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:
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.
