May 16 Program, Karen Benckenstein

Developing Your Character through Character Development

Learn how to develop as a person by taking a closer look at how writers develop characters.
This workshop will give participants tools to develop characters in their writing while challenging them to apply the concepts to their own lives.
Connect creative writing with your personal growth. The same tools authors use to build
fictional characters can also help you reflect on who you are and how you want to develop.

Karen Benckenstein holds a deep belief that nothing can hold her back. Her story includes a journey from returning to college a decade after dropping out, only to later graduate with a Master’s degree and going from struggling to finish fitness classes to teaching at a gym, just to name a few. She continues to live a story of breaking free of all limits. 

As a result of a drastic shift in mind, body, and spirit, she gained perspective, peace, and passion. She is now living out her dreams of being a writer and helping others find the same holistic wellness.

She writes and speaks about ways to achieve wellness in mind, body, and spirit while also working as a college teacher and administrator. She is also a wife and mother of 4.

Her published works include:

Love, Loss, and Inspiration by Karen Benckenstein, a collection of poetry

Short story, “Home Sweet Home,” in With Words We Weave; On The Roof, the Texas High Plains Writers 2024  anthology

Chapter, “How Do I Love Me? Let Me Count the Ways.” in Love Revolution: Self-love Lessons That Transform Lives 

Creative essay, “Season of Grief” in Spring 2023 Freelancer: Journal of Arts and Letters, A publication of the Amarillo College English Department

She is actively seeking a literary agent and publisher for her first novel, Boundless, and her second novel, All for You. 

You can find Karen at https://karenbenckenstein.com/ or karenbenck_author on Instagram. 

Karen is currently the President-Elect for the board of Texas High Plains Writers

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