Interview with Geraldine Solon: Best Selling Author

I met Geraldine on Facebook. She'd invited me to an Agent day she organizes for the California Writer's Club. We started a message line in Facebook that ultimately got us to this interview. 

If you don't know who the California Writer's Club is, like I didn't, you should go check them out at http://calwriters.org/ Every year they have an Agents and Producers Day. This year it happens on June 30th in Fremont. 

Back to Geraldine: 

She is a best-selling author, and a real go-getter. She is an active writer, not only in her own writing, but within CWC. She loves to help other writers reach their goals as well. And, her positive personality comes through, even on a Facebook message board. 

Below are the questions I asked her: 

1.     Describe Chocolicious in as few words as possible words:

It’s about love, loss, and a mother’s sacrifice.

2.     Why write? Has it saved you in any way?

Writing is my passion and it reaches deep into my soul. I’m always happy when I’m writing.

3.     How has growing up in the Philippines helped or hindered your writing?

It has helped shape me into being a romantic person. I love writing about love stories and my themes focus on relationships which is very important in our life.

4.     Does culture show up as a character in your books?

My upcoming book, The Assignment is set in the Philippines so I used Filipino characters, tied in the culture, and portrayed the way of life there.

5.     Do you teach writing classes? Speak at workshops? What's the best thing about talking about writing and publishing? The worst?

Yes, and next to writing novels, I truly enjoy teaching aspiring writers about writing, publishing and promoting. The best thing for me is providing inspiration and telling other writers not to give up their dreams. I haven’t encountered any negative thing yet about teaching and speaking at workshops.

6. The characters you write about, real or made up? How do they come to you?

Majority of them are made up. I have such a wild imagination that I always try not to make my characters redundant. It’s exciting to live as a new person each time. They come to me in ordinary situations. 


For Chocolicious, I was having strong cravings for chocolate when a vision of a woman in distress flashed through my mind. I knew that chocolate had to be the saving grace to the story.

7. How much do you love chocolate? Is it an obsession or more than that?

Chocolate has always been a part of my life—one I can’t live without. J I can’t say it’s an obsession, but it’s definitely my weakness. J

8. Who is your biggest cheerleader?

I have to say my mom. She’s my number one fan.

9. How many rejections did you get before you found a publisher? Agent?

Lots… Too many to count, but it never stopped me from fulfilling my ultimate dream.

10. Do you belong to any writer's associations?

I belong to the California Writers Club. Joining a club is one of the best decisions I made for my writing career. As writers, we spend a lot of solitary time toiling away on our computer, so being a part of a community that supports you is phenomenal. I’m actually the Treasurer and Event Coordinator of the Fremont branch which is my way of giving back and providing support to other writers.

11. What other hobbies do you have outside of writing?

I love watching movies, reading, hanging out with friends, traveling and going to the beach.

12. Do you write in loud public places or in a quiet office?

I write in a quiet place when my family is asleep. Only recently have I tried writing at a coffee shop and it seems to work out fine.

13. What do you think about the publishing world today? Will eBooks take over paper books? Will huge publishers fall? Or will they evolve, and come back stronger?

Paperbacks will always be around but with the way technology is going I do feel that eBooks will be stronger than paperbacks. 


Now is the best time to be an author and the resources we have is amazing. Traditional Publishing is still strong but whether you publish traditionally or self-publish, at the end of the day, authors need readers and this should be our main focus.

14. What advice would you give a newbie writer?

I believe in the three P’s Patience, Perseverance and Prayer. That should keep you going.

Thanks for hosting me today, Angie. You can learn more about me and my work at www.geraldinesolon.com