For more than 25 years, Michael L. Carter has built a reputation as a disciplined legal mind dedicated to public service. As an attorney and director of contract procurement and compliance for the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Carter oversees the state’s complex contracting processes, which often involve multimillion-dollar agreements. His role requires striking a balance between fiscal responsibility and the mission of helping families and individuals in need.
Discipline as a Guiding Force
Striving for perfection has fueled Carter’s career longevity. This philosophy has sustained him through years of trial work. In his role, he has defended doctors and hospitals in medical malpractice cases and later managed the intricate legal demands of the state government.
Carter’s work has significantly influenced the policies of a critical state agency and helped guide it through a challenging time when the state changed its approach to providing social services to a private sector business model.
A Lifelong Passion Turns Into a New Career
Since graduating from Indiana University McKinney School of Law, Carter has maintained a love for writing. While he had considered pursuing writing as a career, the transition did not happen overnight. “I had to support myself and my family and had all these other priorities,” he says. Once his children were grown, he returned to the creative path with renewed focus.
In 2020, Carter published his debut satirical novel, “In the Belly of the Bell-Shaped Curve.” The story follows an insurance adjuster who seeks meaning in a soul-crushing workplace by introducing chimpanzees that can perform menial labor. “He struggles to live this mundane, boring existence, knowing that there’s a broader, deeper meaning and reality out there,” he says.
Legal Rigor Meets Creative Freedom
The skills Carter honed in law now support his work as a novelist. These traits include an attention to detail, clarity of structure, and patience with complex frameworks. Among the most important attributes is discipline. “I disciplined myself to get up and write for a certain period of time first thing every morning,” he says.
Carter believes that the writing process is similar to long-term training, knowing that daily effort produces cumulative results. “You’re setting a long-term goal to complete this book, but you want to have short-term goals to get so much done by a certain time,” he says.
Although Carter drafts outlines to map out characters and plot, he leaves room for creative exploration. “I’ll sometimes write Chapter twelve before I write Chapter two because maybe that’s where my mind is right there,” he says.
After much creative work, Carter goes into the editing phase with a book, where his legal training resurfaces. Novels, like contracts, must be precise and undergo revision to maintain cohesion and clarity. There’s also a spiritual aspect to how he writes. “There were times while writing my novel when I felt as if God was speaking through me,” he says. The result is work that combines imaginative storytelling with disciplined craftsmanship.
The Power of Reinvention
Carter sees literature as entertainment and a tool to provoke thought about ethics, leadership, and human purpose. His writing often prompts readers to reevaluate the systems they participate in and their own choices. With that in mind, he offers advice for individuals considering a career change.
“First of all, don’t quit your day job,” Carter says. “Once you’ve developed your true career or avocation, then at that point, you can make the switch.” From trial lawyer to public servant to novelist, his journey illustrates the power of reinvention.
The Pursuit of a Meaningful Legacy
Aside from penning novels, Carter remains active in civic life. He gives back to the community through church committees, social equity work groups, and professional organizations. In both the courtroom and on the page, his work highlights a commitment to excellence, challenging conventions and inspiring ideas that influence institutions and individuals.
As he approaches retirement from law, Carter envisions a future devoted to storytelling. He hopes to publish more novels and see one adapted into a film. Moreover, he has given thought to his legacy. As a creative and insightful author, he aims to be known for writing books that can change people’s lives and perspectives. “On a personal level, I want to be remembered as a good father and friend,” he says.
