|
Robin Miller (w/a 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 nineteen years, her three beautiful daughters, and their four character-filled pets 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 and 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! Visit Robin Miller (w/a Robin Caroll) on the Web
Bayou Judgment
 For once, it was phone counselor Felicia Trahan who desperately needed to dial in. She’d come home to her apartment to find Jolie, her roommate and coworker, dead. And few clues to the killer’s identity. There was a shady boyfriend. A brother with a gambling debt. And disturbing phone calls from a distraught young woman who was becoming increasingly unhinged. So much so that the center’s tough-guy pastor feared for Felicia’s safety. Spencer Bertrand promised to protect her, even if he lost his heart in the process. Yet drawing out a killer hiding in the Louisiana bayou could be the only way to save them all. ISBN: 0-373-44291-2
Publisher: Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
Ordering Link: Order now! |
May 2008
She’s slightly twisted (she’ll tell you that herself) and has an imagination that won’t quit. Robin Miller aka Robin Caroll joins us this month to give us a peek into her suspense-driven stories and the mind behind her Cajun tales.
Thanks for having me!
Your latest book, Bayou Judgment, releases this month and is the third book in your Bayou series. Tells us about finding your niche with such rich Cajun settings and characters, intertwined with spiritual threads unique to each book.
Being from Louisiana, the unique culture is in my blood. My family still lives in the state, so writing the series is a bit like “going home” to me. Southern fiction is HOT right now (pun intended-lol) but the only books set in Louisiana, it seemed to me, focused on hurricanes and such. I wanted to show a different side—the strong family ties, the diversity of the Cajun culture, the intensity of the nature in Louisiana that you can’t find anywhere else.
Reflecting back, what do you see as being most significant to your publication journey?
Easy question—hands down, joining ACFW. And no, I’m not just saying that because I’m president! :D I’ve always been a writer from a young age, but I dabbled here and there, did a writing course, blah-blah-blah, but never really took the time to get serious about writing. Then I joined ACFW. In a month’s time, I knew where I belonged. I studied, I practiced, I absorbed online courses and posts from the authors who’d “been there and done that.”
How do you balance your writing time with other responsibilities?
There’s a balance? LOL Seriously, I’m VERY blessed to be a speed reader and writer. Now that all my children are in school, I try to have a “normal” workday while they’re in school, then I’m Mommy after 2pm. Of course, when I’m on deadline or have revisions to make, then I can’t always keep to that schedule. But, for the most part, it works for me. As far as being president of ACFW, I couldn’t do it without the operating board. These women have jumped in and got busy in handling the business under their office. It’s a great team, which makes my job a LOT easier!
And how do your faith and spiritual life play into the picture?
The funny thing is, I NEVER plan my spiritual thread in my books. I have a plot and full character synopses, but never the spiritual arc. I always pray that He will give me the spiritual thread He wants woven in. Sometimes He gives it to me in the first three chapters, sometimes much later, and then I have to go and do some rewriting. But it always seems to work.
What was your biggest obstacle in writing and how did you overcome it?
Biggest obstacle? Accepting that I COULD do this. I’m my worst critic, and beat myself up a lot over silly things. I don’t know if we ever overcome such issues, but having an amazing mentor, a wonderful agent, and awesome crit partners sure helps a lot! :D
What has been the highest moment of your writing/publishing career?
Oh, there’s not just one! Can I give you a couple? My daughter holding my first book and telling me she’s proud of me. My mother reading the acknowledgments in my first book and getting teary eyed. Several letters from readers who share with me how something in my book touched them. Little moments, flickers of happiness. I cling to them!
Who/What is your greatest inspiration to write? Where do your story and character ideas come from?
Greatest inspiration to write? Uh, it’s as necessary to me as breathing. My ideas come from everywhere—quirks of people I know, headlines, documentaries, everything. A germ of an idea will fester in my mind, and then I brainstorm with my cps and mentor until the concept won’t leave me alone until I write it.
What do you think makes your style of storytelling unique?
Hmmm….maybe because I can’t HELP but write Southern because that’s who I am? I don’t know. LOL You’ve read my books…..you tell me what makes it unique! Lol
(Dineen here: Can we go back to the opening paragraph about your mind being twisted?)
Finish this question. When I think of how my stories impact readers, I …
pray God has used me to touch the people He needed to touch. That’s the highest honor I can think of—being a vessel to do God’s will.
Any parting words for up-and-coming writers?
DON’T GIVE UP! It’s so easy to get discouraged and frustrated. Guess what? It doesn’t go away once you get a contract. It’s just a different level. Keep reading craft books. Keep entering contests. Keep submitting. Keep going to conferences. Do whatever you have to do to keep yourself motivated, but don’t quit.
Thanks for sharing with us, Madam President!
Thanks so much for having me! This has been fun.
|
