Episode #75
☀️ From Doubt to Debut: Author Valerie Carr’s Journey of Faith and Writing
️ On this episode of the Saved and Strong Podcast, Carrie Watts sits down with author Valerie Carr to talk about faith, doubt, obedience, and the incredible feeling of finally holding your first published book in your hands. Valerie’s debut novel, Sun Shining on the Porch Swing, is more than a story. ☀️ It’s the result of following a nudge, trusting God with the process , and writing a book that welcomes readers into conversations about faith without feeling forced or preachy. The Joy of Holding Your First Book There’s nothing quite like the first time an author holds the finished book. After all the writing ✍️, editing , questioning, waiting ⏳, and wondering, Valerie finally got to hold Sun Shining on the Porch Swing in her hands. “It’s an amazing feeling to hold it in person,” she shares. Even more meaningful has been hearing from readers who see themselves in her characters ❤️ and connect with the questions of faith woven throughout the story. ✝️ One of Valerie’s goals was to write about Christianity in a way that felt authentic—even for someone who might not consider themselves strong in their faith. “I wanted to make sure that I did it in a realistic but yet relatable way,” she explains. And readers are responding. ✝️ Faith Without Being Preachy Valerie wanted her characters to wrestle with real questions. Their faith isn't perfect. Their lives aren't perfect. And they don't have everything figured out. That’s exactly the point. Rather than simply telling readers what to believe, Valerie allows faith to unfold naturally through the characters’ lives, relationships, questions, and struggles. Her hope is that someone who might never pick up a heavily faith-based book could still find themselves drawn into the story —and perhaps discover a little more about the hope of Jesus along the way. ✝️ Writing Romance She Can Share With Her Family Sun Shining on the Porch Swing also includes a love story , but Valerie made an intentional decision about how she wanted to portray romance. “I want my children and grandchildren to be able to read it and not be embarrassed,” she says. The characters experience attraction, affection, and genuine romantic emotions ❤️ while maintaining boundaries that reflect Valerie’s values. It’s a reminder that a beautiful love story doesn’t have to rely on explicit content to keep readers turning the pages. When God Gives You the Title Like so many writers, Valerie questioned whether she was really supposed to do this. ✍️ Carrie understands that feeling well. During their conversation, Carrie and Valerie talk about recognizing the call to write ✨, questioning that call, and continuing anyway. Valerie had always been creative. Songs and movies could spark entire stories in her imagination. But eventually, those stories began asking to be written down. At one point, Valerie prayed: “If this is what You want me to do, I need You to give me a title for the book.” And almost immediately, the words came: ☀️ Sun Shining on the Porch Swing. Sometimes the entire path isn’t revealed at once. ️ Sometimes we simply receive enough light for the next step. From Doubt to Debut Carrie and Valerie are both relatively new to the published-author journey , which makes this conversation especially relatable for aspiring writers. ❓ What happens after you publish the book? ❓ What if you don’t know exactly what comes next? ❓ And what if God is asking you to write even though you still have doubts? Valerie’s story reminds us that we don't have to know where the journey will end before we're willing to begin. Maybe you’ve been carrying a story of your own. Maybe you've questioned whether you're qualified. Maybe you've wondered whether anyone needs the words God has placed on your heart. ✨ This episode is your encouragement to keep listening, keep writing, keep trusting, and keep taking the next step. ✍️ Listen to the full episode of Saved and Strong to hear Valerie Carr’s journey from doubt to debut and the story behind Sun Shining on the Porch Swing. ☀️ Learn more about Valerie and her writing at valeriecarr.com. Follow Valerie: On Instagram: @valeriecarrauthor On Facebook: Valerie Armstrong Carr ☀️ Connect with Carrie Watts & Saved and Strong Website: https://www.carriewatts.com Instagram — @carriewattswrites Facebook — Carrie On ✍️ Substack — Carrie Watts Writes: https://carriewattswrites.substack.com Want to know more about my publisher and a community of faith-filled writers? ✍️ Click here for more about Hope Writers: http://www.hopewriters.com/a/21481832 Click here for more about Hope Books Publishing: http://www.hopewriters.com/a/21481004 #SavedAndStrong #SavedAndStrongPodcast #ValerieCarr #SunShiningOnThePorchSwing #ChristianFiction #ChristianAuthor #ChristianBooks #FaithBasedFiction #CleanRomance #InspirationalFiction #FaithAndWriting #ChristianWriters #ChristianWriting #AuthorJourney #DebutAuthor #DebutNovel #WritingJourney #CalledToWrite #WritingWithPurpose #FaithOverFear #TrustGod #HopeInJesus #BookPodcast #AuthorInterview #WritersOfInstagram #Bookstagram #CarrieWatts #CarrieWattsWrites #CarrieOn #StayHighOnJesus Carrie On. Stay High on Jesus, and remember, He loves you! ✝️
