Lisa Carter Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.

A. A native North Carolinian, I am a wife and the mother of college- and high school-aged daughters. I have a Master’s degree in education and history. And though I write mostly contemporary, history seems to weave itself into almost every one of my stories whether I meant it to or not. I taught middle and high school, and at the university level, before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Now, I write full-time.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

A. My earliest memories involve “continuing” the bedtime story in my head as a child. This progressed to all the neighborhood kids hanging out in my backyard, where ‘Phineas and Ferb’ style, I told a story which we’d reenact during summer vacation. These stories usually involved my spin on whatever I’d been watching on television at the time—think Star Trek meets Little House on the Prairie. I scribbled stories in my spare time the way some teenagers shop. And upon receiving an academic honor in pursuit of a teaching degree, I surprised myself as much as the professors at the awards ceremony by announcing that one day, not only would I teach, I was also going to write books. Lots of them.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?

A. During those early years with my babies, I was just trying to keep it together—mentally and physically. But during their nap times, I wrote as a means of relaxation. One of those endeavors won the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) StoryWriting Contest in 2001, and this first validation kept my secret hope of being published alive. I spent these fun, crazy, hectic parenting years studying the craft and wrote articles for magazines. Eventually when God’s timing was right and my children were in middle school, God nudged me to try my hand at a full-fledged novel. At the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, this novel caught the attention of Ramona Richards at Abingdon Press and her advocacy launched my writing career.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release VINES OF ENTANGLEMENT?

A: A tangled web of lies characterizes the life thirty-something Laura Mabry has built for herself and her son after the tragic death of her husband. But truth and murder lurk just around the corner when she stumbles upon the body of a young college student on the forested trails of Raleigh’s Greenway.

Laura’s carefully constructed world slides off its axis when she comes face to face with Lumbee homicide detective Jon Locklear. Ten years have passed since they last laid eyes on each other—ten years of heartache, neither quite able to erase memories of first love and honeysuckle. Jon back in her life is Laura’s worst nightmare. And, fondest dream. Past experience has taught Jon that he can’t trust Laura. But old habits—like old loves—die hard.

Suspense mounts as Laura must find the courage to face her deepest fears and unravel the lies before she and her son become the Greenway Killer’s next victims.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for VINES OF ENTANGLEMENT?

A: I often walk on a Greenway trail near my home. The heavily wooded path follows a creek, and many of the trees are slowly being engulfed by vines of various sorts. You have to watch where you step or it’s easy to stumble. At the time, I was studying Hebrews 12 where the author speaks of entangling vines, and I got to thinking of things in my life with which I struggle—things which have caused me to trip and fall flat on my face, things that hold me back in my forward progression of faith, and the encumbering lies I have believed about myself. As I continued to plot this novel over the course of time, I ended up spooking myself as I took a walk each day—almost expecting this Greenway serial killer I’d created in my head to pop out from behind a tree.

Also, I’ve known Native Americans for most of my life, and I admire their persistence and perseverance to not only survive but thrive despite tremendous cultural odds. As a child, I went to summer camp each year with a group of North Carolina’s Lumbee Indians and have been fascinated ever since by their “story.”

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

A: I wrote this novel for those who’ve found themselves ensnared in entangling sins and encumbrances. For all who’ve struggled to overcome fear, loss, and guilt. For all who need to hear that no one is beyond God’s grace and mercy.

Q: What is your favorite scene/chapter from the book?

A: Probably any scene involving Aunt Velma. She is a total hoot. I love how the senior adults among us can get away with saying the most outrageous—often completely true—things. And being a Southerner, I don’t have to look far for inspiration. We’re quite well-known for our true life eccentricities. Like Velma, we’re a whole lot of fun.

How to pick a favorite? Either Aunt Velma’s initial scene early on with her college-aged ‘babysitter’ Tayla. Or, Velma’s triumphal march on Prospect Road during the Lumbee Homecoming parade. I attended one such homecoming and incorporated as much of the fun and Lumbee pride as I could in this closing chapter.

Q: What inspires you to write?

A. I get inspiration from nature, the evening news and just from living life. Scraps of overheard conversation, something funny a family member says . . . all of it goes into the scary world otherwise known as my mind and comes out as something new. I write because I have to . . . I have always told stories. I come from a long line of oral storytellers. I grew up with stories about family ancestors who crossed an ocean because of faith in order to wrest a new civilization out of a wilderness—which is totally ironic when you consider I write Native American suspense. J Stories about Great-Granddaddy So-and-So who lost a leg in the War Between the States. About Great-great-Aunt What’s-Her-Name who threw her valuables into a trunk, sat down on the trunk and dared the soldiers to touch them or her on Sherman’s March across North Carolina. How could I not tell stories? I am a continuation of a rich cultural Southern heritage when summer evenings were spent on wraparound porches affirming life, affirming faith, and affirming what ties us together as family.

I write to entertain. I write to encourage. I write to bring glory to God. I write because I must.

Q: How has being a published novelist differed from your expectations of the profession?

A: It’s a rollercoaster with tremendous highs and lows. It’s at times the best and hardest job in the world. It’s a tremendous amount of work—more than most people understand. There’s been incredible fun—I love book-signing events and speaking to book clubs. And unbelievingly intense—juggling the writing of a rough draft, editing a second book, promoting and marketing yet a third—all at the same time. What a thrill to see your book on a library or bookstore shelf. And the amazing people I’ve met through publication have provided some of the most meaningful recent relationships in my life.

Q: What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?

A: Read widely and in various genres. Write a lot. Hone your craft. Study the publishing market. Begin building your social media platform. Attend the best writing conference you can afford—at least one a year. It’s where the publishing gatekeepers hang out. And most important of all, pursue relationships over contracts. This involves first and foremost, growing in your walk with God. Learn to listen and tell His story—the story He wants you to tell. Pray for His will to be done in you, for you and through you. Which is the second part of pursuing relationship. Invest your time, talent and insight into others. Get to know and encourage other writers. Be a blessing. Be someone editors want to work with. ‘Cause ain’t nobody got time for divas.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?

A. I am on a deadline for my seventh novel with Abingdon Press. I’m praying it will be the story God wants me to tell. Another one of my Native American romantic suspense novels, it’s set in the Southwest. Writing is always an adventure—I’m never quite sure how each book is going to turn out. This one, even more so. Stay tuned . . .

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?

A.I love to travel, and I’m always either planning my next exotic adventure or on the verge of embarking upon one. I try to stay connected with my children’s school events. I love entertaining friends at my house. I sing in the church choir. I love teaching Bible study and writing workshops. I look forward to “doing” lunch with friends. I love to read and to quilt (although I’ve no time for that since becoming a published author).

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?

A. I love to hear from readers. Readers can—see what’s new at www.lisacarterauthor.com; browse through the each of my novel boards at http://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/; or ask questions and talk books at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5821807.Lisa_Cox_Carter.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?

A. Thanks so much for chatting with me today. I hope readers will enjoy Vines of Entanglement. Happy reading.