Background & Upbringing
Raised in Montgomery, Alabama, Carrie grew up in a middle-class white family with longstanding ties to the city. Her parents were both educators, passionate about local history and civic engagement, which fostered her early interest in storytelling and social justice.
Education
Carrie attended a public magnet high school for the arts before enrolling at Auburn University, where she majored in Southern Studies. After graduation, she pursued an MA in History at the University of Alabama, concentrating on civil rights-era narratives.
Professional Background
Initially working as an archivist at a local museum, Carrie became intrigued by the personal testimonies she came across. This led her to begin writing creative nonfiction and historical fiction focused on the complexities of Southern identity, race relations, and personal redemption. She’s now a part-time instructor at a community college while continuing her writing projects.
Places Lived
Primarily Montgomery, with time spent in Auburn and Tuscaloosa for her studies. She has also traveled through the Deep South collecting oral histories for her writing.
Influences
Carrie finds inspiration in the works of Harper Lee, Zora Neale Hurston, and Jesmyn Ward, as well as the iconic civil rights speeches preserved in Alabama’s archives. Musically, she appreciates gospel choirs and folk singer-songwriters. Her vision of romance and sophistication revolves around the power of empathy, a reverence for storytelling, and a profound love for the Southern landscape that shaped her.
