GUEST AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH CAROL ROUND

Sunday, July 14, 2013

GUEST AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH CAROL ROUND

About the Author

CAROL ROUND, self-syndicated columnist, Christian author and inspirational speaker, began her journey with the Lord in October 2001 when she admitted her need for His guidance. Since that time, she has sought a deeper relationship with Him through reading scripture, Bible study and the personal discipline of keeping a daily prayer journal. After being encouraged by other Christian women, she has compiled her experiences with prayer journaling into Journaling with Jesus.

Here is the interview..

James: When did you begin to write?

Carol: Since I was able to write my name, I have been writing poems and stories. After retiring from a 30-year teaching career in 2005, I began to pursue my love of writing full-time as a self-syndicated columnist, freelance writer and book author.

James: When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Carol: I majored in journalism and English when I was in college. I had always loved to read and write so I began writing news and feature stories while in college.

James: How much did you write before you were published?

Carol: I began being published as soon as I started writing news and feature stories for the college newspaper and local and state newspapers. However, my first book, A Matter of Faith came out in 2006.

James: What is your favorite part of writing?

Carol: My favorite part of writing is the creation process. I love putting pen to paper or composing at the keyboard to write a newspaper column or a book. I forget the time as I weave words into a creation.

James: Tell us about your latest release.

Carol: My latest release is The 40-Day Challenge, a companion workbook to Journaling with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God.

James: Wow! This book sounds really good. Are you planning on writing more in the years to come?

Carol: I sent a children’s manuscript to a publisher in May. I am still waiting to hear back. I am currently working on a novel while continuing to write my weekly column.

James: So far, what are your worst criticism/attacks, and how have you overcome it?

Carol: Out of 36 reviews for Journaling with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God on Amazon, I received two negative ones. The first one made me sad—as well as mad—because the reviewer admitted he had not read the entire book. I thought it was unfair for him to give it a negative review without having finished the book. I think what helped me to overcome the negative reviews was receiving so many positive ones.

James: What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Carol: I am most proud of the fact that I have been able to continue—with God’s Holy Spirit—to write a 500-word column each week for almost 8 years. My column, “A Matter of Faith,” runs in 12 Oklahoma newspapers and 2 international publications. I would not be doing a column without God’s nudging and continual guidance.

James: What does your writing process look like?

Carol: When I write a column, I compose it at the computer after I pray, asking God to give me the words He wants me to use to reach the people He wants me to reach. My column ideas come from various sources: scripture, news events, other people in my life and events in my life or others.

James: How did you get published?

Carol: I self-published my first two collections of columns, which read like daily devotionals. I used Instant Publishing. Then, I learned that an author friend had started a small publishing company and was seeking inspirational titles. I submitted my books to him and he accepted them, combining the two into one volume. A year later, he released my second collection of columns.

Westbow Press released my third book on prayer journaling in 2012, but I chose to use CreateSpace for the companion workbook because I am able to keep more of the profits from the sales. I still have to promote my books whether I am traditionally published or self-published.

James: How do you come up with title of your books?

Carol: I brainstorm ideas. I just start making a list of possible titles and then narrow them down. I also ask for input from friends.

James: Can you enlighten us a little more about your books?

Carol: Three of my five books are collections of my weekly columns. The titles are A Matter of Faith, Faith Matters and by FAITH alone. The columns are like daily devotionals. I decided to put them in book collections because my readers were responding with positive feedback.

My book, Journaling with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God, is a small book but gives the reader the tools and encouragement to start keeping a prayer journal. I wrote the book after 10 years of keeping a prayer journal and speaking at women’s retreats on the topic. Women started asking me if I had a book about prayer journaling. I knew that God was leading me on the journey to write one.

The companion workbook, The 40-Day Challenge, came about because at the end of Journaling with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God, I challenge the reader to sign a covenant with God to keep a prayer journal for 40 days. The workbook offers prayer journaling challenges for each day.

James: Tell us your guiding principle that governs your life?

Carol: The guiding principle governing my life is “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

James: How have you cultivated these values?

Carol: Reading the Bible every day and keeping a prayer journal draws me closer to God and His guiding principles for our lives. If everyone practiced this one principle, our world would be a much better place.

James: Do you have any advice for writers looking to be published?

Carol: Practice your craft by