Who is Kathleen J. Robison-and Why Should You Pay Attention?

May I Introduce You to an Up-and-Coming Star?

Meet Kathleen Robison, the newest member of our “Serious Scribblers” writing critique group. She’s been with us for about two years and comes with boundless energy and prolific ideas. I love how she mulls an idea over and practices different ways to jump into her stories. She draws readers in through her memorable characters, true-to-life dialogue, and action-filled plots undergirded by faith-filled themes.

Enjoy learning about this up-and-coming star, and you’ll want to read her new novelette, Essential Ingredients. Pay attention to this writer because she has interesting tales to tell!

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Some Interesting Factoids About Kathleen:

Kathleen writes books about real-life challenges and real-life faith. Her stories immediately draw readers in.
She juggles several projects (novelettes and novels) at a time, giving herself multiple opportunities to process and plan each to its advantage.
She taps into characters that draw readers in (e.g., child protective worker, wedding planner, thrift shop owner, a young woman making fruitcake with her elderly grandmother) and places them in alluring settings in coastal Southern California and Mississippi.
Her standalone novelette, Essential Ingredients, was released on December 4 on Amazon.

The Interview

Me: Why do you write?

Kathleen: Making up stories while driving hundreds of hours to and from my sons’ college baseball games kept me entertained. Finally putting my words onto paper made me focus on why I write. I want to encourage believers (my main reading audience) and to seek God through all life’s trials, tragedies, and blessings.

Me: What does your writing day look like?

Kathleen: I get up around 4:00 a.m. every morning and begin by reading my Bible, praying, journaling, and reading. I write from 5 – 8 a.m. and then edit until about 11 a.m. unless my hubby or grands need something. After that, real life takes over. Anything can happen!

Me: Who are your favorite authors, and how do you fit them into your busy schedule?

Kathleen: In the mornings I usually read a devotional by John MacArthur, Elisabeth Elliot, or another inspirational writer. In the afternoons while I’m walking with my husband, I listen to audiobooks. I’ve learned a lot from Lisa Wingate, Teri Blackstock, Cathy Gohlke, and Melanie Dobson, who inspire my own writing. I also read books and listen to podcasts on the craft of writing or marketing.

Me: Give us a glimpse into your special writing space where “the magic” happens.

Kathleen: I love spending time here in my serene writing room with its little waterfall machine, plants, candles, oil diffuser, and inspiring plaques and gifts, cluttered in a writerly way. I also spend a good deal of time at my computer in my family room. While it’s rather generic, but it’s my nose-to-the-grindstone spot.

Me: How did you come up with the characters for your newly released novelette, Essential Ingredients?

Kathleen: The inspiration for Essential Ingredients was definitely Dan Fogelberg’s “Same Old Lang Syne.” I’ve always loved that song from the 80s. It’s so bittersweet, honest, and, even pure, as he and an old friend meet by chance in a grocery store on Christmas Eve. I drew on my inspiration for the foster care mom from a friend who’s fostered hundreds of kids–and even adopted seven precious ones. I’ll be interviewing her and her amazing husband for my blog soon.

Essential Ingredients!

Me: Introduce us to Essential Ingredients.

Kathleen: A Healthy Cooking Influencer on her way to catch a red-eye flight to New York for a TV interview is leaving her former career as a Child Protective Services Worker behind. Rhea thinks maybe God is moving her forward when her cooking hobby as a blogger and YouTuber hit the 100K mark. She hopes she has reached a point in her life where she can bury past hurts, leaving behind burnout from trying to protect helpless children and the loss of a serious relationship years before. An unplanned stop at a gas station brings her face to face with both heartaches. A chance reunion with her former love is interrupted by a distraught young family and their screaming toddler. As the scene escalates with police and paramedics, lives are at stake, and Rhea has a choice. What’s essential? Can she trust God to help her make the right decision?

What’s Next?

Revived Hope, a prelude novelette to the Bay Town Series, is set to release in January 2021.
Shattered Guilt, a novel, is due for release in June 2021.
Restored Grace, Book 1 of the Bay Town Series, is scheduled for a June 2022 release.

About Kathleen J. Robison

I am an Okinawan-American, born in Okinawa and raised in California, Florida, Mississippi, and Singapore. I’m an author and retired homeschooling mom, married to a pastor/realtor for 46 years. We homeschooled our eight children. Seven are now married and raising families in Japan, Washington, and California. We’re fortunate to have our youngest, recently graduated from college, at home with us, along with our 15-year-old cock-a-poo Gus. Our ethnically diverse family of 31-plus personalities (including 14 grandchildren with 3 more on the way) provides inspiration for me to share God’s amazing love amidst the challenges of real life.