Get to know Carrie…

Carrie Turansky is the best-selling author of 8 novels and novellas. She has been a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, The Genesis, and Carol Award and winner of the Crystal Globe Award. She has been a member of ACFW since 2000. Carrie writes contemporary and historical romance for Barbour and Love Inspired. For more information, visit her website. 

Let the conversation begin!

What initially drew you to writing?

Our family spent a year in Kenya as missionaries 1996 – 97. When we returned to the U.S. I missed Kenya so much, I decided to write a story set there as a way to relive some of those wonderful experiences. I found I really enjoyed creating the story, and that led me to want to continue writing fiction.

Favorite book to write?

I’ve been blessed to have eight books published. While I am working on a book, that one seems to become my favorite child for the time I am focusing on it. I do look back with fondness on my first full-length novel, Along Came Love. I still love that story very much. 

Favorite author?

I admire many authors and enjoy learning from them. I love the way Susan May Warren weaves spiritual truths into an exciting plot. I also admire Irene Hannon’s ability to research and create such page-turning suspense.. Jan Karon creates the most wonderful characters. And Denise Hunter captures romance like no one else.

Where do you get your ideas?

I am always on the lookout for story ideas about interesting people and locations. I find many of those in magazines and newspapers. Sometimes events or unique circumstances in the lives of my friends have been an inspiration for a story.

Tell us about the book you’re working on.

I am working on a contemporary romance for Love Inspired titled, A MAN TO TRUST. It’s about a young woman who dreams of playing her flute professionally, but those plans are on hold while she must help her grandmother manage a Christian bookstore. As the story progresses she must discover which dreams are worth pursuing and when it’s okay to change course in life. It includes a sweet romance and a hero who is worthy of her love.

I also have an E-book that released in April titled, Surrendered Hearts. Here is a short summary of that book: Scarred by an explosion and fire, a young actress seeks refuge at her brother’s home in Oregon where she learns faith can overcome her fear and make her truly beautiful in God’s eyes and in the eyes of the man she loves. 

Advice for young writers?

Read a lot and keep writing! Think of learning to write fiction as a 3 – 6 year process, like going to college and grad school. I’ve heard it takes 10,000 hours of working at it to bring your writing up to the level that is ready for publication. It takes a lot of perseverance, humility, and hard work. You also need to develop a thick skin so you can handle critiques and rejections and keep going.

Most valuable advice you’ve ever received?

Never give up. Keep working at it and don’t quit. Perseverance pays off.

When are you the most productive?

I am most productive in the morning after I’ve had a good breakfast and a meaningful quiet time. My heart and mind are then ready to focus and be creative. I also like to put on instrumental music to help me tune everything else out and focus.

Are your characters based on real people?

My characters are usually fictional, but occasionally I have an actual person in mind when I am writing a story. In my current book one of the secondary characters is based on a dear friend of mine.

Easiest book to write? Hardest?

The easiest book to write is the one that is already finished, and the hardest is the one I am working on at the moment. 

Dream vacation?

I would love to take a trip through Italy, Greece, and the Greek islands. I would love to take a cruise in the eastern Mediterranean with stops in Italy, Greece and the Greek Islands. I’d also love to go back to Africa and visit several countries there.