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I love podcasts that follow a journey or a story. So when I found Claire Swinarski’s Making a Middle Grade podcast, which follows the journey of a story, I couldn’t stop listening.

In Making a Middle Grade, Claire leads us through the creation of her debut novel What Happens Next (Amazon Affiliate Link), from idea to bookstore. Now, Claire has another middle-grade novel coming out in May, called The Kate in Between.

Just read this blurb for The Kate in Between (Amazon Affiliate Link):

“Twelve-year-old Saves Best Friend’s Life. Well, that’s what the headline says. The reality? Kate McAllister hasn’t been friends with Haddie Marks in months. And the reason Haddie fell through the ice in the first place? It was Kate’s fault. Nothing has been the same since Kate’s mom abruptly moved to Utah without her. Kate thought a change would help—something to make her outsides look and feel better than her insides—but joining Taylor Tobbit’s clique has come with a price: leaving her best friend Haddie in the dust. If Kate’s mom could turn her back on her old life so easily, why can’t Kate? But being friends with a girl like Taylor isn’t easy. Especially when Taylor decides that her next target is Haddie. And when things get out of hand that day on the frozen pond—with Haddie plunging into arctic-cold water and Kate rescuing her—Kate’s life becomes even more unrecognizable: she’s hailed as a hero. But Kate knows the truth…and it’s eating her up inside. With so much at stake—her past friendship with Haddie, her present friendship with Taylor—Kate must decide who she wants to be in the future: a liar, a follower, or something greater?”

Doesn’t that make you want to preorder a copy right now?

In the interview below, Claire talks about the redemptive power of storytelling, how stories point us toward truth, rejection, and so many other good things.

Read on to learn more about Claire and her writing!

What inspired you to begin your writing journey?

Claire: “I’ve wanted to be a writer ever since I can remember. I truly think it’s just a desire I was born with, thanks be to God! But I decided to start pursuing a writing career professionally when I was in college. It took about five more years for me to sell my first novel.”

What inspired your most recent story?

Claire: “The Kate in Between was inspired by quite a few things. For starters, I was intrigued by the way ‘video evidence’ is being used to tell stories. Video can often be manipulated, edited, etc. to tell a different story than what actually happened, but that doesn’t mean our culture isn’t quick to condemn or defend. I wanted to see what would happen if that played out on a girl who was already confused about her identity and where she belonged. I was also inspired by the rise of multi-level marketing companies among women my age–Kate’s mom gets caught up knee-deep in a pyramid scheme, and I was fascinated by how that would affect her kid. Lastly, my own middle school days were full of a lot of tumult, and I think my classmates may spot bits of themselves in a few of the characters!”

Why do stories matter?

Claire: “Stories matter because they can point us towards truth. Truth is such a hard thing to figure out, especially when you’re twelve, and stories help make that path a little clearer. They can be our companions when we feel lonely, our guides when we’re feeling lost, and our friends when we’re feeling angry. Jesus used stories constantly when trying to explain God, and I aim to do the same thing. Stories were incredibly foundational to my childhood and I hope that the stories I write can do the same for kids growing up today.”

What is a message you’re particularly passionate about sharing with your readers?

Claire: “The power of redemption! I think in our current culture, we’re very obsessed with painting people as heroes or villains. But that’s simply not true. We all have good and bad within us, and we’re choosing the good or bad every single day. There is nobody on this earth who is pure evil–especially not a 12-year-old. There’s also nobody on this earth who’s a saint just yet. People are complex, and our desire to sort them into simple good vs. bad boxes is to our detriment.”

What have you learned about God, our Creator, through your personal creative process?

Claire: “I think my main lesson has been about my identity as a daughter. Being in publishing gives so many opportunities for wild ups and melancholic downs. You’re either devastated because your book isn’t selling well, or flying high because you got a great review, or disappointed because you didn’t get the advance you were hoping for, or thrilled because your agent likes your new project. I would be so emotionally all over the place if I didn’t have a firm rooting in Christ! I know that being a “writer” isn’t my calling in life–being a daughter of God is. That allows me to have this profession and not go absolutely bananas. Do I call my mom and sob sometimes? Absolutely. But at the end of the day, I know who and whose I am.”

When it comes to your writing, have you ever followed God into something that made you feel scared or uncomfortable? What was the outcome?

Claire: “Yes! I actually wrote an entire novel in verse. That is something I never, ever thought I would attempt! And guess what? This story would be so lovely if my agent and editor absolutely loved it and purchased it. Instead, it got rejected–ha! But I love that story. Because God didn’t promise us successful book deals, or worldly delights. He promised us love. And I truly felt a lot of His love, and was able to express that love, through writing that project. It was such an important reminder for me. I truly don’t regret a second of writing that book–it was so fun, so challenging, and so different than anything I’ve ever done. Sometimes God wants us to do things for reasons that still feel unknown, but that’s where the real trust kicks in.”

What is one of your greatest dreams or goals for the future?

Claire: “Oh, my goodness–I have so many! I’d really like to try another genre, specifically picture books or adult books. I’d love to do a project for American Girl, which seems so random, but I’m a huge AG fan! Lastly, I’d love to see one of my books in a Scholastic book fair catalog. It’s the little things, y’know?!”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Claire Swinarski is the author of multiple books, including What Happens Next and The Kate In Between. Her writing has been featured in The Washington Post, Seventeen, Milwaukee Magazine, and many other publications. A born and raised Wisconsinite, she lives just outside of Milwaukee with her husband and two kids. 

You can follow her on Instagram @claireswinarski, connect with her on Twitter, or visit her on her website, claireswinarski.com. 

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