Author Interview with Sheri Chapman!
Hi, Sheri Chapman, welcome to the Indie Publishing Group website! Introduce yourself to us. Tell everyone who you are, where you’re from, what you enjoy doing, your hobbies and interests.
Hi, everyone! I’m Sheri Chapman. I live in southwest Missouri (Spokane). Aside from writing, I love helping people, writing, and raising my wonderful Pomeranian pets. My family and friends are very important. I also love reading and being artistic. I used to be a work-out fanatic, but now I’m consumed with my busy life! I do love the great outdoors and many activities involving water. However, I am not a pretty swimmer. LOL
The most exciting thing in my life right now is thanks to our agent at Wild Dreams Publishing, M. L. Ruscsak! She’s making many people’s dreams come true! Because of her and the company, Wild Passion is going to the movie screen!!!!! LOOK OUT HOLLYWOOD!
When did you start writing and why?
I began “writing” when I was in the fifth grade. I’ve always been a book worm and loved animals and wildlife. I continue to love getting lost in the fantasy world. In addition, I’ve always had many stories whirling in my head, so what better way to express myself than to write stories I enjoy which might bring others pleasure?
Books that inspired me include Walter Farley’s Black Stallion books, C. S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, and Madeline L’Engle’s Wrinkle in Time series. Later, I also fell in love with the Clan of the Cave Bear’s series (Jean M. Auel) and my all-time favorite, Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling). I love the messages (life lessons) I find hidden within the pages. I can only hope to entertain/inspire/guide others as they have me.
Which is your favorite book you have written and what gave you the idea for it?
My favorite book (series) I’ve published so far is my Passion series! As a kid, I was fascinated with horses and “Indians”. I’ve always loved the underdog, so I began feeling badly for the tragedy these natives had undergone by white man’s hand. As I learned, my respect for them only grew. They’re an admiring group who respects all life. I wanted to write a story where they were the hero!
How did you come up with the title for your book?
I think I named it Wild Passions as a play on how we view the Native man back in the 1800’s. He was “Wild” and then, of course, I had to indicate the strong, magnetic pull between my romantically-involved characters and add the word, “Passion”.
Who helped you with the cover? Or did you design it yourself? What was your inspiration for your cover design?
The cover is by V-Designs (Veronique Poirier)! I LOVE her work! I couldn’t be happier with the cover! (Wild Passion)! Wild Dreams helped me pick the perfect picture and V-Designs did the rest!
What are some of the themes of your story?
- Perceptions of our situations are the key to how we feel. Kaitlin thought she was free, and she was happy. Once she found out she really belonged to the chief, she suddenly wanted to escape.
- Love can overcome all obstacles
- Friendship and support are necessary for life
What’s your process when you sit down and decide to start writing a book and do you have a system?
I’m a little crazy. I could be waaaay more organized. I start with an idea, or overview in my head. I know the direction I want to go. When I begin writing and my characters come to life, I let them drive where they take me. Sometimes they give me a twist I wasn’t expecting.
Who are some of your favorite characters and why?
Of my own characters, I love Spirit Bear. He’s the perfect man of the time. He’s gentle, kind, and caring for the most part but is also an assertive leader. He protects what he loves with fierce determination. He’s kind of like a superhero in human form.
Kaitlin is also one of my favorites. She is the ultimate care-giver and everyone loves her.
I can’t leave out the band’s shaman. Wonder Worker is just a fun character who can work miracles.
Of other people’s books, I love Harry Potter (for being a down-to-earth savior), Minerva McGonagall (for being the stern teacher with a soft heart), Severus Snape (for being the bad good guy. He added a lot of humor to the story), Ron Weasley (for his cowardly bravery), and Hermione Granger (for her intelligence and rejection yet had the strongest relations). Dumbledore, of course, is a favorite due to his nobility, loyalty (even if one may question it at times), and for his love of his students.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
One of my favorite romance authors is Nora Roberts (aka J.D. Robb). I love her “In Death” series, but all of her books are good! I also am addicted to Sandra Brown’s intensity with her stories. For action and suspense, I LOVE the Gray Man series by Mark Greaney. I mentioned other authors I’ve admired throughout time in question two (J.K. Rowling, Jean M. Auel, C. S. Lewis, Madeline L’Engle,) and oh, so many more!
Have you got anything you’re working on now?
Haha! I have more projects than I can handle.
BOOKS coming in 2019:
Passions of the Heart (Book 2 of the Passion series – coming by APRIL 2019)
Wild Dreams Publishing (WDP)
I have a new series coming out called Wolves Unchained. It’s a young adult werewolf sequence.
Werewolves Don’t Like Green Beans – (Book 1 of Wolves Unchained) Submitted
Protectors of the People – (Book 2 of Wolves Unchained) Ready to Submit
Anthologies coming in 2019
Romantic Interludes: Paranormal Romance: “A Little Bermuda Love” – Stained Glass Publishing
Reincarnation Anthology: “A Killer, Revisited” – Dreams Publishing (WDP)
Just a Drop: A Vampire Anthology: (Untitled at this point) – Dreams Publishing (WDP)
Chancing Your Wildest Dreams: (Untitled at this point) – Dreams Publishing (WDP)
(and four more so far)
If you could have any superpowers what would they be?
I would either clone myself so I could get all my work done or have super speed so I could get all my work done! LOL
If you could travel to any location in the world where would you go?
I want to scuba dive off the Great Barrier Reef (no I don’t know how to scuba dive), but this is on my bucket list. Australia and Hawaii are a few places I’d like to hit for sure. LONDON and Greenland are other places I want to go. In fact, I plan to visit the last two locations on an educational tour the summer of my “graduation” (or retirement).
Where do you hope to be in 5 years’ time?
I hope to be retired from teaching, showing a few dogs (if I have time), and sitting on the set, watching my books become movies! I hope to have my hand in the pot of a new batch of stories and some television/HBO/Netflix series going as well!
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