Author Interview with Geraldine Solon
Dear Readers,
Please welcome author, Geraldine Solon, who adores and write romances! She has come to visit, to tell us more about herself and her latest story; Love Letters!
SBR: What inspired your decision to write?
GS: Ever since I was a child, I always had a wild imagination. I spent my time daydreaming instead of listening to my teacher’s boring lectures not realizing that stories were forming in my head. I started writing poems and short stories but never took it seriously until I was much older. After writing and self-publishing four books, I realized that my childhood hobby meant more to me than I could ever imagine. I’ve always been attracted to words and forming them together to weave a beautiful story came natural to me. I told myself, if I can do something I love and enjoy, what do I have to lose? It was in writing where I felt invisible, finding my true solace. After writing children’s books, I felt a higher calling to write more meaningful stories involving love and women. Writing is an emotional experience and my desire to write has taken me to the next level of being able to touch people’s hearts with my novels.
SBR: What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
GS: Keep Reading – Reading adds to your vocabulary and helps you identify your own style and voice as a writer. It also broadens your mind and gives you ideas. A good writer has to be an avid reader.
Write as much as you can – I believe in the saying “Practice makes perfect.” The more you write, the better you become. Writing is like a garden that needs to be nurtured for it to grow beautifully.
Network with other writers – Writing can be a solitary experience and it’s vital to meet people who share the same passion as you do. Joining writer’s groups and attending events like Writer’s Conferences, retreats and workshops is a learning experience and good investment to your writing.
Build a brand – At this day and age, it’s essential to build an online presence even before you’ve completed your book. Joining social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Red Room are good avenues to promote yourself to the public. Maintaining a website and blog will allow you to interact with lots of people.
Never give up – There will be rejections but you have to keep moving forward. Before I got published, I started each day researching, learning and getting involved with other writers—anything that could bring me closer to getting published was my goal. Even best sellers, like Stephen King have faced similar rejections but they chose to keep going. Hard work, inspiration and perseverance are the keys to success.
SBR: What kind of notes do you keep while you’re writing?
GS: I keep character sketches, notes on my research, a summary of my book and ideas for upcoming books.
SBR: What do you do when you have writer’s block?
GS: I take long walks. It helps me clear my mind and focus on my work. Since I write two to three novels at a time, I take a break from one of them and focus on the other one when I have writer’s block. It gives me the excitement to write another story and avoids redundancy on the current one.
SBR: How do you come up with and develop your characters?
GS: Characters come to me in ordinary situations like lining up in the grocery or before I go to sleep. I write them down and formulate their character sketch before I begin my novel. I want my readers to have a strong image of my characters and to be able to relate to them. I create characters that are flawed, realistic and have clear goals. Giving them a distinct voice and unique personality counts a lot.
SBR: When you sit down to start writing a book, what do you?
GS: I write and let the words flow smoothly. It can be between 4,000-10,000 words. I only edit it after the first draft. I get the creative juices pouring and it’s during this moment where I forget all rules about writing.
Please welcome author, Geraldine Solon, who adores and write romances! She has come to visit, to tell us more about herself and her latest story; Love Letters!
SBR: What inspired your decision to write?
GS: Ever since I was a child, I always had a wild imagination. I spent my time daydreaming instead of listening to my teacher’s boring lectures not realizing that stories were forming in my head. I started writing poems and short stories but never took it seriously until I was much older. After writing and self-publishing four books, I realized that my childhood hobby meant more to me than I could ever imagine. I’ve always been attracted to words and forming them together to weave a beautiful story came natural to me. I told myself, if I can do something I love and enjoy, what do I have to lose? It was in writing where I felt invisible, finding my true solace. After writing children’s books, I felt a higher calling to write more meaningful stories involving love and women. Writing is an emotional experience and my desire to write has taken me to the next level of being able to touch people’s hearts with my novels.
SBR: What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
GS: Keep Reading – Reading adds to your vocabulary and helps you identify your own style and voice as a writer. It also broadens your mind and gives you ideas. A good writer has to be an avid reader.
Write as much as you can – I believe in the saying “Practice makes perfect.” The more you write, the better you become. Writing is like a garden that needs to be nurtured for it to grow beautifully.
Network with other writers – Writing can be a solitary experience and it’s vital to meet people who share the same passion as you do. Joining writer’s groups and attending events like Writer’s Conferences, retreats and workshops is a learning experience and good investment to your writing.
Build a brand – At this day and age, it’s essential to build an online presence even before you’ve completed your book. Joining social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Red Room are good avenues to promote yourself to the public. Maintaining a website and blog will allow you to interact with lots of people.
Never give up – There will be rejections but you have to keep moving forward. Before I got published, I started each day researching, learning and getting involved with other writers—anything that could bring me closer to getting published was my goal. Even best sellers, like Stephen King have faced similar rejections but they chose to keep going. Hard work, inspiration and perseverance are the keys to success.
SBR: What kind of notes do you keep while you’re writing?
GS: I keep character sketches, notes on my research, a summary of my book and ideas for upcoming books.
SBR: What do you do when you have writer’s block?
GS: I take long walks. It helps me clear my mind and focus on my work. Since I write two to three novels at a time, I take a break from one of them and focus on the other one when I have writer’s block. It gives me the excitement to write another story and avoids redundancy on the current one.
SBR: How do you come up with and develop your characters?
GS: Characters come to me in ordinary situations like lining up in the grocery or before I go to sleep. I write them down and formulate their character sketch before I begin my novel. I want my readers to have a strong image of my characters and to be able to relate to them. I create characters that are flawed, realistic and have clear goals. Giving them a distinct voice and unique personality counts a lot.
SBR: When you sit down to start writing a book, what do you?
GS: I write and let the words flow smoothly. It can be between 4,000-10,000 words. I only edit it after the first draft. I get the creative juices pouring and it’s during this moment where I forget all rules about writing.
SBR: Do you want to share a blurb of your latest release?
Love Letters’ Summary:
Bridal shop manager Chloe Rogers will soon marry Richard Foster—so she thinks—until suddenly, she bumps into her childhood sweetheart, Josh Goldman, whom she hasn’t seen in thirteen years. The sparks between Chloe and Josh fly, but Richard provides safety, financial security. Should she follow her heart or her head? The answer comes in a surprise twist. While cleaning her attic, she stumbles upon love letters written to her estranged mother forty years ago from a man she loved. When Chloe secretly brings them together again and sees how much time they’ve lost, she is challenged not to make the same mistake her mother made. Will Chloe opt for security or will she risk her heart and marry her true love?
Love Letters’ Summary:
Bridal shop manager Chloe Rogers will soon marry Richard Foster—so she thinks—until suddenly, she bumps into her childhood sweetheart, Josh Goldman, whom she hasn’t seen in thirteen years. The sparks between Chloe and Josh fly, but Richard provides safety, financial security. Should she follow her heart or her head? The answer comes in a surprise twist. While cleaning her attic, she stumbles upon love letters written to her estranged mother forty years ago from a man she loved. When Chloe secretly brings them together again and sees how much time they’ve lost, she is challenged not to make the same mistake her mother made. Will Chloe opt for security or will she risk her heart and marry her true love?
If you could go on vacation and money wasn’t a concern, where would you travel to? What would you do?
I would love to go to an island like Maldives or Fiji where no material things matter. I’m very much connected to the ocean and the calmness and tranquility it brings. I would swim, watch the sunset, take a stroll, meet people and write.
SBR: What is your number one goal in life?
GS: To make a difference in this world.
SBR: If you could describe your life in a few sentences, what would it be?
GS: My life is a never ending journey mixed with adventure, love, joy, laughter, opportunities and challenges. I’m growing, learning and evolving.
SBR: What do you have in store for your readers?
GS: The e-book version of my novel, Love Letters was just released and is available on Amazon. The paperback version will be available in February.
I would love to go to an island like Maldives or Fiji where no material things matter. I’m very much connected to the ocean and the calmness and tranquility it brings. I would swim, watch the sunset, take a stroll, meet people and write.
SBR: What is your number one goal in life?
GS: To make a difference in this world.
SBR: If you could describe your life in a few sentences, what would it be?
GS: My life is a never ending journey mixed with adventure, love, joy, laughter, opportunities and challenges. I’m growing, learning and evolving.
SBR: What do you have in store for your readers?
GS: The e-book version of my novel, Love Letters was just released and is available on Amazon. The paperback version will be available in February.