Member Spotlight: Kacey Carpenter

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? I’ve always loved to read and write, going back to my earliest memories. Today, I have the opportunity to write in many different ways, from my weekly Life Is a Journey newsletter to my National Park mystery thrillers and books about community organizing. I believe writers have the power to make the world a better place. We can tell stories, share ideas, help people learn, and give people a chance to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Especially today, I think that is critically important. I love to teach, write, share, and learn. I’m always working to develop my craft, and I hope my writing can spread a little joy, inspiration, and fun to others along the way.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? I find inspiration everywhere, especially when I get outside and spend time in nature. That gives me a chance to use all my senses and pay attention. I also use word-map clusters. Start with a word and let the creative side of your brain wake up. Turn off the noise and the critical editor. Draw circles, connect ideas, and see where they take you. Give it five, ten, or fifteen minutes and don’t worry about perfection. Sometimes I even use my phone to dictate ideas. I find it easier to think out loud than to stare at a blank screen.

What is your favorite time to write? I don’t really have a favorite time to write, but I definitely have a favorite mood and setting where writing is something I want to do. A lot of it has to do with how I’m feeling and whether I can get into a flow. If I can get into a space where I feel creative, not stressed, and comfortable, that can be early in the morning, in the middle of the day, or even in the middle of the night. It’s really not about a specific time. It’s more about a specific feeling, space, attitude, and comfort, and being able to get into the flow. A lot of this has to do with creating spaces for me to go to and do my writing. Sometimes I’ll put my headphones on and turn on some background music, like jazz or classical music, something that doesn’t distract me. I might go to a coffee shop or another space where I’m away from my usual surroundings. Changing the space and location allows me to get away from the things my brain is telling me to do and just let my mind go free.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received was when I was working on my first National Park mystery thriller. I was interviewing another author who had a successful series, and I told him I was writing the draft by rotating the point of view. The story was about three men who had met as children and were reuniting, and I felt it should be told from their point of view. I had gotten advice that point of view was hard to do and that maybe I should use third person. He told me, “If the story’s meant to be told from the character’s point of view, you need to develop the craft and write it that way.” He raised the bar for me, and I’m glad he did. It took me a while to rewrite those chapters. I got another good piece of advice when I had a complete manuscript. I asked an author on his tenth book whether I should find an agent, query publishers, or get an editor. He said, “If you have all of those words in your head, get an editor. Keep writing.” That helped me decide to pursue independent publishing. My advice to other writers is that one size doesn’t fit all. Different styles work for different people. Try to get people to support your writing. Writing can be solitary, but finding people who will read your work, give you feedback, and help you keep learning is an important part of the craft.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? I feel like it’s an incredible time to be a writer. There are so many independent writers and creative voices, not only here in Portland, but around the country and around the world. And I think that matters because communication and writing, whether it’s a poem, a song, or a National Park mystery thriller, are so important to how we share ideas and understand one another. In the age of AI, I think it’s especially important that we don’t lose those critical human skills: the ability to be creative, to be curious, to imagine something that doesn’t exist yet, and to share new ideas. For me, writing has brought me back to some of the joys of early childhood, when we were all incredibly curious and eager to learn. I think that opportunity should be available to everyone, across all ages and backgrounds. There are certainly challenges in the publishing industry and in this transition to artificial intelligence. But I also see tremendous opportunity. As writers, we have a chance to make our voices heard, to tell our own stories, and to remind people that human creativity still matters. It’s an incredible time to be a writer, and I’m really thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of it.

Kacey Carpenter’s Murder in Vacationland is out now.