I cannot believe I have managed to corner this prolific author. She is super well known in the Twitterverse and the author of many many titles dealing in paranormal, romance, and is more than prone to spicing things up a bit along the way. I have been an avid follower of Charity Parkerson since I started on Twitter a few years ago. Please take a few minutes to learn a bit more about this amazing award winning author.
Welcome Charity and thanks for being on my blog, I have done a little research into you and can’t help but notice you are a very, very busy person, 13 Amazon bestsellers is an impressive count. Can you tell us where we can find you on the internet and give us a brief rundown of how to find your published works?
I’m everywhere. The easiest place to find me is on Twitter @CharityParkerso. All of my books can be found online where most books are sold, but there is a full list of my work on my website http://www.charityparkerson.com
How many books are you working on at any one time?
I have five in the works right now, and that’s about the norm for me. When my list of WIPs gets low, I sometimes worry that I’ll run out of ideas but before I know it I have five new documents minimized.
Wow, that’s a lot of stuff going on, so how does your typical week pan out, how much time writing, blogging, tweeting and when do you have time for relaxing?
I’m guilty of paying for a tweet service to keep my feed busy, I suck at blogging and only have maybe one a week. My family comes first, of course, but writing is a clear second. I have set writing hours. I still write when the bug hits, but this is my full-time job so I have to treat it as such. From 10-1:30 every day, I turn off my internet and write even if it’s crap.
Why did you decide on this genre of writing?
Write what you know 😀
I liked your blog post on the various advertising methods you have used, do you think it is an absolute necessity for indie authors to pay for advertising like that?
I think that if you’re serious about writing as a career then you need to treat it that way. Writing is a small business and just like with any business you need to spend money in order to make money.
Any honest, forthright advice for any of us that are contemplating publishing our work?
The best advice I can give is this: learn how to watch silently as the world judges you loudly.
I see you have a podcast series too, busy lady. Can you tell us a bit about that endeavor?
Sure! I’m working with one of my best friends and fellow writer Melissa Craig on The Melissa Craig and Charity Parkerson show. We do author interviews and talk all things publishing. We both received recognition awards from International Women’s Day for our work with helping to promote artist. We use our free time to highlight
authors, musicians, and just about anyone who loves creativity.
Really interesting things you are doing Charity, and I encourage everyone to check out your books, website and of course the podcast. Now its time to sit back, sip on a coffee and answer some more personal questions.
Name one person that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Can I name two? Lynn Hallbrooks reached out to me back when authors were still allowed on the Amazon forums and her friendship has meant a great deal to me. The Mistress of the Darkpath uses her popular blog to help support authors and I credit her with inspiring me to write when I felt as if I had nothing left to work with.
Big question for me, are you a middle child, only child, one of a huge brood?
I’m the baby. I have an older sister. She is amazing.
Where do you want to retire? and of course why?
I’d like to travel all over the world. I’d start with Australia as that is where quite a few of my friends live.
Your favorite room in the house and why?
I’m partial to the living room. I do all my writing in my ratty recliner. I dread the day it’s on its last leg.
If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you change about your life, if anything?
I’d tell my husband to quit. He’s a hard worker.
Who was the most important person in your life? Can you tell me about him or her?
I’m afraid I’ll insult someone if I try to pick only one.
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?
This may seem like a strange answer, but grace. It’s something that is truly underrated but when I see people lash out at reviewers or just be plain ugly online, I’m thankful that my mother taught me that you catch more flies with honey.
If you could change one event in history, what would it be?
That’s something I’m doomed to screw up. I’ll leave that someone else.
How would you like to be remembered?
As the only female author to ever surpass J.K. Rowling in popularity, lol
If you were an animal, what would you be? (This question is for Tammy Maas)
A cougar 😉
What were your high school years like?
Pretty normal, seriously, it was an average life.
How would your classmates remember you?
Everyone that I talk to now from high school says, “I’m not surprised you became a writer. You always did like to read.”
Are you still friends with anyone from that time in your life?
Not many people but that’s not surprising. I’m a bit of a recluse.
Have you ever been to a school or college reunion?
Nope.
If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
Scandalous
Now some one or two word answers please:
Favorite color? Pink
Lucky Number 23
Most Money you have spent on a single Book? $30
What color are the sheets on your bed today? White
Short/Tall? short
Best book you ever read? The Count of Monte Cristo
Favorite Music/Artist? Hip Hop/too many to name
Movie that you watch every year or more often? Harry Potter
Favorite Season? Summer
Regular or Decaf? Regular
City Girl or Country Girl? A little of both
4 door sedan or sports car? Sports car
Take out or cook at home? Take out
How many books a year do you read? In the hundreds
Favorite Movie? Big Trouble in Little China
Skirts or jeans? jeans
Favorite Day of the Week? Friday
How many hats do you own? None
Not that I have visited a Therapist lately but let’s do some word association. Give me the first word that comes to mind when I say:
Sex – Write
Coffee – Please?
Book- Release
Best Friend- Amazing
Vacation- Disney
Summer- Break
Convertible- Car
Loud- Talking
Vinyl- Record
Bird- Singing
Tree- Maple
Infant- New
Thank you Charity, I don’t know where you even found the time to answer all these questions. I was happy to read that you are graceful, that is definitely a waning trait in our society nowadays. Now as a way of “giving back” this is where I encourage my guests to name a favorite charity so that we can all get on board and make a difference. Charity, your favorite one is?
I know that it is a bit early for it, but I love to do Holiday Mail for Heroes each year. I love sending Christmas cards to the troops.
An awesome interview from a great interviewer to a lovely interviewee. So glad to see two of my favourite writers having a chat :). Btw, Charity, you could have said you wanted to be one of two authors who were more popular than JK. What about me? lol
Hi Dionne ~hugs~ well for starters, Charity is a writer, Im just a keybanger. I think she kinda meant Dionne, not JK when she answered that question, and I promise never to touch the answers so I couldn’t fix it for her 🙂 but Im sure thats what she meant, yeah, really I do.
Awww, thank you. Don’t you want me to visit Sydney? LOL!! I’ll have to be more popular than J.K. to pull that off, 😀
Great interview but then I’m not surprised. You’re great at everything you do.
Regina
Hi Regina, thanks for stopping by, and I agree, she is amazing.
Thank you so much! That’s so nice 😀
Loved the interview! Really enjoyed the different types of questions. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who is worried about running out of ideas…lol!
Thanks for stopping by, yes I think that is the bane of all writers, but I don’t think Charity ever has to worry about that 🙂
Thank you 😀
Thank you Mr.Hobbs and Charity for a wonderful interview.
Thanks Tammy, did you see I even asked a question in the interview for you?
Yes I did! I love how the ‘animal question’ now belongs to me : )
Oh yeah, that one is always gonna be your question.
Thank you for checking it out.
lol, Charity. Some of your answers gave me a good laugh. Really enjoyed the interview!
Hi Suzie, thanks for dropping in, glad you enjoyed the talk with Charity.
LOL! Thank you 😀
Count of Monte Cristo!!!!! Yes!!!! That was a great interview. I have to steal your line, “Learn how to watch silently as the world judges you loudly.” Welp, I’m off to check out your books. I’m glad I popped in. 🙂
Hi Celeste, thanks for stopping by and the comment.
Thank you! I really appreciate you stopping by to check out my interview 😀
I just learned of this interview. I think it is definitely an unique one. Charity Parkerson is very special to me as well. 🙂
LOL…a cougar 😉 Love this interview!