Author Spotlight: Charity Parkerson
December 12, 2024 • News
CJC: How did you get started as an author and what made you want to pursue that field?
CP: My mom is an author, so I grew up with a love of reading and telling stories. But I also saw how hard it is to make it and never intended to go for publishing. My husband pushed me to submit, and I got picked up. No one was more surprised than me.
CJC: What do you find to be the most rewarding and challenging part of being an author and what hurdles have you overcome while striving towards your goals?
CP: When I get messages and emails from readers, telling me their favorite bits and loving my characters, that’s what keeps me going. I’ve been an author for close to 20 years, writing full-time for 15 of those. Not all those years were lucrative, and it was hard as hell to convince myself to keep going at times, but it’s always been worth it.
CJC: Which novel has been your favorite to write and why?
CP: I don’t know if I could ever pick my favorite, but there’s definitely one that means the most. I had just started writing my book, Sated, when I learned my heart is failing. All my fear and rage, grieving, went into that book. I can’t even open it without feeling everything all over again. It’s never sold well, but it’ll always be closest to my heart.
CJC: For first-time readers of your work, which book would you recommend?
CP: Sugar Fighter. It’s nowhere near my first, but it kicks off a ton of other series.
CJC: If one of your books were made into a movie, which would you select and who would you like to star in it?
CP: I’ve always thought my entire Hellish series would make an amazing movie franchise. I honestly don’t know who I’d want to star in it. Since I don’t watch a lot of TV, I don’t know anyone. 😂
CJC: For those looking to become an author, what advice would you give them?
CP: Research everyone you deal with. Go to Google and search their name or company name along with scam. There are so many predatory services and publishing companies out there hoping to steal your money. It’s like they say, it wasn’t the miners who got rich in the gold rush. It was the people who set to sell to the miners. The money should always flow your way.
CJC: If you could co-write a book with any author, who would it be and why?
CP: I’ve actually co-written three books with my mom. It’s hard and I don’t think I could’ve done it with anyone else.
CJC: Favorite motto?
CP: Everything is inspiration.
CJC: What do you do to overcome writer’s block?
CP: Thankfully, that’s not a huge issue for me. I usually have more ideas than I can handle. If I’m blocked, it’s typically mid novel. That’s when I know I’m headed in the wrong direction with one or more characters, trying to do something they don’t want. Then I talk it out with my husband, driving him crazy until I figure it out.
CJC: In one word, how would you describe your writing style?
CP: Narrative.
CJC: Which do you find harder to do… writing the blurb for your story or selecting the cover?
CP: The cover, for sure! I wrote a book on blurb writing. Those are usually the easiest parts of my books.
CJC: Do you have authors who inspire you? And if so, who and why?
CP: I’m inspired by all authors who don’t quit. That’s the hardest part of writing.
CJC: What is your writing process like?
CP: Writing is my job, so I treat it as one. I write every day until I have at least one chapter. That’s my goal, but I’ll keep going as long as my creativity flows. Unless I have a ton of promo work to do, I do this routine Monday-Friday.
CJC: What new projects are you currently working on and what are your goals for the remainder of the year?
CP: I’m juggling several series at the moment, but I’m super excited about all of them. I have daddies, sports, werewolves, and mafia up in the air. Life stays interesting. I have one more book scheduled to be released right before Christmas this year. In Daddy’s Hands is the second book in my Little Lost series. It’s a daddy/little story where the son of a crime boss meets his other half in a sassy little who’s completely unafraid of him.
CJC: Any final thoughts you would like to share with the CJC Photography readers?
CP: Thank you for the interview. If anyone would like to know more, feel free to check out my website: charityparkerson.com
CJC: A special thank you to Charity for taking the time to be part of this interview.
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