From Law Enforcement to Literature- R.L. Carpentier’s Journey into Crime Fiction

Episode Summary

In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, host James sits down with R.L. Carpentier, a veteran law enforcement officer turned crime fiction writer. Rodney shares his journey from studying English literature to unexpectedly entering law enforcement and how he rekindled his love for storytelling after nearly two decades on the force. His debut novel, Our Lady of the Overlook, is the first in a gripping crime thriller series that merges real-world policing experience with compelling storytelling.

Rodney walks us through the moment of inspiration that led to his novel, how he overcame imposter syndrome, and the writing strategies that helped him bring his book to life. He shares insights on crafting realistic police procedurals, the importance of self-imposed deadlines, and how he balances his creative work with his career. He also discusses his approach to self-publishing, working with editors, and building a writing platform ahead of his upcoming retirement.

If you've ever wanted to write a book but struggled with getting started, this episode is packed with actionable advice and motivation.

 

Show Notes & Timestamps

[00:00:00] Introduction

• Welcome to A Joyful Rebellion
• James introduces guest R.L. Carpentier

[00:01:00] The Inspiration for Our Lady of the Overlook

• Rodney’s background in law enforcement and literature
• How a late-night shift sparked the idea for his novel

[00:03:30] From College Writer to Police Officer

• Studying English and idolizing the Lost Generation authors
• How he drifted away from writing when he started his career

[00:06:00] The Turning Point: Why Writing Had to Happen

• Losing his father and reevaluating his life path
• The moment he decided: I have to do this for me

[00:09:00] Learning the Craft & Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

• Discovering storytelling techniques like Save the Cat
• Finding editors and trusting the revision process

[00:12:00] Self-Publishing: The Reality of Making a Book Happen

• The step-by-step process of hiring editors, designers, and proofreaders
• Attending writing conferences to build confidence and connections

[00:18:00] Realistic Crime Writing: Blending Fact with Fiction

• How Rodney balances procedural accuracy with compelling storytelling
• Navigating what can and cannot be shared from law enforcement experience

[00:22:00] The Evolution of a Trilogy

• How Our Lady of the Overlook expanded into a three-book series
• What’s coming in books two and three

[00:26:00] Financing & Marketing a Self-Published Book

• How Rodney used overtime work to fund his debut novel
• Considering Kickstarter for future projects

[00:30:00] Building a Writing Career Before Retirement

• Planning ahead for his post-law enforcement creative career
• The importance of having a platform before transitioning careers

[00:34:00] Final Thoughts & Advice

• The philosophy that shaped his approach: Early is on time, on time is late, late is not acceptable
• Where to find Our Lady of the Overlook and connect with Rodney

Resources & Links

Guest Website & Newsletter Signup: rlcarpentierwriter.com
Buy Our Lady of the Overlook: Available on Amazon & Direct from Author
Follow Rodney on Patreon: (Link to be provided by guest)