Welcome to The Wormhole! Today I am pleased to feature Sherry D. Ficklin and her newest book Born of Blood!
? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I never really thought I wanted to be a writer, per se. I have always had a deep love of books and writing. It was something I’ve done all my life. I actually started writing fan fiction for books I love on the internet about six years ago. I’d fall in love with a story or a character and I’d take it and create my own stories in that world. It was my husband who first incouraged me to try creating something wholly my own. So I did, and I never looked back. It’s been amazing!
? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?
So many. I’ve done just about everything. Worst jobs ever: Telemarketing and fast food. Lame.
? How long does it take you to write a book?
Wow, that really depends on the book. If I’m only working on one book at a time, I can do a book in about three months, that’s concept to finished first draft. If I have multiple projects going, it can take much longer. Born of Blood actually took me a really long time to write because during that time I was finishing another series and promoting other releases at the same time. Born of Blood took me almost a year to get on paper. But it sold very quickly so it sort of evened itself out in that way.
? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
I do these crazy things to help get into my characters head. There are things I wear, music I listen to, and food I eat that is specific to each character. For example, for Sophie I listen to a lot of Jazz (specifically Harry Connic Jr) and ate a lot of Chineese food.
? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?
Just the above things. There are book specific props that I keep in my office too. Things that I write into the books, like Sophie’s purse (from the new Palmetto Moon book) and jewelry, trinkets. I try to surround myself with them. It helps me stay in world.
? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?
Everywhere. Some characters are completely form my brain and others are based on people I know. God bless my friends and family for being so understanding with me. I do take specific personality traits and sort of magnify them for my characters, sometimes someone will ask me about something one of them does or says and I’ll have some serious explaining to do. But for the most part, they are great about it.
? How do you decide what you want to write about?
I don’t. Ha! People think we just sit down and decide what words come out. That is so not the case, at least not for me. Inspiration strikes me at usually the most inopportune times and I have to scurry to get the idea down before it vanishes. I feel like when I’m writing that I am 90% vessel. The story runs itself, I’m just the sorry sap trying to record it.
? What books have most influenced your life?
I think the single most influincial book I think I’ve ever read was The Great and Secret Show by Clive Barker. It was this amazing story that was smart and frightening and epic. It was the first book I ever read that literally took my breath away.
? What are you reading right now?
I read a lot of YA, and I just read Juliet Immortal. Wow. It was brilliant. Anytime a book can take a classic story or theme and completely turn it on it’s head, it gets my vote. But more than that, it was literally the most gracefully written modern book I think I’ve ever read.
? What do you like to do when you are not writing?
When am I not writing? Ha! No, I love being outdoors and spending time with my family. I live to travel. Seeing new places, meeting new people, it’s the best. I spent some time in Europe with my mother recently, and it was a blast. I’d love to go back. I still want to see London and Greece
? What is your favorite comfort food?
Depends on what I need comfort from. I tend to rely on the old standbys, chocolate and Arbys.
? What do you think makes a good story?
A good story is one that you can’t stop thinking about, even after it’s over. If you can make people love/hate your characters, than that makes them immortal.
? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?
I think JK Rowling is the writer I admire most. She had a really hard go of it, but she managed to make her life everything she wanted it to be and her stories will literally live forever. When that many people love your characters as if they were real people, that’s about the most a writer could ever hope for.
Fun random questions:
- dogs or cats? Cats.
- Coffee or tea? Tea, Earl Grey Green.
- Dark or milk chocolate? I don’t discriminate.
- Rocks or flowers? Orchids.
- Night or day? Sunset and sunrise.
- Favorite color? Black.
- Crayons or markers? Finger paint.
- Pens or pencils? Pencils.
Her newest book is Palmetto Moon: Born of Blood, Book One.
You can read my review by clicking HERE.
You can buy a copy HERE.
You can enter to win a copy by filling out the form below!
Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole!
Good luck in the Giveaway - Happy reading.
