Author of the Month: Carrie Cotten
Happy Saturday, friends! It’s time for another Author of the Month, and this month’s pick is the incredibly talented Carrie Cotten!! I got in contact with Carrie through a combination of our mutual IG friend, Heather Wood, and the release of my book, The Peasant Queen-she read it in one day and messaged me about how much she loved it! Ever since then, we’ve connected a lot on social media, and I was even on her launch team for her second book, Dark of Night.
If you haven’t heard about Carrie’s books yet, Dreamwalker and Dark of Night, they are the first and second books in her Dreamwalker Series, which centers around a young woman named Andromeda (Andy) Stone who possesses the extraordinary ability to walk in people’s dreams. If you love thrilling reads full of mystery, action, adventure, sweet romance, with a dash of sci-fi thrown in, then you’re sure to love these incredible books! They are without a doubt some of my favorite reads of 2021 so far!
Carrie was gracious enough to answer some questions for me about her books and her writing, and I’m excited to share them with you today! Keep reading below for our Q&A session, and be sure to check out her book covers and links to the books at the bottom of the post.
Author Interview: Carrie Cotten
About the Author
Carrie is a life-long writer, exploring her passion for creative storytelling from a young age. She grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and attended East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas where she earned a BA in English. She currently lives with her husband and four children in the quaint Appalachian mountain town of Grassy Creek, North Carolina. When she’s not writing or homeschooling, you can find her enjoying the fresh air and sunshine on the family farm. Carrie loves to write emotionally charged and gripping fiction; but above all she seeks to glorify God with her words, and always point her readers towards Jesus.
Hi, Carrie! Thanks so much for joining me on the blog today! When/how did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve been a writer since I could hold a pencil. My first “published” work was titled Amanda Freezle Froozle! It was a real hit among my family. I didn’t start toying with the idea of actually writing a novel until about twelve years ago and even then I wrestled with sticking with it. But I think I’ve always been a writer in some kind of way.
What were your reasons for choosing the self (or indie) publishing route?
I believe the main reason is that I am, by definition, impatient. I also loved the freedom of indie publishing-although it is a LOT of work! I have met so many wonderful authors through this experience-both traditional and indie who have been so helpful! I wouldn’t object to a traditional route-but I am so thankful for all the resources for self-publishers. It just wouldn’t be possible without them.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
I think my favorite part is when I’ve finished the last draft and send out the first copies to my closest friends for their thoughts. By this point, I’ve worked out the kinks and it’s such a rush to share the story with people who already love the characters as much as I do!
What kind of environment do you enjoy writing in the most? Do you like to listen to music or have a favorite snack on hand?
I definitely listen to music but I need peace and quiet other than that. I dream of hiding away in a hidden cabin in the woods for a week at a time so I can hammer out an entire novel! It can get frustrating to be constantly interrupted but growing in patience is just one of the many ways this journey is changing me
The premise of your book series is so unique! Where did the original idea for it come from?
You know, it has been so long I can’t even remember now! Over 12 years ago! I think I had been reading Frank Peretti and probably Twilight or some YA fiction like that and I thought maybe I’d like to have a vicarious adventure and write about a regular girl with a strange ability. It changed a lot over the years but I love how it ended up!
Do you have a favorite character that you’ve written?
Uh yeah. Easy. Will. Although I do enjoy writing Jubal as well. He’s so lovable and genuine.
We authors find ourselves researching some pretty weird or random things… What is the most interesting or strange thing you learned while researching one of your books?
I have learned a lot about geography. My characters travel quite a bit, so I spent hours upon hours on Google maps and am particularly thankful for the satellite view!
Do you have a favorite memory from when you were writing one of your books?
I think some of my greatest memories are from launch parties. Interviews and author panels are so much fun, and hearing reader’s questions was fascinating. Noticing the growth in participation from my first launch to the next was so exciting!
What is your favorite quote from your latest release, Dark of Night?
Wow! That’s a hard one! I love any scene between Andy and Will, but I particularly love the scene where she’s worried that all the stress of their crazy life will cause him to fall out of love with her. He responds with:
“I never fell in love with you,” he said, smiling sympathetically at the look of pure horror that his words brought out on my face. “I chose to love you. I wake up every day and keep choosing to love you. It’s not some arbitrary thing that I have no control over. It’s a choice. And I promised that I would choose to love you every day of your life–nightmares and all.”
What is next on the writing horizon for you?
I’m currently working on the last book in the Dreamwalker trilogy and possibly a prequel novella detailing some events that happened before we meet Andy!
What is your best piece of advice for someone considering writing a book, or someone who is already writing and dreaming of publishing?
I think I would say to just write! It’s hard to know where to begin, but the best place is with whatever words come out. Some people write from beginning to end, some start at the end and work backwards. Some, like me, start in the middle and work their way out. You might be a plotter or fly by the seat of your pants-you’ll never know until you do it! Just be prayerful and obedient to tell the story God has for you to tell.
Don’t forget to follow Carrie on Social Media!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcarriecotten
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcarriecotten/