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31 March 2013

Interview with Carrie Fancett Pagels



Carrie Fancett Pagels

Carrie has interviewed many authors on this blog. Now we wanted to turn things around and let Carrie tell us about herself. We’re looking forward to getting to know you a bit better, Carrie!


Carrie, please tell us about your upcoming releases.
I am a contributor to a Civil War anthology spearheaded by Murray Pura, with a focus on the year 1863. My story is set at Shirley Plantation in Charles City, Virginia and begins in the year 1862 and ends in early 1863. There are about a dozen contributors to the anthology, each section releasing as an ebook. The ebooks are supposed to also be put into an audiobook format. All of the stories will be bundled into a paperback for Christmas release. 


I am also a contributor to a nonfiction book compiled by Cynthia Howerter and LaTan Murphy that releases May 1st through Lighthouse of the Carolinas entitled "God's Provision in Tough Times." 
  
We’d like to know more about your writing career. Tell us about the first time you realized you wanted to be a writer.
I was a child. I believe God called me to be a writer and kept trying to get my attention. Instead I became a psychologist but I believe God has used that experience to help my writing.

Who is your greatest literary inspiration?
Lucy Maude Montgomery and Margaret Mitchell. Although these two authors may have very different heroines (Anne of Green Gables, Scarlet O’Hara) their ability to capture a time and place as well as do fabulous characterization is admirable.

We know you love the Colonial era. What makes this time period so special for you?
I live in the historic triangle of Virginia. This time period riveted my attention when we moved here and about that time I discovered my family roots in Virginia, unknown to me prior to that time. As I researched one of my ancestors, Johan Adam Rousch, I was deeply touched by the accounts I read while researching—from testimony by American Revolutionary war soldiers and from colonial frontiers people as recorded in volumes I read at the University of Virginia in their rare book stacks. Their voices came alive, as did the people, when I read their accounts. Because I have a vivid imagination, their words nagged at me to tell their stories.

However, I do love many different times in history, hence my tagline "Overcoming Through Time." And I am happy about my inclusion in the Civil War anthology. I have other manuscripts set outside the 19th century but I prefer earlier times in America.

What is an experience God has brought you through where you’ve learned something invaluable?
Two years ago I was so ill I believed I might not get another year to live. I gave my entire will, my life, over to the Lord to the point of preparing for Him to take me home. I was in bed twelve weeks between 2009-2010 due to complications from a biologic I was on and illnesses from a suppressed immune system. I learned to trust Him to the point of death and to trust His will for my life.

Can you tell us a little about your salvation experience?
I gave my life to the Lord as a young person but I turned my back on God for a long time. I returned to Christ as an adult. At that time I asked Him to be Lord of my life. That is a key difference. When He is Lord of our lives we not only believe in Christ and all His promises but we want to obey Him and to please Him by giving our will over to Him. 

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
The 23rd Psalm, which is not a verse, but the first verse in particular, is a favorite, among many. I was led to speak particularly on the 23rd Psalm to residents of a local nursing home the Sunday before 9-11 happened. I believe God was preparing me. A friend, also, was convicted that she should immerse herself in this psalm during that same time. I was pregnant, at home alone, when the attack occurred and watched it happen on TV. I kept praying that if there was anyone still up there in those skies that God would give them bravery to deal with the situation. And some did. Some that gave their lives were saying the 23rd Psalm before they made their move to disarm the attackers and bring the plane down. This psalm affirms that no matter what, even in the shadow of death, He holds us in His very palm and we should trust Him.

How do you tackle and overcome life’s stresses?
I find time in the Word and in prayer helps best. Also seeking out godly advice. And sharing with the OWG contributors!

What makes you smile?
Hugging my soon to be eleven-year-old son (birthday this week!) or my husband or my adult daughter!  I am a big hugger!!!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
God has blessed me so much. I am grateful for all He’s done for me. I pray that I am a blessing to others, too! I also have a contribution to a nonfiction book that will release in May. 

You are a true blessing to all of us on OWG!! Thanks, Marian!  I am the one blessed by my OWG "angels."

Carrie, thank you for answering these questions. We wish you all the best in your writing career, and we hope and pray to see your novels published soon!
Thanks, Marian, Diana, Teresa, and Noela!!!  God gave me SO much assistance with the novel I wrote in 2011-2012, that I believe He has a home for it. It is His and He will put it where He wants!  
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GIVEAWAY: A surprise basket of pink goodies and perchance a Kindle copy of Carrie's, Return to Shirley Plantation! 

TO ENTER: ‘like’ Carrie’s author page on Facebook—put CFP in your comment when you have done so. Extra entry for liking Cry of Freedom page and another for liking the Helping Hands page.  

57 comments:

  1. I got chills reading about your experience with Psalm 23. I know a woman of God who saw a plane crash into a building in a dream just prior to that. I believe the Lord was speaking to His people, and I sense He is speaking again.
    I am so glad to see dedicated Christians writing stories of faith and trust in Him. I sincerely pray you all the best, Carrie. May you reach multitudes with His message. <3

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    1. Thanks, KATHY! I gave my "sermon" or message or whatever you want to call it and commented about how the people of my age group had never dealt with the things the people in the nursing home had. And that we had to hide the word in our hearts, such as the 23rd Psalm, for times of extreme stress. I do believe God was speaking to us. Blessings!

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  2. CARRIE, thank you for your wonderful interview with us...WOW! what perfect timing to have scheduled it to be posted. Congrats again on the release of Return to Shirley Plantation! God is so good!

    You may have another fav color besides pink by the end of the week! chuckle

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    1. We did this interview in the fall when we changed the blog name and my new website went up. Grateful for the Civil War novella publication and happy to have this interview with my Angels of OWG!!!

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  3. Thanks for the interview! It is so wonderful to hear how God works in the lives of others. I have liked all three pages on Facebook and look forward to reading OWG and all the historical fiction I can lay my hands on!!

    bettimace(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, BETTI, and so glad to hear about your good news! will keep praying for you and your hubbie! Thanks for coming by and hope your Easter was lovel!

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  4. CARRIE this interview is wonderful. It's great to have you on here as a "guest" but it's even more exciting to have you on here right after the release of your new book. I just love the sound of that. :) Sending you a great ((big hug)).

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    1. Yes, it seems weird to look at the blog and I am the interviewee! Sending you a great big hug back!!! Thanks!

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  5. Loved the interview. I would love to read your book. My favorite is also Anne Of Green Gables. I liked Cry of freedom page and your page. Thanks for the giveaway. CFP
    Blessings
    joeym11@frontier.com

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    1. Hi, DIANA! I loved Anne of Green Gables, too! Hey, did you know you won a cool book on Kav's Best Reads? Congrats!

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  6. Hello Carrie! Wonderful interview. Nice to learn more about you. I simply love your writing, you SO deserve to be published. I've, of course, 'liked' your author page and the other two as well. Hugs and God bless!

    debsbunch5@jesusanswers.com

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    1. Thanks, DEBBIE, you are so fun! You're like my CQ play date gal, haha! So much fun together on the Tea Parties when you are there! And thanks so much for reading my novella and my full-length fiction manuscript. Keep praying for me! Blessings!

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  7. So nice getting to read this interview celebrating Carrie! Congratulations my dear friend!

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    1. Thanks, CARLA!!! I remember when your first book came out and you didn't want me to promote it on CQ and we had to wait till your colonial came out to give you a launch party over there. I told you I wouldn't wait when it was my turn, lol, and I didn't! I am a time traveler, you see, like you! HUGS!

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  8. CARRIE, I found it fascinating to read this interview with you and learn a little more about you!! I'm so glad God helped you to overcome everything, including the time you were so incredibly ill!!! Thanks to you, sooo many people including myself, have been incredibly blessed in OUR lives!!
    Congratulations again on the release of Return to Shirley Plantation!!! :) Hugs!

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    1. PTL, NOELA! I was at church and thinking--three years ago on Easter you were in bed, your hubby and son playing outside, and your daughter came into bedroom and insisted you go to doctor. She took me to emergency outpatient place. I had a ruptured ear drum. Wasn't able to drive myself. Thank God for my sweet girl. I didn't want to ruin their Easter but it was something that had to be taken care of. She is a blessing! Every woman needs a daughter but we don't all get them. I am so blessed!

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  9. Hi Carrie, it was so nice to read your interview !!! loved getting to know you.. It is such a pleasure being your friend !! am reading Return to Shirley Plantation right now and just know I am enjoying it very much !!!! :-) Of course I like your author page Carrie !!! liking you is easy !!! thanks for the great read !! have a blessed day !! Rosemary rfoley@salemstate.edu

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    1. CHICKI!!! So glad you are liking my story! Liking you is easy, too, because you are such a lovely Christian woman! HUGS!!!

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  10. Congratulations, Carrie! I loved your novella Return to Shirley Plantation and your writing style. This was a great interview and I enjoyed learing a little more about you through it. You are a blessing and friend to so many, including me! I wish you much success and that your writing will touch others as it touches me. Hugs!

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    1. LISA, thanks so much and I can HARDLY wait to read your new MS, as soon as sweetie boy is back to school! So glad you liked my writing. Am listening to an audiobook right now and it is one of the few examples of the voice being one I can barely stand--it is a whiny entitlement voice. ACK!!! Can't stand it!! And the narrator does it perfectly, haha! But the actual author comes across as such a sweet person. So it really grates. sigh... I guess that is why voice matters!!! So glad to call you friend, LISA, and thanks again for the endorsement of this book! blessings!

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  11. CFP Hi Carrie, I loved reading the interview also, I love to get to know authors and a good read is always nice.
    I liked your page and Cry of Freedom page and Helping hands too. May the Lord bless you in your writing and
    thank you for the giveaway here !
    Linda Finn
    faithfulacres7@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks, Linda! I should add to the interview that on the day of the attacks I was especially praying for this area where I live, because we have so many military installations and service members. Thanks for the blessings, too!

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  12. Carrie, you are so beautiful inside and out. I do believe God placed you on FB to help those who are hurt, broken, and cast aside. I am a very sensitive person and your interview brought me to tears. You walked away from God at one point in your life and so did I at one point in my life. Praise God he welcomed us back into the fold with open arms. I know that God has big plans for you because He didn't call you home when you were so ill. His work with you is not finished yet. We rejoice in the fact that, this is so. I pray that as you write for the Glory of God you will be Blessed!

    I am looking forward to reading, Return to Shirley Plantation. Also to your contribution in the non-fiction book, God's Provision in Tough Times.

    Blessings!
    Judy B

    I have "Liked" CFP as well as Cry of Freedom page and the Helping Hands page.

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    1. Forgot my email address! judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com

      Blessings!
      Judy B

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    2. Judy, this brought tears to my eyes--your comments! Thanks so much! I knew God wasn't through with me yet. I was so sick and miserable and figured He knew best and He did. I pray people will be blessed by my writing and it is SO good to know we at OWG--Diana, Teresa, Marian, and Noela, are blessing others with our ministry! Hugs!!!

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  13. Congratulations, Carrie, on the release of Return to Shirley Plantation!
    I enjoyed this interview. Some of it I had heard before, some was new. You are an inspiration.

    Blessings,
    Janet

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    1. Hey my bud, conf roomie, co-chair of TCFW, CQ member, etc etc., love you, Janet!!! thanks!

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  14. It's so wonderful to be sharing in this happy time with you Carrie. It's been a while in coming, but so worth the wait. Can't wait to read the book.

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    1. Okay, so do I call u Christi? May have to call to Canada to verify. Many blessings and thanks!!!

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  15. CARRIE!!!

    Margaret Mitchell and the 23rd Psalm!!! Just two more reasons why I love you SO much!!! SOOOO great to learn more about you, my friend, and I LOVE the new pink floral motif going on here, girl!!

    And SUPER CONGRATS on the new novella -- downloaded it and cannot WAIT to dive in!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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    1. ACFW conference watch out--the two huggingest writers in the membership will be there, haha! Thanks so much and I pray u enjoy it. Hugs!!!

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    2. JULIE, just wanted to let you know the pink is in celebration of Carrie's new release! We will be tired of it after a week, trust me, and will be back to the old decor! lol

      I think NOELA dreamed about pink elephants blowing bubbles the other night. Or was that me? ;)

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  16. I loved being a beta reader on this novella, Carrie! Thank you for the honor :) Love & {{hugs}}

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    1. Thanks, ANNE! Hey, I have to get your part of the interview ready and Noela's. No rest for the weary, haha! Big hugs!!!

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  17. Thanks Marian for this interview with Carrie. Carrie, I am so glad GOD helped you get up and around again after your long struggle. We don't ever want to be without you in our lives. You are truly a wonderful lady. I am so glad I found the OWG blog site. It's always a blessing to listen to this bunch. I would love to win your gift basket. What happened with your Pink party?
    Love you all. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com I have liked, CFP and also liked Cry of Freedom page, and liked Helping Hands blog.

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    1. Pink Party tomorrow night, Maxie!!! If u have a pink picture, post it tomorrow and tell people about the party! I thin after dinner EST around 6 pm. Love u too, Maxie--u r so special to us all! Hugs!!!

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  18. Awesome Interview. I love the color pink, Anne of Green Gables and the writings of Carrie Fancett Pagels!

    CFP and I also "liked" Cry of Freedom and Helping Hands. :)

    winterrose (at) comcast (dot) net

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    1. Louise, thanks! You are so sweet!!! Sounds like we may be kindred spirits! Blessings!

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  19. Fabulous Interview, ladies!!! I truly enjoyed learning more about Carrie. What a special lady she is. Her love and God and others shines through in everything she does. Don't enter me for the book, I'm reading it now, and Loving it!!! Hugs to all...

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    1. THANKS ML, I am so thrilled that you are loving my book! I thought you would enjoy Angelina especially since she has some commonalities with Adalia. You really opened the door for biracial heroines to be introduced into CBA! Blessings!

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  20. Hi Miss Carrie!
    I liked your author page a long time ago CFP, and have liked both Cry of Freedom and Helping Hands today.
    Congratulations on Return to Shirley Plantation! I will be looking forward to the Christmas print release for this era!!
    Thank you for sharing your heart with us today! God is so good to prepare us in advance. His blessings are so great!
    Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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    1. Thanks KATHLEEN! You are such a doll! Hugs!!!

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    2. CQ to you! Looking forward to your journey this week back to Shirley Plantation! Kathleen

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  21. Oh, I enjoyed reading this! Carrie, it's nice to know a more personal side of you. I consider it an honor to be considered your friend, and I'm so happy about your book release. You definitely have a God-inspired talent for writing. I loved reading Return to Shirley Plantation and look forward to reading many, many more books by you! Congratulations on your premier book, and may God continue to bless you richly!
    Many Blessings!
    Nancee

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    1. Thanks so much NANCEE, and love and blessings to you, sweetie!!!

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  22. Well Carrie, I finally made it here. ;) It was so nice doing the interview with you! And we all were very curious to find out what makes you smile. :) Now we know!
    I hope you will also smile when the Pink Party begins.
    HUGS!!

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  23. Hey, Carrie!!! So excited for you. You deserve every bit of success, because you work so hard and you are awesome to help and encourage so many people. Love you, girl!

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  24. Congratulations Carrie !!! it has been such a pleasure getting to know you ~ your kindness just flows in everything you say.. I know your book is going to be top notch ~ because you my friend are. I have started reading it and it is great !! historical southern romance, love it.. you make me see it all in my minds eye !! thank you dear Carrie !!!!

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    1. Thanks so much, CHICKI!!! So glad you came by. I am so glad you are enjoying it. Blessings!

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  25. So happy for you on this, your first of many more releases to come. All the best, Dr. Encourager!

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    1. JULIE, you love to tease me about having my doctorate, lol! But thank you! That is a good title to have. And thank YOU for being such a great encourager and accountability partner. Thanks so very much and I pray you are right!

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  26. A paperback release for Christmas will be something to look forward to.

    CFP

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  27. Come back to the Party, Carrie ~~ we are waiting for your arrival~ Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  28. Thank you Carrie and Marian. Nice to learn more about both of you. Congratulations, Carrie, on your new book.

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