Hello everyone! ^_^ I know it’s been ages, but I promise that this and next month, I will have more guest authors on my website, a blog tour soon to celebrate the year anniversary of the release of my second collection, “Fallen Star Dust,” and I PROMISE I am still working on my MASSIVE update from August, which will not only include inklings on happenings in my life, but all I have been working on, some mini con reviews, and future projects. My new teaching job in my new district takes a lot of time, but it is very rewarding for me. It’s just finding balance for everything. Thank you for the loyalty and patience with me. I love you all! <3
Now, on to the start of this amazing two month train of wonderful people. I would love to welcome to my site one of the hardest working writers, women, and mothers I have ever had the pleasure to work with and I am so happy to have met her at one of my author book signs at our local library. 🙂 Please be entertained by the fabulous interview and work sample of Mrs. Sherry Howard.
Aspiring Authors Spotlight Questions:
- When you wake up in the morning, how do you see life?- I see life as a journey. We are connected to one another by the tiniest of threads and meet many interesting characters along the way. The journey is the destination. Live your live like you’re already at the end. Have no regrets about not stopping to take in those experiences that life has to offer you.
- How did writing find its way into your life?- I’ve been writing stories and poems since I was in middle school. I always felt like I wanted to share stories with other people, so I took a story to my English teacher and she told me not to give up. I still have that dream to see my work in print.
- What does writing do for you?- Writing has become an outlet for me. As a writer, you can let out your emotions and ideas without interruption. Also, you can live many lives through your characters, exploring worlds you can only imagine.
- What sort of genre or type of writing do you do?- While it’s not a widely accepted genre, I like to call what I write “New Adult.” It’s that bridge between Young Adult and Adult. I think we will find in a few years that the genre will become increasingly acknowledged.
- Do events in your life or people you know affect your writing?- Depending on what I’m writing, things in my life do affect my writing. I find bits and pieces of my daily living thrown in there from time to time. Experiences do shape the way we perceive our world.
- What are you currently work on or what was the last thing you wrote?- The last draft I was working on was titled Lyrics of My Soul. I wrote that story for NANOWRIMO. My current project is titled Daughter of an Outlaw Sinner and it’s a work in progress.
- Can you tell us a little about it and its inspiration?- Lyrics of My Soul was inspired by my love of music. It’s about a rising star and her journey early on in her career. Skye’s manger talks her into taking an opening act on a tour for Phoenix Rising, a band with a long history in the music industry. Along the way we learn the reasons behind Skye’s quick jump into the industry and the reasons why she may let her self-destructive behavior get the best of her. Lane is a member of Phoenix Rising and it his persistence that forces Skye to face some of her biggest challenges.
- What are your goals for the future?- Right now, I have 3 ½ first draft novels. I would really like to finish editing and revising at least one of those and start the publishing process.
- What are your interests or hobbies?- I love to read (what writer doesn’t?), hang out with my daughter, and binge watch Netflix. I am also working on several self-started projects. The 2017 No Tomorrow Challenge, which is about embracing your life and finding meaning in the now. And my other project, co-founded with two other aspiring authors, called Show Me Random Acts of Kindness. It’s a place for people to share their stories about how kind acts were spread to them. Both groups are just kicking off and their pages can be found on Facebook.
- If you could be a superhero, what are your powers and how would you use them to help the world?- Superhero’s are fun and amazing, but I’d rather be a mundane and inspire the humanity of people through my actions and compassion as a human.
- What advice would you give people who want to write?- Writing is work every day. No one becomes a sensation over-night. Writing is revising over and over again, so that you can present the best material to your audience.
- If you could be remembered for one thing or thought, what would it be?- I’d love to be remember for ability to inspire the greatness in others. I believe we all have something to offer the world and I’d like to see everyone reach their potential.
Example of Work:
Sample from Daughter of an Outlaw Sinner
Two years later
My heart is heavy in my chest as I pace outside the club doors. I know Preacher’s inside, but I’m having a hard time working up the nerve to speak to him.
I could end up like my mother. I’m eighteen and he could have the guys dig out a plot of desert right next to her. My life could be over.
I pull a folded-up letter from my jeans pocket. My future. The one I’ve dreamt about could happen. All I had to do was convince him to let me go.
I toss my long wavy black hair over my shoulders and puff up my arms in my leather jacket.
I can do this. I pull open the club door and stomp across the tiled floor in my riding boots.
The club is void except a few prospects cleaning up tables and Preacher sitting at the bar looking down at his phone.
I go behind the counter and grab a bottle of whiskey. I bring it down with a clink and grab two tumblers from beneath the counter.
He studies be from behind his phone screen.
“We need to talk,” I say as I pour our drinks.
I slide the drink over to him and toss mine back in one gulp. He sips his and places his phone face down on the counter.
“I already know,” he says. “I figured you’d have marched in here days ago.”
“How?” I ask after I pull my jaw up.
“I know everything about you. Every step you take.”
“Has Gadget been cyber stalking me?” I fume and pour another drink. “This is exactly why I want out of here. People have a right to privacy.”
“My daughter doesn’t,” he says in calm voice.
“I got into college. Most fathers would be happy for their children.” I huff.
He doesn’t speak only holds his glass up to his lips and stares at me.
“Please, let me go. I don’t want to be here. This isn’t my life, Preacher. This is the one you choose for me. Let me find my own way. I promise you, everything I know about the club dies the day I walk out the door.” I come around and take seat next to him. “Give me a chance to survive.”
He gazes into his empty tumbler and runs his fingers over the rim. His phone beeps and he looks down at it. He pushes himself from the chair and hefts up his cut and I see the dirt crested President’s patch over his left breast.
“There is one condition,” he says.
“Anything, I stand up. Please,” I beg.
“Blayze has to give his permission since you’re his old lady.”
Blayze. I should have saw it coming. Kegan turned Blayze the day after he patched in. It was fitting. When we were children he was always going around catching things on fire. Now, it was his club name. Kegan was gone.
“Alright,” I say.
He nods and starts to the door. “And you can’t come back. Not ever. If you go, there’s nothing to come back to.”
Preacher leaves out the front and I hear him rev his engine before he peels down the gravel road.
I lean across the bar and run my hands through my hair before I slide the whiskey over and bring the bottle to my lips.
It was going to take courage for me to tell Blayze. Sure, I was only his old lady in name. We’ve never consummated the relationship, but I was still his and he could tell me not to go.
About the Author:
I grew up in Las Vegas and moved to small town Missouri when I was sixteen. My life very much reminds me of Gilmore Girls. Art, pop culture, music, and books make up 75% of everything that I am. I consider myself a good role model because I love people regardless of who they are. Most of my time is spent with my daughter and taking her to various dance classes and practices. When I do have free time, I try to take advantage of that time and dive headfirst into my writing. I’m city girl with small town values. I’ve often referred to myself as a kaleidoscope because of the many different sides of my persona.
URLS:
https://sherrylynnhoward.blogspot.com/