Welcome to Author Spotlight! Each week will feature a different author. We’ll get the scoop behind their writing life and dish a little. The authors will also be giving away a copy of their latest book. FUN.
The winner from the last Author Spotlight giveaway is JOAN KURTH! Please email info {at} suzannewoodsfisher {dot} com with your mailing address to claim your prize.
Welcome Robin Caroll, author of Hidden in the Stars, to Author Spotlight! Leave a comment below for the chance to win a copy of her book.
Share a little bit about yourself. Married with kids? Empty nester? Do you work full-time and write when you can squeeze it in?
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. When I’m not writing, I’m working on ACFW business. I love to spend time with my husband of twenty-five years, my three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and our character-filled pets at home. I enjoy scrapbooking, reading, and watching television/movies with my family. And cooking. I love to cook. Especially with my husband.
And share something about your writing. What’s your genre(s), your areas of interest…
I love best mystery/suspense. I grew up reading Trixie Belden, then Nancy Drew. The whodunit is very near and dear to my heart.
How did you get started writing? Did you have a dream of being a published author?
I’ve been keeping a journal for as long as I can remember. At least since 3rd grade. Even that young, I wanted to be an author or journalist. I guess you could say I’ve had a life-long love of words and story.
After you started writing seriously—how long was it before you were published?
I started seriously investing in myself as a writer instead of just “dabbling” back in August of 2005. My first novel was bought in 2006, and my first book released in 2007. I’m working on #24 now.
Aside from a cup of good, strong coffee, what helps you get all of your “brain cylinders” firing so you can write well? Do you have any favorite places and routines when you write? How many hours a day do you spend writing?
I write best at my desk, on my desktop. I have carpal tunnel, so I use a very ergonomic keyboard. When I’m on deadline, it’s common for me to spend 12+ hours a day, especially if I need to “binge write.”
What has been the biggest help to you in the journey to publication? Writers’ conferences? Writing groups? Your mom as your first draft reader?
Having a very supportive immediate family is HUGE! After that, my mentor who is also a dear friend and best cheerleader and prayer warrior . . . I have some amazingly awesome fellow writers who have read for me, brainstormed with me, and just great encouragers. Yes, conferences are one of the best things you can do for your writing career. Not just the great learning, but the networking.
Is the “writer’s life” what you thought it would be?
As a child, I thought all authors were on the level like JK Rowling. HA! It’s actually a lot more isolated than I’d thought, but it’s amazing. I love what I do! I feel very blessed.
What are your biggest distractions?
Hearing my craft room call me to come scrapbook!
What was one of the best moments in your career and what was one of the worst?
It’s always one of my “best” moments when my agent calls me with a contract offer. Worst? Hmm. That’s hard. Even the worst day in writing is still better than any other career I’ve ever had.
What do you least like about being a writer? Most like?
Least like would be writing synopses. They are, I believe, the bane of this writer’s existence. Most like? Pretty much everything else.
What advice would you give to new writers?
Study, study, study. Craft books and read books in your genre. Then get to a conference. Two. Three. As many as you can afford. It’s an investment in your career that will pay off hugely the rest of your career.
What’s on the book horizon for you?
I’m currently working on the fourth Samantha Sanderson novel. Sam Sanderson is an independent, resourceful, high-tech cheerleader. She dreams of becoming an award-winning journalist like her mother, and so she’s always looking for articles she can publish in her middle-school paper (where she secretly hopes to become editor). And with a police officer for a father, Sam is in no short supply for writing material. These novels are geared toward girls 9-13.
Last question, how can readers find you and your books?
www.robincaroll.com or facebook.com/author.robincaroll
[Tweet “Interested in writing? @robincaroll advises you to study, read, & write books in your genre”]
Start the Lancaster County series today! Pick up a copy of The Choice ebook for FREE from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Christian Book Distributors!
Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.
I have never read any of Robin Caroll’s books, but they sound like they would have been on my read list when I was a child. I am going now to see if I can find them on our order page for the library and order a set of the Samantha books for our patrons. I would love a chance to win a copy of her book. Thank you.
Thanks so much! Writing the Samantha books has been so much fun…I’ve loved writing about my daughters’ school.
I want to read these! Robin is now on my TBR list!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks for dropping by!
Great interview. Hidden in the Stars looks like a really good book! I’d love to win a copy!
I know I’m not supposed to play favorites, but Hidden in the Stars is so very close to my heart!
I am loving all of the books in The Quilts of Love
We share some common interests, Robin. Scrapbooking definitely can pull me away from what ‘needs’ to be done. And Hallmark movies….don’t even get me started. Love them! Are you watching Cedar Cove? I know it’s a mini series but it is oh so good!!! Look forward to reading your book. Mystery/suspense…my fav genre whether it’s Regency or Contemporary 🙂
I LOVE scrapbooking. Right now, I’m majorly addicted to making mini albums. Have made so many I’m trying to figure out what all I’ll put in them!
A delightful feature and giveaway. Thanks for this interesting interview.
Looks like another good source for suspenseful Christian books…will be on the lookout for the Quilts of Love series…
I love the Quilts of Love series from Abingdon. I’ve read one of Robin’s books and it scared the fire out of me. LOL She understands that I’m Queen of the Big Honkin’ Chicken Club. However, I’m going to try once more with Hidden in the Stars. But if y’all see me wandering around the conference hallways in the middle of the night, it’s because I tried reading it befoer I went to sleep.
LOL, Ane! Sheesh…..
Looks like a great series for young girls 🙂 great information !
would love to win.
Would love to start reading your books. They sound very interesting.
I enjoyed learning more about Robin Caroll. I thought it was really interesting and I would love to try her books.
Hidden in the Stars looks like a great book to read. Thank you for a chance to win it.
I love the Quilts of Love series! Thanks for the opportunity to win this one. Congratulations, Robin!
Great interview, love Christian fiction, thanks for having the contest!
I love reading the Quilts of Love series. This one sounds like a great book. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
I have never read any of Robin books,but would like to win one.
I am looking forward to reading, Hidden in the Stars! Robin is a new author to me and I’m thrilled with this giveaway! This book is on my wish list.
Blessings!
Judy
I can see that a synopsis would be hard, you don’t want to give away anything, but you have to make it interesting enough that people will want to read it. Great interview!
I adore the Quilts of Love series and am eager to read HIDDEN IN THE STARS! Thank you for sharing this delightful interview and giveaway!
I just started reading the Quilts of Love series, but find that many of them do not yet come in large print or audio versions. But even if I had to use a magnifying glass to read it, I would still like to read this book!
this sounds like a book I would love to read so I hope I win, thanks for the chance to enter this contest
Would love to win. Thanks for opportunity
I’ve read several of Robin’s books, she writes amazing romantic suspense!
Awww, thanks!
Great interview, thanks for sharing with us. Robin is definitely one of my favorite authors!!
Thanks for a chance to win a copy of her latest book!
Thanks! 🙂
I would like to win one of your books. I have n
ever read one.
I adore the Quilts of Love series. Robin, you sound wonderful and I will be discovering your books.
I savour, lead to I found just what I was taking a look
for. You have ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
Bye
Adding this book to my wish list! New author to me. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of this book.
I would love to read this book. I love a little mystery with my quilting 🙂
I enjoyed this interview and I am glad to know about Robin’s books for young girls. I am also anxious to read Hidden In The Stars. Thank you for this giveaway.
I was first introduced to Robin’s books thru the Bayou series in Love Inspired Suspense. Wow! I’m glad to know about the series for younger girls, too. (I, too, grew up on Trixie Belden. It’s nice to see someone else who remembers those!) Would love to win Hidden in the Stars.
I still have my complete Trixie set!
Ridiculous story there. What occurred after? Thanks!
Hello i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anyplace,
when i read this piece of writing i thought i could also make comment due to this good article.
Nice interview. I would love to read Hidden In The Stars. Thank you for the giveaway.
I’d love to win and read this! Thanks! 🙂
In fact when someone doesn’t know afterward its up to
other users that they will assist, so here it happens.
Sounds like a book I’d love to read!
This is already on my “to read” list, so it would be great to have my own copy. Thank you!