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  

1. Taking online writing courses
2. Attending writing conferences
3. Subscribing to writing magazines like Writer’s Digest
4. Seeking constructive feedback
5. Getting your manuscript professionally edited
6. Reading—read and read some more—not just in your genre either
7. Joining a writers’ group

Never giving up

Thank Carol for her time and effort to attend this interview. 

Wishing all the best to her.