A
Day with Sheri Fredricks
Stage setting:
Brenda sets two steaming mugs of coffee on the
table, beside paperback copies of Remedy Maker and Troll-y Yours. She surveys
the coffee table. “Hmm, maybe not coffee. How about wine? A glass of red for
Sheri, and a glass of white for me. *Smiles* “Yeah, I want to get this chick
good and drunk. Maybe then I can get her to spill some secrets about her
Centaur series.
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Brenda rushes off and comes back with two glasses, a
bottle of red wine and a bottle of white. She sits down, making sure the
spotlights aren’t going to blind her special guest. “Good. All’s perfect. Now
if Sheri would hurry her ass up, we could get down to business.”
The sound of a car pulling up the driveway alerts
Brenda of Sheri’s arrival. “Let the interrogation—I mean, questioning begin.”
Brenda opens the door before the first knock sounds.
Sheri jumps back, then laughs. “Shit, Hoser. You
scared me.”
“Just excited you agreed to an interview, dude. You
look awesome as usual.”
Sheri smooths a hand over her long dark hair and
then straightens her skirt. “Well, I wasn’t sure what to wear. Didn’t know what
to expect. Last time we talked, you said something about conducting this
interview on horseback.”
Brenda laughs. “I changed my mind.” She steps back
and gestures for Sheri to come in.
Sheri gazes around Brenda’s home. “Nice place,
Hoser. You sure have a lot of chicken stuff.”
“What can I say? I like chickens. Can I take your
coat?”
“Sure.” Sheri hands Brenda her coat. “So, where do
you want me to sit?”
“In the living room. I have it all set up.”
Once both ladies are seated, Brenda offers Sheri a
glass of wine.
A look of pure joy flashes across Sheri’s face.
“Thanks.”
Brenda smiles and raises her glass in a toast.
“Shall we begin?”
Interview:
Brenda: So, how many books do
you have planned for your Centaur Series?
Sheri: I only planned
the one, Remedy Maker. Next thing I know, Aleksander is kicking his hooves
wanting a story of his own. Now that he has his own book (Troll-y Yours), the
other characters are screaming for attention. Aye-ya-yie.
To answer your Hoser question, at least three more
books, possibly four. But don’t quote me on that.
Brenda’s reply:
LOL, oh I’m quoting you on that. So, four it is.
Brenda: I know you love
horses, so was that one of the reasons you decided to write about Centaurs? And
how does your knowledge of horses help with writing your characters?
Sheri: I didn’t start
off with the intention of writing a Centaur book series. See? This is what too
much gin and too little tonic will get you, but I do love muscular men who can
give a girl a galloping good time. *sigh*
Having had horses all my life, I can sometimes
predict how they’ll react. They’re all unique and individual with personalities
to match. Knowing their physical limitations, expectations, and various health
problems can really add a depth to a Centaur’s character. At least I hope my
writing does. *Sheri refills her wine
glass*
Brenda’s reply:
*Laughs inside. Good, she’s getting buzzed.* Well, you did an awesome job with
your characters. They’re very life-like.
Brenda: How has writing
changed you?
Sheri: I used to be a
size 6 with a flat stomach.
Brenda’s reply:
LOL. Whatever, dude. I’ve seen recent pictures of you, and you look good, so
don’t try and feed me that shit n’ shinola.
Brenda: Was there ever a time
since you began writing that you felt like quitting? If so, why? And how or
what changed your mind?
Sheri: Holy crap, what
a question. I’ve only felt like throwing in the towel every other chapter! Like
many authors, I’m plagued by a lack of self-confidence. And then along comes a fantastic
book review and suddenly I’m back in the game. Even a short note from a happy reader
can make my day. Luckily I have a close group of writing friends that always
have my back. Like YOU, Hoser!
Brenda’s reply:
What is it with us writers and having low self-confidence? *Shakes head.* I’m
glad I have you in my circle too. And for the record. You are an amazing
talent.
Brenda: I adore your
series—love your characters and your world building. My question to you is the
setting—or certain parts of the setting—to your books a description of places
you know personally? Or can we chalk it up to your awesome imagination?
Sheri: The Boronda
Forest is a fictional place somewhere in the wilds of Pennsylvania, a state on
the east coast of the U.S. I’ve never been there. I live in the drought ravaged
state of California on the west coast, where everything is a perpetual brown.
My imagination dreams of a green forest with streams
filled with cool running water. Starved for it, really. Maybe if I write about
a lush green and moist world, it’ll come true. *pours herself another glass of
wine* Oh, and where Centaur men are hot to trot.
Brenda: Besides your Centaur
series, what other stories do you have swirling around in your brain?
Sheri: Oh boy. My
brain…now that’s a scary place. I have the whole Troll series, and a Wood Nymph
series, too. And because I’m into self-punishment, I’m reworking a time-travel
western romance I started years ago. I love Boronda and all things mythical,
but sometimes I need me a dusty cowboy with tight Wranglers who says, “yes,
ma’am.”
Brenda’s reply:
Oh...I love time travels and cowboys!
Brenda: Can you tell your
readers what they can expect from book #3 in the Centaur Series?
Sheri: I’ll tell you
what to expect. However I won’t tell you who
the character is. My readers, whom I adore, can expect an old-fashioned Centaur
who doesn’t feel like he’s part of the modern world. He’s stuck in time…like a
few centuries backward in time! He fights his hatred of the Centaur’s old
enemy, the Nymphs. Too bad the female he’s been ordered to protect shares his bitter
distrust, except she’s his enemy and doesn’t trust him. In order to survive,
the two battle-worn mythics must bury the hatchet, learn to trust, and start
life anew.
Brenda’s reply:
Man, this story sounds like a goodie.
Brenda: As a fellow
writer, all my characters are near and dear to me, but I do have a favorite. Do
you have a favorite out of your characters? If so, who and why?
Sheri: I think the
hero of every book I write is my favorite. But one Centaur stands out for me,
maybe because I’ve only scratched the surface of his character. This would be my
unpredictable, black market kingpin, Nubbs. He has a secret. A secret so big,
it’s going to knock the Centaur kingdom off their hooves. But you, dear
readers, will have to wait for Nubbs’s book to come out. Hehehe. *Sheri drains
her glass*
Brenda’s reply:
I love Nubbs. I for one can hardly wait to read his story. And damn you, lol.
Your hint has left me with even more questions!
Brenda: Okay, enough with the
serious stuff. Let’s get a little crazy. *Brenda holds up another bottle of red
wine.* Would you like a refill before we get started? Do you need to use the
bathroom?
Sheri: Is there’s
more? I’ve been refilling my glass and now the damn bottle’s empty! And no to
the restroom. Don’t you know romance writers never have to go potty?
Brenda’s reply:
LOL, that’s just a myth about romance writers not needing to use the potty.
Brenda: Have you ever smelled mothballs?
Sheri: I fell for that
joke before. Not going there again. LOL
Brenda’s reply:
Right, I did tell you this joke before. Damn, I need some new victums,
hehehehehe.
Brenda: What is the grosses
thing you have ever stepped in with bare feet?
Sheri: At first I was
going to say a centipede. I can still feel that thing squirming under my foot.
But that’s on, not in. The grossest has to be a cold, wet, squishy hairball in
the middle of the night, compliments of the now deceased Captain Kitty-Cat. He
was 14 when he finally left this world.
Brenda’s reply:
Yuk! Now that is gross. But the centipede is pretty sick too.
Brenda: What is the grossest
thing you have ever eaten?
Sheri: Which is grosser
for you: Pickled fish guts or baked teriyaki crickets? I’ve eaten both.
Brenda’s reply:
Both are equally disgusting.
Brenda: For a million dollars,
would you eat a worm?
Sheri: I ate the worm
at the bottom of the tequila bottle already. Nobody paid me a million bucks,
dammit.
Brenda’s reply:
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Brenda: Tell your readers
something they don’t know about you.
Sheri: I didn’t have
my first date until college. No senior prom, no school dances. I’ve always felt
like I missed out on those special high school days.
Brenda’s reply:
Hey, I didn’t have my first date until I was 18. And I didn’t go to my prom.
Brenda: You’ve been a great
sport and a wonderful guest. *Shakes Sheri’s hand.* Thanks for doing this
interview. You truly are a very talented lady.
Sheri: Knock on wood!
Oh wait, in my mythic world a Wood Nymph might answer. Thank you for the
awesome wine and the good time. I can always count on you to make me laugh,
Hoser. And, just so you know—I’m looking forward to YOUR next book in the
Prophecy series. Fan-girl here! Squee!
To learn more about Sheri Fredricks, you can find her here:
Website : www.sherifredricks.com
Blogging At : http://sherifredricks.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Sheri_Fredricks
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/SheriFredricks
Google+: http://is.gd/VmLa5I
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sherifredricks
Sheri: Uh, Brenda? Why is your dog lying on my
jacket?
Brenda’s reply:
Shit, sorry about that. Bones! Get off Sheri’s coat.
*Bones heaves his old bones off Sheri’s coat and
lays on his blanckets. Brenda picks up Sheri’s coat—covered in hair—and
attempts to brush it off.* Sorry about that, Hoser. I’ll get the lint brush.
Sheri is generously offering a copy of her fantasy
novella, Portals of Oz to one lucky commenter. Please leave your email address
for a chance to win.
