The CHOW Interview: Indie Author Natasha Carter

Clueless Hack On Writing (me) talks to a Creative Hero On Writing about process, impatience and her favorite season in the Midwest.

The CHOW interview is a look into the minds of independent writers, whose books haven’t been optioned for Netflix, but are finding ways to be shared with the world. These writers are booktrepreneurs who are hustling to get one small bit of attention for their books and trying to make a business out of it. If you like the specific genre, I encourage you to find it and buy. I’ll tell you, they’ll know and celebrate your purchase.

Natasha Carter is an independently published author who resides in the Midwest with her family. She writes fiction novels in several genres. Her first completed novel Unfinished Business is an erotic romance, but she’s also halfway through a mystery/suspense thriller and has several other projects in process. With her background in Psychology, Natasha has a knack for connecting to people through her words, evidenced by her large following on social media (Twitter: @NatashaCL7, Instagram: @natashacl7_ TikTok: @natashacl714). Natasha loves animals, nature, spirituality, astrology, tarot cards, and serial killer documentaries.

Welcome, Natasha. Thanks so much for joining me on the CHOW, otherwise known as the Clueless Hack on Writing. Natasha, tell us a little bit more about your background that led you to writing this first novel?

I’ve always wanted to write, but didn’t push past my fears until 2019. I started blogging and one thing led to another. This wasn’t the book I intended to write, but it’s the one that wanted to be written.

Tell us a little bit about your book?

This book explores complex relationships and how we grow and learn about ourselves within them. There’s also a lot of spice.

What was the inspiration that put that kernel of an idea in your head?

Another writer dared me to try my hand at the genre as a writing exercise and the story just kept going.

As your first novel, you're diving into the unknown and all you have is this idea. What pulled you through?

Needing to know how it would end. I don’t plan anything ahead of time, I let the story lead me where it wants to go.

What was the hardest part to write? The beginning, the middle, or the end?

The middle is the most challenging in any story. When I reach that halfway point I sometimes run out of steam and need to take a break. I start something new and then come back to it when it’s ready to be finished.

Why did you decide to publish independently?

Impatience. I sent about a dozen queries, and had one full request from a dream agent. After that rejection, I didn’t want to wait anymore. At the time, a friend of mine had an agent for 2 years and still remained unpublished. The idea of waiting years before bringing my book baby into the world was unthinkable. I decided to pave my own way.

What was the biggest eye-opener about the business of independent publishing?

It was easier than I anticipated, and my book has done better than I expected.

You have a huge social media presence. How did you use it effectively to promote your novel?

I try to throw something out every couple of days without shoving my book down people’s throats. I use a mix of content to switch it up. Reviews, images, videos, random tweets. Essentially, I’m my marketing plan. If people like you, they’ll read your work.

You've shared that you like to write in all genres. Is that part of your writing journey to explore different styles?

Oh yes, I want to try my hand at everything. We should never put a limit on our art.

What genre do you like to read? And what is the most inspiring book you've read in the last year?

I love mystery/suspense thrillers with a romance sub-plot, bonus points if there are any supernatural elements. As a writer who works full time, I don’t have a ton of time to read, but I loved The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose. It was inspiring to me as there are similarities between that and my current WIP.

You live in the midwest with very distinct seasons. What is your favorite season and is it also your favorite season to write?

Summer is my favorite season and yes, writing in the summer is also my favorite. Anything is better in the sunshine, am I right?

Thank you again for joining me today.

Thanks for having me!

Side of Mustard…

Shows I’m watching, finished…

• The Lincoln Lawyer (Netflix): Just finished Season 2. In the ‘90s, this show would be a network staple. Now, it’s on Netflix and because it feels like something on NBC, the cursing is sometimes disorienting. But, a classic courtroom mystery with the accused, her lawyer and his firm of misfit investigators, assistants and drivers. And, of course, several Lincolns.

• Platonic (Apple TV). From the people that gave you Neighbors, you have Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne playing best friends. She’s married and he’s getting divorced. They get into mischief (but at least they don’t hook up). Some funny lines and I always like Rogan’s penchant for vandalizing Bird scooters, but the antics got to be annoying after a while.

• Saint X. (Hulu). I read this book a couple of years ago. A college-age girl is found dead while her family is vacationing in the Caribbean. The suspects are two local black men who work at the resort, one of whom she is seeing on the sly. The case is never solved. Fast forward 20 years later and the girl’s sister sees one of the murderers driving a cab in New York City. She stalks the driver, befriends him and tries to find out what really happened. Told in dual timelines, Saint X provides great insights into class, race, gender expectations, etc. Not as outrageous as The White Lotus but just as thought-provoking.