Believer, wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, writer—in no particular order, Carrie Padgett is a second generation Californian. She’s never driven the length of the state but plans to remedy that soon.
Carrie and her husband have been married enough years that she won’t say because it makes her feel old. They have two adult daughters, one son-in-law, and two granddaughters who are the smartest, cutest, and most adorable children ever.
What sparked your writing journey?
I’ve always been a voracious reader and wanted to be a writer. After high school I tried writing a mystery about a teen sleuth but it was dreadful. I consoled myself with the thought that I’d support literature by being a reader. About twelve years ago I prepared a talk for a women’s event at my church. I showed my notes to a friend who had published a children’s craft book and whom I respected as a “real” writer. Her comment was that I should write an article based on my talk. So the dream of being a writer was re-ignited. I sold a few devotions that year, but then didn’t have anything else accepted for over two years. I believe God gave me just enough encouragement early on to keep me writing.
Has God ever provided an unexpected “detour” in your life that turned out to be positive?
Oh, lots of them. My husband’s job took us to an area four hours’ drive away from our family. We planned to stay the one year required and immediately hit the road north again. We ended up staying in our new community for eight years. We—okay, me—cried many tears, both happy and sad, when we finally moved back “home.”
How does your faith play into your writing?
It infuses everything I write, even things not explicitly “Christian.” I write squeaky clean romance. Even if the characters aren’t on a faith journey, God is at the heart of everything I write.
Let’s talk about your new book Short, Sweet & Sassy (CreateSpace, July 2012). Please tell us about it.
I’ve been writing short romantic fiction for several years because I enjoy the discipline of creating compelling characters. My husband and a good friend of ours have been badgering encouraging me for several years to self-publish a collection of these stories. It’s been a fun journey.
The stories are all short, 800 to 12,000 words. Some are about couples who meet and feel an immediate attraction. Others have known each other for a while but are slower to recognize their growing feelings for each other. There’s even a story about an already married couple falling in love again. The collection also includes one mystery that won a local contest. Of course, there’s romance in that one too.
Besides entertainment, what do you hope readers will take away from it?
That love comes in different forms and we should all be alert to seeing love–not necessarily romantic love—in our daily lives.
A few fun questions…
When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?
I’m a true chocoholic. But for some reason, when I’m stuck, a salty snack is what kickstarts my brain again.
This website features musicians as well as writers. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?
I love music but I was rejected from the high school church choir when I was fourteen and I’ve never really recovered from that.
If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?
I’m an introvert and even though I’m generally an optimistic person, the music that resonates most deeply with me is fairly melancholy. I don’t consider the Christmas season to have begun until I’ve listened to Sarah McLachlan’s Song for a Winter’s Night, at least a dozen times.
In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?
On the outside I’m the strong female lead, but inside I’m the little girl teetering in mommy’s heels.
I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.
We currently share our home with a permanent canine boarder. Harry is technically our daughter’s dog, but he lives with us. He’s a boxer mix and we love him dearly.
We live in the country and having a cat is necessary so the mice know who’s in charge. After a long series of cats that didn’t stick, it looks like we’ve got a keeper. Phuti is named for a character in Alexander McCall Smith’s #1 Ladies’ Detective Agency books. We’d already lost Precious, Grace, Charlie, and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni so Phuti was the next name we used. He’s eight months old, weighs thirteen pounds and the mice are making themselves scarce.
Thanks, Carrie! It’s nice to have you as a guest at DivineDetour.
It’s been my pleasure. Thank you so much for having me!
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For more information about Carrie, visit her blog at http://chocolatenonuts.blogspot.com.
To purchase Short, Sweet & Sassy logon to:
