What kind of books do you write and how many have you written so far?
I write young adult, paranormal romance. Currently I have three books out in the Embrace series. A series about vampires, witches, family and friends and finding who you and where you belong.
When is your next book being published?
Everlasting Embrace is the fourth instalment in the Embrace Series and I hope to release it before spring.
When did you start writing?
I began wring at the end of 2008. Since then writing has fully taken over and after many years of wondering who I was and where I belonged I have found myself.
What inspired this piece of work?
I have always been a lover of the supernatural (mostly witches and vampires). After seeing Twilight in the theatres I decided to write my own story. I loved being taken back to high school, to a time of little worry and wanted to create my own little world. High school is similar where ever you are and I know there I times I wish I could re-write things that happened during my high school years. This was my chance. Through my characters I get to examine different parts of myself, those I love and those I don’t. I get to pull out every emotion and insecurity I had and see how I grew from it all.
Why did you pick the genre that you currently write in, and are you currently considering writing in a different genre? Why or why not?
I picked paranormal romance because of my love of the supernatural. This was a way to put some of my fairytales into my stories. There is so mush to learn and experience in the paranormal. I am working on a contemporary romance geared to adults. I hope to finish it once Everlasting Embrace releases.
Tell us about your creative writing process.
I like to lock myself in my bedroom. I put some music of even the TV on and go. I like to have the background noise and go. What ever comes to mind related to my story, I write. After I go through and make sure everything is correct and in proper order and so on. I don’t have any ritual I need to follow and I don’t plan it either. I just let the story take me where it wants to go.
Who is your favourite author, past and present, and why?
I can’t go too far in the past for a favourite author because it wasn’t until recently I began to enjoy reading. So LJ Smith would be both past and present. She also writes YA paranormal romance and like her, I love my research. In her Vampire Diaries series her research is obvious, her vampires use magical stones (Lapis Lazuli) to protect them. This stone is believed to have mystical powers pertaining to the blood. I too use stones. I made up my own name after my research lead me to the same stone as her. I feared people thinking I was infringing on her work. The reason I use stones as well is because I believe in the healing qualities of stones, so it is natural for me to use them.
Another author that is on my favourite list is Kathi Barton. She writes (18+) paranormal and contemporary romance. We met through Facebook and helped each other through the writing and publishing process. She amazes me daily with her talent. We are all going to see great things from her someday soon. (Okay I have already seen it...everyone else just has too).
What motivates you to continue writing?
My children. Writing has become a part of me and my dream. I want my children to see you can achieve anything as long as you work hard enough for it. I also want them to follow their dream and live life to the fullest. This is my way of showing them I can do the same.
How do you get ideas for your stories?
My kids, my life, my dreams and music. Pretty much everything I do can turn into a story. There is some much of me in everything I write.
If you didn’t become an author, what do you think you would be doing now?
I would be a stay at home mother, okay well I still am that I’m just an author as well. Before my third child was born I worked as a nurse and enjoyed in for the time I was there, but my children needed me.
Give us an insider look into your latest novel.
Mystic Embrace is book three in the Embrace Series. This book is from Ebony’s POV. She is a magical witch that is destined to save the world. Along with her vampire friends Ebony goes through some major changes in her life, and all before she graduates high school. This is a book about triumphing when faces with challenges and loss and will invoke a wide array of emotions.
If your novel made it to the big screen, what actors do you see playing the key characters?
I always find this a difficult question. I have an idea of what the characters look and act like in my head and the actor I envision might not add up for some reason. As an example, I’ve always pictured Sophia (who is 17) as my daughter Jorden (who is only 13). The Sophia’s love interest Nate reminds me of Zac Effron, looks attitude he portrays in movies and so forth. Now Zac is in his 20’s and could play Nate, but it would sure look funny next to a 13 year old. So I guess if it ever came to it, I would show the director my ideas and hope we could find actors to fit the part.
What’s the worst experience and best experience you ever had as a writer?
The worst is with editing. My publisher provided me with an editor. I didn’t feel comfortable with her, but continued to edit all 3 books with her. After all was said and done and the books were published, we found horrific errors. Thankfully she is no longer working with the publishing house. I read my own book and was in tears, readers were getting this book. I felt terrible. Well they have gone back into editing and we are re-releasing them. The First 2 books, Immortal Embrace and Forbidden Embrace have already been released to the public, Mystic Embrace should follow soon.
Where do you see yourself in five years with your writing and your life?
I hope in five years I have improved my writing skills even more and continue to put out a few books a year. I don’t want to lose momentum. I really love what I do and want to continue writing for many years to come. I have achieved so much, so fast it’s hard to imagine toping it, but I hope to. I also would like to book more speaking engagements and talk to others about writing and following their dreams.
Where can people find you and your books on the Internet?
I can be found on Face book at https://www.facebook.com/CharlotteBlackwellAuthor and Twitter @CharBlackwell. I also have a blog charlotteblackwell.blogspot.com.
You can find my books almost anywhere on line, and you can also borrow them for free on Amazon Prime http://www.amazon.com/Charlotte-Blackwell/e/B005FD1QB4/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1 and of course my publisher World Castle Publishing http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com/home.html
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