I’m so thrilled to romance novelist Synithia Williams on today’s Friday Five. Synithia is a prolific author who writes sexy, messy, emotional romances that are as hot as their southern settings. Her latest book, Careless Whispers, is available now.
Let’s get started with our interview!
What inspired your latest story?
My latest story, Careless Whispers, was inspired by my desire to write an “unlikeable” heroine. I love writing sexy, messy stories with complicated characters. I’m the person who watches a movie and wants to know more about the villain and what turned them into a villain even if I’m cheering on the protagonist. Elaina Robidoux, the heroine in Careless Whispers, is prickly, opinionated and cold, but she cares for her family and their legacy. She’s been taught that love is a liability and therefore pushes people away.
This belief had detrimental effects not only on her relationships with her family and romantic partners but also her self esteem. While she’s strong and believes in herself, she’s also got a vulnerable side she tries to protect. Alex Tyson, the hero, sees through her shield and pushes her buttons. They start out as enemies, but as Elaina tries to convince him to trust her for a new project they both realize the person they once disliked is their perfect match.
What is your writing process like?
I’m a writer with a day job who doesn’t like to get up early, so I write at night. Typically, around nine in the evening. I use spare time in my day, such as my lunch break, to outline the next scene in my story.
When I sit down to write at night, I already have an idea of what’s going to happen next and I can focus on getting the words down instead of spending a lot of time thinking about what I should write. This is easy for me because I am a planner (in life and in writing). I like step by step directions and an idea of where I’m going. Plotting my entire story helps me stick to this process.
What’s the best thing about being a writer?
That’s easy, readers! Writing is hard. Finding inspiration, turning that spark of an idea into a full story and getting that story out into the world is a long and often frustrating process. Hearing from readers who loved the book after it’s finally out in the world is the best thing ever. There have been plenty of times when I questioned why I write only to get an email or message from a fan thanking me for a particular story. Those messages encourage me to keep writing.
How do you balance writing and the rest of life?
Planning out my day, week, and month. Since I have a day job and a family dedicating time for every aspect of my life is important to me. I have my dedicated time for writing, but I also don’t write on Friday nights (family movie night) and I cut off any writing on the weekends at 2 pm to make sure I have free time for friends, family, or just myself. I originally started writing at nine pm because that was after my kid’s bedtime. They stay up a little later now, but that’s still the time they’re winding down and my writing doesn’t interrupt our regular day or any after school activities.
What would you tell the younger you just embarking on their writing career?
This is a frustrating career but completely worth it. Be patient because publishing is slow no matter what process you take. Don’t compare your career to anyone else’s. Look at what you’ve accomplished and take pride in that.
Thank you so much for joining us today, Synithia.
Be sure to order your copy of Careless Whispers today!
About Careless Whispers
She’s falling in love with the one man she can’t trust…
Elaina Robidoux knows how people view her: coldhearted, ambitious, ruthless. But it doesn’t matter. Running the family business is all she’s ever wanted and she’s so close she can almost taste it…until her father fires her and hires her nemesis—arrogant, unflappable Alex Tyson. Elaina may be hurt but she refuses to be defeated, so she throws herself into creating a business of her own. But she never dreamed that to close her first deal, she’d need Alex’s help…
Alex understands the power of a family legacy better than most and the last thing he wanted was to take that from Elaina. Her beauty and fierce strength are undeniable, but there’s a softer side that no one but him seems to see. She’s been taught that emotions are a liability, yet one impulsive kiss starts a chain reaction that neither of them wants to stop. But can love ignite—and survive—when secrets and loyalties collide?
About Synithia Williams
Synthia writes messy, sexy, emotional romances that are as hot as their southern settings. You can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Thank you so much for the fun interview!!