CHARITY PARKERSON

Q: YOU HAVE WRITTEN MORE THAN 200 BOOKS IN EROTICA, PARANORMAL AND LBGTQ+ BOOKS, HOW DID YOU MAKE THE MOVE THROUGH THE GENRES

I started out nearly twenty years ago, traditionally published and writing M/F contemporary and paranormal. Back then, I never expected anyone would read my stories, so I wrote what I wanted with zero thought to making sales. When I went indie three books in, I still wasn’t making money, so I just stuck with writing whatever made me happy. I stayed hybrid, occasionally signing with small publishers and still doing as I pleased with little result. Then, 10 years ago, I was picked up by a large publisher. I decided to throw everything I had at making that series huge. I followed authors I knew who were already where I wanted to be and mimicked what they were doing online to grow their readership. Luckily, that series took off and I’ve made a full-time living from writing whatever I want since. That publisher didn’t work out for me in the end, but I had built my readership. Thankfully, since I’ve always crossed genres, a majority of my readership follows me whatever I decide to write.

Q: OUT OF ALL THE WRITING YOU HAVE DONE, WHICH CHARACTER DO YOU FEEL THE BIGGEST CONNECTION TO AND FROM WHAT STORY/BOOK IS THAT CHARACTER FROM?

This is a tough one since I’ve written so many books. However, as I read the question, one name sprang to mind. Remy from Brawler. Remy likes to make people laugh even though his life is always in shambles. I cried a lot writing his book. In places, it felt like I wrote my own story. He’ll always be special to me.

Q: WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO WRITING LBGT CHARACTERS AS A HETEROSEXUAL WOMAN?

Gatekeepers. There will always be people who believe I shouldn’t write LGBT books because I am heterosexual passing and happily married. In fact, I’m Bi. It’s honestly a bit infuriating to me that so many fem and hetero passing women have been forced to out themselves due to the gatekeeping in our genre. Thankfully, there are more supporters than naysayers.

Q: YOU ARE ONE OF THE MOST PROLIFIC AUTHORS ON THE SCENE RIGHT NOW, WHAT IS A TYPICAL WRITING DAY FOR YOU?

I recognize that I’m blessed to write full time, so I take it seriously. Monday-Friday, I’m at my computer working in some capacity whether it be writing or marketing. But my goal is 10-15K words every week. By the time I essentially clock out on Friday, I have to know I’ve written that much, or I feel like I’ve failed. I’m much harder on myself than any boss could be. Even if those words end up on the cutting room floor, I have to know I’ve written them.

Q: WHAT GENRE BOOKS DO YOU NOT WRITE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRY?

I get asked this question a lot and I don’t think there is one. Since I’m not one to shy away from writing whatever I want, there’s nothing I think I’m missing. With that said, I’m jealous of people who have the patience to write historical romance and people who can write in first person. Those two things take more talent than most people realize.

About Charity Parkerson

Charity Parkerson is an award-winning and multi-published author with several companies. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters. One of her greatest loves is writing morally gray characters. You’ll find them scattered throughout her hundreds of titles.

◊ *EIGHT-TIME READERS’ FAVORITE AWARD WINNER

◊ *2015 PASSIONATE PLUME AWARD FINALIST

◊ *2013 REVIEWERS’ CHOICE AWARD WINNER

◊ *2012 ARRA FINALIST FOR FAVORITE PARANORMAL ROMANCE

◊ *FIVE-TIME WINNER OF THE MISTRESS OF THE DARKPATH

Links:

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*Website: https://www.charityparkerson.com

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