Robin Caroll: Enjoying What God Has Handed Her

Everyone's Story welcomes Robin Caroll. Many know her as Robin-extraordinaire: an acclaimed author and ACFW Conference Director. But did you know that she loves boxing as much as scrapbooking? Visit with Robin as she shares with us about the complexities of what makes an author write what she does. Robin also is offering a nice giveaway of her soon-to-be release of STRAND OF DECEPTION. And, if you're curious about Robin's author photo, no, it was not taken up in the wilds of Maine or Wyoming but rather, at her home in Arkansas during Christmas week! Please leave Robin a comment--she looks forward to hearing from you.

Book Giveaway:
From Amazon: ... do scientific advancements tell the whole story? Strand of Deception offers romance, suspense, and a lively debate about the impact of DNA testing, for better or worse, on the United States justice system.

Robin is graciously offering one copy of her upcoming March release of STRAND OF DECEPTION to one randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced on Friday, March 1st (almost spring!), between 4-5 PM EST. Please leave your email address within the body of the comment. Thanks.


A Special Opportunity: If you would like to be entered in Robin's quarterly prize drawing, visit her website and sign up for her newsletter to be entered.

Juggling With God by Robin Caroll

I’m asked all the time about how I “juggle” so much. I want to laugh. It comes so natural to me that I can’t imagine NOT doing multiple things at a time. But people don’t expect to hear that. Then again, I don’t exactly fit the mold of what many expect an author to be.

I love boxing. I love Hallmark movies. I love fishing. I love scrapbooking. Nope, I've never fit into the boxes people have wanted to put me in.

Growing up in Louisiana in the 70s, I am the baby in my family—adored, but never spoiled. (My older siblings made sure of that.) I was always a veracious reader—inhaled Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew books like there was no tomorrow. I LOVED reading and disappearing into another place. The writing bug bit early. At 7 years old, I started writing skits and performing them for my family. I've never stopped.

After graduating high school with a diploma of distinction, I went to community college and was trained as a paralegal. I've worked at Louisiana Downs (horse racing), in apartment leasing, at a medical office, in insurance billing, and in customer service in the automobile industry for ten years. All great material for my books.

Many people shake their heads at the contradiction I am. I love visiting new places, but have extreme motion sickness, so travel is always an ordeal for me. I write suspense novels filled with gritty details, but I have an extremely weak stomach. Well, not for blood and guts so much, but everything else, I do. I even have a heightened sense of smell which truly is annoying. And frustrating.

I’ve had people be shocked to learn my mother is a genealogist and historian, because I’m so outspoken about not enjoying the historical genre. They tell me that’s such a contradiction. Um, yeah. So? lol

One thing I’ve learned with all my complexities is that you have to become YOU. You have to figure out what makes you tick, and how to use that. As a person. As a partner. As a parent. As an employee and as a supervisor. And as a writer. What works for me won’t necessarily (and probably won’t ever) work for someone else, and vice versa. Just like God has called us all to function as certain parts of the body, He’s supplied us with our own personalities and focuses to do what we’re to do, uniquely. Trying to force yourself to work as someone else says you should is ridiculous.

Early in my writing journey, someone drilled in my head that I HAD to outline. I HAD to know every nuance of my characters. I almost quit writing because no matter how hard I try, if I do a full outline before writing a book, I’m bored while I’m writing. And if I’m bored, readers will be bored. I’ve done it on a couple of occasions when the project I worked on called for a full synopsis. It made writing quicker, which was really good, because I got rather bored. If I know how things are going to work out, instead of just a general idea, I’m not really interested any longer. I was freed when I found out my mentor wasn’t a plotter. How freeing to accept that I could do a basic outline and write from there, giving my characters permission to do what they wanted. 

But that might not be the most liberating way for someone else to write.

So I guess that’s what I really wanted to stress: To readers, read what you like. I don’t enjoy historicals, so I don’t read them, but I love all the murder and mayhem of suspense/thrillers. Others prefer historical and Amish novels, but shy away from anything with even the slightest hint of violence. Guess what…it’s all okay! God gave us all different tastes and we’re blessed to be in a time where so many books are available in various genres.

Same with writers. I say, write in whatever way works best for you to put your best story forward. Whether that’s plotting or just sitting down and writing, do what works best for you.

I guess that’s my basic life philosophy…use whatever method works for you in order to do your best in all that you endeavor.

Author Bio:

“I love boxing. I love Hallmark movies. I love fishing. I love scrapbooking. Nope, I've never fit into the boxes people have wanted to put me in.” ~Robin Caroll is definitely a contradiction, but one that beckons you to get to know her better.

Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin is a southerner through and through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others. Robin’s mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who instilled in Robin the deep love of family and pride of heritage—two aspects Robin weaves into each of her 14 published novels. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty-plus years, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home—in the South, where else? She gives back to the writing community by serving as Conference Director for ACFW. Her books have finaled/placed in such contests as the Carol Award, Holt Medallion, RT Reviewer's Choice Award, Bookseller's Best, and Book of the Year.  

On her faith, Robin says, “I'd describe myself as Spiritual, not religious, with a diverse Christian background. Bottom line? I love Jesus and will follow Him wherever He leads me.”

An avid reader herself, Robin loves hearing from and chatting with other readers. Although her favorite genre to read is mystery/suspense, of course, she’ll read just about any good story. Except historicals! To learn more about this author of deep South mysteries of suspense to inspire your heart, visit Robin’s website at www.robincaroll.com.

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