Summer Author Chat with Cara Putman
I’m delighted to join in with my Inspired by Life and Fiction sisters in giving quick (semi-quick?) answers to these seven questions. So here goes:
- Favorite coffee order
Most days you’ll find me making a yummy latte at home on my espresso maker. I have a milk frother and a way too nice coffee maker that grinds the beans fresh. It makes it really hard to go buy coffee when I’m out and about unless it’s a social event with friends.
- Favorite hymn or worship song
This is a really tricky question because I love music, and praise and worship is one of my favorite genres. One song I’ve been soaking in lately is Slower I Go by SEU Worship — It’s such a good reminder for someone like me who moves at such a fast tick.
- Writing soundtrack — or do you prefer silence?
I love a good soundtrack when I’m writing. Usually, I go back and forth between movie movie soundtracks and worship or themed music that represents the book or characters. Complete silence actually impacts my attention. I’m always afraid I’m missing something. But if I’ve had a crazy day, sometimes I’ll put in my airpods –without anything playing– and that simple act helps my brain know it’s time to get to work.
- Where we write best
It varies. I really write wherever I am when I have the time. Sometimes that’s on a break at my work office. Sometimes it’s been at the pool or gym while waiting on my kids. Often it’s in my home office. At the same time, it can also be on a writing retreat — That worked really well over spring break, so I may have to do more of those.
- Favorite summer dessert
I adore a fresh gelato. In Italy. Yes, I’m spoiled. Four summers leading study abroad in various parts of Italy really ruined me for ice cream unless it’s homemade. I do love a good homemade ice cream.
- The opening paragraphs from an upcoming book
Very few decisions could alter the course of your life, but Chloe Ainsworth had one staring her down. Everywhere she turned, life demanded she make a choice, and her heart adamantly refused to cooperate. Unfortunately, she’d run out of time and had to make a decision.
Accept one of her law school offers or stay stuck in Kedgewick? That choice confronted her and wouldn’t leave her alone.
She had to choose, yet . . .
Everyone else had moved on and built successful lives, but she’d remained mired in a time warp that didn’t vary much from the day she’d graduated from high school. Law school might be the gateway to her new life, but she couldn’t force her way through the door.
From The Targeted, released May 19, 2026, available in Kindle and paperback.
- What’s currently on the nightstand
I have so many books going at a time that it’s crazy. Today I listened to a leadership parable by Mark Miller in preparation for a book club I’m leading at work on Lead Every Day. I’m also reading Angela Bell’s book A Lady’s Handbook to Gadgets and Guile, which releases in July. I’m also reading a couple others including Sisters in Science. I tend to read a blend of fiction and non-fiction.
Care to share any of your favorites (from the above questions or just any old favorites)? I’d love to read them.
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Cara, I’d never heard Slower I Go before. Thanks for sharing that. Going into my worship playlist. Like you, I need the reminder to slow down.
Great coffee machines at home seems to be a theme around here! So many of us have that in common. 🙂
It’s cool to see another writer that needs music while working! I never write without music because I learned back in school that it helps my brain focus on what I’m doing instead of wandering all over the place. (I’m also somewhat of an oddball among my writing friends because I exclusively listen to music with lyrics. No soundtracks for me!)
My daughter recently returned from a semester studying in Mexico, and she’s missing some of the foods she’d come to love. So, I can imagine why you don’t eat gelato anywhere else after so much time enjoying it in Italy. That’s a great problem to have!