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Selena Robins burst on the scene during the year Elvis Presley’s first number one hit, Heartbreak Hotel, reached the top of the charts, and when he first appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, where thousands of screaming teenage girls tuned in to drool over his now famous hip-swivel.
Ms. Robins shares her birth year with Larry Bird, one of the greatest basketball players to ever play. Go Celtics! Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) is born and so is Mae Carol Jemison, the first African-American woman in space.
MIT’s TX-O laid groundwork for interactive computer uses, and J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The Return of the King is released. What a great year to be born!
This Canadian born author is described by her friends and colleagues as loyal, bossy, goofy, kindhearted, loving, funny, assertive, sensitive, caring, compassionate, feisty, witty, energetic, opinionated, a food snob, talkative, and wears funky socks.
She loves to cook, putting her own creative spin on dishes, entertain friends and family, and has been teasingly referred to as the Martha Stewart of the North. She’s passionate about traveling and experiencing different places and cultures. She believes the best things in life are the quiet moments when you truly feel at peace with the people you love. You should enjoy the quiet and the laughter and be able to have those feelings when you’re alone as well.
On Writing in Selena Robins’ Own Words
What or who inspires you to write?
I’ve always had a passion to write, and inspiration came to me in so many forms, but I think mainly it is something that isn’t even tangible. It’s something I wanted to do, and needed to do. There is so much strife in the world right now, and after writing Sabrina’s Destiny and receiving heartfelt emails from readers telling me how they laughed, smiled and just felt good after reading that book, that was a huge inspiration to keep doing what I do. If I can give just one person a few hours of escape, from whatever challenge they are facing, then that, in itself, is an accomplishment. I also believe that goodness is contagious, and we need more of that in this world.
Why did you begin writing?
My careers have always involved writing of some sort, mostly non-fiction. A few years ago, I was in the Bahamas on vacation, and I had run out of books to read. We headed to a local bookstore, but I couldn’t find anything that I could sink my teeth into and said, I wish I could find a story that is just a feel good story, light hearted, funny and just enjoyable while I sit on the beach. My husband said, “Why don’t you just write one yourself.” And I did! Sabrina’s Destiny was plotted in the Bahamas, and I finished it when I got home, so excited and motivated. I entered it into a contest, finaled, and was advised by a judge to finish the book and get it published.
What author inspires you?
When I was young, I fell in love with the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Harper Lee has since been an inspiration to me. I even wrote a sequel to that book, the way I saw it unfold. I did this when I was a teen and have not looked at the manuscript since. I can only imagine the mistakes in that draft. Another book that has stayed with me for a long time is a children’s book called, Angela of Angel Court by Elizabeth Rogers. I remember reading this book in Grade 5, and it has always stayed with me. The heroine of the book was strong, spunky, very goal-oriented, and worked hard to achieve her dreams. I recently found a copy of this book on E-bay and purchased it. It has taken me years to get a copy. These two authors have always been my “idols.”
What do you find most rewarding about writing?
Holding the finished product in my hand, my creations, my characters, and being able to share them and receive the positive feedback. The best thing about this writing journey has been meeting and connecting with so many wonderful writers from all over Canada and the USA. Meeting my critique partner, Nancy Darryl, who is not only a great partner but also a good friend. Meeting Michelina Pagano, who I have since become good friends with, and meeting so many other wonderful people. Had it not been for writing, we wouldn’t have connected, so I am grateful and feel blessed to have them in my life.
Have you experienced writer’s block? And if so, how did you cure it?
Yes, I have experienced what is termed as writer’s block, but I think it’s more “fear and anxiety,” which I know many writers suffer from. If I had a cure, I’d certainly write about it. I think the only thing one can do is take deep breaths, sit down in that chair and write and move forward. Also, writing short stories, articles while taking a break from the project I’m working on, seems to help and gives me a fresh outlook when I return to my project.
I had the great honor of reading Sabrina’s Destiny in manuscript form and recommending it for publication at Treble Heart Books, where I worked as a reader for a short time. It remains one of my all-time favorite romantic comedies. I love to laugh when life gets tough, and anything written by Selena Robins does the job. Her characters are so down to earth and lovable you’ll enjoy spending time with them.
Future books include a novelized version of her short story Tempted by an Angel. Readers are begging for a sequel to Sabrina’s Destiny, and it’s in the works. Ms. Robins is almost finished with a suspense and another romantic comedy as well. She will definitely have a busy and successful year.
To learn more about what the future holds for Selena Robins, visit her Web site at: http://www.selenarobins.com.
