Carter was born in Minnesota and raised in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Before becoming a professional writer, Carter owned a book store, worked as a ski instructor, and computer trainer. He decided to become a full-time writer after working four nights picking beets off a conveyor belt at a cannery.
Carter attended the University of Oregon, graduating in 1994 with a Bachelor's of Arts in English. He is married and is a father of two children, a daughter and a son.