A Journey Through Genres, Grit, and Grand Stories
PHOTO: Meet Tessa Carr: A Wordsmith Weaving Tales of Mystery, Romance, and Endless Suspense.
In the enchanting world of storytelling, Tessa Carr stands as a luminary whose journey from avid reader to prolific writer has been nothing short of captivating. From her earliest days, where she spun tales about friends, spies, and adventures, to the present, Tessa’s passion for crafting narratives has remained unwavering. Her narrative prowess was apparent from a young age, vividly remembered by an unforgettable incident during elementary school. A short story intended for class turned into an unexpected, thrilling tale involving friends on a camping trip, a grizzly bear, and a somewhat startled teacher. Despite the shock, the children’s enthusiasm ignited Tessa’s love for writing, steering her through diverse storytelling realms.
Though life nudged her into nursing for three decades and photography, Tessa always found solace in writing, returning home to weave stories after each endeavor. Her literary repertoire spans an impressive spectrum, encompassing mystery, romance, and romantic suspense, a blend showcased prominently in her latest series, “The Shadows of Council Creek,” now flourishing with its fourth installment. Juggling various pen names, she has authored around forty books, including historical fiction under the pseudonym Pippa Greathouse. Recently venturing into creating heartwarming tales for her grandchildren, Tessa’s dedication to storytelling knows no bounds.
Her current focus revolves around the “Wyoming Arms” series, where she intricately weaves tales of romantic suspense and mystery. “Arms of Shelter” and “Arms of Courage,” the first two volumes, delve into the poignant struggles of resilient young women overcoming past trauma. Beyond her literary accomplishments, Tessa’s personal life is graced by an adoring husband, two children, and the joyous addition of two grandchildren, adding a touch of grandeur to her already remarkable existence.
In this exclusive interview with Reader’s House magazine, Tessa Carr invites readers into her world, sharing insights into her literary inspirations, reading preferences, and the evolution of her writing process. From her voracious appetite for books during her nomadic upbringing in a military family to the transformative impact of cataract surgery, Tessa’s story is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the unwavering spirit of a wordsmith whose love for literature continues to shine brightly.
From the little girl who reads, to the big girl who writes…
Tessa Carr began writing stories in elementary school; about friends, about spies, about anything. She remembers vividly the time her teacher gave the assignment to write a short story and read it aloud. When she was called on to read, she stood.
Apparently, it wasn’t quite what Mrs. J. expected; a short story about friends and an unsupervised camping trip followed. Add the visit of a grizzly bear and the flying of body parts everywhere, and Tessa glanced up to see a teacher who looked as though she was about to faint.The children loved the story, however, and Tessa was immediately hooked on writing.
Her first stories were what she calls gory stories which then changed to space stories and then to spy stories, then to romantic suspense. Along the way, she was sidetracked into nursing for 30 years, then into photography, but often would come home and write.
She has an adoring (and adorable) husband who is very supportive, two children and now, two grandchildren (and yes! They’re grand!)
Tessa’s writing includes a variety of things, but each book contains mystery, romance, and romantic suspense. Her last series, The Shadows of Council Creek has its fourth book released.
Her first series of five books is in the process of being rewritten and recovered. Among her pen names there are around forty books. She also writes historical fiction under the name Pippa Greathouse. And at the request of her daughter, has just begun writing books that are sweet (and the kind of books her grandchildren can read.)
However, right now the Wyoming Arms series under the Tessa Carr name has two books that are in the process of release. Book 1 is Arms of Shelter. Book 2 is Arms of Courage. Both of these volumes are stories with romantic suspense and mystery, and both reveal the struggles of two very special young ladies to overcome previous trauma in their lives.
PHOTO: Arms of Courage immerses readers in Kat’s riveting
battle against fear and past trauma. Tessa Carr masterfully crafts
suspense and budding romance, weaving a compelling
narrative that keeps hearts racing till the very end.”
What’s the last great book you read?
Many good books, but a great one? The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas
You’re organizing a party. Which two authors, dead or alive, do you invite?
Just two? Oh my. Mary Stewart and Patrick F. McManus (and Julie Garwood. I know, I know, that’s three, but…)
What kind of reader were you as a child?
Voracious. Growing up with a father in the military, I was commonly referred to as a Navy brat. Today, I consider it an endearment. Each time my dad received orders for a transfer, it meant not only a new set of friends, but a new library to explore. Every week my sister and I would make a trip to the local library to choose a bag full of books. Then, we’d bring them home and read them all before returning them. The next week, it would be the same. It was like a laundry cycle.
Choose. Read. Return. Repeat.
It helped that my grandmother was in a book club and ordered several books a month. When it was time to visit, I spent hours reading all the new books in her library.
What books are you embarrassed not to have read yet?
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
What do you read when you’re working on a book? And what kind of reading do you avoid while writing?
Reading: I spend a lot of time doing research, and studying the thesaurus. Avoiding? Depending on the genre in which I’m writing I avoid those books. I find it is quite easy to become influenced by what I read.
Describe your favorite heroine.
One who is quiet, thoughtful, considerate of others, giving of herself, and yet unafraid to enter into danger for the sake of others. I believe that’s the reason I like Julie Garwood’s heroines so much. And I like them to be edifying and uplifting to others.
What is your writing process like? A pantser? A plotter?
When I began writing professionally, I was the supreme pantser. I didn’t begin plotting until book four of my first series, when I realized the night before a scheduled release that I’d forgotten a vital clue. A call to my editor fixed it, but I realized then that plotting was a necessary evil. Since then, I’ve changed my process of writing.
Are you traditionally published or are you an indie author?
I’m a hybrid. The first 25 books were traditionally published. Since then, I’ve gone indie. Many of my traditionally published books have since been removed, and are currently being rewritten and recovered. I like them much better now.
What is the most important thing to you that others might say of your writing?
The first? That it is believable. The second? That they would never have guessed the ending.
What’s the most wonderful event that has occurred for you as far as reading in your past ten years?
Without a doubt, it was having cataract surgery done. I now have 20/20 vision in both eyes! Writing was getting difficult; reading was, too, until this fall when I finally had it done. I have a distinct vision in my mind of my little grandmother (yes, the one with the library full of books!) reading her bible at the age of 95 and holding a magnifying glass up to one eye so she could see. It touches my heart.
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