In this delightful conversation, Sarah Arthur discusses her journey as a writer, the themes explored in her Carrick Hall series, and the influence of classic authors like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien on her work. She delves into the creative process behind her books, the importance of world-building, and the transition from nonfiction to fiction writing. Sarah also shares insights on writing in community, the role of reader feedback, and her connection to Madeleine L'Engle's legacy. As she prepares for the release of her...
In this delightful conversation, Sarah Arthur discusses her journey as a writer, the themes explored in her Carrick Hall series, and the influence of classic authors like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien on her work. She delves into the creative process behind her books, the importance of world-building, and the transition from nonfiction to fiction writing. Sarah also shares insights on writing in community, the role of reader feedback, and her connection to Madeleine L'Engle's legacy. As she prepares for the release of her third book, she reflects on the interconnectedness of stories and the importance of acknowledging our shared humanity.
Sarah Arthur is a fun-loving speaker and the bestselling author of a dozen books for teens and adults, including Once a Castle, Book 2 of the Carrick Hall Novels (WaterBrook; on sale 2/11/25) the bestselling and the Christy Award-nominated Once a Queen, Book 1 of the Carrick Hall Novels. Among other nerdy adventures, she has served as preliminary fiction judge for the Christianity Today Book Awards, was a founding board member of the annual C. S. Lewis Festival in Northern Michigan, and codirects the Madeleine L’Engle Writing Retreats. Sarah worked with young people in various settings for more than 20 years. She lives in Michigan with her husband Tom and their preteen/teen sons, whose feedback on her fiction both harrows and delights her soul. Connect with Sarah at SarahArthur.com and @HolyDreaming on social media.
Links:
Saraharthur.com
https://www.lenglewritingretreats.com/
https://www.cslewisfestival.org/
https://bookshop.org/shop/sarah-arthur
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Sarah Arthur and Her New Book
04:42 The Creative Process Behind the Carrick Hall Series
07:36 Exploring Themes of Loss and Faith in Once a Queen
10:43 Character Development and Multi-Generational Relationships
13:38 Influences of Lewis and Tolkien on Sarah's Writing
16:41 World Building in the Carrick Hall Series
19:45 Navigating Backstory and Reader Engagement
28:01 Character Insights and Truth-Telling
29:38 The Writing Process: Fiction vs Nonfiction
31:49 The Importance of Reader Feedback
33:38 Writing in Community: The Role of Writers' Groups
36:30 The Impact of Madeleine L'Engle on Writing
38:17 The Evolution of Writing Retreats
41:42 C.S. Lewis Festival: Community and Literature
42:38 Upcoming Works and Themes in Writing
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