Tell me a about yourself. What got
you started in writing?
I've always loved writing. As a child, I
penned poems about nature. From the time I could read, I had my nose in a book
of fiction. My love for reading led to my love of writing. My college major was
journalism and my minor was English. I taught high school journalism and
English for 17 years and was a high school library media specialist for the
last 13. Along the way, I continued writing for newspapers and magazines,
including poetry. When I retired from education in 2005, I began writing a
weekly faith-based newspaper column that now runs in 12 Oklahoma newspapers,
several online Christian publications with a national and international
following. Since then, several international newspapers have picked up my
column. I've published six books, including three collections of my columns.
How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or do you prefer writing
freehand?
Most of the time, I write at my desktop
computer. Occasionally, I take my laptop to a local coffee shop to write.
Sometimes, I write my columns freehand. My children’s book, “Nana’s 3 Jars:
Giving Generously,” which was just released, was written by hand. I also wrote
the sequel, “Nana’s 3 Jars: Saving Pennies,” with pen and paper. It will be out
in 2015, along with the third and final in the series.
What's your favorite part about
writing? Your least favorite part about writing?
My favorite part of writing is letting
the words flow across the page. I love words, especially God’s Word. I guess my
least favorite part of writing is “having to write for money” and not love. I
write business and event stories for a three-county publication. I've been
doing this for almost nine years and really don’t enjoy it that much. I do it
for the money so that makes it difficult to get excited about it. Writing my
column and my books is a labor of love.
How do you come up with your
characters? Why would readers want to get to know them?
The characters in my children’s book are loosely based on my
grandchildren. So is Nana, the children’s grandmother in “Nana’s 3 Jars.” I
think mothers, grandmothers and young children can relate to the two children,
Charlie & Emma who go to visit their grandmother (Nana) in the country for
the day. While there, the two are excited to learn about Nana’s 3 Jars and
discover the joy of giving after they make chocolate chip cookies together and
then hand them out at a veteran’s center. The children learn a lesson while
doing something fun with their grandmother and then sharing with others.
What types of marketing do you do
to promote your writing?
Facebook, twitter, emails, Google+,
Pinterest, my blog posts, news releases.
How do you schedule your writing
time? When do you write?
I set aside every Monday morning to write
my weekly column. I write my books
between interviews and writing for the newspaper I mentioned earlier.
What are you currently working on?
Do you have a new book out? I just finished the manuscript for my second children’s book,
“Nana’s 3 Jars: Saving Pennies,” which will be out in 2015. I’m also working on
a novel, which I also hope to have out in 2015.
My latest book is “Nana’s 3 Jars: Giving
Generously,” which is getting 5-Star reviews at Amazon. It is my first
children’s book and I am excited about the reception it is receiving.
Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.
Yes, my Christian novel (the
one mentioned above) is on the back burner. Called “Kissing Frogs but waiting
on God,” will be the first in a series of three novels. My main character has
gone through a divorce after 30 years and finds herself back in the dating
game. More importantly, she has found her way back to God. The three books will
show her spiritual development and healing from past hurts. Along the way she
meets many people who help her on her journey to wholeness. Eventually, God
will bring the right man into her life.
What would you tell a beginning
writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?
Go for it!! Study other authors. Hone your craft. Attend workshops
online and in person. Join writer’s groups. Attend writing conferences. Never
give up!!
***
Thank you, Carol!
Learn more about Carol at the following links:
Blog:
http://carolaround.com/
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/carolaround
Twitter: http://twitter.com/carolaround
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Carol-Round/e/B0083ZEAWI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Link
to purchase “Nana’s 3 Jars: Giving Generously” on amazon.com:
