Category: The Hidden Legacy

Books, Fiction, The Hidden Legacy

Coming Up Next

Carrie Sue Barnes

Greetings, friends!

Next up on the calendar is a Meet the Author evening at the Plymouth Public Library. Come join me at 6 p.m. on Monday, September 23rd for a candid discussion of my experience of writing and publishing my first novel The Hidden Legacy, and the pursuit of new projects. The journey of it is a shared experience with many individuals who chase their passion while still dedicating themselves to their relationships, families, and other work. I’d love to discuss your questions and curiosities, and learn from your experiences, as well. If you’ve read The Hidden Legacy, or simply want to know more about it, the floor will be open for conversaton on the book too.

Carrie Sue Barnes 2019 FBEvent

If you’re in the area (or anywhere near it!) on Monday, September 23rd, make your way to the Plymouth Public Library at 6 p.m. I’ll be ready to welcome you!

Books, Gratitude, Personal Reflection, The Hidden Legacy, Writing

Oh, What a Day!

Carrie Sue Barnes

My collection of author-life experiences is limited. Growing, thank goodness, but still limited. It could be my lingering newbie status that makes the events of last Tuesday so edifying. Or maybe, no matter how long I’m on this adventure of establishing myself as an author, the shine will never wear off opportunities like these.

After dropping my kids off at school, I rushed up the rainy freeway to Manitowoc for my first radio interview! I walked into the building eager but nervous. Craig at WCUB 980 AM set me at ease though. Once we got rolling, the nervousness evaporated and I felt only the rightness of donning my author hat as I told listeners about The Hidden Legacy. You can listen to the podcast of my interview here. I wasn’t embarrassed while listening to it afterward, so I’m calling it a genuine win!

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The primary reason I had the opportunity to interview on WCUB was to promote my author visit to the Manitowoc Public Library on that same day. That’s right! I didn’t have to remove that author hat after the interview. I kept it in place as I spent an hour with readers at the library. In the previous months, the library quite generously acquired about twenty copies of The Hidden Legacy and chose it for September’s “Morning Book Talk.” Rendering me both humbled and proud, I was told by the facilitor of the group that all twenty copies were checked out! I still can’t state that without grinning.

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Ten individuals who had read the novel, along with Therese (the wonderful and helpful facilitator) and me, enjoyed a thorough discussion of the book, as well as my writing process. It was a dynamic, non-stop conversation that was the stuff of legit author-life. The group had numerous questions for me (we didn’t even touch the prepared discussion questions), and it was a special privilege to hear a few of them share their favorite parts of The Hidden Legacy.

I’ll wrap up this joyful post with a thank you to WCUB 980 AM and Craig on “The Breakfast Club” morning show for the chance to interview. An even bigger thanks goes to the Manitowoc Public Library for their ongoing support of authors and their promotion of literary arts.

Next up, Plymouth Public Library on September 23rd at 6 p.m. See you there, readers!

Books, The Hidden Legacy, Writing

Eventful Times!

Carrie Sue Barnes

Hello, friends!

I’ve updated the Events page with details about upcoming book-related happenings in September and October. Check it out and mark your calendars!

As well, keep an eye out for an announcement soon on how we’ll be celebrating the fast-approaching one year anniversary of the release of The Hidden Legacy. (Anyone enjoy a good GIVEAWAY?)

Until then, may you have good books, bright sunshine, and many reasons to smile!

Carrie Sue

Books, Catholicism, Fiction, The Hidden Legacy, Writing

Sealed With Approval

Carrie Sue Barnes

logo color CWG SOAI’m proud to share that The Hidden Legacy has been awarded the Seal of Approval (SoA) by the Catholic Writers Guild. Simply put, this signifies that the novel has been assessed for qualities that support and faithfully represent the Catholic faith. Sometimes this means a book was written specifically for a Catholic audience. Other times, like with The Hidden Legacy, it is written for a broader audience and its themes and plot make it highly recommendable to Catholic readers.

The SoA is a respected measure for Catholic bookstore owners and reviewers of Catholic works to be reassured that a book is worth their consideration.

With themes of authentic love, self-sacrifice, truth, and hope, The Hidden Legacy offers a story that can inspire and encourage you in your walk of faith. I hope you will consider it for your reading enjoyment!

Family, Personal Reflection, The Hidden Legacy

Biscuits and Kitchen Visits

Carrie Sue Barnes

In Chapter 28 of The Hidden Legacy, Laurel sits at the table in her great-grandmother Annie’s kitchen with a pile of recipe cards in front of her. She searches for one particular, beloved recipe, her great-grandmother’s chicken and biscuits. There are only a few tidbits of my life that found their way into my novel, and this is one of them.

The collection of index cards filled with handwritten ingredients, measurements, and instructions. The flowing, elegant cursive of older generations. Edges bent and stained by splattered sauces and chocolate-stained fingertips. Husbands, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandchildren all fed. A treasure of memories resides in my recipe box.

I’ve been missing my grandmothers. Something about autumn and the approach of the holiday season turns my heart to them each year. Tonight, I cooked for my family those chicken and biscuits, and had my grandmothers there in the kitchen with me for a lovely visit. All that was missing were the cups of tea.

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Personal Reflection, The Hidden Legacy, Writing

All the Feels, As They Say

Carrie Sue Barnes

While I’m not one for trendy phrases and words, the topic at hand qualifies as one to give me “all the feels,” as the cool kids say.

I’m sitting in my car in the office parking lot, feeling the need to write. Write anything. Everything. Scratch the itch. It dawned on me that aside from social media posts, I have not written a single thing since The Hidden Legacy was released. I haven’t even written about the novel being released! Shameful, and causing me a fair amount of restless energy.

Perhaps I ought to state that more clearly: my novel is now available! Puts a smile on my face and warm fuzzies in my heart every single time I say it. Each time someone informs me they bought the book, or sends a photo of their copy, or tells me they’ve begun reading it, it all feels a bit like make-believe. I’m uncertain how long that feeling will last, but I expect (and hope) it will be a while.
The Hidden Legacy has waited the better part of ten years to see the light of day. When someone asks, “how does it feel?” regarding the novel being finally published, it is impossible to pick a single emotion for my reply.

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I am thrilled. The joy runs deep. It rises up and courses through me each and every time I talk with someone about the book.

I am humbled. All the congratulations and kudos for accomplishing this, for following a dream through to completion, are difficult to accept graciously. I’m learning though.

I am curious. Visibility on Amazon isn’t the only reason I frequently encourage people to write a review on Amazon. I am genuinely curious to know what each reader thinks, feels, and gains from reading The Hidden Legacy.

I am intimidated. This status of Author is something I’ve been chasing for years. The notion that I belong in that category though still feels absurd. How do I find my place among the authors who are writing full time, with multiple books, hundreds of reviews, dozens of interviews and book signings, and thousands of online followers? I don’t know the answer to that one yet.

I am proud. This thing that I have done, writing and publishing my first novel, is no small feat. I won’t pretend that it is. I cried when I held my copy in my hands for the first time. This story and its characters are deeply precious to me and I am proud to present them to the world.