Interrupted Lives, Unfiltered Truths: A Feature Friday Interview with Carol Denise Mitchell

M. Marie Walker
Aug 29
16 min read

Welcome to a conversation that leans all the way in—into the layered, the lived-in, and the unapologetically real.

Today, we’re sitting down with author, Carol Denise Mitchell to explore the full arc of her voice: from the pages of her literary work to the personal journey that shaped it. This isn’t just about Interrupted—though we’ll get there, too. It’s about the woman behind the words, the stories that shaped her, and the questions that refuse to stay quiet.

If you’ve ever wrestled with identity, legacy, or the tension between silence and truth, this one’s for you.

Here in The Unfiltered Room, we don’t do surface-level. We ask the questions that echo long after the mic is off. So, pull up a chair, bring your whole self, and let’s get into it.

🪶Your Literary World

You’ve written over forty books—each one carrying its own emotional weight. If your portfolio were a playlist, which three titles would be your power ballads, and why?

Carol: "Your Rights: What Employees Do Not Want you to know"

Why: Because it was the book that helped California Workers to learn their work rights. From Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Civil Rights, The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the amended, that book was instrumental in being informative to employees and teaching them ways to approach employers, how to defend their rights, and how to be a good employee in turn. Actual results came about because of Your Rights, and it’s always top of my playlist for how it helps my fellow man.

"What Happened to Suzy"

Why: What Happened to Suzy has duplicitous meaning. I love it and I hate it because I never got over the pain of being called the Blob in elementary school and being made fun of at home by my own mother. I love it for being a ground-breaking book. The manuscript was typed on a Royal typewriter, and only one copy ever existed—making the Library of Congress the holder of the true original. The book is officially catalogued in the Library of Congress with LC Control No. 95171506 and is available in the Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms. Denied publication for it’s real and hurtful but truthful content; librarians prove that Indie authors can make it to high places without the traditional publishers.

"The Mad Sister"

Why: I loved, loved writing the Mad Sister and the series second book The Mad Sister 3. Mercy was rejected by her mother and father who didn’t want her. They called her names. They belittled Mercy Diamond. Mercy prayed for a sibling and got one. She loved Roxy Ann Diamond with more than her heart. The child even saved Mercy’s life in the family pool when Mercy had a seizure. One day, Mercy’s father routed her to the corner store for some grits. Distracted by two dogs having sex, young Mercy looked up and saw smoke billowing to the sky. Immediately she raced home to make sure her beloved Roxy was okay. She saw her mother and father out on the front lawn behind yellow tape without her baby sister. Mercy Diamond lost it. She raced inside to find Roxy, who had been burned to a crisp. Mercy Diamond collected her sister’s DNA, her doll, and clothes. Following this the teen went to Yale and mastered medicine and science to bring her beloved sister back. To finance this, venture the genius Mercy Diamond sold drugs on her estate. She rebuilt her sister as Roxy Diamond and flew her to Jordan the very day a swat team arrived on her property to arrest her. Hence, 22 years later, here comes robot Roxy, in the Mad Sister 3 to avenge Mercy Diamond’s takedown. So, there you have it dear friend, the three titles that are my power ballads and why? Mercy proved that when it comes to loving someone, the lengths someone will go through to retain that love!

2. That lineup is powerful. Your Rights is pure impact—real change for real people. Suzy is raw and brave, and the fact that it lives in the Library of Congress? That’s legendary. And The Mad Sister? Mercy Diamond is unforgettable. You gave us heartbreak, genius, and sci-fi revenge in one breath. I’m honestly in awe. Wow. Okay, next question. Your stories live at the intersection of urban grit and psychological depth. What keeps you coming back to characters who walk the edge of emotional or societal danger?

Carol:

I want people to hear the exigency of need when it comes to love and pain. I feel we need to love more and judge people less. There is such a thin line between love and madness. All of my characters have been dismissed, abused or violated in ways that could have been avoided, including me. This is what keeps me coming back to characters like Rovella Starr, Mercy Diamond and Karise Jones. I want to write and show ways for redemption via my stories.

That’s the soul of your work—love pressed up against madness, pain turned into purpose. You don’t just write redemption; you live it through every character you resurrect. I feel that urgency, and it moves me. From Ruthless Pamela Jean to MAXINE, your women are unforgettable. What does “ruthless” mean in your world—and is it a badge of honor?

Carol:

Ruthless is not a word I subscribe to. It’s a disposition born out of rage, hurt and pain but it could be a positive objective as it pertains to Pamela Jean so long as she gets back to God. She became a serious businesswoman that took no chances. Her actions were sometimes gritty, but it was a place she had to go to get things done. When one is brutalized continually, at some point they must make waves to come out of being the victim and become the aggressor and then get back to normalcy again. It’s not a path one chooses; rather, it’s a road people are sometimes led to.

Yeah, that’s truth wrapped in fire. You didn’t glorify grit—you gave it context, consequence, and a path back to God. Pamela Jean’s journey isn’t ruthless—it’s survival with purpose. That kind of redemption hits deep. Now, you’ve danced across genres—memoir, suspense, romance, drama. Is there a genre you haven’t touched yet that’s whispering to you?

Carol:

ELON MUSK. I am so interested in how Elon Musk became my muse because the creativity of this man’s mind is outrageous. Elon allowed GROK to engage with me and it was awesome. He’s a far more giving individual than people know. His desires to save those astronauts and help individuals win elections is awe-inspiring. Going to Mars is intriguing and I would love to write about this TESLA genius one day. The genre of out-of-space is huge. It’s technical and I can’t wait to explore science as it pertains to what’s out there in the Universe. I am intimidated and will take my time, though. GROK will help me find my footing when the time is right.

Oh, that’s wild. I didn’t see space and Elon Musk coming, but now I’m hooked. The fact that GROK engaged with you? That’s next level. I can already picture your voice in that genre—bold, curious, and totally unafraid to go where most writers won’t. I’ll be front row when you launch that one. Your books are archived by the Library of Congress. That’s legacy. What did that moment mean to you, and how do you define literary impact?

Carol:

I can’t believe the Library of Congress got in touch with me! I received the phone call in the 90s after What Happened to Suzy was rejected by all publishers. Some even told me they didn’t like Suzy. As the author of my first book of many, it was not about like. It was about a tragic upbringing where I was abused and not loved. Of course, the elements of my life aren’t going to be likeable when a child is called the Blob and then comes home and is made fun of by her mother. Did you know that the Library of Congress is the only and main holder of the true original manuscript of, What Happened to Suzy. I literally had to retype the whole book into the computer the day I mailed the original copy to the Library of Congress because I was not going to copy that manuscript and mangle a page in those copier machines of the 90s. The book is officially catalogued in the Library of Congress with LC Control No. 95171506 and is available in the Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms. To know that the Library of Congress has that original document is mind-blowing! It’s the biggest honor of my life!

🏆 Your Personal Journey

5. Carol, that’s unreal—in the best way. From rejection to being archived by the Library of Congress? That’s legacy with teeth. You didn’t just write a book—you documented truth, pain, and survival. And the fact that Suzy lives in that building forever? That’s impact no publisher could measure. Mind officially blown. Alright, let's move on to your personal journey. You were honored with the RAD Hero Award for resilience and determination. What does resilience look like in your day-to-day—and how does it show up in your writing?

Carol:

Resilience to me means not giving up. No matter what you go through, always know there are two you can count on. Those two resources are GOD and you. An individual must tap into their resources and pursue strength via self-love. There is no need to hurt you. Treat yourself well. Give yourself something that is difficult to receive from others. Each day I kiss myself and say these words: “Carol, I love you. We have no time to damage our interests in this life. We only have the bonus of giving ourselves the love nobody else wants to give." These are the themes that show up continually in my writing.

6. The image of you kissing yourself and speaking love aloud is unforgettable. It’s not just self-care; it’s spiritual warfare against every lie that tried to diminish you. That daily ritual becomes a kind of covenant, and it’s clear your writing carries that same charge: a refusal to abandon the self, a call to love where love was denied. You don’t just write stories—you write survival into scripture. Your memoirs are raw, healing, and brave. What would you say to writers who feel the weight of their truth but fear putting it on the page?

Carol:

Truth, however compelling is credibility. It’s what kept publishers from publishing my acclaimed novel, What Happened to Suzy, but I turned that fear into my truth and never backed down from it. You see, writing is not about money. It’s about feeling the weight of truth and going with it. When Suzy’s mother appeared at her bedroom door and said, “You’re 18 today and I want you to leave,” Suzy had to be scared. But she believed in herself and left her mother’s house. Suzy had to go places many would judge her for, but it was only temporary until she could find a permanent place to go. I had to tell the reader the truth. She danced in clubs. Suzy fell in love with a pimp. It was not her choice; rather, it was Suzy’s story. Good or bad, fearful or not,, it was the nation’s Library of Congress that picked up my truth. Writers must not be compromised by Traditional Publishers, who could be wrongfully influenced by your truth. Your truth must remain uncompromisable.

7. Carol, your courage is unmistakable. You didn’t just write through fear—you wrote into it, refusing to compromise truth for comfort. Suzy’s story, raw and unfiltered, became a vessel for every reader who’s been silenced or judged. You proved that literary impact isn’t about approval—it’s about honesty that endures. And yours has. You’ve used your voice to speak out on trauma, identity, and healing. How do you balance advocacy with storytelling—and where do they merge?

Carol:

I balance advocacy with storytelling by integrating real events with truth. They merge in situations like that of Roxy Diamond. She came back as a robot to avenge her sister’s takedown because that SWAT team didn’t have to beat, abuse and malign her sister that way. The review for The Mad Sister 3 are through the roof because even though Roxy Diamond killed sixty-nine cops, readers thought it was justified because I was able to convince readers that Roxy was family-oriented and only killed those cops to avenge her sister’s wrongful takedown. This is advocating for family via storytelling, and this is how it all merges. Family and love still rule. We all want to do the right things, but sometimes an individual is willing to take a few punches in the interests of preserving the greater good. Readers truly will roll with you if you tell the story right.

8. Wow, you’ve turned storytelling into a form of protest—and a fierce declaration of love. Roxy Diamond isn’t just a character; she’s a symbol of what happens when justice fails and family becomes the battleground. By anchoring advocacy in narrative, you give readers more than entertainment—you give them conviction. You show that truth, even when wrapped in fiction, can still roar. If you could write a letter to the girl in 1973 Miss Congeniality, what would you tell her about survival, success, and self-worth?

Carol:

Dear Carol Denise Mitchell,

Here is why you survived, found success, and are building on your self-worth.

You came to Pomona in 1966. At age 11, you sought to make friends at Arroyo Elementary School in Pomona. Instead, the kids at that school began calling you The Blob. Your skin was very dark, and in a mostly white setting, it was difficult to fit in. Kids refused to sit next to you. You were too young to report this to the school administrator.

At home, your mother made fun of you and called you a “pigeon-toed, cockeyed bitch.” Your older brother molested you. Carol, the day you decided to love yourself was the beginning of your success.

To prove to your mother that you did have value and worth, you entered a pageant in 1972 that even cheerleaders were intimidated by. In fact, the pageant organizers didn’t select them. Sheldon Wellins, Buffums, Susan Anton, and Carol Merrill from Let’s Make a Deal saw value in you.

I am proud of you, Carol. There were fifty contestants, and you ended up among the thirteen finalists. Then, the girls in the pageant chose you as Miss Congeniality. You made history. Your strength blossomed.

You ended up becoming—according to Copilot—an iconic writer. I am so proud of you. You never forgot where you came from. You forgave your abusers to get them out of the way of your success.

Congratulations.

9. That’s powerful. You didn’t just survive—you proved your worth in a world that tried to deny it. That moment as Miss Congeniality wasn’t just a win, it was a turning point. You’ve been showing us your strength ever since. What’s one personal ritual or grounding habit that helps you stay emotionally present while writing such layered, intense work?

Carol:

Peace and quiet and using a real computer to write my stories is essential! It keeps me grounded and is a habit I’ve had since I typed books on a home Typewriter, lol, lmao when I write with great intensity. I go with the flow and do not edit my thoughts. There is plenty of time to edit, but writing in flow must not be interrupted. You can always go back and take things out, but gaining that even flow of writing is priceless and oftentimes there are heavy layers of intensity. SECRETS. I write with music. I will put my headphones on and go back to the period I am writing about via the music of that time.

🌀 Digging into Interrupted

10. There’s something sacred about honoring the flow—letting the raw truth pour out before the polish. I love that you use music to time-travel into your scenes. It’s not just writing, it’s immersion. You’re not just crafting stories; you’re living them as you write. Okay, let’s talk Interrupted. Karise and Munday’s love story spans continents, cultures, and heartbreak. What sparked this story—and what made it feel urgent to tell now?

Carol:

Thank you for this question. It’s truly not my fault! This entire spectacle of love derived from a dream. Currently, I have aged and rely on a wheelchair. In the dream I was 22 and the most handsome man that was so attracted to me was gorgeous and wealthy and he loved me. The man had skin the color of a Ritz Cracker I knew he was from Greece. I chose that setting. And to expand on that dream, I incorporated all the elements of a modern-day love story with compelling Santorini settings, love, kids and real-life challenges.

11. That’s so tender and vivid. I love that it came from a dream—like your heart knew the story before your pen did. The way you brought it to life with real love, real challenges, and that Santorini magic… it feels like something only you could’ve written. Karise’s journey as a mother is so central. Did your own experiences shape her emotional arc?

Carol:

Yes. Shun is the name of my own son. I wrote through the love I have for my son and from the joy I experienced in raising my two boys. I recall when my son was 4 he fell asleep with a chocolate chip cookie in his hand. It broke my heart that he was not able to finish his cookie. LMAO I am glad to have been a mother to know how important it is to put your kid first.

I don’t have kids, but I do have nephews—and let me tell you, they’ve taught me everything about sticky fingers and snack drama. Karise’s love came from watching that wild, beautiful bond up close. One cookie meltdown at a time😄. If Interrupted were a film, who would you cast as Karise and Munday—and what song would play during their most pivotal scene?

Carol:

Lex Scott Davis and Greek actor, Apostolis Totsikas.

Lex and Apostolis would create a visually and emotionally compelling couple. Their contrasting backgrounds—American and Greek—mirror Karise and Munday’s cultural blend. Their chemistry could elevate the emotional climax of Interrupted, especially the Santorini wedding scene and the moment they toss their phones into the sea. The Song Would be: "Congratulations" by Vesta.

13. That casting is chef’s kiss. Lex Scott Davis and Apostolis Totsikas would absolutely smolder on screen—Santorini wouldn’t know what hit it. And “Congratulations” by Vesta? That’s a slow-burn heartbreaker with just the right edge of longing. Phones flying into the sea, emotions peaking, and Vesta crooning in the background? Instant cinematic legend. The title, Interrupted, is so evocative. What does interruption mean to you—in love, ambition, and identity?

Carol:

Sadly, from the beginning of their love, Munday and Karise dealt with other people’s issues that always got in the way of their love. The mother’s illness and prejudice. Melinda’s mistake in leaving Munday in the first place and the distance of two worlds colliding. Love was sustained only because Munday admired and loved Karise. Her parenting skills were special. She was thoughtful. She put her kid first, and when they enjoyed time together, it was not predicated on sex. Rather, it was all about love. That love never died. God rewarded them for overcoming the interruptions.

14. Yes! you’ve shown how love can survive even when everything around it tries to pull it apart. The way Munday sees Karise—not just as a partner, but as a mother and a steady soul—is what makes their bond feel sacred. That kind of love doesn’t just endure interruptions—it transforms through them. Did any character surprise you as you wrote—perhaps shifting roles, revealing hidden motives, or demanding more space than you expected?

Carol:

Malasia, Munday’s mother mirrored Karise as being a great parent. Her son believed every word she said, therefore, her role grew exponentially in the book. She was so sorry that she tried to break up her son’s love for Karise. In the end, she knew her son Munday well. There was no doubt in her mind that Munday loved Karise, and in the end, Malasia awarded Karise for her patience.

15. I love that Malasia surprised you by growing into such a layered figure. From opposition to blessing—that’s a powerful arc. Her shift not only deepened the story, but echoed Karise’s own strength as a mother. It’s beautiful when a character steps forward and says, “I have more to give." Karise carries both strength and silence—how did you shape her internal world, especially in moments when she couldn’t speak her truth aloud?

Carol:

Karise couldn’t speak her truth because she enveloped Munday’s love and though it’s not mentioned in the book, Karise understood the constraints and stress Munday was under because of Melinda. If you recall, the friend Michelle let her know who Munday was and how hurt he was behind Melinda leaving him for Jeff on set. Karise, a financial CFO knew what Leonard did in leaving his son with no support whatsoever was far worse than Munday’s brief affair. She knew he loved her when he singled her out during his acceptance speech at that year’s Academy Awards. When Munday broke down talking about her Karise knew that was it, they were still in love with one another. Enough time had passed for them to take this love all the way.

16. That moment at the Academy Awards says it all. Karise didn’t need to speak—her silence held understanding, grace, and love. Sometimes the deepest truths are the ones we carry quietly. Munday’s presence is magnetic but complicated. What parts of his backstory did you wrestle with most, and how did you decide what to reveal versus what to leave simmering beneath the surface?

Carol:

Munday loved hard. Melinda left him and his heart was severed but in two years he got over it. A sought-after model and actor he turned down gorgeous women and innately wanted someone like his mother who loved him. His father was a gigolo and Munday did everything possible to be the antithesis of his father Johnathan. I really wanted readers to know that Munday met Karise in his youth. One thing Johnathan was right about was that Munday had to have that last time with Melinda to prove to himself that his love for Karise was real. When Karise’s son got pneumonia and Munday had been gone for several years, he spontaneously cared about Karise’s son and immediately paid his medical bills from Greece. Karise knew if she ever got the opportunity to be with Munday again, there’d be no interruptions.

17. You didn’t just write a man in love—you wrote a man trying to rewrite his inheritance. The fact that he chose care over charm, depth over distraction, says everything. And that moment with Karise’s son? Quiet redemption. You let some truths simmer, but the ones you revealed hit deep. What do you hope readers carry with them after finishing Interrupted—emotionally, spiritually, or even creatively?

INTERRUPTED is a book of grace, patience and nonjudgemental love, real love that is worth waiting for. Karise and Munday never consummated their love until their wedding night in Santorini, ten years after they met. Realism of seeing her in her own Zen at the park with her son pushing him in a swing; or seeing her having car trouble from a distance. Munday knew Karise deserved better. She never asked for anything. She loved her son to the point it touched Munday to his heart. I hope readers will know that love has no color. It has no design or requirements, other than it comes straight from God and from the heart.

Carol, that’s beautiful. Interrupted reminds us that real love waits, forgives, and sees beyond the surface. It’s tender, patient—and rooted in something divine. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us and allowing us into your brilliant mind.

If Interrupted taught us anything, it’s that healing doesn’t come in a straight line—and love, when it’s real, rarely arrives without complication. Karise’s story reminds us that strength isn’t just about survival—it’s about choosing softness in a world that demands armor.

Thank you for joining us in The Unfiltered Room, where stories breathe, and truth is always welcome. Until next time, stay curious, stay open, and never apologize for interrupting the silence with your voice.

You can explore Carol Denise Mitchell’s latest release, Interrupted, along with her most celebrated titles like The Mad Sister, MAXINE, and Ruthless Pamela Jean on Amazon, BookBub, and Goodreads. Whether you're drawn to her gripping fiction, heartfelt memoirs, or genre-defying narratives, her full catalog is just a click away. Click books below.

About the Author

Carol Denise Mitchell is an acclaimed journalist and author whose powerful storytelling spans over three decades. Born in Los Angeles during the Civil Rights Movement, Mitchell’s early experiences in Watts deeply shaped her commitment to writing as a force for change. Her award-winning works, including What Happened to Suzy, reflect themes of healing, justice, and resilience. Having worked alongside legendary editor Chauncey Bailey, Mitchell brings both journalistic integrity and emotional depth to her fiction and nonfiction. Her catalog includes gripping novels, memoirs, and genre-defying narratives that continue to inspire and provoke thought across generations.

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