Interview with Carolyne
about "All in One Place"

Added August 3, 2007

In the Library Reviews welcomes Carolyne Aarson!

Joyce: Your latest novel, All in One Place is a terrific sequel to The Only Best Place. Can you tell us how this series originated? I understand you share something in common with the character, Leslie VandeKeere in that both of you are transplanted city gals.

Carolyne: Thanks for the lovely comment and the review, Though I wasn't a reluctant city girl transplant, Leslie and I did have a few things in common. However, I blushingly admit, I also had a few things in common with Wilma and Gloria. What I wanted to do with both books, was show how faith and commitment to a relationship and to God doesn't happen in a vacuum - that we need the support given to us by God, through family and community and because I love the country, I chose that venue to show those values.

Joyce: Leslie's sister, Terra, is so genuine I want to give her a hug! Why did you choose to write this novel in the first person perspective - Terra's perspective?

Carolyne: Thanks for that! I liked Leslie too and would have liked to write another book about her continuing faith journey and personal journey, but I think some of that came out in All In One Place. As for the choice of writing in first person - I wrote a weekly humor column for nine years and I enjoyed the freedom to project my own 'voice' into the articles. So when it came time to write these books, I wanted to try this voice out in a fiction setting. I had fun with it, but had to make sure that I didn't ramble in my narrative, the way I could ramble in my articles. What I also liked about writing first-person, is that it allowed, and forced me to dig deep into my characters motivations and personality and try to be honest about their origins.

Joyce: At first, Terra was distrustful of Leslie's newfound faith. Do you have any advice to Christians about how to make their beliefs relevant to people like Terra?

Carolyne: Asking my advice is always a dangerous prospect. I'm always full of advice, but I fall, often, in the practical application of my own advice. However, I will say this - I think being genuine in our relationship with Christ and with each other is important. Recognize who you are, what type of Christian you are and don't try to be fake. Also recognize that you will probably not be the only voice in a person's life. Terra had more than one person involved in bringing her to Christ and each of them had a job to do and something she needed to hear.

Joyce: Did you base this story on a particular Bible verse or passage?

Carolyne: I've never been one to have a life verse or memorize specific passages. I guess this is also part of my Reformed upbringing in that I tend to read Scripture as a whole and get the 'gist' of the piece, rather than focus on a particular passage. So, short answer - no.

Joyce: Terra had trouble believing that God would actually forgive her. Why do you think this aspect of Christianity is so hard to accept?

Carolyne: I think it's hard to accept because I know, in my own life, it's so mortally difficult to do. Forgiving big and small things in life - hurts, disloyalty, betrayal - is very hard. I know I like to hang onto the hurts given me and try to find a way to find justice for those who caused me and my family harm. So I think we project that reluctance to let go and that difficulty to forgive onto God.

Joyce: When the last page is turned, what do you want readers to know about God?

Carolyne: That He seeks us and wants to find us in spite of the mess we make in relationships and in our lives. He is patient but purposeful.

Joyce: What are you working on now?

Carolyne: Just finishing up another book for Love Inspired and then I am contracted to be the launch author for a new series by Guideposts which also takes place in the country!

Joyce: Thank you for answering our questions. Keep those books coming!

Return to top of page.

This page was last updated on January 1, 2008

This page and all its contents are Copyright© 2002-2008 In the Library Reviews and the individual reviewers. Except where noted, all graphics are Copyright© Eos Development and are used with permission. All book covers are Copyright© their respective publishers and are used with permission. The In the Library Reviews logo is Copyright© 2002 by In the Library Reviews/Sharyn McGinty. Site maintained by In the Library Reviews.