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Interview with Carrie Walker 2025

Is there a message you hope readers will take away from this book?

That we are never truly alone, and even when it’s hard to see Him in action, God is always with us, working.

Are you a plotter or a pantster?

I fall somewhere in the middle. I can’t start a story until I can visualize each character’s opening chapter (I typically do 3 POV characters) and also the apex point of the story. I usually let the characters flesh out the conclusion and some of the journey, as long as they can get me to that apex point I see.

What’s your biggest challenge in balancing writing time with your other responsibilities?

I’m a mom of seven, with six children still at home (4 of which are high school or younger). My husband and I also volunteer with a church youth ministry program, so there is a lot of scheduling to work around and sometimes I need to step away for days and then come back and remember what I was doing lol. But I keep a notebook with me and often discuss my characters and story with others in the real world, so the story is developing, even when I’m not at my computer.

How do your faith and spiritual life play into the picture and affect your storytelling?

I see everything and decide everything in my life through a lens of my Christian faith and so I’m unable to tell a story without doing the same. To me, to leave that part of a story out is to miss part of the story. Does it mean every character is a perfect, faith-abiding person? No, of course not. But that is part of their journey as well.

What do you consider the greatest moment of your writing/publishing career?

So far, probably the day my first print proof copy of “Emma’s Hero” came in the mail. I wasn’t expecting it as my publisher hadn’t given me the heads up that it was being mailed out. So, when an Amazon package arrived that felt like a book, I just assumed it was one of the many books I have a habit of ordering. Imagine my surprise, when I slid it from the bubble package and it was MY book. Holding the first book I ever sat down at the computer to write (and rewrite and rewrite) will always be special. The fact that its arrival was a surprise, certainly added to that.

Who/What spurs you to write? Where do your story and character ideas come from?

I often say, “Who needs creativity, just take notes.” I find that to be true for story ideas. Often the seeds of ideas spring from an experience or interaction with someone, a news article, sometimes even just something intriguing a person said. Once a seed is planted, the story can’t help but grow.

What is your writing routine? Any quirky habits or must-have snacks?

It’s busy around these parts, so I am in the habit of grabbing writing time whenever it’s available. I draft novels during the kids’ school year, because in the summer I can’t hear the voices in my head with everyone home. Editing is more doable at that point. In my world, portable is important, so all my writing happens on my laptop. I have lap desks all around the house and often pull one out in the quietest corner I can find. I’m no stranger to writing in the back of a car while waiting for kids to come out of an activity. Often, I have a mug of tea along for the ride, but I have to try to stop snacking cause I already killed one computer keyboard (oops).

If you could have coffee with an author, dead or alive, whose work you admire, who would that be? What would you ask him or her?

Ooo that’s a tough one. Probably Charles Martin. Not only are his stories so powerful and beautiful, but I heard him speak once and I’d love to listen to more. I don’t even know if I’d have a question as much as just “talk for as long as you’re willing” haha. I’d love to listen all day… and tape it to re-listen. I feel like his stories of faith and life experience are so inspiring.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you as an author?

I have this writing notebook, that I mentioned earlier. I start a new one for each new novel I work on. It’s like the holy grail of ideas that come to me, sifting through character goals etc. One day, I couldn’t find it and scoured the house from top to bottom only to discover it among my three-year-old daughter’s things with a good number of the pages doodled with toddler drawn princesses lol I guess she felt I’d missed an important character.

What do you think makes your style of storytelling unique?

Every story I’ve written has three point-of-view characters. Two that follow a typical romance arc and a third, somewhat crossover, character and their stories affect each other. It’s somewhat similar to the time-slip concept, except it’s all in the present day. It’s unique because not many stories follow that formula. My novels tow the line between romance and women’s fiction. I love a good romance, but always want a bit of extra depth and I feel the extra character’s storyline offers that in a unique way.

What led you to choose the genre in which you write?

It’s my favorite genre to read. I originally found Christian fiction through Karen Kingsbury and I just love how her stories always have a strong romance with a powerful message. The unique way I tell the stories is just my crazy way of doing it, but I love the feel of her stories.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?

I love spending time with my husband and kids and really enjoy board games. We have an entire closet filled (okay, maybe two closets filled) and we do weekly board game nights with our friends.

What books are on your nightstand right now?

I literally have a stack of fifteen waiting to be read :) A few among that stack are “The Last Exchange” by Charles Martin, “All That it Takes” by Nicole Deese, “Julia Monroe Begins Again” by Rebekah Millet, and “For a Lifetime” by Garielle Meyer

Finish this statement: If I were not an author, I would be

....whatever God calls me to be. That may seem cliche, but the more of life I live the more I realize my plans and dreams are nothing compared to what He has in store for me. I went to college to be an engineer and worked in that field for two years before I chose to be a stay at home mom who volunteered as a high school youth minister with my husband. So fulfilling. So not planned. And this writing journey was much of the same. Definitely not planned, and so wonderful. So I’m good with following His lead. :)


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Kathy McKinsey lives in Lakewood, Ohio, with her husband Murray and the oldest of their five children. Besides writing, she enjoys activities with her church, editing for other writers, braille drawing, crocheting, knitting, and playing with their rambunctious cat. https://www.kathymckinsey.com




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