Summer Author Chat With Robin W. Pearson

ByRobin W. Pearson
19 Comments

Hey there, Inspired family. I’ve had a busy start to summer break–graduations, a wedding, and a bit of brain surgery. Now, how’s that for a conversation starter?

My favorite coffee order

Over a decade ago, when we still lived in New Jersey, Hubby took over making our coffee, and try as I might, I can’t recreate his formula. He grinds the beans, steeps the coffee, and prepares my cup with some magical amount of heated French vanilla creamer and sugar (shameful, I know). He even brings it to me while I’m doing my morning Bible study. When he travels, he sets up our coffeemaker, so all I have to do is press “brew.” Yes, he’s a keeper. I only drink one cup a day, but it’s the best cup ever. Sounds like he’d be dangerous with Deb Raney’s Breville. Do you prefer coffee or tea?

My favorite hymn or worship song

This is a hard one. It depends on life’s season or circumstance. I love Amazing Grace, and when TD was a baby, I sang all the verses to him before bed. Usually, I added a fifth verse that involved singing “Praise God!” over and over. By the end, he was asleep, and I felt better. My church choir’s worship music will bring you to your feet, and I especially love their version of Blessed Assurance. I want to shout “This is my story. This is my song” when they get to that part. My personal anthem. They sang it a few weeks ago, and you can listen to it here: https://centralchurchcharlotte.subspla.sh/xmrmmyz

Do you sing in a choir or perform shower solos only?

Writing soundtrack? Where do I write best?

As a twenty-two-year homeschooling mama of seven, I’ve learned to make the most out of a minute. So, I often wrote in a whirlwind or during my “third shift,” once I’d put people and other to-dos to bed. A few years ago, we added an office that was supposed to be my writing retreat, but I didn’t get much done there, other than watching the wildlife from the picture window. I exchanged it with Hubby for the coffee.

I’ve found that now that I’m…let’s say, more mature…and I have more time outside of family and school, I do prefer slightly out-of-the way, dedicated spaces to create. I’ve found that my seat at our kitchen table in our sunroom provides just the right environment—maybe because I always include food and family in my books? But this doesn’t mean I work in silence. My “soundtrack” is the family life going on beyond the French doors. Now I hear what my characters have to tell me (and you) and still be engaged as much or as little as I want with my peeps. Do you work best at night or in the morning?

My favorite summer dessert

I prefer savory over sweet any time of the year, rain, sleet, or snow, but I also love combining the two. And who doesn’t love dessert that mimics breakfast?

During the summer months, we adjust our homeschool schedule, so we have more time to make things like French toast casserole. It’s bread, custard, and syrup, and you can prep it overnight if necessary. The best kind of dessert possible. Check out the Pioneer Woman for a yummy recipe that even the most particular of Pearsons enjoys. Sweet or savory?

What I’m writing and reading

As you can see, I rearranged a couple questions again. I’m rebellious that way. I’ve had a lot of “living” over the past year, so writing went from driving my life to sitting in the passenger seat–and sometimes I had to pull over and set it beside the road. I’m grateful for the time to focus on things like college applications and graduations and working through a grief that seems never ending. I was honored to be a caregiver, and recently, I’ve been humbled to be a care receiver to address my own health issues.

But my imaginary friends are talking to me again, thank God. So I’m back to writing my story that’s set in the same “universe,” with familiar characters but in a different setting (picture sand and waves). I’m also working on my newsletter’s return. As far as reading, I love my devotional called Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship by Jonathan Gibson and Jen Babakhan’s Disrupted.

Do you use journals or devotionals to guide your Bible study time?

I can’t wait to read your answers to the questions in bold or any other comment you have!

in Him, Robin

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Robin’s award-winning work is rooted in the soul of the story because she is God centered and family focused. Her Lord and Savior is why she lives and moves and has [her] being. (Acts 17:28) She knows He has an eye and a purpose in each leaf that drifts to the ground, in every tear that courses her cheek, in all the twists and turns of their whirlwind adventure through life. And she and her husband have raised and homeschooled their seven children based on His trusted Word.

19 Comments

  1. I have been journaling lately for my quiet time. Our church uses dlife so I find myself looking for more things when I read using SPACE. A Sin to confess, Promise to claim, Attitude to change, Command to obey, Example to follow. I also like Love God Greatly, they use SOAP. Scripture, write out the focal verse, Observation – what do you see A application – apply the verse, P-prayer -write out a prayer.
    Definitely a morning person.
    I enjoy singing but normally in the pew. My daughter tells me to sing quieter.
    No coffee or tea. I love hot chocolate.
    God bless, Kim in NC, mom to 6, grandma to 1

    1. Hey there, Kim. Those acronyms sound really helpful. Have you heard of ACTS? Adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication. I’m one to belt from the pew, too. And hot chocolate sounds like a great choice.

  2. A homeschool mom of 7???? Wow, Robin. That’s incredible! I have learned that I get the most done when I am the busiest, but, boy, do I need those moments to slow down to keep from burining out. I loved learning more about you today!

  4. Loved these insights into your life! I have a coffee-making keeper of a husband, too! He bought me an automatic coffee maker a few years ago that grinds the beans and makes a perfect cup so I could manage it when he’s out of town!

    Homeschooling 7??? And writing books??? You are awesome!

  6. That casserole looks yummy, Robin—and please, if ever we are together let’s please sing Amazing Grace. I’ll go high or low, whichever you don’t want. I’d love to sing that with you. I sang to my babies and now sing to my grands. SO glad you’re here.

  7. Robin,
    I was hoping we’d get your answers to the “get-to-know-you” questions that the other bloggers had answered.
    Sounds like you have your own personal barista in your husband. I love that he brings it to you when you are doing your Bible Study. I have been a tea drinker since I was a teenager and didn’t have my first taste of coffee until I had a cappuccino at a hotel in Athens, Greece, when I was in my early twenties. There were a few other occasions that I tried cappuccinos again but never having a desire to really have it on a frequent basis. It wasn’t until I tried a mocha that I really started drinking coffee on a semi-regular basis; however, it needs to be so doctored that is probably the equivalent of drinking a candy bar. A coffee shop in my town makes a coffee called a Velvet Elvis, which has dark chocolate, raspberry, and almond whipped cream (which I usually ask to be omitted). I think this is my favorite coffee drink; however, it doesn’t win over tea. I normally drink a coffee when I need a stronger boost of caffeine that I normally don’t get from tea.
    Your church’s performance of “Blessed Assurance” was such a blessing to hear. It did make me want to clap along. I even listened to most of the next worship song that they sang. I enjoy singing along with our church’s worship songs (from the pew), and some praise songs in my car when traveling, but that is usually it for my musical performances.
    You’re not alone in preferring savory over sweet. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate & Mint square but I’d rather have something salty & savory.
    It’s good to hear that your characters are speaking to you again. I’m looking forward to reading what they’re saying to you. *wink, wink* Keep that pen or those computer keys moving.
    God bless.

    1. Thanks for looking for me, Tammi! It’s good to hear from you, and I’m so glad you listened to some of the music. The choir had us at “hello” the first time we visited decades ago. You mentioned salty and savory; that has my name written all over it. Any healthy recommendations? Also, my character development could use your prayers. They’re giving me a fit!

  8. You should share the recipe for that French toast casserole. It looks delicious!

    1. Happy to! Here goes our “tweaked” recipe, adapted from the Pioneer Woman–
      Cinnamon Baked French Toast

      Grease a 9X13 deep baking pan and preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Tear a loaf of bread (French, sourdough, ciabatta, brioche, buns, etc.) into pieces and layer in your prepared dish. Then whisk together 8 eggs, 2 cups milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half), 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons vanilla extract and pour over the bread. For the topping, mix together 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg and salt. Cut up a stick of cold butter and form a crumble with the flour mixture and top your bread. Bake for about an hour until done. You can let the bread mixture set overnight and add the topping in the morning to save time. We love to serve this with a side of bacon or maple-flavored sausage and top with syrup. (I did say this was a dessert, didn’t I?)

  9. I’m late commenting (as usual!), Robin, but I think I just might trade my beloved Breville for a husband who makes and delivers coffee to me each morning while I’m having my quiet time! My hubby doesn’t even DRINK coffee, let alone brew it. Haha! (He’s still a keeper though. 😉 )

    Loved hearing all your answers and your office space evolution sounds a lot like mine. I loved working in the hubbub of family life when our kids were home. These days, I’m very happy to have my office to myself with hubby downstairs in his office.

    1. Never late! And yes, I’d agree that your husband is a keeper, based on the conversation I was blessed to have with you two at a writers’ conference in Texas years ago before my first novel was published. You probably couldn’t hear what I was saying over the sound of my knees knocking under the table.

  10. Feels like I just had a cup of delicious coffee with a friend. I will be getting to know the characters in your books soon. Along with a new recipe and devotionals to check out.
    Oh, and to the Central Church Choir and Orchestra a big AMEN !!!! PTL !!!

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