Author Interview & Contest with Sherry Ficklin

This week I would like to introduce a new author to you! Sherry Ficklin is a new writer on the block and the debut book in her Gods Of Fate Trilogy is already out for you to enjoy. Foresight is the first in the YA trilogy and and I am looking forward to reading it.

Here is your chance to get know the author and maybe even win a Book Bag?

Enjoy!

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Amber - Hello Sherry! Welcome to Amberkatze's Book Blog! It is great to have you here as a guest! Could you start things off by telling us a little about your debut book, Foresight?

Sherry - Thanks for having me! Foresight is the saga of Grace Archer, a modern teen who discovers she's the daughter of the Greek Goddess Pandora and it has fallen to her to protect her mother's deadly box.

Amber - Foresight is the beginning of a trilogy. How did you come up with the idea for Gods of Fate Trilogy? Was it a long process or did it just come to you?

Sherry - The story has been rattling around in my head for forever. As soon as I put pen to paper and decided to write it down, it just sort of tumbled out. It's been amazing.

Amber - Did you always wanted to be an author? Did you pick Young Adult and Fantasy or did it pick you?

Sherry -I never wanted to be an author! I've always loved writing and reading, but the idea of OTHER PEOPLE reading my stuff? Terrifying! But after I wrote Foresight, I couldn't wait to share the story.

As for YA and Fantasy, I've never limited myself or my stories. They just are
what they are. Even Foresight starts off with Grace as a teenager, but she's a
woman by the end of the series. So is it really YA? Maybe. Maybe not.

Amber - How do you pick the names for your characters? Do they have any special meanings?

Sherry - I don't usualy pick the names. I know, it sounds strange, but the characters usualy tell me who they are.

Amber - What is the hardest part about writing a book?

Sherry - For me it's finding a balance between writing time and family time. I'm on hiatus from writing right now to spend time with my kiddos while they're on summer break. When they go back to school, I'll head back to 'work'.

Amber - Foresight is a very interesting title. How did you come up with the titles for your books and series? Did you go with the first title or is there a history of titles for the trilogy?

Sherry - The trilogy is Foresight, Secondsight, and Hindsight. The first book was named because of Grace's father and the Demon of Foresight. The sceond was named because of Grace's unusual powers in book 2, and the third is a reflection on all the choices (and mistakes) she's made throughout the series. It's a progression, a maturing of her life.

Amber - Alot of authors have 'soundtracks' for their books. Is there any music influenced your books?

Sherry - I do actually have a soundtrack for Foresight on my website. It's a small selection of the music I listen to when I write. My husband jokes that he can tell what scene I'm writing by the music playing. For example, the fight scenes are Pocrupine Tree, the love scenes are usualy Needtobreathe, and the scenes in Faerie are Enya.

Amber - Being an author must have its ups and downs. What experiences have you had so far?

Sherry - The most fun so far was the photo shoot for the book trailers. Seeing these models bringing my characters to life was beyond surreal. The worst, the most nerve wracking, is the rejections. Although, after Foresight was under contract with Dragonfly Publishing, I got a rejection from someone I'd sent it to almost a year earlier that was particularly harsh. I just laughed and tossed in in the trash. It was very carthardic.

Amber - What is like being a new author on the writing scene? Wild parties with other authors or sitting at home writing more books as fast as possible?

Sherry - Both and neither. Lots more invites to writing conferences and requests for apearences. At the sime I've had to cut back on my play time to make deadlines and meetings with editors. I'm not complaining. It's been wonderful.

Amber - What is next? When is the rest of the trilogy due for release? Are you working on any other projects you would like to tell us about?

Sherry - The release for the trilogy is Foresight: Out now. Secondsight: May 2011. Hindsight: September 2011.

I'm working on my first paranormal romance right now, at least I think that's
the genre it will land in. Like I said, I'm not good with genre boundries. I'm
also looking for a home for my new YA mystery (think Nancy Drew 2010) and I'm
tinkering with a new MG novel based on King Arthur. Hopefully You'll see
something new from me soon!

Amber - What books do you enjoy reading? Do you have any favourite authors/series?

Sherry - I read everything. I devour books. I'm not a fan of true crime or literary fiction (think Nicholas Sparks). I LOVE paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi, teen, horror, romance (not smutty), and mysteries. My fave authors are Terri Goodkind, Laurel Hamilton, and Homer. (yeah, I'm a nerd)

Amber - If you could be any paranormal creature, what would you be and why?

Sherry - That's a tough one. I think I'd like to be a Dark Hunter. (thanks alot, Sherilyn Kenyon)

Amber - Thank you so much for being a guest on Amberkatze's Book Blog! I hope you will come back again ;)

Sherry - Anytime! thanks for having me!



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Contest Time

Sherry is giving away a very cute prize (see photo)! This week one lucky person will win a Book Bag! It's a reversable book tote and will have a beaded bookmark and some random goodies inside. Open internationally!

How To Enter

To win the prize just recommend a YA author and/or book to us!

No Author/Book = No Entry

Earn more entries for each link you place about this contest on the net. You can post on Facebook, Twitter & MySpace but make sure you add links here for me to confirm your entries! However please do not make individual postings for each entry. Please post all your entries in one post.

Advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog on your site and get an extra entry for this and every other contest!

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You can also earn extra entries by emailing your friends about the contest. Just make sure you send a copy of your email or receipt to me at Amberkatzes_book_blog at gmx dot net.

Make sure you post your links here so I can confirm your entries.

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The contest will stay open until Sunday 19th of September 2010 4pm CET and the winner will be picked by a randomizer. Entrants should check back to see if they have won. I do not hunt down winners and will pick new winners for any prizes not claimed within 7 days.