Angela K. Parker is a country girl with a big heart. She grew up in Greeleyville, SC where she graduated from C.E. Murray High School. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Finance from Limestone College in Gaffney, SC. Her passions include reading, writing, music and she loves spending time with her family. When she’s not engaged in any of the above, she’s knitting or catching up on the latest movies. She’s always had a very active imagination. Now she’s putting it to good use.

1) First, I want to thank you Angela for taking the time to do this interview with me! When did you know that writing is what you were meant to do with your life? What is it that you love most about being a writer?

Thank you for inviting me here today!  It’s something that I’ve always done.  It’s mostly consisted of poems and short stories in my past.  It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I really wanted to pursue it.  A story came to me and I had to write it. I love the freedom of being a writer, meeting new people, and learning new things.  I love that I have a chance to explore the world through writing and hopefully bring readers along with me.

2) Can you tell us a little about your book(s) and where our readers can find out more about them and you? What projects are you currently working on?

I write Contemporary Romance novels that are broken down into Young Adult, New Adult, & Adult Fiction.

I currently have one complete duet, Life & Love, which consists of A Life No Less Than Perfect & A Love Fulfilled.  I have another three-part series that’s nearly complete, the Kind Series, which includes An Unexpected Kind, A Callous Kind, with the third book to be announced soon.  I’ve released one short story, Emerald Runs Deep, that’s fairy tale based, but written for adults.

I plan to release another short story later this year.  The third book in the Kind Series should be available by May 2019, fingers crossed.  I also have a standalone scheduled for release on July 8th 2019.

Somewhere in the middle of all of this, I’m scheduled to attend a book signing in Nashville, TN on June 1st.  I hope to meet lots of new people there.

All of my books are available on Amazon, amazon.com/author/angelakparker and Books2Read (iBooks, B&N, Kobo, Smashwords, GooglePlay) https://books2read.com/ap/xKZgz8/Angela-K-Parker.  I also offer autographed copies through my website, http://www.angelakparker.com.

3) Do you have a schedule for when you write? Do you outline your novels? How long does it generally take you to finish a novel?

I don’t have a set writing schedule.  I try to set aside at least one hour per day in the evening if family permits.  

I have an outline for every book that I’ve written.  It makes it easier to have an idea of where the story is headed, even if it may change along the way.

It’s hard to place a time limit on writing.  If I were able to write without interruption, it would take about two and a half months to finish one novel.  Holidays, family, and work all play a big part in this for me.

4) What’s the first book you ever read that really touched you emotionally and moved you? What’s the first book you read that made you know that you could do this for a career? What book are you currently reading?

It’s hard to remember the first, but I do remember the last book that touched me.  The Empty Jar by M Leighton.

I don’t think that there was a specific book that pushed me in this direction.  I love to read and the stories I was reading didn’t resemble the one in my head.  It sounds crazy but I woke up one day with time and a story to tell. One paragraph turned into two and I’ve been at it ever since.

I’m currently reading Iniquitous by Bianca Scardoni and listening to All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover on Audible.

5) What has been your most significant achievement as a writer thus far? Where do you see yourself within your career in the next five years?

Having just one person read something that I wrote is an achievement for me.  I’d hoped for it, but I never expected the support that I’ve received since I started writing.

I hope to be able to write more, reach more readers, visit more places, and learn a lot more than I do now.  There is definitely room to grow and any progress, big or small, I consider an accomplishment.

6) Do you believe that there is ever a point in life where it’s too late for an aspiring writer to become successful in this industry? Do you feel a late start would hinder their chances?

It’s never too late to begin.  Starting late doesn’t hinder someone’s ability to become who they want to be.  Not starting does, and when you do start, be there for it. Go all in. I think that is the key.

7) So many writers say that they hate reading their own work? Do you ever just sit down and your own work like a fellow reader?

I re-read all of my books after they’re written.  I pretend that I’m reading someone else’s book. If I don’t like it, no one else will.  If it doesn’t move me, it won’t move anyone else. If I can’t read through it in one sitting, then I haven’t done what I’m supposed to do.  If I can check off my boxes and be satisfied, then I’m happy.

8) How have you dealt with rejection within your writing career? What are your thoughts about how the publishing industry is drastically changing in terms of traditional publishing and self-publishing and which do you prefer?

The biggest rejection that I’ve had thus far is a bad review, but I respect those with valid opinions.  I realize that everyone won’t like my style of writing.

I’ve never been traditionally published.  For me the pros of being self-published outweighed traditional.  I like the idea of being able to publish at my own pace and being able to write what I want to write.  I guess it depends on the writer and their needs.

9) Do you find it hard to juggle the creative side of being a writer against the business side of being a writer, in terms of marketing and promotion and things of that nature?

It can be hard if you’re doing it all on your own.  There are days when I set aside writing to work on the business side.   

10) I feel like writing is a remarkable tool to help people not only express themselves, but also to cope emotionally and mentally. I know for me I write to be and feel more authentic. What unique quality is there about you, about your art, that you feel represents your authenticity? How does writing help you to be more empowered in your purpose?

Writing helps me to relax and let go.  It gives me a purpose that’s all my own.  There is experience in every story. It’s a great feeling knowing that small pieces of me are littered throughout the world.