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Interview with Robin Miller Writing as Robin Caroll

Dear Musers Who Matter,

I am so excited about today's special guest author, Robin Miller writing as Robin Caroll.

I had the privilege of meeting Robin at the ACFW Conference in Dallas last September. And now, Robin has just assumed the office of President of ACFW! Congratulations, Robin! And welcome to Musings That Matter. I'm excited to have you with us today.

Robin:
Thank you so much for inviting me! It's an honor to be here.

MaryAnn:
Robin, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Robin:
Let's see. . . I'm a Louisiana girl, transplanted to Arkansas. I'm happily married to my husband of almost 18 years. We have 3 daughters--16, 6, and 4. Something most people don't know: I love boxing and college football, and I was a cheerleader in high school. Rah Rah! LOL

MaryAnn:
Robin, I had the privilege of meeting you at the ACFW Conference in Dallas last September. You are a beautiful and gracious Southern lady, with a heart as big as the South. Some of our country's finest novelists hail from the South. How has this great region of our country influenced you in your development as a writer?

Robin:
Aww, thank you! I had so much fun at conference...can't wait till September to do it all over again.

Being a born and raised Southerner, everything about me and my life is based on strong Southern heritage. My mother, God bless her, is a genealogist so from a young age my Southern roots have been a huge influence on my life. I write with all the flair and flavor of the South because it just comes naturally.

MaryAnn:
Robin, you write under the pseudonym of Robin Caroll. What, in your opinion, are the advantages and disadvantages of a pseudonym, and what are some good reasons for using one?

Robin:
The reason I opted to use a pseudonym is that there are two other authors by my name, neither one would I want to be confused with in my writing! LOL Carol is my middle name, and it's my mother's and eldest daughter's middle name as well. So I like the family connection there. I just added an extra L on the end because that domain was available. A plus is how my books will be filed....I'll be on the shelf with Colleen Coble and Brandilyn Collins....I can't think of a better placement! :D

MaryAnn:
Are you one of those writers who knew as a child what you'd be when you grew up?

Robin:
My mother tells me that I was making up stories (and acting them out for the family) since I was 4. LOL I always knew I'd be a writer, whether or not I'd ever be published was a totally different matter! I'm actually still in shock about that! LOL

MaryAnn:
Your faith is a vital part of who you are. Would you share with us when you met Jesus and how your relationship with Him has guided you in your writing?

Robin:
I don't recall a time when Jesus WASN'T in my life. I'm a cradle Methodist and I honestly don't ever remember when I wasn't a child of His. I do know that I did the sidestepping in college in my behavior. After I married and we had our first child, just looking at that miracle, my heart opened and I knew God was back in control of my life. Sometimes my faith walk is a little rocky, because I have a very personal relationship with God. I talk to Him just as I talk to my friends.

Some are surprised because when I'm upset, I rant to God. Not AT Him, but TO Him. I figure He already knows what's in my heart and why should I not get it all out? LOL In my writing, I never start out with a spiritual thread. I'll brainstorm my characters and the plot, do a lot of sketches in that manner. The day before I sit down to actually start writing, I pray He'll give me the spiritual storyline He wants to have in the story. Sometimes, I'll have a couple of chapters written when He gives it to me. I've had to do rewriting to incorporate that, but I know who's in control of my writing, so I'm happy to do that.

MaryAnn:
Amen, Robin! I love what you said about asking God to give you the storyline He wants in your books. Taking off from that, what role do you see Christian fiction playing in the building of God's Kingdom?

Robin:
I'd like to think that Christian fiction is touching lives and saving souls, but I don't know. I think Christian authors tell the stories God gives them, and He'll get those books to where they need to be, to touch the people He wants to touch. I think it's a blessing to be an instrument of His works.

MaryAnn:
Christian fiction has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. What do you see as some of the most significant changes?

Robin:
The truth in the stories! Seriously, years ago the books were preachy. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I had so many non-believer friends who wouldn't read a second CBA book because they felt like they were reading a sermon. Now, books show real-life characters with real issues. Readers can see that Christians aren't perfect, we don't always do the right thing, and we DO constantly struggle--we just have a God who loves us and cares about our problems. I think that's the biggest difference I've noticed.

MaryAnn:
You are the busy Mom of three daughters. When do you make time to write?

Robin:
You said it....I MAKE the time to write. Just as if I had a 9-5 job, I carve out my "working" hours. My two oldest girls are in school, but my 4 year old doesn't go until next year. Sometimes I just say....I'm taking the day off to play with the kids. Other times, I have to force myself to sit and work. I make it a point to do family time daily from 5pm on....unless they all go to bed and I'm inspired, then I'm working until the wee hours of the morning. I'm also incredibly blessed to have such a supportive husband who understands I argue with voices in my head and need him to take the girls away to visit family on some weekends.

MaryAnn:
You're a storyteller at heart. What perspective does this give you on life?

Robin:
Hmmm.....I think I see people and situations and my mind flips on the "what if" button. LOL Everything in life seems to be a book waiting to be written to me. It also makes me realize that none of this is important. Life on earth is NOT my home. I'm only here visiting and trying to round up friends who I'll be able to see in eternity. I also have surrounded myself with some of the most awesome writers I know, who are my dearest friends: Colleen, Dineen, Ron, Heather, Ronie, Pam and Camy. These people understand me when I call them and the first thing I say is "I think I can kill CHARACTER by..." I think this is CRITICAL to all writers. We ARE different and we see the world different than "normals" (as Brandilyn would say) and it helps to have these people in our lives for understanding.

MaryAnn:
Robin, you're a big fan of scrapbooking. Tell us a little about your hobby.

Robin:
My oldest sister invited me to a scrapbooking party, and I was hooked. I'm so not artistically inclined, but I can scrapbook. It's relaxing and I enjoy having my family's life completely documented and recorded. Of course, I haven't had the time to scrapbook in over a year, but summer's coming! LOL

MaryAnn:
Looking back on your writing career, is there anything you would do differently? Anything you'd do again?

Robin:
I would definitely have started writing for the CBA a lot sooner. I would have joined ACFW well before I finally did. I wouldn't have wasted so much of my time in the years between my oldest daughter and my middle daughter--I would have spent that time honing my craft and working on my skills. Then again, I think it makes me appreciate how far I've come so much more. One thing I wouldn't change is waiting on the perfect agent. From the first time Kelly called me, I knew we "clicked". It's amazing how much someone believing in you and encouraging you can make. And my mentor, Colleen....she blesses me daily and I'm so honored to call her my friend.

MaryAnn:
What's on the horizon for you?

Robin:
My book, Bayou Justice, comes out October 2007 from Steeple Hill! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. I'm also the new ACFW President, and that's a lot of fun. Giving back to an organization that's given me so much is such a blessing. I hope you'll be attending the 2007 conference! :)

MaryAnn:
Any parting words?

Robin:
I'd just like to encourage writers. Honestly, I'm so blessed--I'm living my dream. I have a wonderful family, and I'll hold a copy of my first book before I turn 40. How awesome is that?

MaryAnn:
It's absolutely awesome! Robin, thanks so much for being with us on Musings That Matter. It's been fun!

Robin:
Thank you so much, MaryAnn! I've had a blast! Musings That Matter is always such a fun read! :D

MaryAnn:
Thanks, Robin. I'm so glad you enjoy our blog. :-) I invite all of you to visit Robin's website at www.robincaroll.com. You may
also contact her at robincaroll@sbcglobal.net.
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