Carilyn was born and raised in Northeast Arkansas. She has taught special education for 28 years. She has been married for 36 years and has 3 children. She was inspired to write her first book I Call My Grandparents Mom and Dad because she was needing a book to explain to her grandson why she was raising him. She could not find one so she decided to write it herself. She enjoyed writing that book that she decided to write two more. She is now working on her 4th book.