Be Teachable and Author Interview with Kathleen Robison

You write inspirational fiction. Romantic suspense, murder mysteries, and Holiday romance novels, which is quite a range of stories. What inspired you to write the first book? 

It was my adult children. Raising eight children, I rarely had time for hobbies, but when two of my boys were playing college ball, I had a two-hour drive to watch their games all spring season. I’m a daydreamer, always have been, so I started making up a story while driving. Two of my older boys liked to write and encouraged me to finish it! 

What keeps you writing? 

I love sharing God’s love and hope, and writing combines that purpose while fulfilling the creative need to develop a great story. Early on in my writing journey, a reader of Let Them Eat Fruitcake said she’d never thought of living her entire life for Christ the way my main character tried. It inspired her to pursue a deeper faith. That keeps me writing!

You have a 5 book historical mystery series.  How do you do your research for the books? Do you start with a specific era or event?

Many of my ideas come from places where I’ve actually lived or visited, as is the case with the Bay Town Series, so research stems from my memories. As for events, it’s the same, but I’ve also discovered some while reading missionary magazines and stumbling across events on the internet.  I search the internet like crazy! I also contact family, friends, and strangers for authenticity. I have two sons who are missionaries in Japan, married to Japanese sisters, which was a big help in The Cross at Morioka Castle. Likewise, I’ve visited there as well. I have a son who is a Deputy Sheriff, and a son-in-law who is a firefighter, so they’re excellent sources for the suspense aspects as well. 

Have you ever gone somewhere and thought this would be a great location to use as a backdrop to a story? 

Oh, yes! Too much so, and the most recent, The Cross at Morioka Castle. When I visited my sons in Japan years ago, they took me there and I fell in love with the quiet eeriness. My imagination went wild, and they took me back, on another trip. Years later, a story was born!

Likewise, I have a son who lives in Lynden, Washington. It's a quaint little Dutch town near the Canadian border. I love Lynden, so I’m writing a sweet holiday romance series set in the Pacific Northwest as well as a Romantic Suspense stand alone.

Your bio says you take inspiration from your large extended family for your books. Has anyone ever complained about something you wrote that they seem to think was pointing to them?

Only my husband! He helped me with Ransomed Peace, Bay Town Book Four, and the antagonist was very athletic, like my husband. I took a scene from my husband’s pre-Christian days at a bar playing darts, and he thought I portrayed the evil character as him! Not at all. I totally fabricated him, but my husband thought some elements of the dart playing were spot on.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

I won a contest! I’m thick-skinned and welcome criticism, which helps me improve my writing. However, I tend to discount the accolades, but I do appreciate a kind word. My author friends and readers have been nothing but encouraging. I’ve been blessed that way. Only once did an editor rip me apart. She didn’t like my story at all. I took the craft elements and changed my story, but not the plot or characters (which she also intensely disliked). After it was published, I won first place in a National Excellence in Story Telling Contest. That was quite encouraging!

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you’ve used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?

That’s difficult to say as I don’t monitor my sales, and I have so much to learn in marketing. But I seriously think FB has been the biggest key for me. I don’t run ads, but I post regularly and try to share other authors’ posts. Perhaps my monthly email newsletter as well. I hope to improve in the area of marketing.

 

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?  

The craft of writing itself. I knew absolutely nothing when I started. The first critique group I joined was so kind. I didn’t even know what a POV was, and they graciously chuckled and taught me. But they loved my stories and encouraged me to keep writing, never discouraging me with the writing process. Through their recommendation, I checked out library books about writing. I read voraciously and learned from those authors. In the meantime, my editors (except for one) loved my plots and characters, and encouraged me that I had a good grasp on story.

 

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?

Join a critique group. I belong to two in-person groups and one online group. Keep searching until you find the one that fits. Don’t go it alone! Write every day, and finish that first draft, then worry about the next step.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?

Be teachable and receive constructive criticism thoughtfully and through prayer. I have a good friend who is an award-winning author signed with a large publisher, and she said teachability is one of my best traits as an author. Never, never stop learning how to write.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?

I’m glad you asked! Christmas Cookie Connections, A Holiday Romance. 

She thought her future was in Haiti. But God may be calling her somewhere unexpected… Andrea’s dream of serving at a Haitian orphanage was put on hold by real life. Now, she’s pouring love and faith into her small-town cookie shop in the Pacific Northwest. 

But when Eliam—a charming, headstrong soccer coach with his own complicated path—walks into her life, everything changes.

Just as their connection deepens, Andrea’s former mentor offers her a chance to return to Haiti for a Christmas outreach. The only catch? Eliam is being considered for the same role. With her heart pulled in two directions, Andrea must choose between a long-held dream and a new calling she never saw coming.

A sweet, inspiring story of faith, second chances, and unexpected love.

That's all for this week's interview. I hope you got some good tips about writing, and her stories tweaked your interest to learn more. Here's how you can do that.

https://www.kathleenjrobison.com/

https://www.subscribepage.com/essentialingredients

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3108667785916519

https://www.instagram.com/kathleenjrobison/

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kathleen-j-robison

And here's a tip for my readers... click on the subscribe link and sign up for her newsletter, and you'll get a free eBook. I'm sure you'll enjoy reading the story.