Interview with Carrie Walker & a Giveaway

I’m pumped to have my friend and critique partner, Carrie Walker, back on the blog this week. Someone to Lean on, book three in her Faith Endures series released on May 5, and she’s giving away an eBook to a US winner.

Be sure to comment below by May 19 for a chance to win!

Welcome back, Carrie! Let’s dive into our first question. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

When I was young I wanted to be a veterinarian. I loved animals and it seemed like the perfect job. Of course, as I grew, I realized I would really struggle with seeing sick and hurting animals (and I’m not particularly great with medically stuff) so I abandoned that idea and instead have always had a pet. Lol.

Sounds smart! Do you have any hobbies? Have you incorporated any of them into your books?

I love board games. We have two closets filled with games: strategy, team, cooperative, family… you name it. So far I haven’t incorporated it, but I am sure it’ll happen one day 🙂 

My husband and I love to play pickleball–also not incorporated yet, but one day. Lol. My husband and I also work as youth ministers and have taken teens on international pilgrimages. That one I’m working into a WIP, so if God wills it, that might make it into a published book.

We have family board games in common, and my husband and I have enjoyed playing pickleball, but we haven’t played in quite a while. Share with readers what genre you write and what inspired you to write that particular genre.

I write Romantic Women’s fiction for the Christian market. I felt drawn to write this genre because it’s my favorite genre to read. I love a story with some depth and an inspirational message, but I always say, “any story is better with some romance.”

And you do it very well! How do you incorporate Christ and hope into your writing?

Christ is a part of every story, and the way I weave it in is different for each story. Sometimes the faith message inspired the story and so it’s easy to incorporate it from the beginning. 

Other times, as is sometimes the case in life, it’s easier to see where God was working looking back once a story has played out. So, in those stories, once the spiritual arc has revealed itself, I go back and highlight those spots where we can see the Lord working. 

Makes perfect sense. How did you select the names for your characters?

I selected the names for the characters in my current novel, Someone to Lean On, the way I always do–with help. It’s kinda funny that I’m terrible at thinking of names, considering it’s a big part of setting up the story, but I am. 

Fortunately, many others absolutely love to do this. This is book three in the series, so many of the characters carried over, but they (and the new ones) were largely named by my kids. And when my kids came up short, then I usually went to my newsletter subscribers for some ideas.

I’m sure your kids enjoy having a hand in character-naming. How do you tackle research for your novels?

Oh gosh. This is a big job sometimes! The internet is a great resource. If I’m able to find a person with real-life experience in an area I’m researching, I always try to tap into that. 

For Someone to Lean On, foster care is a big part of the story. I am blessed to have a friend who works as a social worker in foster care, and she has been an absolute angel with answering questions, brainstorming realistic storylines, and taking multiple calls from me. 

I’ve spent oodles of time on YouTube as well, trying to get a glimpse of things I might not know. There are some medical conditions in this book, and it was very helpful to not only research on the internet but also see videos of what those symptoms might look like. 

Yes, technology is great when it comes to research! What do you hope your readers take away from Someone to Lean On? 

That we can trust God with our worries and prayers and that, even if we’ve been hurt, it’s important to allow good people into our lives.

That’s a great takeaway. Which character in Someone to Lean On was easiest for you to write and why? 

Probably Mason. I’ve spent three books with him now and watched him grow from a teen. I know him so well that he tends to just walk on the page and be his wonderful, loveable, relatable self. 

Mason is my favorite! I’d love to know if a reader has ever blessed your socks off. If so, how?

So many!! One of my biggest surprises happened this summer. A local bookshop hosted me for a book signing and a reader drove all the way from Ohio to participate! So amazing and made my week. 

Wow, that’s a super fan! What advice would you give an aspiring author?

Hold on for the ride and don’t get discouraged. This will absolutely, guaranteed be more work than you’re expecting right now, and sometimes people can be harsh, but reading is subjective. 

You may get feedback that makes you feel like you should never have thought of writing, but I promise in a short while someone will give you the exact opposite. And always remember, if God placed this on your heart He has a plan for it. Show up, do your best, and let Him do the rest. 

Great advice! What’s next from you?

My next book is the start of a new series, and it releases in April 2027. In this story you can expect more of the three-pov format with a love story incorporated. 

For a lil hint of what’s coming: A cosmetologist searching for the daughter she placed in safe haven adoption years ago joins a dairy farmer on a quest to find the nameless love of his life. But she’s been hiding under a false identity, and this venture might risk their lives and hearts.

Having read the first draft of your new story, I can attest that readers are going to love it! Congratulations on your new release, Carrie, and thank you for sharing with my subscribers about your writing life. Blessings to you, my friend!

Join the conversation. Have you read any of Carrie’s novels? Do you have a favorite? Does Someone to Lean On sound like a story you’d like to read? What comments and questions do you have for Carrie?

Comment below by May 19 for a chance to win an eBook of Someone to Lean On. (US only)

Please share Carrie’s interview on social media to help spread the word about her new release!

If you missed Eva Marie Everson’s interview about Miss Beth Bettencourt last week, you can FIND IT HERE.