My target readers are from 25 years old to 100 years old. They love women’s fiction novels, contemporary novels, stories about love, family and drama.

CC Carpenter – 21 June 2021

The Back Flap

A beautiful modern day family saga of searching for love, marriage, in-laws, domestic life and the blending of cultures is relatable and intriguing. This debut women’s fiction novel puts a fresh spin on the classic marriage story when a contemporary woman tries to blend into a family so different from her own and must come to terms with a well-kept secret that’s revealed. This well-developed, relationship-driven novel set in Boston will sweep you away.

About the book

When did you start writing the book?

I wrote out a general outline for the book in December 2019 and began to write it January of last year (2020).

How long did it take you to write it?

It took me one year to write it.

Where did you get the idea from?

I thought it would be fun to write a fiction story about two individuals from totally different cultures coming together (an English woman and an Italian man) and what that entails when you bring two different worlds together ‘under one roof’ so to speak. It’s about the main character, Nancy Paris’ search for love, then she meets the love of her life and their marriage journey which consists of the blending of two cultures and them dealing with a well-kept secret that’s revealed.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I struggled in the latter half of the book (The Reveal section) with my emotions as the last section is very moving, inspiring and is full of emotion. Being part of these characters lives for the year I wrote it I could not help but feel moved as I wrote the last four chapters as a result of what this couple goes through as individuals and as a couple.

What came easily?

Honestly, the writing I’d say.  At times it just flowed and I feel it wrote itself. I was merely just the hands on the laptop filling in the ‘blank pages’.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

They are fictitious.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Authors that have influenced me I’d say are Nora Roberts and Danielle Steele.  I also love the way Paulo Coelho thinks and writes.

Do you have a target reader?

My target readers are from 25 years old to 100 years old.  They love women’s fiction novels, contemporary novels, stories about love, family and drama.  They also love a great ending and a page turning novel.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

My writing process is I sit before my laptop, say a prayer and begin to write.  It’s that simple.  I can write anywhere and at anytime and I say that in the most humble way.  I feel once you are connected to a higher power writing is simply downloaded from another realm and when you tap into that realm and begin to write magic happens.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I will do a general outline but I pretty much let the novel unfold by itself and let it present itself to me as it would like to be told.  I might sit at my laptop with a scene in mind but it could end up and has ended up with a totally different scene as I begin to write.  Therefore, I don’t struggle with it. I let it unfold as it is meant to unfold.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

In the past I have edited when finished.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes, I did get a professional editor and had a few beta readers read the finished novel.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Yes, I do! J  As I wrote A Woman of Culture: A Novel I listened to Neil Diamond and his songs ‘The Story of My Life’, ‘I AM…I SAID’, ‘Hello Again’ and ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’ over and over again.  Something about his voice and lyrics moves me.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes, I did.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

To be very honest with you the ten agents I sent a query letter to did not want to take the book, did not want to take on the story and so I had no other choice but to go the self-publishing route.  I wanted to get the book out into the hands of readers as soon as possible and so the self-publishing route was followed.  The book is so right now in terms of cultures, in terms of what we are experienceing as a society, as married couples, as dating couples.  It is no longer everyone staying with their own culture as the world is becoming more of a blended pot and this book helps readers see how traditions, different ways of thinking, food, customs, in-laws and so much more impacts relationships, in addition to well-kept secrets.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

The book cover and book interior was professionally done.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have a marketing plan for the book.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

There is another mountain to climb once the book is released but perseverance and patience will help you climb that second mountain.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Dublin Ireland.

Where do you live now?

I live in Toronto, Canada.

What would you like readers to know about you?

Carpenter is known for writing stories about domestic life, families, love, relationships, secrets and so much more that you won’t want to put down her books. A women’s fiction author she was born in Dublin, Ireland and she learned the art of storytelling at a very young age. After spending hours listening to her family’s folktales the spark of storytelling took and her mind opened to an endless array of possibilities. It wasn’t until CC. Carpenter visited a fortune teller in Wexford, Ireland that she discovered her life purpose. Her joy comes from knowing her readers love the stories she has imagined in her novels.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on my second and third novels.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration. I am very thankful.

End of Interview:

For more from CC Carpenter visit her website or her blog, follow her on Twitter, and like her Facebook page.

Get your copy of A Woman of Culture from Amazon US or Amazon UK.