Keira: What is it you like best about writing friendship love stories?
Sherryl: I think friendships are absolutely critical for most of us. We need sounding boards, advice, comfort that only friends can offer. And for me, the very best friendships are those that have a long history behind them. These are the people who knowall our secrets and don't judge us. I think that made a great theme for the Sweet Magnolias, and in this latest trilogy, it was fun to carry those deep loyalties over to a new generation of women.
Keira: What do you think is the draw for small town romances?
Sherryl: I think many of us have grown up, moved away from our families and often live very disconnected lives. I think we like the fantasy, if not the reality, of a sense of community, of having close friends and family nearby. It's as much of a fantasy as the perfect hero, in many ways.
Keira: Which friendship or friendships have impacted your life the most?
Sherryl: I have friends in my life I've known since grade school, others I've known since college and many from my newspaper days. Keeping up with them takes a lot of hard work, but there's nothing like the feeling that comes from a phone call to an old friend to catch up or laugh about some old memories.
Keira: What are three advantages of having your lover also be your best friend?
Sherryl: I think this definitely deepens a relationship. We all know that the initial glow of a hot romance can eventually cool down, especially if people don't work at it, but if two people have a lot in common, a long history of shared memories, I think they're much more likely to work through their differences.
Keira: How do you define love?
Sherryl: As wanting the best for someone, feeling a spark when they walk into a room, as knowing they'll have your back when necessary -- and definitely not in the way Sandra Bullock thought Jesse James had hers. He might have had her back but he was sticking a knife into it.
Keira: Who are your top three favorite romance heroes that you’ve written and why?
Sherryl: I don't really have favorites, though Kevin in Amazing Gracie
Keira: How do you keep intertwining storylines across different books straight? Have you ever messed up your facts?
Sherryl: Boy, have you touched on a tough one, Keira. I'm very much a right-brain writer who just sits down with my basic story and writes merrily away without regard to pesky little details like names, especially. Usually I know enough to go back and double-check myself, but there have been slip ups with very confused readers emailing to ask why a character's name changed in mid-series. For Chesapeake Shores, I finally got smart and wrote down everything from street names to businesses. I think the accuracy is better. And I tried to do the same with the Sweet Magnolias. It is not easy for me, though, and thankfully I don't think I've ever moved people or places accidentally from one series to another.
Keira: Your Sweet Magnolia series is graced with lovely covers. Do you have any input when it comes to cover design?
Sherryl: I do give them art fact sheets, though I hate every second of filling them out. I do have a chance to look at the concepts and offer suggestions, but I am very fortunate to have a terrific art director working on my books and he seems to know instinctively what will convey the type of book I write. In fact, everyone at MIRA has a clear vision for these covers.
Keira: When I was in college a bunch of my friends would get together on Friday nights and cook together. What are some recipes you’d recommend for these sort of get-togethers?
Sherryl: If I were a decent cook, I'd have more dinner parties. I love the concept of a whole group of friends getting together and cooking, though. I should be picking up recipes from you.
Keira: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Sherryl: I hope all of you enjoy the continuation of the Sweet Magnolias series, and also that you'll be watching for the next installment from Chesapeake Shores . . . A Chesapeake Shores Christmas
Buy: Home in Carolina (Sweet Magnolias)
Online Stores - Z-Series Datsun Hybrid Vehicles
- In Sweet Potato Rodent Control Pest & Weed Control Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
- Famous People Topical & Specialty Stamps
- 5-Series BMW Hybrid Vehicles
- Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauces Outdoor Cooking & Eating Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
This post was written by...
Keira – who has written 1034 posts on Love Romance Passion.
Keira's favorite type of heroes are blind, scarred, and tortured... yes, she understands those should be separate, but all 3 at once is also nice! She enjoys historical romances best and adores audio books because great narrators turn books into auditory/mental movies (and she loves her romantic dramas like Pride and Prejudice/North and South!) Learn more about Keira in My Instant Turn Ons, Offs, and Ifs.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I’ve read the Sweet Magnolias series and i have to say it’s fantastic. Thank you Sherryl for coming up with such great characters! Do you plan on continuing the series after Honeysuckle Summer?