"A fellow writer asked me, 'Who is your villain?' And I realized that in the work I do, I don't have villains — I have issues. And that's exactly why women's fiction knows no limits," says author Robyn Carr. "I'm naturally drawn to strong, capable female characters, and when I begin a story I ask myself, 'What is she up against?' I try to write about issues that every woman faces at some point in her life, without ever losing sight of the basic sense of humor that helps us all through hard times."
The author of over twenty novels, Robyn reaches a wide audience with her writing. In addition to her touching novels, she's written historical romance, series romance and a gripping thriller. "This is the best job I'm ever going to get wearing my nightgown," she says of her writing career.
Originally from Minnesota, Robyn and her family have seen much of the country thanks to her husband, Jim, and his career in aviation. After the two high school sweethearts married, Jim joined the air force during the Vietnam War. They've lived in Texas — all four corners — Florida, California and Arizona.
The couple moved to Henderson, Nevada, so Jim could explore a new business opportunity. "At first, being a Great Plains girl at heart, I said, 'Oh, no, not another desert!' It didn't take me long to fall in love with the beauty of Nevada — and the unrivaled spectacle of nearby Las Vegas!"
Robyn well remembers how she began her career as an author over twenty-five years ago. "I was trained as a nurse, but found it impossible to get work because my husband was constantly being transferred. At the time I was reading a lot of genre fiction for the escapist fantasies and I thought to myself, 'I can write this!'"
And how was her first foray into the world of literature received? "It was universally panned. I thought I had written Gone with the Wind, but in actuality it was complete trash." In fact, it was on her third effort that Robyn finally succeeded in her efforts to become a published author.
Now that Robyn's two children are grown — and finally out of the house — she has the luxury of a little free time. "Until my kids grew up, I didn't realize that a person could have hobbies other than laundry," she jokes. But it turned out not to be hobbies that keep Robyn busy when she isn't writing — she found her niche in community service. She has mentored a seniors memoir-writing group, attends book club chats in and out of state whenever possible and is working with her local library on fundraising and visiting author events that bring writers, their books and the community together. And, since the library is in her focus, she sits on the Library Board of Trustees for the city. "It is the people in my life that fills the well," she says. "Especially the people that share my love for books and writing."
