Today on the Brave Blog, we have an interview with author Carrie Walker. Welcome, Carrie! Let’s jump right in.
Sarah: What would you consider to be a “brave” topic in fiction?
Carrie: Topics that challenge readers. Two come to mind right away. Human Trafficking and Life issues (whether for the unborn, or elderly or those seemingly lost in the shuffle). I feel like they are brave topics because they need to be brought to light, but also since they are challenging sometimes a reader might shy away from reading them. That’s a scary idea to authors. But so much good comes from these stories. And I can only imagine the rippling effect of every story like this on the world.
Sarah: Which of your characters is your favorite?
Carrie: Probably Mason 🙂 While each character I write has a soft spot in my heart, I spent three books with Mason, watching him grow from a confused teenager to a faithful adult and walked through so many challenges along with way with him. I feel like he’s so relatable with doubts and struggles, yet so good at the same time. He’s so easy to root for.
Sarah: He is easy to root for! How did you get started as an author?
Carrie: It all started with a story idea that wouldn’t leave me alone in my late 30’s. I’ve always been a reader, but had never made any steps toward writing, though I was always open to it (I’m generally open to any directions God might call me). When the idea for “Emma’s Hero” planted in my heart through my experience with a young mother and her special daughter, it tugged at me until I realized it wouldn’t leave me alone until it found it’s way to paper. Not knowing a thing about writing, I took a class Karen Kingsbury offered on writing a novel and thus began my first steps toward becoming an author.
Sarah: Do you create your characters first or your plot?
Carrie: Characters 🙂 I will usually have at least a nugget of a story idea, but the characters are the heart of the story and I’ve got to know them/their hearts/their struggles before a plot can develop.
Sarah: When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Carrie: A veterinarian 🙂 I always loved animals and wanted to help them. Then as I grew I was interested in psychology. Then I really enjoyed physics and majored in Electrical Engineering in college. It’s crazy the journeys life takes us on.
Sarah: So true! You never know where you’re going to end up. 🙂 What book are you currently reading?
Carrie: Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer. If you haven’t started the Timeless Series, it’s a must read!
Sarah: Agreed! What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Carrie: I love spending time with my husband and kids. We really enjoy board games and have two closets filled with them. In the past year or so we’ve also picked up a new hobby: Pickleball. So fun!
Sarah: We’re board game fans as well. Do you read your reviews? Why or why not?
Carrie: Often I do. Sometimes I think it might be smarter not to, lol. But there’s something about knowing what readers thought of your story that is just too hard to resist! It’s truly inspiring to know your story touched someone’s life. And if they have something they felt could’ve been improved on, that offers me room to grow.
Sarah: Who’s your latest book dedicated to? Why?
Carrie: My husband 🙂 My first book I dedicated to the baby who inspired me to write, and I couldn’t think of anyone more fitting to dedicate my second book to, but Brian. Without his support, and real-life inspiration for living our faith together and along with the meaning of true love, none of my stories would make it to paper.
Sarah: That’s so sweet! What are you working on now?
Carrie: My third book, “Someone to Lean On” and the final book in the Faith Endures Series releases May 2026. I just turned in my manuscript and am awaiting edits and then I’ll be doing all the things to help bring that book baby into the world. In the meantime, I’m working on another WIP that is actually a sequel to another book I’ve written (yet to be published, but hopefully soon!)
Sarah: How exciting! I wish you well on all your writing endeavors. Thanks for sharing a bit of your journey with us.
About the author
Carrie Walker lives in Michigan with her husband and seven children. From her ten years serving as a high school youth minister, adventures around the globe, and raising a family, many stories have been knit within her heart.
As an avid reader she pens what she loves to read, contemporary stories that bring hope to a hurting world. Weaving romance among story lines of characters in struggle, she aims to show God working in all situations. When she’s not playing board games with her husband, shuttling kids in the Walker bus or wishing for snow, Carrie can be found at the keyboard bringing those stories to life.
Carrie’s writing has been recognized in many contests. Her debut novel, Emma’s Hero, won the IAN Book of the Year for Christian Fiction, was a double finalist in the International Book Awards, placed in the ACFW Crown Award, Monroe Walton Center for the Arts Award, and won the 2020 ACFW First Impressions Contest.
