Image (c) 2011, Karla Dorman.

My influences come from personal experiences or from things I have observed first-hand. 

My two older sisters were good at writing; even though we had our differences, I still admire their writing. Both have exceptional verbal, cognitive, and reasoning skills (both are exceptionally gifted).  I think it was because of this that I, too, eventually, would learn to love (and appreciate) the art of writing. 

The most important influence of my writing is Jesus Christ, as He gave me this Gift on 9/11/01.  He allowed me to open up and grieve and, in time, heal. So, Jesus, thank You from the bottom of my heart:  you've blessed me beyond measure!  I dedicate my words to You.

I also must thank my twin sister, Karla (the StormSpinner) for encouraging me.

There are many here at Author's Den who've become friends to me.  I wish I could thank all of you, but there are several who must be mentioned for their neverending support and reading/reviewing my words:  Michelle Kidwell, Sarah Tagert, Eileen Waldron, Ed Kostro, Felix Perry, Georg Mateos, Dorothy Krusky, Joyce Bowling, Karen Palumbo, Sage Sweetwater, Kate Burnside, Donny Barbarossa, Cynth'ya Lewis Reed, Bonnie May, Trish McQueen, LaBelle Rouge, and Rose Ridout, among many others.

Anyone who has stopped in my little corner of the Den, thank you for leaving your mark, your words, your heart, your prayers.  :)

If you are not listed, please forgive me:  so many here have opened their hearts to me and my words, I can't possibly remember all of you!  LOL

Am a published author (co-wrote a book with Karla Dorman and Michelle Kidwell, "With A Little Help", which focuses on living with disability from a Christian standpoint; hope to have more books in future; would love to see some of my stories in print! :)

Making my TV debut next week (see Karla's and my blogs for the juicy details!!). We are sooo excited, but we are getting really nervous, too! :) This is going to be verrrrrrrrry interestin'.......

Am to be featured in a local magazine (late spring, early summer); interviewing us in a week about our writing. Excitment builds! :) Will let you know how it goes; stay tuned!~

My stories and the majority of my writing deals with life issues, in particularly disability issues (as I, myself, am disabled; vision and hearing problems, walk on forearm crutches because of degenerative arthritis; have other health issues), but refuse to let my disabilities live ME. I pray my stories bring people joy, hope and empathy for the physically, mentally, emotionally disabled). Many in today's society do not know what it is like to be disabled unless it happens to them or someone they know; they still have far too many misconceptions about the disabled. I would like to help change that. I also strongly feel there is a need for more books featuring people with disabilities. Currently, and in the past, the disabled were the butt of jokes or minor (unimportant) characters. The majority of characters I write about are either disabled or know someone close to them that are living with disability.

Karen's YouTube page
You will find two videos I did at YouTube; I am listed there as countrycajunfan1959. Stop by and say howdy! :)