Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I spent most of my childhood detesting English class. It was one of my least favorite subjects because I never seemed to fit into the standard mold. I wasn’t good at spelling, or following grammar rules, and outlines made my head spin. For that reason, I never imagined becoming an author.
At the age of thirty, all of that changed. After getting frustrated with the direction a television show was taking two of its characters, I decided to try my hand at writing an alternate ending, and give the characters their happily ever after. By the time the story finished, it was one of the top ten read stories on the site, and my readers were encouraging me to write more.
Six years later, I am the author of six full-length novels, and one short story. Writing has become a creative outlet for me that allows me to explore a wide range of emotions, while having fun taking my characters through all the twists and turns I can create. I am most well-known for my Finding Anna series about a young woman rescued from being a sex slave by a wealthy Dominant. The third book in that series, Truth, released July 25, 2013.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest release, Truth, is the third book in my Finding Anna Series. The heroine was loosely inspired by Jaycee Dugard, whom was rescued after spending many years in captivity. After being in that type of situation, I knew entering into any type of relationship would take an enormous amount of trust and communication. At the time, I was reading a fair amount of BDSM fiction, and decided to see what would happen if I combined the two.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m very much an emotional writer. I don’t use an outline of any kind other than what’s in my head, and I don’t typically plan that out beyond the next scene or two. For the most part, I sit back and allow the characters to tell their story however they see fit. I’m just along for the ride.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Every book I’ve ever read has influenced me in some way. Whenever I read a new book, I’m always looking for both things I love that the author did, and also things that I could have done without. I take both of those elements, and keep them in mind when I’m writing my own stories.
What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on editing the forth, and final, book in my Finding Anna Series, which is due out Spring of 2014. I’m also in the process of writing the third book in my Daniels Brothers Series. It is a romantic suspense novel that focuses on the eldest brother in the Daniels clan, Paul, and his lady. It will also be out sometime in 2014.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My most used methods for promoting my books are my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sherri-Hayes/122511444477280 and my blog http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My best advice for new and aspiring writers is to first, keep writing, and write what you love. Second, find a good beta reader. Not all beta readers are created equal. Find one that not only had good editing skills, but will also be honest with you and want to see you succeed. If all they do is tell you how great everything you write is, its not going to help you become a better writer.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write what you love, and love what you write. Everything else will come in time.
What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading Once and Always by Grace Brannigan.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing. My first book was published at the end of 2010 and I’ve been releasing a book roughly every six months since. I plan to attempt to keep up that pace, and as of right now I have story ideas to keep me busy until 2018.
What is your favorite book of all time?
That would probably have to be Voyager in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander Series.
Author Websites and Profiles
Sherri Hayes Website
Sherri Hayes Amazon Profile
Sherri Hayes’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
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