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I am a freelance writer, poet and a published author. I have three wonderful sons, two beautiful grand-daughters and a loving husband. They have all inspired me to promote my writing. Within the past three years, I have been published in over 25 magazine publications. I have been featured in newsletters, newspapers and online publications. My most current article will be featured in the “Writer Magazine.”  I also write regularly for a local website called www.riverbills.com.

Earlier this year I had my second book published, “Our Spiritual Makeover.” My first book was published in January 2007, “From the Heart of a Mother.” It is composed of short stories and poems about motherhood, divorce and my 20 year battle with Multiple Sclerosis. This fall I will have a few of my articles published in three different books including “Voices of Multiple Sclerosis,” “Dog Lovers” and “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings.”

Thank you Sherri for answering a few questions for us! Please tell us about your latest project.
 
My article, “Write what you know and know what to write,” has some tips about writing and how to get published. This article will be featured in the "Writer Magazine” this fall. I am hoping this may help new writers as well as those who have been writing for some time.
 
Have you received any awards for your work?
 
This past December, I entered a poetry contest. It was about Christmas. My poem was titled, "Christmas Memories." It is a heartwarming poem about the memories I have of Christmas as a child. My poem was voted first place. I won a gift certificate for Barnes & Noble Bookstore.
 
Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?

I have actually spoke on several radio stations and talked about my first book, along with my battle with M.S. I spoke about my children and my family and how they dealt with my diagnosis. This year I was even on TV. My youngest son nominated me for the “Woman of Courage” award sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I was one of the top five nominees, so my family and I were invited to a luncheon where they acknowledged all five of us and then they played a short video that our families made about each of us. It was a very touching ceremony. Our videos can still be viewed on the St. Louis Channel 4 News website or on www.youtube.com

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?
 
I took English Comp I & II in college. It was in that class when my teacher encouraged me to send one of my articles in for publication. I did so and it was published. That gave me some confidence that others may want to read what I have written.
 
What kind of other works (books, scripts, poems etc.) have you had published?
 
Heartland Boating Magazine – 16 articles
Pontoon & Deck Boat Magazine – 3-4 articles
Yorkshire Terrier Magazine – “Angel Therapy” (about my little Yorkie)
Action Pursuit Magazine – “Top Dog Paintball Park”
Dialogue Magazine – “Lighthouse for the Blind”
Aero Sports Connection Magazine – 6-7 articles
The Writer Magazine – “Write what you know and know what to write”
Quiet Mountain Essay – “A Mother’s Battle for her Boys”
Multiple Sclerosis Newsletter – “Why Can’t We Talk About It?” & “What Happened to Mommy?”
AKC Newsletter – “Angel Therapy”
Story Circle Network – “When the lights went out”
“From the Heart of a Mother” – published January 2007, composed of short stories and poems about motherhood and my battle with M.S.
“Our Spiritual Makeover” – published January 2009, a self-help book on our spiritual bodies and how we can improve ourselves mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
 
Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?
 
I have written articles and stories about my battle with Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.). There were some that has been published in the M.S. Newsletter. One of the articles was titled, “What Happened to Mommy?” It is about the way my children handled my diagnosis with M.S. My dad told me that there was a man who came in his office one day and said that his wife had just been diagnosed with M.S. He asked if I would call his wife and talk to her because she was having trouble dealing with it. She had small children and she was really struggling. My dad gave me her number and asked me to call her.

In the meantime, he had sent her a copy of a few of the articles I had written about M.S. When I called her she said that she had read my article already in the M.S. Newsletter. She liked it so much and could really relate to it. She cut it out of the newsletter and kept a copy in her drawer. It gave me goose bumps to know that I had touched someone with my writing. I write a lot about motherhood, divorce and children also. Most women and many men can relate to that. My husband and I are also big time boaters. I write for many boating magazines and have connected with other boaters because of that.
 
What will your next project be?
 
My next publications will be out this fall. I will actually be featured in three different books: “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings,” “Voices of M.S.” & “Dog Lovers.” The last two books will be published by LaChance Publicationsr.
 
Who inspires you on a personal or business level?
 
My family inspires me. My husband encouraged me to keep sending my work in even after I got several rejections. He wouldn’t let me give up. He has been my Prince Charming. My three sons, who are grown now, have given me so much inspiration. Our love for each other is so beautiful that it makes me cry sometimes. We have a very special bond with each other. We have been through a lot together and somehow we all adore one another. My brothers, nieces, nephews and my supportive parents have been an inspiration to me as well. I have a very special family. We are all there for each other and we are accepting to our differences. We laugh hysterically when we are all together. We also enjoy just visiting with one another – reminiscing about past memories, talking about future plans and appreciating our present time and the fact that we can all be together.
 
What type of work is the most rewarding or satisfying for you?
 
I feel satisfied when I get feedback about my writing. In fact, I just got a message from someone the other day who commented on one of my stories. He said it made him cry. It really touched him and that made me happy to know at least one person enjoyed my article. That made it was worth taking the time to write about it.
 
What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?
 
Do not give up. You will get many rejections. Just take them and learn from them. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the magazine you are sending your work to. When you write a query letter, make sure you spell the editor’s name correct, make it short – 2-3 paragraphs, grab their attention, tell about your article and leave them with any past works you had. Edit, edit, edit your manuscript. – no mistakes, grammar errors or misspelled words. Keep the word count as they request and make sure you tell a story that will catch their attention. Try to maintain a good, professional relationship with the editor. Some of them can be a little tough, but don’t let them get to you too bad. Sometimes we can learn some things from them. Try to keep an open mind.
 
How did you get started as a writer?
 
I have been writing almost my whole adult life. I started when I brought my first son home from the hospital. I continued to write about their first day of school, some of their ballgames, junior high, puberty, my divorce, my diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis, graduation, empty nest syndrome, their wedding, becoming a grandmother and many other things. I kept these poems and stories as a journal – for my eyes only. I finally started letting others reading my work. I couldn’t believe the feedback that I got. So many of my friends and family could really relate to what I had to say. It wasn’t until 2003, when I became disabled and I couldn’t work outside of the home any longer. I had more time to pursue my writing.
 
Which is your favorite book/work published? Is there a favorite?
 
I really like the Bible and any book pertaining to the Bible, such as study books or interpretations & imagery of the Bible. I really did enjoy the book by Rick Warren called “The Purpose – Driven Life”.
 
What does a typical work day look like for you?
 
I am actually on the web all day long. Off and on, I am online responding to emails, looking for new markets to write about, checking websites and writing or editing my articles. In between time, I try to get some work done to the house. However, writing is my passion and I find it fun to look for new markets to write for.                                      
 
Have you ever had a mentor, or someone who sparked your passion for writing?
 
My college teacher in English Comp I gave us a writing assignment about a life changing experience. I wrote a story called “Why Can’t We Talk About it?” It was about my ex-husband and I. He had a hard time dealing with my diagnosis with M.S., so he went out all the time and left me so many evenings. The way he treated me and talked to me made me feel that he didn’t love me anymore. Two years after my diagnosis, he left me to raise our three sons by ourselves. My English teacher also taught us to learn from our rejections and really pay attention to what the editors have to say. She claimed that could learn a lot from then.
 
Who is your favorite writer/author?
 
Definitely Stephen King – what a genius with an awesome, intriguing imagination
 
Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?  :)
 
“Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley

Thank you Sherri! We wish you ongoing success with your writing projects!