Interview and Giveaway, Sherry Ficklin, author of Foresight

I'd like to take this time to welcome, Sherry Ficklin, author of Foresight to Debbie's Book Bag. Sherry has been gracious enough to provide us with a SIGNED copy of Foresight for giveaway to one lucky winner. Giveaway details will be at the end of the post.

DEB: Sherry, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

SHERRY: Well, I'm a full time writer and part time housewife, lol. I grew up a military brat and eventually married the world's best Marine. We moved all over the place before settling here in Colorado to raise our family. I love to travel, read, paint, garden and of course write.

DEB: Tell us a little bit about your series, "The Gods of Fate" and your book, Foresight?

SHERRY: Foresight is the blending of the Greek myth of Pandora's box and my love of fairy tales. It's the saga of Grace Archer, Pandora's daughter, as she's faced with having to not only defend her mother's box, but also her own growing powers. It's really about growing up and making choices and becoming the person you want to be, destiny be damned.

DEB: What was your inspiration for these books? Have you always been interested in Greek mythology?

SHERRY: I have. I was brought up on the classics, Homer, Virgil, Aesop, Ovid. The stories really resonated with me and wanted to bring these kinds of epic stories to a new generation.

DEB: What type of research did you do for your books?

SHERRY: Oh, I have stacks of notebooks full of research and I re-read all my classic Greeks. I loved reading, The Iliad and The Aeneid side by side. It's basically the same story told from two very different perspectives. I love that.

DEB: What is your normal writing day like? Do you have things that have to be in place for you to write comfortably?

SHERRY: Music is one big thing. I try to write something everyday, even if it's not part of my current WIP (work in progress).

DEB: What was it like when you got the word that your first novel would be published?

SHERRY: It was amazing, like gasping for air amazing. Then I had the rug pulled out from under me. See, Foresight was picked up two years ago with a different publisher and they went out of business before the book was released, so there I was with a book and no publisher. Luckily for me, I found the great ladies at Dragonfly Publishing. They took me and my poor manuscript and made my dreams of publishing come true. But getting the magic "yes", if felt really good.

DEB: Do you have any advice for new writers?

SHERRY: Yes, edit, edit, edit. Before you send that manuscript to a single agent be sure you have at least 5 people look over it and help you polish it. I lost out on a HUGE opportunity early on just because my manuscript was too rough. You don't get those opportunities back!

DEB: When your not writing, what kinds of books do you like to read? Do you have a favorite author?

SHERRY: Currently I'm reading Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. My favorites change day to day. This week I'm loving Jennifer Rardin and the Jaz Parks books.

DEB: What are you working on right now?

SHERRY: I'm finishing up Hindsight, Book 3 in the GOF (Gods of Fate) trilogy and tinkering with Palmetto Moon, my first paranormal romance.

DEB: Tell us one thing people may not know about you?

SHERRY: I collect rubber ducks. The weirder the better. My favorite right now is my Zombie Duck.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Sherry has provided one signed copy for giveaway. The rules are simple:

1.) There will be one winner, and I will be sending this one out so the giveaway is International.

2.) You must be Google Friend Connect follower to participate.

3.) You must leave a comment on this post that includes your e-mail so I can contact you if you win.

4.) The deadline for this giveaway is Midnight EST, September 19th.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

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+5 for commenting on my review of Foresight here.

+5 for entering any of the other giveaways on my sidebar (Let me know which ones)

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