Sherri: Hi, I am Sherri Wilson Johnson. I am from Northwest Atlanta and have lived here my entire life. I have been married since 1988 and have two children (21 & 17). I was a homeschooling mother up until this year. My youngest just graduated this summer (a year early), ending my fourteen year reign as a homeschool mom. I am also a speaker and love to make people laugh.
DLC: I'm sure you still reign in your family's heart. =) Let's start off with you sharing about your new book To Dance Once More from OakTara Publishing.
Sherri: When Victorian debutante, Lydia Barrington, accidentally discovers that her father has promised her to the son of an unscrupulous businessman in payment for his own debts, she must make the biggest decision of her life…to concede or to fight. To Dance Once More explores the possibilities for a young woman, who longs to find God’s will for her life, yet is faced with a decision that will change her life forever. If she follows her heart, she disobeys her father; if she abides by her father’s wishes, she betrays herself.
To Dance Once More is a special project originating from my love of pure romance, and inspired by the love stories of my ancestors. It sets out hoping to prove that true love still exists. I candidly speak of the purity of not only the heroine, but also the hero, and wholeheartedly desire to point others to Jesus through my words. It is set in Victorian Florida, which is a combination of two of my favorite things—the beach and Victorian times. Of course, there has to be more to a novel than just the romance and so there is betrayal, sacrifice and a bitter enemy that Lydia must overcome.
DLC: Sounds truly moving. What was the major driving factor that led you to write To Dance Once More?
Sherri: I have worked with teenagers for years through volunteering at church. I have seen the pressures these teens go through to conform to the world and how they believe that love is the same thing as sex. I want teens everywhere, including my own two young adult children, to know what true love is.
DLC: A cord of threestrands is not quickly broken. There is power in a marriage that stands before God in righteousness. What do you hope readers will gain from reading your book?
Sherri: I hope my readers will come away from reading To Dance Once More feeling challenged to live a life of purity, encouraged to think of others before they think of themselves, and to never let a day go by without telling people how much they love them.
DLC: Words unspoken have no power. What character would you most identify with?
Sherri: Lydia, the main character. She's a little on the mischievious side and it takes her a while to realize when she's being selfish. I deal with the same issues.
DLC: What sage advice have you received that's had the biggest impact on your writing and who gave that advice?
Sherri: My writing instructor through the Christian Writers Guild, Norm Rohrer, advised me to "show, not tell" when writing. He said instead of using the words "was" and "felt" to find a way to demonstrate the character's feelings or actions. Also Gail Gaymer Martin advised me to replace "said" and "asked" with an action.
DLC: That's very good advice. I still have to remind myself of those when I'm writing. Other than finding time, what was your greatest challenge while writing your book?
Sherri: My Chihuahua! She is worse than a toddler and demands to be in my lap or helping me type on my laptop! Seriously, though -- my greatest challenge is staying focused on the project I'm working on at that moment instead of flip-flopping to other projects.
DLC: Are you working on a book now and if so tell us a little bit about it?
Sherri: I am currently working on the sequel to To Dance Once More. It picks up where TDOM leaves off and brings the characters through more life-threatening and challenging experiences. This is my fourth novel.
DLC: Now let's have some fun questions. =) If you could meet any author, past or present, who would it be and why?
Sherri: James, the brother of Jesus, who wrote the Book of James in the Bible. He's full of spice and tells it like it is and I have learned so much from him.
DLC: The Book of James is a very powerful book indeed. OK, if I were visiting from out of town and you took me to dinner, where would we go and what would you recommend I order?
Sherri: Scalini's. It's an Italian Restaurant in Atlanta that's been there for more than thirty years. Anything on the menu is great but I prefer the canaloni!
DLC: Mmmmmm... OK after this interview I'm raiding the refrigerator. If your book could be a gum flavor what would it be?
Sherri: I have no idea...
DLC: Well from what I'm hearing I'd have to say it would probably be something like wild raspberry that turns into wintergreen. =) Sherri I want to thank you for sharing with us today and I pray the word about your books gets out for all to enjoy them.
If you'd like to find out more about Sherri Wilson Johnson's books please visit these sites.
www.sherriwilsonjohnson.com
http://sherrijinga.wordpress.com/
Amazon
Blessings,
Daniel L Carter
Author of The G-6 Chronicles