Drive Me Iconic: Writing Your Own Story with Carly Robyn

Amanda Paolicelli: 00:00:06

What's up, Radiant Icons, and welcome back to

2

: 00:00:08

Dare To Be Iconic, the podcast made

for icons daring to be themselves.

3

: 00:00:13

I'm your host, Amanda Paolicelli,

and for today's Tea Time sesh.

4

: 00:00:17

Oh my God, I'm so excited.

5

: 00:00:18

I can't believe I'm saying this,

we are spilling the tea with

6

: 00:00:21

the one the only, Carly Robyn.

7

: 00:00:25

Carly Robyn is an icon.

8

: 00:00:27

She is a professional fan girl and she

also is one of my favorite authors.

9

: 00:00:33

Carly is the author of the Drive Me

series and today we are spilling the

10

: 00:00:38

tea with Carly on how to write your

own story and carve your own path.

11

: 00:00:42

And I am, this is just a

dream come true you guys.

12

: 00:00:45

I don't usually fan girl.

13

: 00:00:46

Let me not lie.

14

: 00:00:47

Let me not lie on this podcast.

15

: 00:00:49

I fan girl a lot, but this tea

time sesh was a dream come true.

16

: 00:00:55

I'm getting chills just thinking

about it, and I am so, so excited to

17

: 00:00:59

share Carly's tea time with you all.

18

: 00:01:03

But before we get into that, make

sure to secure your spot for my next

19

: 00:01:07

masterclass, daring to be confident

on April 19th at 1:00 PM Eastern.

20

: 00:01:12

Tickets can be found on

Dare to Be iconic.com.

21

: 00:01:16

This is a 90 minute live interactive

virtual masterclass where I give you

22

: 00:01:23

the tools, strategies, exercises.

23

: 00:01:26

Basically, I'm giving you the

ultimate confidence playbook so

24

: 00:01:30

you can radiate confidence like

never before from the inside out.

25

: 00:01:34

Okay.

26

: 00:01:35

Now that we've gone in all of

that good stuff out of the way,

27

: 00:01:39

let's talk about Carly Robyn.

28

: 00:01:41

This tea time sesh is too iconic.

29

: 00:01:43

Honestly, it drives me iconic.

30

: 00:01:45

You see what I did there with

the title of this episode.

31

: 00:01:47

But anyway, are you ready, radiant icons?

32

: 00:01:50

Because your tea time

sesh is starting now.

33

: 00:01:53

Carly Robyn, welcome to the

Dare to Be Iconic podcast.

34

: 00:01:56

How are you doing?

35

: 00:01:58

Carly Robyn: I'm doing good.

36

: 00:02:00

How are you?

37

: 00:02:01

Amanda Paolicelli: Oh, I'm so

excited for this tea time sesh.

38

: 00:02:04

To be honest, Carly, I thought I scared

you away when we met way back ago.

39

: 00:02:10

Like I thought I did 'cause

I came out full guns blazing

40

: 00:02:14

and I was like, oh my God.

41

: 00:02:15

I terrified her.

42

: 00:02:16

So I'm very happy that we're here.

43

: 00:02:18

Carly Robyn: It takes so much to

scare me away, and I will never

44

: 00:02:22

be scared of another enthusiastic

F1 girly who's like a badass boss.

45

: 00:02:29

Oh my gosh.

46

: 00:02:30

All good.

47

: 00:02:31

Amanda Paolicelli: I'm so glad this

is recorded so I can play that back

48

: 00:02:33

when I don't feel good about myself.

49

: 00:02:36

So thank you.

50

: 00:02:36

Thank you.

51

: 00:02:37

We're both professional

fan girls actually.

52

: 00:02:39

Yeah, so I think it's very fitting.

53

: 00:02:41

Carly Robyn: It really is.

54

: 00:02:41

Amanda Paolicelli: I absolutely love it.

55

: 00:02:43

But before we get into all the

iconicness of the Drive Me series

56

: 00:02:48

and basically getting to know you,

the icon , the mastermind of all

57

: 00:02:51

of this, we have to start with

some dare to be iconic essentials.

58

: 00:02:55

So, what does the word iconic mean

to you, and how do you dare to

59

: 00:02:59

be iconic in your everyday life?

60

: 00:03:02

Carly Robyn: Okay, so I thought

a lot about this because I feel,

61

: 00:03:05

oh, I love it feel to say the word

iconic, like all the time, period.

62

: 00:03:09

And I was trying to think like when I

use it, okay, so I feel like iconic is.

63

: 00:03:18

Honestly, when you like just

own something like when you

64

: 00:03:22

Amanda Paolicelli: Yes.

65

: 00:03:22

Carly Robyn: Someone or something like

happens that the person just totally

66

: 00:03:28

owns it and does it with confidence

and like has no qualms about it.

67

: 00:03:32

Like to me, I'm like,

yeah, that is so iconic.

68

: 00:03:35

You do you like, I love that.

69

: 00:03:37

Amanda Paolicelli: Period.

70

: 00:03:38

Carly Robyn: So oof, what I do

iconic is it in my everyday life?

71

: 00:03:44

Amanda Paolicelli: Yeah, in your

everyday life, how do you dare to be

72

: 00:03:46

iconic or dare to be iconic in my terms

is how do you dare to be yourself?

73

: 00:03:51

Carly Robyn: Yeah.

74

: 00:03:51

Amanda Paolicelli: So how do you do that?

75

: 00:03:52

Carly Robyn: I think just keep showing up,

like no matter like what's going on, just.

76

: 00:04:01

Having the confidence in myself

to be like, you know what?

77

: 00:04:04

I'm doing this.

78

: 00:04:04

Like, let's go.

79

: 00:04:07

Amanda Paolicelli: I love that.

80

: 00:04:07

And I, I think that stands so true to

not only the female protagonist that

81

: 00:04:12

you write in your, your stories that I

absolutely love, and we will get into that

82

: 00:04:16

a little bit later, but how you use your

platform particularly on social media.

83

: 00:04:23

And so I wanted to ask you, as a female

writer in a male dominated sports space,

84

: 00:04:30

have you faced any challenges in owning

the room or showing up iconically, and

85

: 00:04:35

how have you overcome those challenges?

86

: 00:04:38

Carly Robyn: Yeah, I would say, I mean,

F1 is a very male dominated sport.

87

: 00:04:44

Amanda Paolicelli: Mm-hmm.

88

: 00:04:45

Carly Robyn: A lot of these sports

romances and the sports definitely

89

: 00:04:48

focus on are very male dominated.

90

: 00:04:51

So I think a big challenge is

that there's this like unspoken

91

: 00:04:56

assumption that if you're a woman

writing about a sport, whatever it

92

: 00:05:01

might be, that you're a casual fan.

93

: 00:05:05

Amanda Paolicelli: Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.

94

: 00:05:05

Carly Robyn: And that you don't

have as much knowledge, whether it's

95

: 00:05:09

because you haven't played it, or

just people's, you know, misogyny

96

: 00:05:13

coming out, whatever it might be.

97

: 00:05:15

So it's definitely been hard because

I've had to almost prove that, like,

98

: 00:05:21

okay, I'm a romance writer, but like

I actually do know about the sport.

99

: 00:05:24

Amanda Paolicelli: Yes.

100

: 00:05:25

Carly Robyn: And I can talk to, you

know, a lot of the technical things

101

: 00:05:29

about F1, even if I'm not necessarily

writing a chapter, because no one

102

: 00:05:34

really wants to read all about that.

103

: 00:05:36

But like I can speak to that.

104

: 00:05:39

So I think it's just, I don't wanna

say putting up with it, but kind

105

: 00:05:46

of just like reminding people that

like, I'm here, I can do what I want.

106

: 00:05:51

I know just as much as you do.

107

: 00:05:53

And that like consistent,

you know, knowledge.

108

: 00:05:59

Amanda Paolicelli: Yeah.

109

: 00:05:59

Do you think that has played a part with

the F1 culture, specifically in that shift

110

: 00:06:06

from drive to survive coming out 'cause

correct me if I'm wrong, you became a fan

111

: 00:06:10

of F1 through drive to survive, right?

112

: 00:06:13

Carly Robyn: For sure.

113

: 00:06:13

Yeah.

114

: 00:06:14

Amanda Paolicelli: Okay.

115

: 00:06:14

Me as well.

116

: 00:06:15

So, but we have so much in common.

117

: 00:06:16

Carly Robyn: I love that.

118

: 00:06:17

Love that.

119

: 00:06:18

Amanda Paolicelli: But do you

think that that stereotype has

120

: 00:06:22

become more president because of

the drive to survive resurgence?

121

: 00:06:28

Carly Robyn: Yes.

122

: 00:06:29

I think Drive to Survive did so much

for F1, especially in the US because

123

: 00:06:36

it made it more than just a sport.

124

: 00:06:39

It made it very like personality based.

125

: 00:06:41

Amanda Paolicelli: Mm-hmm.

126

: 00:06:42

Carly Robyn: As you know,

like there's 20 drivers.

127

: 00:06:44

Yes.

128

: 00:06:44

You're gonna know all of them.

129

: 00:06:46

Amanda Paolicelli: Absolutely.

130

: 00:06:47

Carly Robyn: Football, there's how many

people you know on the team, and then

131

: 00:06:51

there's how many teams like you don't

know them, so I think especially when

132

: 00:06:56

girls are like, oh my God, I love Lewis.

133

: 00:06:58

Like he's the best.

134

: 00:06:59

A lot of men are just

like, oh, you love Lewis?

135

: 00:07:02

Amanda Paolicelli: Like, yes, yes, yes.

136

: 00:07:03

Carly Robyn: And you're like, okay.

137

: 00:07:04

Amanda Paolicelli: Mm-hmm.

138

: 00:07:04

Carly Robyn: Yes.

139

: 00:07:05

Is Lewis extremely handsome?

140

: 00:07:07

Absolutely.

141

: 00:07:07

Of course.

142

: 00:07:08

Like all for his Lululemon collab, but

I also love what he does both on the

143

: 00:07:15

track and like he's just so charitable

and he's so well spoken and yes, I just

144

: 00:07:20

like love so much more about him than

his looks and it's very frustrating that

145

: 00:07:24

- Amanda Paolicelli: Exactly.

146

: 00:07:25

Carly Robyn: Women get

pigeonholed in this.

147

: 00:07:27

Oh, well you just like them because like

they look good and I'm just like, yep.

148

: 00:07:31

It's just a bonus that they look good.

149

: 00:07:33

Amanda Paolicelli: Exactly.

150

: 00:07:34

Exactly.

151

: 00:07:34

And I feel like sometimes it's really

hard for people to understand that

152

: 00:07:38

like two things can exist at once.

153

: 00:07:40

Like I can exactly think for instance,

like Lando is my favorite driver.

154

: 00:07:43

I can think he's attractive, but I can

also love how he uses his platform.

155

: 00:07:46

I can love how talented he like, there

are so many things you know for sure.

156

: 00:07:51

I, yeah, it's like literally insane.

157

: 00:07:53

So going into basically the future,

what you hope to see for F1 as a

158

: 00:07:59

female fan personally, what is one

thing you want to see change to

159

: 00:08:03

make this space more inclusive?

160

: 00:08:07

Carly Robyn: I think more representation

within the sport itself would help.

161

: 00:08:12

Um, I know like right now there's,

there's a bunch of like F1 sportscasters

162

: 00:08:17

and journalists that like people have

now like come to know and love, but

163

: 00:08:22

I feel like almost whether it's like

engineers, team principles, like having

164

: 00:08:27

women in those front facing roles

will do a lot and help like normalize

165

: 00:08:34

that women and females are just as

passionate and knowledgeable about F1.

166

: 00:08:39

I think it is already

trending in that direction.

167

: 00:08:43

Like I feel like even if you

look at where the sport was three

168

: 00:08:47

years ago to now, there has been

a lot of like positive change.

169

: 00:08:52

Love Susie Wolf and everything she does.

170

: 00:08:54

She is, oh my god, an icon.

171

: 00:08:55

She's an icon.

172

: 00:08:56

Yes, an icon.

173

: 00:08:57

Um, but I still think like

there's still a long way to go.

174

: 00:09:02

Hopefully as we get more representation

in the sport, that'll maybe make men

175

: 00:09:08

stop being so like gatekeepery about it.

176

: 00:09:11

Oh yeah,

177

: 00:09:12

Amanda Paolicelli: I know.

178

: 00:09:13

Tell me about it.

179

: 00:09:14

Like, I think especially with

the F1 Academy show, I don't

180

: 00:09:17

know if you're familiar-

181

: 00:09:18

Carly Robyn: Yes.

182

: 00:09:18

Amanda Paolicelli: With that they're

making like a drive to survive, but

183

: 00:09:20

for F1 Academy Oh, I'm so excited.

184

: 00:09:24

Carly Robyn: Right.

185

: 00:09:24

And I'm like, I wanna

see the same excitement.

186

: 00:09:27

For that show that people

gave drive to survive.

187

: 00:09:29

Amanda Paolicelli: Like exactly like

I want the energy to keep going.

188

: 00:09:32

I want the activations to keep going

because like, exactly, let's be real.

189

: 00:09:36

F1 Academy has had some of

the best fan activations, like

190

: 00:09:40

Carly Robyn: 100% insane.

191

: 00:09:43

They're doing things in a new way

that I think, I mean, F1, when you

192

: 00:09:47

think about it, it's a money sport.

193

: 00:09:49

Like if, mm-hmm.

194

: 00:09:51

You know, you gotta pay

to play and I feel like.

195

: 00:09:55

Now it's kind of, you still do need to pay

to play, but in a way that fans can get a

196

: 00:10:00

lot more involved, whereas like Exactly.

197

: 00:10:03

They weren't necessarily before.

198

: 00:10:06

Amanda Paolicelli: Exactly.

199

: 00:10:06

So do you think F1 romance novels 'cause

kind of added to that excitement and

200

: 00:10:11

that thrill of kind of making it for

everyone and making it an inclusive space?

201

: 00:10:17

Carly Robyn: Yes and no.

202

: 00:10:18

Like, okay.

203

: 00:10:20

I do think so, um, in the sense that

like a lot more people know about F1

204

: 00:10:25

now, I think because of F1 romances.

205

: 00:10:27

Mm-hmm.

206

: 00:10:28

Which is amazing.

207

: 00:10:30

But then again, it's on the side

that like you don't want people to

208

: 00:10:34

only associate F1 with F1 romances.

209

: 00:10:38

You want them to like know the sport and

then know that like, oh my God, there's

210

: 00:10:43

like romance books based off of the sport.

211

: 00:10:45

Amanda Paolicelli: So how have you been

able to balance that with your writing?

212

: 00:10:50

Carly Robyn: It's hard, and

I think I'm still kind of

213

: 00:10:53

trying to figure it out Okay.

214

: 00:10:54

With like how I promote my books.

215

: 00:10:58

I remember one of the first like book

signings that I did, I kept on saying

216

: 00:11:03

like, it's a Formula One romance.

217

: 00:11:05

And my mom who's with me, she's like

you need to just say it's a romance.

218

: 00:11:09

She's like, people aren't

understanding like what you're

219

: 00:11:12

saying when you are promoting it

as like a Formula One romance.

220

: 00:11:16

So I was like, oh, I like didn't

even think of that 'cause to me,

221

: 00:11:20

I know F1 and I'm like, exactly.

222

: 00:11:21

Wouldn't you wanna read?

223

: 00:11:23

Amanda Paolicelli: That's how I

found out about your book actually.

224

: 00:11:25

So yeah.

225

: 00:11:26

Carly Robyn: And she's like,

you have to think of it is like.

226

: 00:11:29

It's a romance that people will then

like learn to love F1 through, but

227

: 00:11:33

Amanda Paolicelli: like yes,

that's such a good point.

228

: 00:11:35

Carly Robyn: It's not like you have to

know the ins and outs of Formula One

229

: 00:11:39

to read an F1 romance, which I think is

still a problem that like F1 romances

230

: 00:11:43

are having because a lot of people are

hesitant because like they know baseball,

231

: 00:11:48

they know football, they know soccer.

232

: 00:11:49

They're not like nervous to read.

233

: 00:11:52

A sports romance that includes that sport.

234

: 00:11:55

But when it's one that they're

not as familiar with, they're not,

235

: 00:11:58

Amanda Paolicelli: it's a little bit

daunting, like overwhelming a lot.

236

: 00:12:00

Carly Robyn: Right.

237

: 00:12:00

It's not their like go-to to reach to.

238

: 00:12:02

Amanda Paolicelli: So how has your

love for F1, how have you been able

239

: 00:12:06

to bring it into your writing to kind

of bring a new generation of fans who

240

: 00:12:11

maybe don't know anything about F1?

241

: 00:12:13

Carly Robyn: Yeah, so I think what's so

fun about F1 is just how it, it truly is

242

: 00:12:19

like a worldwide sport and a big part in

all of my books is that like almost every

243

: 00:12:25

other chapter is happening in a new city.

244

: 00:12:28

So almost like introducing that like

cultural aspect of the sport, never just

245

: 00:12:34

taking place in, you know, one spot.

246

: 00:12:37

And then I think just in my writing,

like letting people get to know the

247

: 00:12:44

main characters, or at least the

men, like not just as drivers, but as

248

: 00:12:48

regular people, because then you get

the yes duality of who they are, almost

249

: 00:12:54

like the drive to survive, whereas.

250

: 00:12:56

You see like clips of them in these

exciting races, but then you get to

251

: 00:13:01

like, see how they feel about it or like

if they had a crappy call with their

252

: 00:13:05

dad before or whatever it might be.

253

: 00:13:08

Yes.

254

: 00:13:08

Like you get that inside scoop,

which makes it more relatable.

255

: 00:13:13

Amanda Paolicelli: Yes.

256

: 00:13:13

You've done that so well in your writing.

257

: 00:13:16

I'm gonna be so, like, I'm not even gonna

try to like gas you up like genuinely.

258

: 00:13:20

Your book is one of my favorite books.

259

: 00:13:22

I introduce it to everyone.

260

: 00:13:24

I'm like, you need to read this.

261

: 00:13:25

You need to like my friends,

get sick of me because of

262

: 00:13:27

how much I plug in your book.

263

: 00:13:29

Carly Robyn: I'm so happy this is

recorded, so I can replay that.

264

: 00:13:33

Amanda Paolicelli: We're both just gonna

replay this episode over and over again.

265

: 00:13:36

Carly Robyn: It's gonna be like

my listening, my meditation.

266

: 00:13:40

Amanda Paolicelli: That's iconic of you.

267

: 00:13:41

Yeah.

268

: 00:13:42

Period.

269

: 00:13:42

But so you spoke about the

inside scoop getting to know the

270

: 00:13:46

personality of your characters.

271

: 00:13:48

And one thing that I resonated a lot

with in your writing is the badass

272

: 00:13:53

female protagonist that you write,

they are real, they are complex.

273

: 00:13:56

They are just so authentic.

274

: 00:13:58

So how have you approached writing

such badass female characters in

275

: 00:14:06

this male dominated sports space?

276

: 00:14:09

Carly Robyn: I definitely, all

of the females have a backbone.

277

: 00:14:13

Amanda Paolicelli: Um, yes.

278

: 00:14:15

Yes they do.

279

: 00:14:16

Carly Robyn: And I think.

280

: 00:14:19

And I'll speak to like drive me

home, even though it's not out yet.

281

: 00:14:22

But all of the main female

characters, they're still figuring

282

: 00:14:27

out like what they're doing in life.

283

: 00:14:29

Amanda Paolicelli: Mm-hmm.

284

: 00:14:29

Carly Robyn: Whether it's like Ella and

What's next, or Josie, is she happy?

285

: 00:14:33

And Charlotte just graduated and she's

like, I don't know what I wanna do.

286

: 00:14:37

Like they're all figuring out their lives,

but they're all still so comfortable

287

: 00:14:43

and confident in their own skin, so

that like no matter what situation,

288

: 00:14:47

they're thrown in, they know who they

are and that kind of helps guide them.

289

: 00:14:51

And I think that's what helps because

you're being thrown into this like

290

: 00:14:56

insanely fast paced sport with like really

intense people and really high stakes.

291

: 00:15:02

So them kind of knowing where they

stand within themselves helps them

292

: 00:15:06

stand up to people if need be.

293

: 00:15:09

Amanda Paolicelli: I love that

and I have seen that through both

294

: 00:15:12

Drive me crazy and drive me wild.

295

: 00:15:13

I obviously haven't

read Drive Me Home yet.

296

: 00:15:15

I know by the time this

airs Radiance Icons.

297

: 00:15:17

Yes.

298

: 00:15:18

I'm looking straight at the camera.

299

: 00:15:19

I know the book will be out and I will

link it in the show that's below, but

300

: 00:15:22

at this time I have not read it yet,

but you know, I've already ordered it.

301

: 00:15:25

Anyway, going into Drive me Crazy real

quick with Ella, I personally drive

302

: 00:15:31

me crazy is my favorite book of the

series so far, and I wanted to ask.

303

: 00:15:37

Drive me crazy has a lot of, um, heavy

plot lines, specifically the SA plot line,

304

: 00:15:43

and I wanted to know why did you decide to

include that in Ella's story and how were

305

: 00:15:50

you able to balance that heavier subject

manner with the lighter aspects such as

306

: 00:15:56

the romance and sport, so on and so forth?

307

: 00:15:59

Carly Robyn: Yeah, I mean, I think for

me it's important when you have those

308

: 00:16:04

heavy topics and you're writing like

a rom-com, you have to balance it.

309

: 00:16:09

Mm-hmm.

310

: 00:16:09

And it's figuring out how to make these

characters dynamic and how to make them

311

: 00:16:16

face issues, but not let it define them.

312

: 00:16:21

Mm-hmm.

313

: 00:16:21

So I think Blake really struggled

with anxiety and like he felt

314

: 00:16:25

very stuck because he felt like

his anxiety kind of owned him.

315

: 00:16:29

He didn't wanna put himself in situations,

whereas Ella was kind of like escaping

316

: 00:16:34

hers and trying not to think about it

at all, but showing that like they can

317

: 00:16:39

still both live full very happy lives

despite like these circumstances or

318

: 00:16:48

things that they might be dealing with.

319

: 00:16:50

And I think.

320

: 00:16:52

You know, having Ella with the SA

plot line, she went from one male

321

: 00:16:59

dominated field to another one, and

how, you know, she kind of persevered

322

: 00:17:05

and found her footing within that.

323

: 00:17:09

Amanda Paolicelli: And I think the

most important theme that I've gotten

324

: 00:17:11

from that is that it's not to allow

anything to define your narrative.

325

: 00:17:15

You are completely in control of it.

326

: 00:17:17

And so speaking about Blake and

therapy in particular, you have been

327

: 00:17:21

very open about your therapy journey.

328

: 00:17:24

Mm-hmm.

329

: 00:17:24

So how did that your personal

journey with therapy influence

330

: 00:17:29

your storytelling choices?

331

: 00:17:31

Carly Robyn: So I always knew

for drive me crazy that I wanted

332

: 00:17:35

there to be therapy scenes.

333

: 00:17:37

Amanda Paolicelli: Okay.

334

: 00:17:38

Carly Robyn: Like from really early on.

335

: 00:17:40

And I think for me, like

I'm that person who's like.

336

: 00:17:45

So annoying that I think every

person should go to therapy.

337

: 00:17:47

Like I don't shut up about it.

338

: 00:17:49

Amanda Paolicelli: No, I, I agree

with you a thousand percent and

339

: 00:17:51

therapy's the best thing ever.

340

: 00:17:53

The best thing ever.

341

: 00:17:54

Carly Robyn: I'm like, even if you

don't think you need to go, go, like I

342

: 00:17:57

guarantee like you'll find something.

343

: 00:17:59

Exactly.

344

: 00:17:59

And I, so I really wanted to include

it because a lot of times in books,

345

: 00:18:06

and this is no shade to like any book

in particular, but like if someone

346

: 00:18:11

is having, you know, a mental health

crisis or if they're getting over the

347

: 00:18:15

fact, um, that they were SA, they get

into this relationship and all of a

348

: 00:18:20

sudden they're magically cured, like.

349

: 00:18:22

The relationship is what

solves their anxiety.

350

: 00:18:26

Mm-hmm.

351

: 00:18:26

And like sure.

352

: 00:18:27

Could a relationship help your anxiety?

353

: 00:18:29

Yeah.

354

: 00:18:30

But it could also hurt your anxiety

for totally separate reasons.

355

: 00:18:34

So for me, including that was like

including the therapy was showing

356

: 00:18:38

that they were both still working on

themselves separately, even if they are

357

: 00:18:43

together because yes, we're so happy

and we love that they're in love, but

358

: 00:18:48

like they've still got a ways to go.

359

: 00:18:50

Blake's still gonna deal with

anxiety, you know, after him and

360

: 00:18:53

Ella have their happily ever after.

361

: 00:18:56

So that's why it was like important

to showcase that it wasn't just

362

: 00:19:01

a one and done type thing, but

something that they'll continue.

363

: 00:19:06

Amanda Paolicelli: So to piggyback off

of that, when it comes to Josie and

364

: 00:19:10

Theo's dynamic, how has your personal

journey kind of reflected into Josie?

365

: 00:19:16

'cause I remember in a previous

interview when I was doing

366

: 00:19:19

my, my little research, yes.

367

: 00:19:20

You mentioned that Josie was one of

the, and you can correct me if I'm

368

: 00:19:23

wrong here, but Josie was a little

bit more difficult for you to write.

369

: 00:19:27

Carly Robyn: She was so hard to write.

370

: 00:19:28

Like, I look back and I'm like, what?

371

: 00:19:30

Like I still to this day am like, what?

372

: 00:19:33

So I don't think I've said this in another

interview, but before, so I work full-time

373

: 00:19:38

corporate, I write, but I still go into an

office, whatever, but I was working for a.

374

: 00:19:46

Restaurant group doing their

marketing before Covid.

375

: 00:19:51

And so basically Josie's new job

was my old job and I love that.

376

: 00:19:56

Okay.

377

: 00:19:57

I don't think I realized like how much

that like I totally gave for my old

378

: 00:20:01

career until after and I was like, oh,

she was really hard to write, but like

379

: 00:20:06

I definitely gave her a lot of me if I

straight up gave her like my old job.

380

: 00:20:12

So her career journey I think is

very, I don't wanna say like very

381

: 00:20:19

based in me, but like I definitely

gave parts of my own experience,

382

: 00:20:24

but her relationship situation, I

am not like someone who always has

383

: 00:20:28

a boyfriend, like not me at all.

384

: 00:20:30

So like we're very different in that way.

385

: 00:20:33

But in regards to like kind of the career

and like, am I actually happy with what

386

: 00:20:39

I'm doing and like, am I being challenged

and am I fine with the status quo or

387

: 00:20:44

do I actually wanna see what else is

out there, even if it's big and scary?

388

: 00:20:48

Amanda Paolicelli: I love it.

389

: 00:20:49

The fear of the unknown.

390

: 00:20:50

Do you think that fear of the unknown

kind of goes with Charlotte 'cause

391

: 00:20:54

you did tease a little bit that

she just graduated from college.

392

: 00:20:57

So now she's like, oh my gosh, like

what am I gonna do with my life?

393

: 00:21:00

And I know a lot of us

like go through that.

394

: 00:21:02

Yeah.

395

: 00:21:02

So what can readers

expect in Drive Me Home?

396

: 00:21:06

And how have you been able to

pull from your personal life

397

: 00:21:09

into either Lucas or Charlotte?

398

: 00:21:12

Carly Robyn: So Charlotte is so fun.

399

: 00:21:15

She's like the girl version of

Theo, but like, really, really cool.

400

: 00:21:20

She's the girl you wanna be for.

401

: 00:21:21

Not that Theo's not cool, but like

Theo, sometimes you're like, oh

402

: 00:21:24

my God, you're so embarrassing.

403

: 00:21:26

Like, what are you doing?

404

: 00:21:26

No, literally,

405

: 00:21:27

Amanda Paolicelli: I remember

reading it and being like,

406

: 00:21:29

oh my, what is he doing now?

407

: 00:21:31

I'm like,

408

: 00:21:33

Carly Robyn: he's like

every unfiltered thought.

409

: 00:21:35

He like does.

410

: 00:21:35

Amanda Paolicelli: Yes, she's unfiltered,

but like still really cool about it.

411

: 00:21:40

Carly Robyn: Yeah.

412

: 00:21:40

Um, but her story is, yeah, she.

413

: 00:21:44

Graduated.

414

: 00:21:45

It took her, I think like five

years and three major changes.

415

: 00:21:49

To graduate because she just like

really doesn't know what her thing is.

416

: 00:21:53

And she really struggles because

she has a brother who has known what

417

: 00:21:58

he's wanted to do since he was six.

418

: 00:22:00

He knew he wanted to be a driver, and

that's like what he committed his life to.

419

: 00:22:04

And she's someone who, you know, has

a new hobby every three months and

420

: 00:22:09

you know, picks it up, hyper focus,

and then we'll never come back to it.

421

: 00:22:13

So it's her kind of figuring

out, all right, what do I like

422

: 00:22:16

actually wanna do with my life?

423

: 00:22:18

Like what am I good at?

424

: 00:22:20

What can I see myself doing?

425

: 00:22:22

So I don't know if I necessarily, I

mean, I think we all kind of like,

426

: 00:22:29

even when we have a stable career,

we're kind of like, what are we doing?

427

: 00:22:33

Amanda Paolicelli: Um,

I think all the time.

428

: 00:22:34

Carly Robyn: I think

that's just being an adult.

429

: 00:22:37

So Charlotte is a type one diabetic, and

my mom's a type one diabetic, so I knew

430

: 00:22:43

I wanted to include that representation.

431

: 00:22:45

And a big part of it is that yes, she's a

diabetic, but it doesn't control her life.

432

: 00:22:51

It doesn't ruin her life.

433

: 00:22:52

It's her navigating how to do the things

she wants to do while being diabetic

434

: 00:22:57

and lucas is a very, he's like a dad.

435

: 00:23:02

He like, I'm so excited

to meet Lucas even more.

436

: 00:23:04

Oh, he wants to take care of everyone

and make sure that everyone's okay.

437

: 00:23:08

So it's him like figuring out

almost how to deal with her being

438

: 00:23:12

a type one diabetic because like

he wants to make sure she's okay.

439

: 00:23:15

Amanda Paolicelli: He wants, wants to

care for her, nurture her, all that.

440

: 00:23:18

Oh my love.

441

: 00:23:18

Carly Robyn: But she's like, dude, I've

been doing this on my own for years.

442

: 00:23:21

Like.

443

: 00:23:22

Back off.

444

: 00:23:23

So it's normalizing diabetes.

445

: 00:23:26

Amanda Paolicelli: Mm-hmm.

446

: 00:23:26

Carly Robyn: In that sense that

yeah, you can live a totally full

447

: 00:23:30

well-rounded life and be a diabetic.

448

: 00:23:34

It's back to your like earlier

thing that you said where like

449

: 00:23:37

two things can be true at once.

450

: 00:23:39

Exactly.

451

: 00:23:39

That's how I wanted to incorporate it.

452

: 00:23:43

Amanda Paolicelli: I love that.

453

: 00:23:43

Yeah.

454

: 00:23:43

I keep saying I love that, but I just

love everything that you're doing.

455

: 00:23:46

I think it speaks so true to the Dare

to be iconic message, which is never

456

: 00:23:50

like really does anything define you.

457

: 00:23:53

So what was one iconic moment that you

experienced while writing Drive Me Home?

458

: 00:23:59

Because it wouldn't be dare to be iconic

if I didn't ask out an iconic moment.

459

: 00:24:02

Carly Robyn: No, that's true.

460

: 00:24:04

Honestly, so much of what I feel

like there's so many Charlotte

461

: 00:24:08

moments that are iconic.

462

: 00:24:12

Amanda Paolicelli: Okay.

463

: 00:24:13

I love, is she gonna be my favorite?

464

: 00:24:15

I don't know.

465

: 00:24:15

Now.

466

: 00:24:16

Oh my gosh.

467

: 00:24:16

Carly Robyn: She is just like marches

to the beat of her own drum, has no

468

: 00:24:23

idea what she's doing, but does it with

so much confidence that like you can't

469

: 00:24:29

help but just like be wowed by her like.

470

: 00:24:34

Does that, the things that come out of

her mouth, I'm like, oh my, I love that.

471

: 00:24:38

But she owns them and you're just like,

okay, I guess that's what happened.

472

: 00:24:43

And we're going, we're moving along.

473

: 00:24:44

Amanda Paolicelli: So she

basically dares to be iconic.

474

: 00:24:46

It's like what I'm hearing.

475

: 00:24:48

So like she embodies it.

476

: 00:24:49

Carly Robyn: It's her subtitle.

477

: 00:24:50

So yeah.

478

: 00:24:52

Amanda Paolicelli: Iconic.

479

: 00:24:52

I absolutely love that.

480

: 00:24:55

So which one out of the three

female protagonists, Ella, Josie,

481

: 00:24:59

and Charlotte, do you think you

resonate with the most and why?

482

: 00:25:06

Carly Robyn: I think Ella and

I think because she's my first

483

: 00:25:11

like main character that I wrote.

484

: 00:25:14

I gave her so much of me accidentally

that I'm like, well, yeah, I relate

485

: 00:25:18

to it because like that's, that's me.

486

: 00:25:21

So.

487

: 00:25:23

I think like her sarcasm is very me.

488

: 00:25:27

Um, how she like approaches situations is

very me and just like a lot of her little

489

: 00:25:33

quirks like sitting cross-legged and her

love of diet coke, like all of that stuff.

490

: 00:25:39

I'm just like, you're

such a relatable queen.

491

: 00:25:41

And then I'm like, well,

yeah, 'cause it's you.

492

: 00:25:44

So I would hope it's relatable.

493

: 00:25:46

Um, we're very different in a lot of ways.

494

: 00:25:49

Like, it's not like I wrote myself at all.

495

: 00:25:52

I would like never work for

like a sports media company.

496

: 00:25:56

'cause I, I love F1 and like a few

other sports, but like not enough

497

: 00:26:01

to work for like sports media.

498

: 00:26:02

So we're very different and she always has

the right thing to say, whereas I'm like.

499

: 00:26:06

The person who like three hours later

in the shower, I'm like, oh my God,

500

: 00:26:10

that should have been my comeback.

501

: 00:26:11

Yes, it's always when you have

the comeback and so she's cooler

502

: 00:26:16

than me in that sense, but I

think I relate the most to her.

503

: 00:26:21

Amanda Paolicelli: Oh my gosh.

504

: 00:26:21

It always happens at

like the worst times too.

505

: 00:26:23

You're like in the shower, you're on

a walk, you're about to go to bed.

506

: 00:26:26

It's like when you get like those genius

ideas as well, like I know you're a

507

: 00:26:29

creative, we both can relate on that.

508

: 00:26:31

Like I get every idea for dare to be

Iconic when I'm about to go to bed.

509

: 00:26:35

Carly Robyn: Yeah.

510

: 00:26:36

Literally someone asked me, they're

like, oh my God, I love the line.

511

: 00:26:42

There's a line, I don't

know, a book it's in.

512

: 00:26:45

It's either drive me

crazy or drive me Wild.

513

: 00:26:47

But I think it's drive me crazy.

514

: 00:26:50

And Blake's just like talking,

referring to something dumb Theo did.

515

: 00:26:53

And it was Theo confusing

the word misogyny with MSG.

516

: 00:26:57

Amanda Paolicelli: Oh yes.

517

: 00:26:58

Carly Robyn: And someone was like,

how did you even think of that?

518

: 00:27:01

And I was like, I was literally

in the shower deciding what

519

: 00:27:04

I wanted to eat for dinner.

520

: 00:27:06

And I was like, I really want like

Chinese food and a big thing like

521

: 00:27:11

back in the day, was that like

some Chinese food had MSG in it?

522

: 00:27:15

Yeah.

523

: 00:27:15

And didn't and I was like, huh,

MSG sounds a lot like misogyny.

524

: 00:27:19

And I was like, in my towel,

I was like adding it in.

525

: 00:27:22

I'm like, it's so random that like.

526

: 00:27:25

How do you tell people like that?

527

: 00:27:28

You know, like the ideas just,

they come when they come and you

528

: 00:27:31

gotta, you gotta roll with it.

529

: 00:27:33

Amanda Paolicelli: Do you have any more

iconic stories of lines like that or

530

: 00:27:36

ideas that just pop up even if it's for

future series that you are thinking about?

531

: 00:27:41

Carly Robyn: I like, can't think on

the spot, but like I do think of a lot

532

: 00:27:45

of random one-liners and then we'll

base like an entire scene off of that.

533

: 00:27:51

Like really?

534

: 00:27:52

Okay.

535

: 00:27:52

I'm writing something totally,

entirely separate right now.

536

: 00:27:57

That's not a sports romance, but they are

playing pickleball in this scene, even

537

: 00:28:02

though it's like not a sports romance.

538

: 00:28:04

Amanda Paolicelli: Oh, okay.

539

: 00:28:06

Carly Robyn: I literally was like, I

think talking to my grandma and she lives

540

: 00:28:09

in Florida and pickleball is huge there.

541

: 00:28:11

Amanda Paolicelli: Okay.

542

: 00:28:11

Period.

543

: 00:28:12

A Florida queen as well.

544

: 00:28:14

Okay.

545

: 00:28:14

Carly Robyn: Yeah, she was telling me

about this like drama between this one

546

: 00:28:17

guy hoarding the pickleball courts,

whatever, and I was like kind of

547

: 00:28:21

like thinking that'd be really funny

if like the main character had beef

548

: 00:28:24

with like an old 70-year-old man.

549

: 00:28:26

So like I based an entire like four

chapters off of like this one idea of

550

: 00:28:30

her having like beef with an old man and

it kind of just like spiraled into that.

551

: 00:28:36

So it's definitely like random

moments where I'm like, I

552

: 00:28:40

wonder if that'd be funny.

553

: 00:28:41

And then you get inside your

head and you're like, will

554

: 00:28:43

anyone else find this funny?

555

: 00:28:44

Or like, no, do I just giggle at it?

556

: 00:28:46

Amanda Paolicelli: But me all the time.

557

: 00:28:48

I'm like, does anyone like, does anyone

even think this episode's like good?

558

: 00:28:51

Are they, are they gonna

resonate to anything I say?

559

: 00:28:53

Or am I just like talking

like, I don't know,

560

: 00:28:54

Carly Robyn: but then you put

it out because you're iconic.

561

: 00:28:57

Okay, thank you.

562

: 00:28:59

You own it.

563

: 00:29:00

And I love that.

564

: 00:29:00

Amanda Paolicelli: Period 'cause

it's unbreakable confidence.

565

: 00:29:02

Mm-hmm.

566

: 00:29:02

What can we say?

567

: 00:29:04

So speaking of owning it, Carly Yes.

568

: 00:29:08

Can you give us a little like

teaser of what to expect next?

569

: 00:29:13

Carly Robyn: Yes.

570

: 00:29:14

So it's another sports romance.

571

: 00:29:18

Okay.

572

: 00:29:19

And I do give a hint

to it in drive me home.

573

: 00:29:24

Okay.

574

: 00:29:24

Amanda Paolicelli: Although, I will

say, have you ever played the game code?

575

: 00:29:28

Code names?

576

: 00:29:30

No.

577

: 00:29:30

Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

578

: 00:29:32

This may be completely wrong, but is it

like when you have a crush on someone

579

: 00:29:36

and then you like tell your girlfriend's

like, oh, this is his like code name.

580

: 00:29:39

Okay.

581

: 00:29:40

Do, are we completely different?

582

: 00:29:41

I do think that's a game,

but completely different.

583

: 00:29:43

Oh, okay.

584

: 00:29:43

Fair.

585

: 00:29:44

Love that.

586

: 00:29:45

Carly Robyn: I'll, I would

need like a full four hour.

587

: 00:29:48

Um.

588

: 00:29:50

To explain code names, but it relates to

like how I accidentally, I love it gave

589

: 00:29:54

more than one clue that could be relevant.

590

: 00:29:57

Like, okay.

591

: 00:29:58

'cause there's multiple other sports

mentioned in the book and I'm like, oh,

592

: 00:30:01

it's another sport and there's a hint and

people are like, oh my God, it's boxing.

593

: 00:30:06

And I'm like, no, but

I didn't even remember.

594

: 00:30:09

I like put boxing in

the book, so Oh my God.

595

: 00:30:13

So yeah, it's, but it's not boxing, so

when you read it, it's the other one.

596

: 00:30:17

Okay.

597

: 00:30:18

It's the,

598

: 00:30:18

Amanda Paolicelli: it's the other one.

599

: 00:30:19

Okay.

600

: 00:30:20

Okay.

601

: 00:30:20

Radiant icons.

602

: 00:30:21

Let's, let's take a bet

in the broadcast channel.

603

: 00:30:24

Okay.

604

: 00:30:24

Let's see if we can get it right.

605

: 00:30:25

Carly Robyn: A little flu thing.

606

: 00:30:27

Amanda Paolicelli: Yes.

607

: 00:30:27

Oh my gosh.

608

: 00:30:27

I would love that.

609

: 00:30:28

It'd be so iconic.

610

: 00:30:30

So I have a, just like a

couple more questions Yeah.

611

: 00:30:32

Before we wrap up.

612

: 00:30:35

Going back to you being

iconic in your everyday life.

613

: 00:30:39

Carly Robyn: Thank you.

614

: 00:30:40

Of course.

615

: 00:30:41

I know that wasn't a

compliment, but like maybe.

616

: 00:30:43

Amanda Paolicelli: No,

it was, you are an icon.

617

: 00:30:45

Carly Robyn, you're okay.

618

: 00:30:48

What is one thing you would tell the

Carly right before she released drive

619

: 00:30:54

me Crazy because I know it's been over a

year at this point while we are recording.

620

: 00:30:59

Because it was like February 13th, right?

621

: 00:31:02

Carly Robyn: Yeah.

622

: 00:31:03

Amanda Paolicelli: Period.

623

: 00:31:04

Wow.

624

: 00:31:04

What

625

: 00:31:04

Carly Robyn: would you tell her?

626

: 00:31:06

Um.

627

: 00:31:08

I would tell her to look

ahead, don't look back.

628

: 00:31:13

I think like even now, if I look

back to the release of Drive Me

629

: 00:31:16

Crazy, there's so many things I

would've done differently, but I'm

630

: 00:31:19

like, what's the, what's the point?

631

: 00:31:21

And like stressing or you know,

what could I have changed you?

632

: 00:31:26

You can only move forward and you know,

633

: 00:31:30

Amanda Paolicelli: You could

literally only move forward in life.

634

: 00:31:32

You can't regret anything.

635

: 00:31:33

You know?

636

: 00:31:34

'cause if you don't try,

you will never know.

637

: 00:31:35

Like if you never release, drive me crazy.

638

: 00:31:38

Carly Robyn: Exactly.

639

: 00:31:38

Amanda Paolicelli: You never

know what would've happened.

640

: 00:31:40

Carly Robyn: And like if I

had done things differently.

641

: 00:31:43

I probably still would be giving myself

the same advice, so it's exactly,

642

: 00:31:48

Amanda Paolicelli: exactly.

643

: 00:31:49

Carly, I can't believe our

tea time sesh is already over.

644

: 00:31:52

It's been literally the best time ever.

645

: 00:31:55

Carly Robyn: I know.

646

: 00:31:55

I feel like we could yap for like so long.

647

: 00:31:57

Amanda Paolicelli: No, we could,

like honestly, my friend Daniella

648

: 00:32:01

like she was like there to take

the picture because she saw that I

649

: 00:32:03

was like freaking out fangirling.

650

: 00:32:05

And I haven't even read your book yet.

651

: 00:32:06

Did you know that?

652

: 00:32:07

Like Yes.

653

: 00:32:08

Carly Robyn: Yeah.

654

: 00:32:08

You were just excited.

655

: 00:32:10

Amanda Paolicelli: That was

the first thing I actually said

656

: 00:32:11

to you now, which like, wow,

657

: 00:32:14

Carly Robyn: here you were

there supporting I, yeah.

658

: 00:32:17

Amanda Paolicelli: And I came

straight for you be line.

659

: 00:32:19

Oh my God.

660

: 00:32:19

Carly, I haven't read your

book yet, but so honored.

661

: 00:32:26

Carly Robyn: I'm so honored.

662

: 00:32:28

Amanda Paolicelli: Thank you.

663

: 00:32:28

Thank you.

664

: 00:32:29

I just have to say thank you 'cause

I dunno what to say anymore, but

665

: 00:32:34

what is one iconic insight that

you would want to leave with

666

: 00:32:37

the Radiance Icon Community?

667

: 00:32:43

Carly Robyn: Be you,

668

: 00:32:46

period.

669

: 00:32:47

Amanda Paolicelli: Just dare to be you.

670

: 00:32:48

Carly Robyn: Period.

671

: 00:32:49

Just be you.

672

: 00:32:50

Own it.

673

: 00:32:52

Love it.

674

: 00:32:52

And you know, screw anyone

who doesn't like it.

675

: 00:32:57

Amanda Paolicelli: Okay, carly.

676

: 00:32:58

Carly Robyn: Not to be aggressive.

677

: 00:33:00

I

678

: 00:33:00

Amanda Paolicelli: love it.

679

: 00:33:00

No, please be, be bold,

be aggressive, be you.

680

: 00:33:05

I love it.

681

: 00:33:07

Thank you Carly, for coming

on dare to Be Iconic.

682

: 00:33:10

Where can the Radiant icons

find you, so on and so forth?

683

: 00:33:14

Give them all the details.

684

: 00:33:15

Carly Robyn: Yes.

685

: 00:33:15

Um, you can find me at, @carlyrobynauthor

pretty much on all the platforms.

686

: 00:33:22

Um, but I post pretty regularly on

Instagram and TikTok, and then I send

687

: 00:33:29

out one or two newsletters a month that

you can subscribe to on my website.

688

: 00:33:35

Amanda Paolicelli: Which is?

689

: 00:33:37

Carly Robyn: Carly robin author.com.

690

: 00:33:39

I tried to keep really simple

with, uh, you know, repetitiveness.

691

: 00:33:42

Amanda Paolicelli: I love it.

692

: 00:33:43

But thank you.

693

: 00:33:43

Thank you so much for coming on.

694

: 00:33:45

Dare to be Iconic.

695

: 00:33:45

I cannot wait to read drive Me Home

and I will be sliding into your dms.

696

: 00:33:50

Carly Robyn: You know what?

697

: 00:33:51

Leave me all the voice memos.

698

: 00:33:53

Amanda Paolicelli: Okay.

699

: 00:33:54

Period.

700

: 00:33:54

You asked for it.

701

: 00:33:55

All right, radiant icons.

702

: 00:33:57

That is your tee time sesh for today.

703

: 00:33:58

If you enjoy today's episode, make

sure to subscribe, to leave a rating,

704

: 00:34:02

a review to tell your friends about

us, to tell everyone and anyone,

705

: 00:34:06

because we love more Radiance icons

and our iconic community of ours.

706

: 00:34:11

I just want to say one last thank

you to Carly for coming on Dare

707

: 00:34:15

to Be Iconic and spilling the tea

with me and with the radiant icons.

708

: 00:34:20

I am truly, truly so grateful.

709

: 00:34:23

And also thank you to you

guys, the radiant icons.

710

: 00:34:26

I wouldn't be able to interview and spill

the tea with so many amazing, iconic

711

: 00:34:32

thought leaders and everyday icons.

712

: 00:34:34

If it wasn't for you guys tuning

in every single week and listening

713

: 00:34:39

to me spilled the tea about

every single thing under the sun.

714

: 00:34:43

Thank you.

715

: 00:34:44

Thank you for being here.

716

: 00:34:45

I truly am so grateful.

717

: 00:34:47

I'm so lucky.

718

: 00:34:49

Thank you for letting

me live out my dream.

719

: 00:34:51

I love you guys so much.

720

: 00:34:53

Remember radiant icons, dare to be iconic.

721

: 00:34:56

Bye.