KARL PETERSEN
Biography
Karl Petersen immigrated from the U.S. to Vancouver, Canada, where he lives with his wife and two young girls. After teaching for five years in the States, he moved to Vancouver where he completed a master’s degree in theology from Regent College and a master’s in creative writing from the University of British Columbia.
Many would not think Karl fits the classic definition of an immigrant writer because he didn’t come from an exotic far off land. But as his writing shows, he has wrestled with many of the same issues as other immigrants have. As Karl was raised in a small town, life in a vastly diverse city offers him a doubly cross-cultural experience.
Karl has traveled widely and a major focus of his life’s work has been on helping other immigrants and visitors, and he teaches ESL at a local university. Admittedly drawn to the odd and unconventional aspects of his surroundings, Karl also writes with an eye for what is constant in all things, for the commonalities that bind all life together. In his writing you will encounter a yearning for roots in a rootless life; Karl embraces the particular, the peculiar, and the mundane while reaching for the transcendent and spiritual realities that he believes to be everywhere, in everything and everyone.
For his subject matter, Karl delves into depictions of the city streets, alleys, high rise offices, kids, and kayaking the pristine coastal waters of Canada. Common themes are alienation, identity, family, the environment and incarnation. In his spare time he also indulges in politics, sports, and theatre. He has acted in several local plays. But his best works are his two girls, his pride and delight.
Karl Petersen immigrated from the U.S. to Vancouver, Canada, where he lives with his wife and two young girls. After teaching for five years in the States, he moved to Vancouver where he completed a master’s degree in theology from Regent College and a master’s in creative writing from the University of British Columbia.
Many would not think Karl fits the classic definition of an immigrant writer because he didn’t come from an exotic far off land. But as his writing shows, he has wrestled with many of the same issues as other immigrants have. As Karl was raised in a small town, life in a vastly diverse city offers him a doubly cross-cultural experience.
Karl has traveled widely and a major focus of his life’s work has been on helping other immigrants and visitors, and he teaches ESL at a local university. Admittedly drawn to the odd and unconventional aspects of his surroundings, Karl also writes with an eye for what is constant in all things, for the commonalities that bind all life together. In his writing you will encounter a yearning for roots in a rootless life; Karl embraces the particular, the peculiar, and the mundane while reaching for the transcendent and spiritual realities that he believes to be everywhere, in everything and everyone.
For his subject matter, Karl delves into depictions of the city streets, alleys, high rise offices, kids, and kayaking the pristine coastal waters of Canada. Common themes are alienation, identity, family, the environment and incarnation. In his spare time he also indulges in politics, sports, and theatre. He has acted in several local plays. But his best works are his two girls, his pride and delight.