Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started writing novels back in 2011, I traditionally published four books in The Embrace Series. After various events within my family, I stopped writing for a few years. I then became ill and needed to find focus in my life again. I turned back to writing.
In 2018 I acquired the rights to my books back. I have begun to revise and re-release these four books. I have also began to continue the series as well as other books. I will be releasing books at least monthly for the remainder of 2018. Writing again has been helping me heal and fight my newly diagnosed disease, Lupus.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called The Climb and will be released in August 2018. The idea from it came from my sister in laws travels to Africa. A love story that takes us on the roller coaster ride called life.
Sometimes fate brings two people together to create a perfect love, but then life has different plans, so we must decide to trust that fate will prevail and our lives could be better than ever imagined.
Trista Smith is from San Francisco, she struggles with her self-worth. Deciding it’s time to take her life back, she makes the trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, hoping that climbing Africa’s tallest mountain will give her a new outlook on life and the courage to live it to the fullest.
Wealthy New Yorker, Phil McKay lost his wife to brain cancer. He’s finally fulfilling her dream of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. With her ashes in his pack, he is ready to close this painful chapter and move on with his life.
Both Trista and Phil hoped to ‘find themselves’ on the mountain; they never expected their lives to change forever. Unfortunately, they live on opposite ends of the country. It’s hard to be drawn together and then torn apart in such a short time. However, life throws even more curve balls at them and the risk of tragedy brings them together again.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I need background noise when I write. Recently I have began listening to various writer training videos as I write. In the past it was music, but had to be new to me music so that I wouldn’t start (badly) singing the songs.
I also get distracted easily, so coffee shop writing doesn’t work for me. A room by myself, background noise and a pack of cue cards to write notes on is what works best for me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Nicholas Sparks books, his love stories inspire me to write a realistic love. Kathi Barton is another huge influence for me. Her determination to heal through writing blows me away. I hope to one day be as amazing as both of these authors.
What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on the revisions for The Embrace Series. Tightening the writing and adding simple but necessary elements to the story. I believe in this story and hope that it gets the chance it deserves.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is still something I’m trying to figure out. The market and avenues for promotion have changed so much in the past few years. I feel like a new author all over again.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get discouraged and most of all keep writing. I stopped writing for several reasons, but feel like I have my life back again. I wish I would have never took a hiatus. We need to push though, believe in yourself and in your dreams.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always try to better your craft.
What are you reading now?
Phoenixcry by KT Strange. It’s a reverse harem, the first I’ve ever read. I like to challenge myself with new to me genres.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have at several more books planned for The Embrace Series, I’m excited to continue this story. This is my career, my job. I need to focus on making my business and learning the ropes of marketing and being an Indie author.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I think I would take The Harry Potter books. I have never read them before, but obviously have heard amazing things. My daughter has read them several times over and from what I understand, takes something new from them with each read. I think I need to jump on the bandwagon.
Author Websites and Profiles
Charlotte Blackwell Website
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