Author Interview: Robin Jones Gunn

Remember when I introduced you to my friend Heather and some of the lady authors that have impacted her life? Not only is Heather back on the blog this week, but she's bringing along one of the ladies she mentioned in that guest blog post.

Grab a cup of something to tantalize your taste buds, sit back, and enjoy this one-on-one between Heather and author Robin Jones Gunn.

But first, a bit of background.

ROBIN JONES GUNN is the bestselling, award-winning author of 100 books with over 6 million sold worldwide. 

Her popular Christy Miller series now continues in Christy & Todd: The Married Years and The Baby Years series. She has also written the much-loved Sierra Jensen series, the Katie Weldon series, Glenbrooke series, Haven Makers series and the Sisterchicks series. 

Four of Robin's novels have been made into Hallmark movies, including three Father Christmas movies and A Glenbrooke Christmas. Her non-fiction includes Spoken For, co-authored with Alyssa Bethke, Praying for Your Future Husband, co-authored with Tricia Goyer and Robin’s memoir, Victim of Grace. 

Robin is a three-time Christy Award finalist and one-time winner as well as a Gold Medallion finalist. Robin is a popular keynote speaker at international and local events. She and her husband have two grown children and live in California.

A Beautiful Writer, Inside and Out

by Guest Blogger Heather Qualman

I keep coming back to this one, and I don’t see that stopping anytime soon. I’ve given a synopsis of her once or twice and even maybe hinted to Ericka that I’d do another guest blog if it could be about this specific author. Her first book was released in 1988 and since then she has become a best-selling, award-winning author, one that I personally consider inspirational.

In March I crossed my fingers and prayed to God as I messaged Robin on Facebook, not really expecting even a nibble. Then four weeks later, I heard back from her! I sent her a few questions and the rest, as they say, is history.

I introduce to you…drum roll, please…author Robin Jones Gunn.

Q: Is there anything new you’re currently working on?

I’ve been writing consistently for over 35 years so the answer to this question is always, “Yes!”. I recently finished a fun project with my friend and co-author, Tricia Goyer. We collaborated on a non-fiction book titled, “Before You Meet Your Future Husband”.  It’s a devotional book with 30 stories, 30 questions and 30 prayers for readers to be able to think and pray through what God has designed for their future. 

Years ago, Tricia and I wrote a book titled, “Praying For Your Future Husband”. We have heard from many readers who were encouraged by that book and also had lots of questions. Tricia and I soon saw that an additional book in the form of a devotional would be a good way to address the questions and help young woman focus on what really matters in their lives.  

“Before You Meet Your Future Husband” is published by Multnomah/WaterBrook, a division of Penguin Random House Publishers and will release in the Spring of 2023.

Q: What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I’m not sure this is a quirk, but I always write out a prayer of dedication before I start writing each book. I’ve done this for all the 100+ books I’ve written. I always want to make sure my heart is right before I dive into the process of crafting a new story. I also feel a kinship and responsibility to my readers so when I write out my prayer, I surrender myself to the Lord and ask for Him to guide me. Then I write a prayer for the readers and ask that they would find something in the book that would draw them closer to the God’s heart.  Those prayers have been answered many thousands of times and for decades readers have written to tell me how that happened.

Q: Do you have any favorite movies based on books?

Well . . . the answer would have to be the 3 Hallmark Christmas movies that were based on the Father Christmas novels I wrote. 😊

The producers did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life and it was a fun adventure to work with them and to also be on set for the filming. I even got to be an extra in each of the three movies!

“Finding Father Christmas” aired in 2016, followed by “Engaging Father Christmas” in 2017 and then “Marrying Father Christmas” in 2018. The leads in the Father Christmas movies are Erin Krakow, Niall Matter and Wendie Mallick.

Q: Any female authors that have made an impact in your life?

Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a novel, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in 1852 because of her passionate feelings against slavery in America. Her book became an overnight bestseller and readers around the world began to share her belief that slavery should be abolished. The characters felt like real people and inspired thousands of people to feel compassion. When the Civil War started, Harriett met Abraham Lincoln. It’s said that he commented that she was the “little lady who started this great war” by changing hearts through her novel.

I have long admired her tenacity and saw in her example the power that a novel can have on readers.

What do you think?

Have you read any Robin Jones Gunn books? Share your titles and thoughts in the comments.