The Writer's Shelf with Kristen L. Berry
The "We Don't Talk About Carol" author on building empathy through fiction and how readers can support debut authors
Welcome back to The Writer’s Shelf, a series where I chat with my favorite authors about their creative process, the moments that shaped their work, and, of course, the books they recommend reading.
Have you ever read a book so good that you immediately wanted to talk to the author after? That’s what happened when I finished We Don’t Talk About Carol, a suspenseful debut about a former true crime journalist who seeks to uncover the truth about the mysterious disappearance of an aunt she never even knew existed.
In this country, missing Black girls and women rarely get the attention or care their stories deserve, but this book tackled the subject with such care that I knew I had to reach out to Kirsten to learn more. One cold email later, and here we are.
Below, she shares details on the first scene she wrote, how she juggles writing alongside a full-time job, and the small but powerful ways readers can support debut authors.
Kristen, tell us a little about yourself! What would we find on the back flap of a dust jacket?
I’m a writer, communications executive, and voracious reader living in L.A. My debut novel, We Don’t Talk About Carol, was released in June, fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming a published author. On the rare occasions when I’m not reading or writing, I can be found lifting heavy at the gym, hiking in Malibu, eating my way through Los Angeles with my husband, or shouting at the latest Formula 1 race.
Describe your book in three words.
Gripping. Emotional. Hopeful.
What was the 'aha!' moment or little seed that planted this story idea in your mind?
I’d been fascinated by true crime for several years by the time I started this novel back in 2020. And during one of my long, socially distanced walks while listening to a true crime podcast, I learned that there are some disturbing discrepancies when it comes to the cases of missing people of color. For example, Black Americans are going missing at a disproportionately high rate, yet our cases are less likely to be covered in the media and are also less likely to be solved.
I think fiction is a powerful tool for creating awareness and building empathy for the experiences and challenges of others. By humanizing this very real problem through an emotionally fraught and suspenseful story, I hope to shed more light on this issue and maybe open a few hearts along the way.
If your book had a theme song, what would it be?
My novel is threaded with diary entries from Carol, written in the years leading up to her disappearance at age seventeen in 1965. To get into her mindset, I often listened to music she might have loved at the time—and I even added those song titles beneath the dates of her entries.
Carol idolized Mary Wells and dreamed of following in her footsteps at Motown, so I listened to a lot of her music, too. One song in particular, “When I’m Gone,” really struck a chord. It echoes several themes from the novel: the contrast between how a person presents a relationship in public versus in private, the experience of feeling trapped in something toxic, and the moment you finally reach your breaking point. Listening to it on repeat helped me tap deeply into Carol’s emotions.
Are you more of a plotter or a pantser when it comes to writing?
I was a total pantser when it came to We Don’t Talk About Carol! I really connected with that classic writing analogy of drafting a story like driving through fog, only able to see a few feet in front of my headlights. I kept imagining the story from the reader’s perspective and asking myself, What would be the most compelling, satisfying, or page-turning thing that could happen next?
And it worked—though I truly had no idea how the novel was going to end until I was about three-quarters of the way through the first draft. If you’re shocked by the ending, just know that I was, too!
What was the very first scene you wrote for We Don’t Talk About Carol, and did it end up making it into the final version?
The prologue in the final version of the novel was the first scene I wrote!
If you put my first draft and final draft side by side—like one of those “spot the difference” puzzles—they’d look almost identical at first glance. The core of the story remained the same. But through thoughtful feedback from my writing group, book club friends, agent, and editor, the novel gained important additional depth and detail.
For example, in early drafts, the reader only learned about Carol through what Sydney could uncover—mainly conversations with people who had known her. But my editor suggested weaving in diary entries from Carol herself, so readers could hear her voice directly. That change made a meaningful difference. It brought Carol to life in a new way.
What's your ideal writing setup? Do you have any rituals that help you get in the zone?
My husband and I recently rearranged our apartment so we each have our own dedicated workspaces, and I was able to design my ideal writing room—complete with a standing desk, walking pad, daybed, and plenty of bookshelves. I feel so fortunate to have a space that’s just mine.
I do my best writing first thing in the morning, often before the sun is up. There’s something magical about that liminal space before emails, texts, and responsibilities start flooding in. I make a giant mug of coffee, fill the room with soft golden light from my favorite lamps, turn on my aromatherapy diffuser, pick an instrumental playlist that matches the mood of what I’m writing, and settle in.
Writing while working full-time is no easy feat. What’s one tip that helped you stay consistent or motivated through it all?
My first instinct is to evangelize time-blocking—which I still swear by—but I recently wrote a Substack post about how I’m learning there’s a big difference between managing your time and managing your energy. Just because there’s an open hour on my calendar doesn’t mean I have the capacity to fill it with more output.
Different tasks also require different kinds of energy. For instance, recording a podcast (which makes me nervous!) takes a bigger toll on me than offering notes on a friend’s manuscript. Keeping this in mind has helped me plan my time more realistically, be gentler with myself, and turn down additional commitments I don’t have the bandwidth for.
What’s your favorite way to celebrate finishing a draft?
I need to get better at this! When I finished the final revision of We Don’t Talk About Carol and was ready to start querying agents, I just took a walk around my neighborhood—then came straight back to my computer to send out my first batch of query letters.
More recently, I turned in the first draft of the second novel in my two-book deal, and it just so happened to fall on the same day as an anniversary dinner with my husband. That was a happy accident—and a reminder that I should probably plan my celebrations more intentionally!
As a debut author, how do you deal with the pressure to be everywhere and do everything while still staying focused on what matters to you?
Honestly, the pressure is real—and I definitely feel it. There’s always a voice whispering that I should be doing more, posting more, showing up everywhere. But I’ve learned that trying to chase every opportunity or algorithm only leaves me feeling overwhelmed and scattered.
Time-blocking helps me stay grounded. It lets me see where my time is going—and whether it aligns with what I value. I try to focus my energy where I can make the most meaningful impact. For example, I could spend hours making TikToks without seeing a meaningful lift in book sales. So while I do show up on social media when I can, I don’t prioritize it the way I prioritize writing Book Two and dreaming up Book Three. Because the best thing I can offer—both to readers and to my future self—is to keep writing the best books I can.
How can readers best support debut authors?
Pre-ordering a book makes a huge difference! It signals to publishers, booksellers, and other readers that there’s real interest, and it can be a strong early indicator of a book’s success.
Requesting the book at your local bookstore or library helps, too—as does leaving positive reviews on platforms like Goodreads, StoryGraph, and Amazon. Spreading the word to friends, book clubs, or on social media is also incredibly impactful.
And don’t underestimate the power of a kind comment! Engaging with an author’s social media or sending them an email to share encouragement or excitement can mean more than you realize. Promoting a debut novel is often a vulnerable experience, and a little support goes a long way.
Your shelves—organized by color, genre, or author? Genre, then author :)
A book on your shelf that means the most to you: One of the most meaningful books I own is a memoir of sorts from my mother, created through Storyworth. The service prompts loved ones to answer customized questions over time, which are then compiled into a hardcover book with photos and a beautifully designed cover. It’s become a treasured keepsake—full of memories, reflections, and stories I might never have heard otherwise.
A book you believe everyone should have on their shelf: I recently purchased a beautifully illustrated hardback edition of Octavia E. Butler’s essay A Few Rules for Predicting the Future, and I think it should be required reading for everyone. In just a few pages, Butler offers clear-eyed wisdom on the importance of learning from the past to understand humanity and break destructive cycles, recognizing the consequences of our choices, and embracing the influence we have over what comes next.
I love the essay’s closing line: “Because, most of all, our tomorrow is the child of our today. Through thought and deed, we exert a great deal of influence over this child, even though we can’t control it absolutely. Best to think about it, though. Best to try to shape it into something good. Best to do that for any child.”
A book on your shelf you wish you could read for the first time again: Gone Girl! I’ll never forget the first time I reached the novel’s epic twist.
A book on your shelf that you’d be excited to see adapted into a movie: My friend Sophie Stava’s debut novel, Count My Lies, is being adapted into a series for Hulu starring Lindsay Lohan, and I can’t wait to watch it. The novel was such a twisty, turny, cinematic read—I’m confident that it will translate beautifully on screen.
Quirky or unusual items on your shelf alongside your books: It’s not exactly unusual, but I love displaying books and trinkets that remind me of special trips. There’s a boutique in Venice called Burro, filled with beautifully curated books, paper goods, candles, home items, and all sorts of wonderful things. On each of my last two visits, I’ve come across a prominently displayed Rizzoli guidebook for a city I’d recently fallen in love with. At this rate, I may have to collect them all!
Here’s where to find and support Kristen’s work:
Check out Kristen’s website: www.kristenlberry.com
Subscribe to her newsletter: Books Are Life
Follow Kristen on Instagram @kristenlberry and TikTok @kristenlberry
Thank you so much for featuring me on your wonderful newsletter, Alexis! This was such a treat 😊
Thank you for sharing your interview with Kristen Berry! It will be my next fiction novel I’ll read when I’m done with my current read! In addition, it gave me a glimpse of the power of commitment and passion into completing a project.