Author Highlight: C.C. Solomon

C.C. is a USA Today Bestselling author originally from Baltimore, Maryland. She has actively written fiction since the age of eleven. She is an avid “chick lit” reader and urban fantasy fan. In 2012, she participated as a writer and actress in the 48 hour film project. In her other life, she works in Equal Employment and Civil Rights for the Federal Government. Before becoming a public servant, C.C. briefly practiced law after graduating from the University of Maryland School of Law.  In free time she loves to travel and is obsessed with horror, anime and K-dramas!

Since we live in the same area of the country, I'm looking forward to meeting up with C.C. at an event or just for drinks once this whole pandemic mess is sorted out!

How did you come up with the story concept for the Paranormal World series?

I'd written a book before this series that I just wasn't in love with. It had a paranormal grouping but it wasn't in post apocalyptic times. I kept literally dreaming about this same type of group in a unique setting. Eventually I said it must be a sign and began writing!

What do you love about writing Urban Fantasy? What do you hate (or maybe just dislike) about it?

I love sharing the ideas running around in my head all day and night and being able to show a more unique perspective. What do I hate? The marketing! I just want to go in a room and write. Having to promote or market my work feels so awkward to me.

When it comes to world-building do you have any particular tricks or techniques?

I have a very lengthy outline that I made. I do a description of each character (looks, jobs, personality), even comparing them to other inspirational characters from anime/movies/TV, I do a write up of all the types of paranormal creatures, do town size (sq miles and population), I do character connections (who is dating who, who hates who, who is related to who) i do chapter outlines. It's very detailed

What was the most difficult part of the publishing process for you?

Again, the marketing. it's pricey and takes a lot of skill. Some of it is almost like a science (Amazon ads are a mystery to me still even after tons of research)

What does your writing space look like?

I write everywhere. Mostly on my bed or couch, on a laptop. I'm in an apartment that I share with my boyfriend so I get in where I fit in lol

What are your tricks for juggling writing while maintaining a personal life?

Schedule! I have every day listed with what I need to accomplish for the day. Some days after work are devoted to marketing for a certain amount of time, others are devoted for getting a certain number of pages done

What's the best piece of advice you've received about writing?

When in doubt just keep writing, do all the fixing after the first draft is done.

What is the best book you’ve read recently?

I love urban fantasy, paranormal romance and rom/coms. the most recent one I finished and really enjoyed was a rom com called Get a Life Chloe Brown. It was so quirky and cute.