Articles written by Carrie Neal Walden

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About me - Carrie Neal Walden

I have two first names, Carrie Neal, and go by both of them.

A few months ago, I quit my "first" career in sales and am currently freelancing, working on my first novel and basically trying to "make it" as a published author! I realized my passion for writing

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Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Growing Up: 1 of 78
Drinking Again They knew she was drinking again. She hid the bottles, of course, but Lila was good at finding them. They were the little kind, the wine bottles you could buy in four-packs at any grocery store. Lila sat on the back stoop, waiting for her to come home. She'd found six bottles this time and wondered where the o... More..
Relationships & Family > Dating Commentary Dating: Why it seems all the good men are gone: 5 of 28
Hi, I'm "Well-Deserved" My friend M. and I started the night with a drink at her favorite local spot, then moved on to a late dinner at a place near me. After eating, we wandered out the back stairs of our first stop and up to the patio between the adjacent oyster bar and swanky tapas place that occupy one corner of my neigh... More..
Relationships & Family > The Single Life Singles: The solo dining guide: 4 of 21
Some might consider me an expert at this! Whether I am in a relationship or not, I love to eat out by myself, and I do it on average four nights a week. And we aren't talking McDonald's here! Here's the thing: I think people, women in particular, need to be able to do the things they truly enjoy whether or not they have anot... More..
Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Family: 16 of 44
She sat at the kitchen table, stewing in her thoughts and a mounting rage. The particular brand of fury she entertained on this sunny Wednesday afternoon had a palpable, self-indulgent edge to it. The house was silent as it only was when her children were scattered among activities like preschool, mother's day out, or French... More..
Relationships & Family > Family Life The most significant people in your life: 44 of 117
"Too Much Sugar for a Dime" We called her Gam. She was 96 when she died last weekend and she was one of the best people I've ever had the privilege to know. My "other" grandmother, my beloved godmother's mama, she was an institution in our world. A lady, unrivaled in her class, dignity and manners. Clever and with a delightf... More..
Relationships & Family > Humor & Laughter The importance of humor in relationships: 19 of 48
I had a birthday recently. I was lucky enough to celebrate it with a number of wonderful friends. The thing that connected everyone who gathered that night, the secret ingredient in the Carrie Neal cocktail that made the night a success? A sense of funny. Every single person there was happy to be there, open to meeting one o... More..
Relationships & Family > Communication Issues What do you say to an ex when there are no words left?: 7 of 16
What I Would Say Dear Ex-Husband, It has been over two years since our divorce was final. It has been more than that since I moved out of the house and let you live there while I paid the mortgage as well as my rent until everything was worked out. I turned 31 on August 3rd, which would have been our fifth wedding anniversar... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: The teenage years & growing up: 19 of 42
When Miranda Wore Braces I'm in that Sex And The City episode, was all I could think. The one where Miranda gets braces and Samantha is hired to do a party for a rich thirteen-year-old. My burrito dinner sat largely undisturbed as I listened to conversation unfold at the table next to me. Three pretty teenage girls sat smoki... More..
Relationships & Family > Dating Commentary Dating: Live - and learn: 9 of 19
On Hiatus A few months ago, I took "The Dating Diaries" down from my website out of respect to the person I had started dating. For purposes of this story, I'll call him Great Guy. I had told him I wouldn't write about him in my tales, as I could only imagine how I'd feel in his shoes if I was dating someone with a website, ... More..
Creative Writing > Essays Essays: Self reflection: 86 of 172
I Wasn't An Idiot at Eighteen But I was one at twenty-eight. And at twenty-nine. And the repercussions, and maybe even some of the idiocy, if I'm completely honest, have seeped into my thirties. You see, I was too adult, too early. What do I mean by that? I was every parent's dream. As a college freshman, just barely eightee... More..