Interview Sherry Derr-Wille

by

Dawn Whitmire

A Precious Jewel sounds like a Golden Years type of book. Please tell readers a little more about the story.

Julie has been living a lie for most of her married life. Now that she knows of her husband's infidelity, his memory is forever tarnished. It's a reverse Stepford Wives. She is coming to grips with the truth and a whole new personality is forming.

What upcoming books do you have in store for your fans?

For Wings I have at least four more Encore L'Amour books planned. They all take place in Minter, Wisconsin and revolve around the same characters.

What genre do you typically write and have you ever thought about writing outside the genre you're comfortable with?

I write everything from Young Adult to Erotica and back again. I particularly enjoy the Encore L'Amour as well as my Indian stories.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

In my high school paper I was described like this: A Junction banker is her man--She'll be a writer if she can. As my 40th reunion is coming closer I plan to send back this quote--The Junction banker's still my man--Read my books, become a fan.

What fuels your imagination?

Everything and anything.

How do your stories come to mind?

Stories hit me at the craziest times. My current WIP KATE ARMSTRONG: OVER-THE-HILL CO-ED came to me at a 4th of July party two years ago. It was an offhanded comment that blossomed into a really unique story.

Tell your readers one thing about you that they can't read on the back cover of your books.

I'm totally dedicated to my craft and leave it only to go to my day job. I'm also an Assisting Minister for my church.

What kind of hero do you prefer?

My favorite hero is a gentle lover and completely understanding of the heroine's needs. Unfortunately, he only exists on paper and in my warped imagination.

Brawny and buff or understated sexy?

I guess you'd say understated sexy.

Which type is Devan?

On the outside he's just a normal guy, the kind you meet every day. Devan is hard to describe. At 48 he has been married and divorced and been considered a real "Man About Town". It's Julie that has him bumfuzzled. He is a love 'em and leave 'em type guy, but somehow Julie has gotten under his skin and he doesn't know what to do about it.

Where do you see your writing career taking you within the next five to ten years?

I hope I'm on top of the world. In addition to the four novels and two pending contracts for Wings, I have a total of 23 contracts with other houses. I recently signed a seven book contract. Somehow I have to figure out how to write those seven books, plus the four Encore L'Amour books that are rolling around in my head.

Most aspiring writers look to published authors for inspiration. What tip can you give someone who is looking to get published?

Finish the book, Finish The Book, FINISH THE BOOK. Most people, myself included, tend to dwell on that first chapter and never go any further. This is the one thing I have learned. Write it all down first, you can always edit later. The story has to be done before anyone will look at it.

Tell us how many books you have published and which one is your favorite one?

I have a total of nine books out and after July first will have eleven. I guess my favorite is a tie between COFFEE, TEA OR LOVE and A PRECIOUS JEWEL. I enjoy writing the older heroes and heroines.

What type of book do you typically read?

My favorites are historicals and time travels.

If you had to choose only one of your books to be made into a movie, which one would you choose first?

I guess first would be COFFEE, TEA OR LOVE, followed closely by A PRECIOUS JEWEL.

Do you have any actors in mind for the role of hero and heroine?

I don't keep up much on the popular actors and actresses. I guess I would think long and hard about Melissa Gilbert and Chris Noth, but what do I know?

Tell us what you get from writing these books besides the validation of your talent.

Lasting friendships with my characters. They not only come alive for me, but they become very close friends and pop in to visit at the strangest times.