Reading by Deb: INTERVIEW with CHRISTINA SOL

I want to first thank Christina Sol for taking the time for this interview!

Award-winning author Christina Sol writes what she loves to read – romance filled with heart, heat, and suspense.

When Christina’s not writing, reading, or knitting, she’s watching football or fueling her washi, sticker & planner obsession.

Christina lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children.

When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve dabbled with writing since I was a teenager, mostly short stories & fan fiction.

However, it wasn’t until 2005 when I participated in my first NaNoWriMo that I thought writing could be something more than just a hobby.

Did you have any influencing writers growing up?

I write what I love to read. I’ve always been an avid reader and Danielle Steel & Nora Roberts were early influencers. Then Elizabeth Lowell, Stella Cameron, Christina Dodd, and early Roxanne St. Claire & Lori Foster really drew me into the romantic suspense world.

Are any of your characters based on people in real life?

Not specifically, but I do work in sayings or mannerisms from my real life into my characters.

Where do you draw your book inspirations from?

From everywhere!

Sometimes it’s a story on the news or from a conversation with a friend that makes me pause and think, “But what if…?”

Do you use have a basic outline when starting a new story or do you let the characters lead the way?

When I first started writing, I let the characters lead the way. Now, it’s a combo of both—I have tropes and basic plot & know the big plot points, but the characters still lead the way on how they get from Point A to Point B to their HEA.

When you are picturing the characters in your book, do you have a cheater photo for inspiration?

Not for the first two books in The Spotted Dog series, but definitely for the third book (as well as for my next series).

Many people read as a form of escape and relaxation. What is your favorite way to sit back and relax?

Reading, for sure! Preferably with some popcorn.

Who are your favorite current authors to read?

I just binged 17 books by Riley Edwards last month! I’m a huge fan of Susan Stoker, Brittney Sahin, Catherine Cowles, Devney Perry & recently just discovered Giana Darling’s MC books.

What are your favorite books by others?

I love a good rom-com or historical romance as much as the next person, but I really gravitate towards contemporaries that have some element of suspense.

Anything from full-on Protector/Alpha-male tropes that are heavily procedural to small town romance with a suspense twist. Those are my absolute favorites & the authors I mentioned above deliver it all!

Do the locations in the stories have any meaning to you?

Currently, all my stories take place in Washington State as I’ve lived in the Northwest for the past 30 years.

Do you write in single or multiple POV?

Dual POV, third person.

What do you find to be your best research tool?

There’s nothing you can’t find on the internet.

Do you write under a pen name? Also, do you write under more than one name?

Christina Sol is my only pen name.

What genre do you write and why is this your preference?

I write what I’ve always loved to read—contemporary romance with suspense.

Tell me something about yourself outside of writing. Jobs, accomplishments, family, quirky trait...what led to you being you?

I’m a bit obsessed with planners. A5, disc-bound, coiled—I want them all.

While my family will most likely disagree, I truly believe you can’t have enough pens, highlighters, stickers, or washi-tape in your life.

What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?

You’re going to get a lot of not-so-nice feedback. Don’t give up. Keep learning. Keep refining your voice. Keep writing.

How do you deal and process negative book reviews?

My first book debuts on June 14^th, so I haven’t received any negative reviews yet. But I know it will happen. And that’s okay. On this journey to publishing, I’ve received plenty of negative feedback—along with the positive—in various writing contests over the years. You can’t please everyone.

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?

Getting started. The first 20,000-30,000 words are always a struggle for me.

What do you need in your writer’s space to keep you focused?

Just my computer & quiet.

What is your naughty indulgence as you are writing?

Unfortunately, I don’t have any!

If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose? And why?

I think it would be amazing to shadow Susan Stoker for a day.

She’s such a prolific author, it would be fascinating to see what systems she has in place for herself so she can get it all done! The woman is a writing machine!

What is your schedule like when you are writing? Do you have a favorite writing snack or drink?

Setting a specific schedule to write is something that’s a constant battle & ever changing.

Between my day job (I have a bookkeeping company), my family, and playing chauffer to my two kids, I write/edit whenever and wherever I can.

Do you listen to music when you write – what kind of music is your favorite?

I’m pretty sure I’m in the author minority when I say that I prefer silence when I write. If I have to listen to music, it has to be something very mellow—classical, jazz, or spa-type music—basically, anything quiet and without words.

Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?

Unfortunately, due to allergies, we have no pets in our home.

What is your kryptonite as a writer? What totally puts you off your game?

Self-doubt.

Particularly when I’m slogging through the beginning of a new book, I question whether I even know what I’m doing.

Imposter syndrome is legit. I take solace in knowing I’m not the only one who goes through this, that some of my favorite, big-time authors also experience this.

Have you ever killed off a character that your readers loved?