Making the List: Sherri Lewis

by La-Tessa Montgomery

How long have you been writing? 

I’ve been writing since the age of 5. My mom loves to tell the story of my first book in crayon on construction paper. I wrote all through junior high and high school, mostly journaling, short stories and poems, but started seriously writing in 2001. My debut novel, MY SOUL CRIES OUT, was released in July 2007; my second novel, DANCE INTO DESTINY, was released in January 2008.  I was blessed to have both of them make it the Essence Bestseller’s list.

What convinced you to get started on your first book?  Were there any major challenges that almost prevented you from going ahead with it?

I write as therapy, so I actually started writing DANCE INTO DESTINY my first year of medical school, back in 1990. I didn’t really want to be a doctor, but felt pressured to do so by my dad. So I started writing a story about a young woman who was pursuing a career she really didn’t want to pursue. She longed to be a dancer but her parents pressured her to do something “stable” while doing her art “on the side”. The major challenge that prevented me from finishing it back then was med school, which took every waking moment of my time. I put the book on hold until 2001 when I picked it back up and completed it.

Did you ever imagine that you would become a published author? 

When I first started writing, I thought it would be pretty easy to get published, as most aspiring writers do. After 4 years of rejection letters from both editors and agents, I got really discouraged and actually had decided to stop writing. I sent in my book to my current publisher, but swore that if it didn’t get picked up, I was through with writing forever. When I got the email from Urban Christian that my book had been picked up, I was at work. I screamed so loud that my nurse in the office next door thought someone was trying to kill me – not an unrealistic thought since I was working in a women’s prison at the time.

LOL, I hope she didn’t sound the alarm.

What are some of your favorite authors and books?

My favorite Christian fiction authors are Victoria Christopher Murray, Tia McCollors, Claudia Mair Burney, Stacy Hawkins Adams, and Rhonda McKnight. I also read a lot of spiritual nonfiction and my favorites there are Myles Munroe, Bill Johnson, Francis Frangipane, and Rick Joyner. I don’t get to read much secular fiction anymore. Living celibate since my divorce has me avoiding sex scenes like the plague!

LOL, I can see how too many romance novels may cause an issue J.  I love Claudia Mair Burney and Victoria Christopher Murray as well.

What do you do in your down time?

I just quit my 15 year career as a physician to write and do ministry full time. So I didn’t have much down time before. Now I’m in this weird flux of figuring life out all over again. The things I enjoy doing the most are going out to any of Atlanta’s eclectic spots to hear live music, singing, reading and hanging out with friends.

All about THE LIST:

What inspired you to write The List?

As I mentioned, writing is therapy for me. It’s much cheaper than going to a shrink and I actually get paid for it. I also get to bless other people and make them realize they’re not alone in whatever difficulties they may be facing in their lives. So THE LIST was inspired by my experience as a successful, single, black woman over the past 5+ years since my divorce.

It has been hilarious, painful, educational and so many other things. Because I realize that almost ½ of black women are in the same state that I’m in, so I thought it would be fun to share the laughs and pain. So far, the response has been great. Women have read the book and can relate completely. 

Do you have any favorite characters or scenes that you wouldn’t mind sharing or providing a little more insight on?

My favorite is the main character, Michelle. She’s a lot like me and one of my best friends. I also was completely in love with the character Isaiah. He’s such the perfect man. Except for his one fatal flaw, of course.

Did you face any major challenges writing this particular story?  If so, what were they?

Because a lot of what my characters were experiencing was going on in my life, sometimes the writing got to be pretty painful and I had to walk away from it. I made it better by making it as humorous as possible. Laughing at myself and some of the crazy dates I was experiencing helped a lot. Yeah, some of them were actually real!

You write Inspirational Romance, what, if any, particular challenges do you face?  Is it harder for you to write stories about people’s romantic journeys, while staying true to your inspirational roots?

I figure God created love, romance, and marriage so there shouldn’t be any conflict with me writing Christian fiction with romance in it. I will say that some of the Christian publishing companies out there are really strict about what you can include in romantic scenes. Some say you can’t “be in the room” when a couple is having sex. Not that I would be overly graphic or anything, but they’re completely against it. I figure if a couple is married, sex is a part of life. Other publishing companies won’t even let you kiss or have “heated feelings” in the book. Fortunately, my publishing company allows for pretty edgy stuff, so I don’t have any conflicts or challenges with them.  

ALL ABOUT THE FANS

What’s next for you? 

I’m currently working on the sequel to THE LIST, SETTLIN’. It focuses on one of the characters who didn’t find love in THE LIST, Lisa. As her friends in the book try to tell her, she’ll never find a man as long as her list of what she wants is a 10-page excel spread sheet of traits that no one human could posses.

Do you have any reader events coming up (book signing, tours, etc.)?

I have a lot going on since the book was just released. I’ve been doing a lot of local events here in Atlanta but will be traveling soon as well. My schedule can be found at www.sherrilewisbookclub.blogspot.com or at www.sherrilewis.com.

How can your readers stay in touch with you?

My website is www.sherrilewis.com. I’m also on www.myspace.com/sherrilewis and my blog is www.sherrilewisbookclub.blogspot.com. I am also addicted to Facebook and you can add me there under my name.

What advice or encouragement do you have for aspiring authors?

I always give two pieces of advice to aspiring writers. One is perfect your craft. Anyone can tell a good story but few people do the work to tell a great story and tell it well. It’s important to read craft books and attend writing workshops to become the best writer you can be.

The other piece of advice is to connect with other writers. I belong to an amazing network of Christian fiction writers whose input in my career has been invaluable. I also have an awesome mentor in Victoria Christopher Murray who is an unbelievable resource. She’s one of the most giving people I’ve been blessed to meet.

ROMANCE IN COLOR would like to thank Ms. Lewis for taking time out of her busy schedule to share with us.