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Dr. Karen Sherman, a NY licensed psychologist, has been practicing over 20 years focusing on relationships/marriage and helping people achieve their greatest potential.

Karen authored "Mindfulness and The Art of Choice: Transform Your Life” enabling people to let go of conditioned responses and empowering them to make their own choices, co-authored "Marriage Magic! Find It, Keep It, and Make It Last," and contributed to "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Vol. 2," writing about overcoming stress.

She’s a featured writer on Yahoo Personals, a relationship blogger for ThirdAge.com, and writes for Hitchedmag.com.  She's a frequent guest on national radio and her expert opinion has appeared in numerous publications.

She serves on the Undergraduate Psychology Dept. at CW Post University.

Her web sites (drkarensherman.com, ChoiceRelationships.com) offer free newsletters and programs.

She and her husband have enjoyed over 30 years of marriage and have two daughters, a son-in-law, and a grandson.

Thank you Karen for taking the time to answer some questions for us!  To start, please tell us about your latest project.

My latest project and passion is my self-help book, "Mindfulness and The Art of Choice: Transform Your Life."  It's my second book but one that is based on my personal journey as well as my professional experience.  In a way, I see it as the book I was meant to write in order to fulfill my life's purpose.

Have you received any awards for your work?

I'm flattered to say that the book has received two awards:  One is for the best Personal Self Growth book in 2009 (Walsh Seminars) and the other is honorary mention in the Self-help category (Reader's Views).  As you can imagine, it's very validating to be receive such honors.

Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?

Yes, I do so in various areas: Certainly as I talk about in the book, I want people to know that they do not have to be a prisoner to their past but can live a life of choice.  I also speak regarding my two other areas of expertise which are relationships and stress reduction.  At this point, I speak when I'm asked to.

How has your education, profession or background helped you in your writing career? Or conversely, how has you writing success helped you in your  profession?

Both books that I have written (the first was "Marriage Magic! Find It, Keep It, and Make It Last") were based on personal experience and my knowledge as a psychologist.  I find it much easier to write about something which I understand first hand.  I also believe it comes across much more authentically to the reader.  What I have found, like so many others, is that by having written books, I am also seen as more credible professionally.  So there has been a bidirectional impact.

What kind of other works (books, scripts, poems etc.) have you had published?

I was a contributor to "101 Great Ways to  Improve Your Life, Vol. 2" with a chapter regarding stress reduction. 

Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?

I blog for ThirdAge.com and write articles for Hitchedmag.com.  Periodically, I contribute to Yahoo Personals.  I particularly like doing these as it offers me the opportunity to speak to my readers on a more regular basis about a variety of topics that are close to my heart and that I hope allow them some insights to make their lives a little easier.  And ... once a month, I send out a monthly newsletter with "Choice Tips."  It's free and people can sign up for it at my site: www.drkarensherman.com or www.ChoiceRelationships.com.

What will your next project be?

I've been toying with putting something out regarding either in-laws or helping people learn how to clean out their emotional "garbage."

Who inspires you on a personal or business level?

Sometimes it's hard for me to separate these two areas since I'm basically in a service profession.  When I write, I merely see it as a medium to express that knowledge -- which often comes as an integration from both.  What inspires me is a desire to help people and to offer perspectives that might allow them to live more fulfilling lives.  When I get feedback indicating that my words have helped, I am extremely rewarded and satisfied.
 
What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?

Write about something meaningful to you and be willing to put in the time and effort to put out a good product.  Then, when that's all done really be ready to go the distance to get your book out there.  So much of what I read said that writing the book was the easy part and that marketing it was the real challenge -- it's true!  But if you believe in what you have to say, it's worth it.

How did you get started as a writer?
 
Because I went through some difficult times and found what I believed to be insightful ways out (especially with the "Art of Choice" book), I almost felt compelled to share the knwledge.

Who is your favorite writer/author?

When I need a sense of inspiration or feel like I need to be grounded, I turn to Deepak Chopra.  And when I read for fun and relaxation, I read James Patterson.
 
Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?  :)

Luckily, I have a grandson and I get to sing with him all the time so I suppose that's not by myself.  I love to sing and my one regret in life is that I have not been blessed with the voice to do so.  He's still too young to know that he can walk out on me :)

Thank you Karen! We wish you great success with your book Mindfulness And The Art of Choice!