Interview Sherry Derr-Wille

by

Carolyn Russell

1) Who are you? Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m a wife, mother and grandmother. It’s hard to think of myself as the “older” generation, but that’s exactly what I’ve become. By day I’m the receptionist at a large Chrysler dealership. At night I cuddle up with one of my books and write.

2) How long have you been writing? How did you get started?

I’ve been writing for over 40 years. It was an assignment for my Sophomore English Class in high school. When the year ended I kept writing.  It wasn’t that I chose to write--writing chose me.

3) What kind of books do you like to read?

Historical–Time Travel–Family Epics

4) Describe your writing process?

I don’t “create” on the computer. Instead, I write everything by hand. Unlike many of my friends, I write from beginning to end. I can’t write a scene out of sequence.

5) Do you adhere to a writing schedule? If so, what is it?

Schedule? What’s that? I write whenever and wherever I get a chance. I’m lucky to have a supportive boss. He allows me to write while I’m at work if I’m not busy.

6) If you could invite any three (3) authors to dinner, who would you ask? Why?

Sandra Hill–Jean Auel–James Mitchner  They are all writers I admire and enjoy reading.

7) COFFEE, TEA, AND LOVE is a catchy title? Do you title your book before you begin writing? Or does the title come after the fact?

The title for this one came first. It was born at Jody’s Gourmet Coffee. I go there every morning on my way to work and watched a L’Amour Encore romance unfold between two of the customers there.

8) What scenes are the most difficult for you to write?

It’s always hardest to write the ending for me. I hate to say good-bye to my characters.

9) What scenes come easily?

The love scenes as well as the ones where the characters are really mad at each other

10) What advice about writing that you were given would you pass on to other writers?

Finish the book!  Finish The Book! FINISH THE BOOK!

11) Please tell us what we can expect to see from you in the near future?

In the next year I have three more books coming out from Wings. Transplanted Love–March 04, A Precious Jewel–June 04 and Bosslady–November 04. I’m also working on more books with the characters from Coffee, Tea or Love.

12) What is the one thing you’d like us to know about you.

Despite the naughty books I write, I am an assisting minister at my church.