here's to you guys: Amanda, Erica, Brittany, and Katie (who is also my SIL).



My love of writing began in 5th grade. When my teacher made me read my short story aloud to my class, she bawled. It was then I realized my words could move people, and I wanted to tell beautiful stories about complex characters.

Favorite Books:
*Redeeming Love--made me want to be a writer--Francine Rivers
*Shadow & Bone--Leigh Bardugo
*Daughter of Smoke & Bone--Laini Taylor
*The Wrath & The Dawn/The Rose & The Dagger--Renee Ahdieh
*An Ember in the Ashes--Sabaa Tahir
*The Forbidden Wish--Jessica Khoury
*The Game of Love & Death--Martha Brockenbrough
*A Court of Thorns & Roses--Sarah J. Maas
*His Fair Assassin series--Robin LaFevers
*Written in the Stars--Aisha Saeed
*A Voice in the Wind/Echo in the Darkness--Francine Rivers

Favorite TV Shows/Movies:
*I have to mention BLACK SAILS first, because it is my favorite show right now. We even have B.S. parties with our friends on Thursday nights, as we take them through the series. STARZ!
*Other favorite TV shows: Person of Interest, Psych, Friends, Alias, How I Met Your Mother, the Office, and many more
*Various Disney movies--Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast (I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEW ONE), Lion King, Tangled, and yes, even Frozen. 
*Harry Potter movies
*Most superhero movies--Avengers, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor
*The Legend of Tarzan
*13 Hours (John Krasinski buff? Yes, please. Also Black Sails' Captain Flint is in it! Squee!)
*The Notebook
*Pearl Harbor
*P.S. I Love You
*The Mummy/Mummy Returns
*Saving Mr. Banks
*Jurassic World
*All Star Wars movies
*All Fast & Furious movies
*I'm also a sucker for movies with spies, car chases, fighting, and romance

PICK ME, PICK ME! <3 LOVE YOU ALL.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Home

Welcome to Karen Mahara Writes:


Where you can find all things writing.
*Adventures while pursuing my dream of becoming an author
*Things You Don't Want to Miss:
Resources, Book Releases, Upcoming Contests

Friday, July 15, 2016

Don't Miss This

Books, Contests, Resources you don't want to miss!

Don't Miss This

Writing Mom stories

My crazy life with twin girls and their older brother, while I try to be a writer in the midst of chaos.