Author Interview ~ Robin Caroll

Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin Caroll is a Southern belle right down to her “hey y’all.” 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 books. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of eighteen years, her three beautiful daughters, and their four character-filled cats at home—in the South, where else?

She gives back to the writing community by serving as President of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) for 2007-2008. 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.

Time to crow: What new book or project do you have coming out?

Bayou Justice, book one in the bayou series, hit the stands yesterday. I’m really excited about this book as it just received 4.5 stars and was selected as an October TOP PICK from Romantic Times Magazine. It’s nice to hear people enjoyed reading the story.

How did you come up with this story? Was there a specific 'what if' moment?

Not really. Colleen Coble and I brainstormed this book intensely. I’d determined which publisher I wanted to target, and we aimed the characterization and plot toward their specific guidelines. Being from Louisiana and being enthralled with the Cajun people, it was a natural place for my setting.

Every novelist has a journey. How long was your road to publication? How did you find out and what went through your mind?

I completed my first fiction writing course back in the 90s. I took several years off where I didn’t write fiction. I wrote several poems, had three of them published, but then the call to write fiction beckoned again. I began “seriously” writing toward publication back in the end of 2004.

When my agent called, I didn’t even think it was “the call.” She and I chat on the phone quite frequently, so it didn’t cross my mind that this was “it.” Until she told me we’d gotten a contract offer. What went through my mind? Uh, nothing! I screamed, laughed, cried, and jumped up and down as every emotion imaginable went through my mind.

Do you ever bang your head against the wall from the dreaded writer's block? If so, how do you overcome it?

Quite frequently, actually. I’m not a plotter. That’s not to say I’m not a brainstormer. LOL Isn’t that an enigma? That’s to say I know my characters extremely well and I know the basic plot points. If I’m hitting my head against the wall, it means I’ve written myself into a corner as far as what my character would or would not do. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of backtracking to get myself back on track. And Starbucks helps, as does calling my awesome cps to listen to me whine! LOL

Novelists sometimes dig themselves into a hole over implausible plots, flat characters or a host of other problems. What's the most difficult part of writing for you?

Most difficult for me, now, is to have my characterization of 10 major characters remain consistent for four, possibly five, books in a series. To have them grow somewhat in each book, but not so much that they overtake the main characters of each particular book.

How did you climb out or overcome it?

I use OneNote to keep my character synopses and charts which I progress for each individual book in the series. It helps me balance a setup for a future book, but not to show my hand too soon. Sometimes, it’s extremely tedious, but a necessary evil.

Where do you write: In a cave, a coffeehouse, or a cozy attic nook?

LOL…..I actually am blessed enough to have a home office where I write. Sometimes, when I get stumped or I just need a change, I fire up the laptop and move to another room. I’m excited that fall’s on its way, so I can sit outside and write after the kids go to school.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Typical? Sheesh, what’s that? LOL I get up a little before seven to get my girls ready and off to school. The house is clear by 8. I normally have a little quiet time, then around 8:30, I call my mom. She and I talk every morning for about 30 minutes, just to keep each other up to speed on our daily lives.

I make my phone calls from 9 until 10. This might be to someone I feel the need to call or one of my cps that I know needs encouraging, or sometimes, I need help on a scene I’m going to write, so I’ll call a cp [critique partner] and have it out with them to see the best course I should take.

I write from whenever I hang up until 2pm, when I have to leave to pick up my daughters. And that’s pretty much my “writing” day. I try not to write in the evenings. Those are reserved for family time and alone time with my hubby. Unless I’m on deadline. Then all bets are off until I turn in the ms! LOL

Some authors report writing 5-10 thousand words a day. Do scenes flow freely from your veins or do you have to tweeze each word out?

Okay, I’m one of those obnoxious authors (so one of my cps tells me) that can turn out 60K in a week if the words are flowing. For the most part, once I’ve brainstormed, it’ll flow smoothly with just a handful of bumps and bruises.

Briefly take us through your process of writing a novel—from conception to revision.

I brainstorm. Then I do detailed character synopses on my 3 major characters—12 pages long each. From there, I begin writing the synopsis based off the character synopses. I write the first three chapters and let the story “stew” in my head and heart while I wait to hear if my editor is interested.

If the contract offer comes, I’m ready to proceed and tell the story that’d been simmering in my mind. I write a chapter, send it to my cps, but go on onto the next chapter. I implement crits after returned when I reach a chapter end. Then, I’ll reread the ms [manuscript] in bulks of 5 chapters at a time, refining and polishing now that I know details some 5 chapters ahead. I do a final read-through, then off to the editor and wait for the revision letter!

What are a few of your favorite books (not written by you) and why are they favorites?

My absolute favorite is Stephen King’s THE STAND. I read that book back longer than I care to admit, and the characters are still with me today. Every now and again, I take it out and read it again. His characterization is MASTERFUL.

I’m a huge Edgar Allen Poe fan as well. I read a volume of his works back in high school and have been hooked ever since. His mind truly had warped edges, and it came out in his plot structuring. I wish my mind would be as devious as his must have been.

A current favorite is ABOMINATION by Colleen Coble. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know I love most all of her books. But with ABOMINATION, Colleen really stretched herself as a writer and her brilliant sub-plotting and characterization blew me away—in a good way, of course. LOL And of course, who wouldn’t love getting to visit with Bree and Samson again?

What’s the best writing advice you’ve heard?

“Until you get at least 100 rejection letters, you aren’t allowed to whine.” Said by above raved-about Colleen Coble when I got my 8th rejection letter. LOL But it’s true. This is a TOUGH industry and the road to publication is marked with rejections. The first-written-novel-being-published author is the exception, not the rule.

Why do people assume writing is easy? I can’t tell you how many times my husband has introduced me to someone, told them what I do, and I get to hear “oh, one of these days when I have time, I’m going to sit down and write a book.” I just smile and tell them “good luck with that.” What else can you do? LOL

What do you wish you’d known early in your career that might have saved you some time and/or frustration in writing? In publishing?

Not to submit until the piece is ready. A good agent will let you know when that is. Listen to the feedback from contests and strong cps.

How much marketing do you do? What have you found that particularly works well for you?

I have a web presence as well as multiple blogs. My first signings, at Barnes & Noble and Borders will be this weekend, so I’ll let ya know how it goes! ;)

Do you have any parting words of advice?

Advice? If you feel like you have to write or you’ll suffocate, then don’t ever give up. Keep learning the craft, studying the industry, attending writing conferences, and honing your skills. Above all, believe in yourself. Whether published or not, if you write, you are a writer! That’s who we are and what we do!

Thanks, Ane and Gina and Jessica! I’ve had so much fun here on Novel Journey. Y’all so rock!