I have friends who are seriously "into" Karen Kingsbury, so when someone sent me some information about her the other day, I clicked onto her website to read more.
This woman looks to be about my age (or younger) and like me she lives in the Pacific Northwest, has six children, and writes.
But there (sigh) the similarities end. I have been writing officially since 2000 and am publishing the second edition of my first book. She, in contrast, has been writing fiction since 1998 and has published over 30 books, one of which is #1 on the Publishers Weekly bestseller list. And she homeschools those six children.
Thirty books! How on earth does this woman do it?
Back when I lived in Canada and had three small children, I would read of such superwomen and think, "Yeah, but I'll bet she has running water."
Now, I have lots of running water but I still don't accomplish much in comparison to Karen Kingsbury and plenty of others. When I read about them, I find it paralyzing rather than inspiring.
I guess there's a good reason the Bible says it's not wise to compare ourselves among ourselves and measure ourselves by ourselves.
I'll bet Karen Kingsbury has a maid.
Quote of the Day:
"May I scratch your back?"
--Steven, trying to be a gentleman like the one brother in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Emily and I finally figured out that the brother had actually said, "May I escort you back?" and then we laughed so hard poor Steven probably despaired of ever being a proper gentleman.
I love Karen Kingsbury's books! Have you ever read any?
ReplyDeleteAs far as the 7 Brides for 7 Brothers movie, my sister and I grew up watching that movie at my grandmother's!
~Lez
i would read your book before i read Karen Kingsbury just in case you wanted to know.
ReplyDeleterc
(anxiously awaiting your next book)
Don't compare yourself to Karen Kingsbury! You are an amazing woman yourself!!! I enjoy reading your posts!
ReplyDeleteOh, but Dorcas, Karen Kingsbury does not write true stories about characters like Ben and Steven and Emily. And she never has all those wonderful "quotes of the day" from Jenny and Matt that make us laugh until the tears roll!And just in case you wondered, I've read one KK book and stopped there. I check your blog at least 4 times a week! Keep up the great work! Pauline
ReplyDeleteI'm more in need of a backscratcher than an escort, any day. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Kingsbury.
Well Pauline,...Karen kinsbury is a whole lot better then the MITFORD SERIES!!!!! HAAA!!! ( I can now relax since I got that said now...:) )
ReplyDeleteDorcas, you are a super woman too!!!You just didn't know it before, now you do!!!! (Lightbulbs turning on..)
Pauline...You check Dorcas' blog 4 times a week???? How do you EVER find the time?!!! (tongue in cheek) LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletei've really cut back on book reading(i've always been able to "find time" to read a book)since i read people's real life happenings on these blogs,it's much more enjoyable than fiction!Keep up the great posts!!
ReplyDeleteWow, you ladies are just what the doctor ordered.
ReplyDeleteAnd you already know that I'm in awe of all you can do and have done and that I feel SO honored that you are my friend.
ReplyDeleteI don't think she has always homeschooled!!! She said in the end of her last book they were just going to do it for the year and I think her husband was teaching.
ReplyDeleteI know another wonderful writer who lives here in town, Tricia Goyer, who write fiction and non-fiction, homeschools and lots of other things.
http://www.thegoyers.com/dustandashes/
She is just a normal person, not a superwoman type!
Anyhow, I love K.K fiction because it is more real to life than other fiction
yeah,real to life. a man looks just like the lady's husband, but he has amnesia and can't remember anything except "Sierra." so the man lives with them til he remembers who he is and then goes back home. then the man's brother comes to New York and by the one in a million chance, meets her. but she doesn't know its the man's brother because when he tells her his name, they're in a place where it's really loud so she doesn't hear him right. so then they fall in love and she finds out who he is but she gets over it and they live happily ever after,basically. Pretty realistic, huh.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I've heard this debate before: one person says the KK books are so true to life, and the other side (my BIL Steve, for example) always uses the mistaken-identity-in-NYC story as proof that KK is NOT true to life. Odd that it's always that specific example.
ReplyDeleteMy conclusion, from listening and not having read any of her books yet, is that she is authentic in people's emotions and reactions, and that is what rings true and realistic, rather than the details of the story line.
Am I right? Sharon? Bonnie??
um wow just to let you know Dorcas, i would way rather read one of your books twice than even try to start a karen kingsbury book. flipped through one, looked like about a yawn a minute. at least you write about real stuff.
ReplyDeleteI hate fiction! *wink*
ReplyDeleteanonymous, You mean that has never happened to you?? What a dull life you must lead!!
ReplyDeleteHey, I didn't say all of them were real to life! I said compared to some other fiction! I was more thinking along the lines of Waiting for Tomorrow or a Moment of weakness. I dislike some of her books just like other authors and the second one in the NewYork city one was a little too far fetched for me. I have not enjoyed her more recent ones as much as the older ones.
ReplyDelete