About Me
KAREN BANEY, CHRISTIAN AUTHOR
I love writing. Whether it is historical fiction set in my beloved state of Arizona or a modern story set in the Phoenix Metro Area or a contemporary cowboy romance in rural Arizona, my novels always tell an engaging story of flawed characters in need of second chances, redemption, or they must overcome personal trials. I love finding ways to weave real history and real settings into my stories.
My husband, Jim, and I live in Gilbert, Arizona with our dogs Bella and Daisy. We enjoy traveling throughout the state finding new adventures which often end up influencing the stories I write. We also are very active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.
My Writing Story
In 2010, I developed a cyst on my right hand. While I was home from work recovering from the hand surgery, I began some deep soul searching. At the time, I was in my mid-thirties and, unlike the other women my age, I was not raising children. I was busy with my career outside of the home and I loved facilitating Bible studies, but I felt like there was something more I should be doing.
So, I asked God what He wanted me to do. The answer came almost immediately—much quicker than I ever anticipated. He said, “Write.”
My response? I laughed. I could not possibly have heard Him correctly. You see, I didn’t know anything about writing or publishing. I gave God my list of “But, God’s” just like Moses did in Exodus 3 and 4. There were just so many reasons why He could not possibly mean me.
But, I thought about it. I couldn’t do too much else for a few days as my dominant hand was wrapped up like a mummy anyway. Then the idea began to take shape for me. I could possible write devotionals. I had several that I had written for various Bible studies that I taught or facilitated over the years.
No, that didn’t fit.
Then I started thinking about Arizona history and reading more about when Arizona first became a territory. I had a connection with the very first governor of the territory. He was from Ohio. Well, I had gone to Junior High and High School in Ohio.
Once my hand was healed, I began writing in every spare minute that I could find. The story for A Dream Unfolding flowed from all of the research. The main climatic scene in the book was born of my own strong feelings related to something I faced that was similar to what Hannah faced.
Then the second book took shape. And the third. I had all three drafts written before I learned about different publishing options. When I discovered self-publishing, I knew it was the right fit for me.
So, in the midst of deep soul searching and through asking God what His plan was, I discovered He had created me to be a writer.