Monday, September 29, 2014

I'm pleased to welcome Sheryl Fawcett, author of "Yesterday to Tomorrow"



1. To start off, what made you decide to take the plunge into the world of publishing?





Writing a book was on my bucket list, definitely not unique to me. My first book, a blend of memoir and life philosophy, lives only in my laptop and is too personal for publishing any time soon. Some skeletons are better left in the closet. However, before I reached the end, I was hooked. So I wrote a pure fiction novel to publish under my real name. My books are available in most ebook formats as well as paperback.


2. Tell me about your book.




Yesterday to Tomorrow is Book 2 in "The Women of Lakeshore Drive" series of three. The series began with When Least Expected and follows three women over a progression of time. Each is a complete stand-alone story and can be enjoyed without reading the others. This second book opens with three friends embarking on a 22 day cruise. It's not exactly a vacation but more of an escape. Their hopes are to move from yesterday into tomorrow because today is not a happy place for them. Quirky passengers on board ship introduce a bit of mystery, a hint of romance, and a touch of international intrigue.


3. So you write contemporary women's fiction. What do you think sets your books apart from the mainstream women's fiction today?





I write contemporary women's fiction with baby boomer characters. Their lives take twists and turns, just as  with younger women, but they are armed with a lifetime of experience. Sometimes the perspective of maturity is helpful and other times it's a hindrance to them.


4. Tell me about yourself.




I'm on the leading edge of the baby boomer generation myself. My grandmother was a strong business woman and she passed down her legacYesety of independence and common sense. I married my high school sweetheart and we raised a family together. Now in our retirement years, writing is my fourth career.


5. Who is your favorite author, if you have one?



My reading choices range from non-fiction to mystery to action to love stories, so there are many authors I like. If I were to name one favorite, I suppose it would be Arthur Hailey although he is no longer living. I love the factual reality of the settings of his fictional stories.

6. If you could achieve one thing with your writing, what would it be?



If I could achieve one thing with my writing, it would be to hear both my adult daughters say, "Wow! This book is great, Mom." I'm not certain they've ever read one of my books. Is this evidence I have moved from seeking the approval of my parents to seeking the approval of my children?


7. Can we expect more books from you soon?





Yes, of course I have more books coming. The Female Descendant, final book of this series, will be published in late Fall. For next year, I have a companion book on the drawing board in which a nosy neighbor will report on the 'comings and goings' of the three main characters . I've begun a book in a completely different genre, paranormal romance, for 2015 publication. There's also an outline for a nostalgic little Christmas book that keeps popping up to remind me it's waiting to be written. Let's mark 2015 for that one, too.



Off-beat questions


1. As a writer of women's fiction, have you watched a lot of what are considered "girl" movies, or "chick flicks?" Have any favorites?




You asked if I've watched a lot of what are considered 'girl' movies or 'chick flicks,' and my answer is no more of this type than any other. I do have a couple favorites though and they're total opposites from one another. I love the original version of "Imitation of Life." I cry every time I watch it. The other is "Pretty Woman" and it never fails to make me laugh.


2. What inspired the setting for your novel? Ever been there yourself? 



As to what inspired the setting for my novel, it came down to a matter of logistics. The story called for a cruise of two to four weeks in length that crossed the International Date Line and included Christmas and New Year's days in the itinerary. I wanted an actual cruise, not a made-up one, and this one fit the bill. I've been to some of the ports but not most of them, so it did require research for accuracy . A deck plan of the ship lay open beside me the entire time I was writing.


Purchase a copy of her book:






"I intend to die young at a very advanced age." That's my motto! Born Sheryl Black, I grew up primarily in Knoxville, Iowa, attended Grinnell College, and married my high school sweetheart, Rich Fawcett. Today we live in Omaha NE. We raised two daughters, and have four granddaughters. We enjoy boating, flying, world-wide travel, and spending summer days on the Lake of the Ozark in Missouri. My career path ranged from owning my own dance studio to selling residential real estate, with intervening years of volunteer work. That included a stint as Chairman of Committee on Auxiliaries, Iowa Hospital Association. I have written from time to time throughout my life, fiction and non-fiction. Published works include full length novels and short stories.

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