Interview with Author Sherryl Woods:
Hi Sheryl. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...
- Please tell us about your latest book.
Home in Carolina is the first of three new books in my Sweet Magnolias series and features the much-anticipated story of Ty Townsend and Annie Sullivan whose teenage romance sparked interest in A Slice of Heaven. I've been telling readers for a couple of years now that they were too young to have a book of their own, but now they've lived a bit and, in Ty's case, made some monumental mistakes. So this is a story of forgiveness and reconciliation. It will be followed in May by Sweet Tea at Sunrise and in June by Honeysuckle Summer.
All of the books feature the original Sweet Magnolias with some surprising twists and, hopefully, a lot of laughter.
- What can we expect from you in the future?
I'm finishing up three new Chesapeake Shores books for spring 2011. This is a continuation of the stories about the O'Briens, a thoroughly wonderful and dysfunctional family. I love hanging out with them again.
- How do we find out about you and your books?
You can visit my website, www.sherrylwoods.com for the latest on my books, and for a little insight into what's going on in my head in any given week, check out my blog, www.justbetweenfriendsblog.com. I'm also on Facebook and have figured out how to confirm friends and give little teaser blurbs about upcoming books.
- How may readers contact you?
Through my website or directly at Sherryl703@gmail.com
- Do you have a favorite comment or question from a reader?
One of my favorite reader letters came years ago from a woman in Washington, who wrote that she'd had a terrible time reading my latest book. I got this awful sinking feeling as I read the letter, until she added that her cat had gone into heat and was making so much racket she couldn't concentrate. She finally got a Thermos of coffee, put on her winter coat and finished the book in her car! Now that's a dedicated reader.
- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
I think there's a little bit of me in all of my books. It's certainly in the humorous voice I try to bring to the stories, but even the experiences of the characters often come straight out of my life.
- When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?
I'd never actually considered writing fiction, but one day I realized that I was no longer having as much fun as a journalist as I thought I ought to be, so I walked in and quit my job. The romance market was booming at that time -- in 1980 -- and those were the kind of books I loved, so I sat down to see if I could write one. I sold a total of five books in rapid succession with the first ones hitting stores in 1982. I'm still amazed that I've now written well over a hundred books and still counting.
- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?
With the kind of deadlines I set for myself, I don't have time to go with the flow or to wait for my muse. If the muse isn't around, I have to go hunting for her and yank her back to the computer.
- Where do your ideas come from?
With my journalistic background, I see stories everywhere....in newspapers, on TV, talking to friends, overhearing a snippet of conversation.
- Do you feel humour is important in women's fiction and why?
I love stories with humor, but I also love more serious books as well. I do think today's world can be difficult and if a book can help us find the laughter in a particular crisis or situation, it's a wonderful thing.
- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?
I've been fortunate enough to write over a dozen mysteries and absolutely loved it, though now I'm focusing exclusively on women's fiction and romance.
- What are some of your favorite things to do?
I love movies, theater and tennis. I see as many movies as I can while in Florida in the winter. It's harder to get to them when I'm at my summer home. I go to New York for theater at least once a year, and I try to make it to the Sony Ericcson tennis matches in Florida. I got to see Roger Federer and Venus Williams play this time...and saw Rafael Nadal sitting just behind me in the stands. I'd like to be back on a court playing, but I can't run half as fast as I used to.
- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
Always the characters. I want to write about people whom readers will care about, people to whom they can relate, along with situations they may have faced in their own lives.
- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
Hearing from readers that a particular story helped them through a rough patch in their lives or made them laugh.
Thank you very much for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creation from your talented imagination!
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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