I was labelled 'teacher' and encouraged to train for a real job when I objected, saying I'd like to be an artist even an author. She pointed to each girl, teacher, bank, nurse, teacher, bank, nurse. The Head Teacher studied our exam results. 'I might write books when I grow up,' I told my cousin.Īt eighteen, it was time to line up for career advice at school.

Here were the mothers, fathers, shopkeepers, teachers and nuns I knew so well in the many places I lived and visited with my family in England, Wales and Ireland. Stumbling through the difficult words and the naughty bits, I found the characters, mood and dialogue pulled me into a familiar world. Taking what he said to heart, I promptly found a copy of Edna O'Brien's The Country Girls on top of my father's wardrobe. Parents 'hide dirty books and stuff' on top of their dressers. Moe: Looking back was there something in particular that helped you to decide to become a writer? Did you choose it or did the profession choose you? When did you 'know' you were a writer? Were you a good writer as a child? Teenager? Etc.Ĭarrie Kabak: When I was nine, my cousin let me into a secret. Kabak, born and raised in the United Kingdom, currently lives in Kansa City, Missouri with her husband and their five sons.

With one book on the shelves and another on the way she's finally living the life she knew she always wanted. It wasn't until two years ago she gave in and followed the pull of writing and is now a full time author. Discouraged from following her artistic talent and desires at an early age, Carrie Kabak was educated as a teacher.

Cover the Butter by Carrie Kabak