Author of the Month
An Interview with Essence Bestselling Author Sherri Lewis
Hey, Sherri! Congratulations on making Essence's Best Seller List. We are so excited for you!
Please tell our readers a little something about yourself.
Did you always dream of becoming an author?
Strangely enough, I always wrote, but never really dreamed of being an author.
My mom tells me stories of all the little books I wrote on construction paper with crayons and then stapled them together.
I journaled and wrote poetry and short stories for all of my young adult life.
I actually started my first novel my first year of medical school but for obvious reasons, couldn't finish it then.
So I've always loved writing, just never imagined I'd be a bestselling author.
When did you know you were called to write?
I always knew I loved to write. I don't think I realized it was an actual calling until I finished my second novel. After many people read it and told me how much it ministered to them, I figured it might be a God thing rather than just a hobby.
How long did it take you to write your first book? What gave you the push to put pen to paper?
Most of the books I've written have taken about 6 months to write, then I spend forever editing them. I've probably read my first two books a hundred times, going through, getting rid of tiny mistakes, adding commas, getting rid of commas, adding a "magic" word here and there. I'm can be a bit obsessive compulsive when it comes to editing. I use writing as therapy so the the push to get pen to paper in an inner drive to get my feelings out through my characters. Also, just the love of the creative process. Now that life is extra hectic, it does take a lot of discipline to stick to a consistent writing schedule.
Many people are scared to deal with the subject of homosexuality in the church. What inspired you to write My Soul Cries Out?
I started out writing a book about a Christian woman going through a divorce because it was therapy for my situation at the time. I wanted to create a situation where no one in Christianity could argue her right to get a divorce, so I decided to make her husband cheat with a man. After that, I remembered many dear Christian friends I've had that have struggled with their sexual identity and the shame of fighting with homosexuality. I decided to use the book as a compassionate exploration of Christians dealing with the issue.
Please tell us more about your books. I see you have a new one coming out in March 2009.
Dance Into Destiny, my second novel, is a journey story of two women who seek an intimate relationship with God to figure out what their purpose and destiny is. It's touched a lot of people's hearts and caused them to try to discover their own purpose and destiny. The List comes out in March 2009. It's a novel about single, successful, saved but still sexy black women waiting on God to bring their soulmate. It's funny and light although it deals with a huge problem affecting our community. Selling My Soul, the sequel to My Soul Cries Out will come out in 2010 and I'm working on the sequel to The List now - Settlin'
What motivates you to continue when days seem dreary?
Dreary days are my best writing days! I love to escape into my perfect made up world where I control everything. Writing can turn the dreariest day into the dreamiest.
What advice would you give an aspiring author that is submitting their manuscript for publication but is experiencing frequent rejection?
Keep trying!!!! After I finished my first novel, it took FOUR years to get a book deal. I got so many rejections that I got discouraged and decided I had missed God and wasn't actually called to write. Just when I had given up, Kendra Norman Bellamy told me that a new Christian fiction line was about to open up and that I should submit my work. During that four years, I did everything I could to improve my craft. I read as many books on writing as I could, went to conferences and kept rewriting and editing my books. You have to figure out whether it's your writing or just the market. And you have to be willing to go places where the editors and agents are to meet them in person.
How may your readers contact you?
My website is www.sherrilewis.com and email address sherri@sherrilewis.com
Sherri, thank you for taking the time to chat with us! May God bless all of your endeavors.