The authors we admire shape us into the authors we become. For author Sheri Chapman, those authors cover a wide range of genres. And Chapman has followed in their footsteps, crafting several books including a romance series, sci-fi, and YA. Below is my interview with Chapman. Check out her writing history.
About Sheri Chapman and her books
Author links (links will open in a new tab)
Book titles
Eyes with No Soul (YA novella, psychic suspense)
A Killer, Revisited (futuristic detective suspense sci fi)
Wild Passion (Book 1 of the Passion Series)
Passions of the Heart (Book 2 of the Passion Series)
Chief Spirit Bear: Rise to Power (A Passion Series novella)
Genre: Historical Romance
Book summaries
Eyes with No Soul
Have you ever felt the presence of evil? Like someone was watching you… Stalking you? What if you were right?
Book excerpt
Eyes with No Soul
I’d just been shopping with my friends at the mall when I accidentally bumped into a man. I turned toward him to excuse myself, and I found myself drowning in the blue icy depths of his rock-hard eyes. His cold mouth turned down into an unhappy frown when he saw my shocked reaction to his gaze. His eyes studied me intently then narrowed, almost as if he recognized me from somewhere.
In that very long moment, I knew what he had done; and he knew that I knew. I’d just bumped into my very first murder mystery. The only difference was that I had solved the crime; I just had no idea of who the victim was.
My heart was sledgehammer, pounding a rhythm on the jail bars in my chest. It was as if time had frozen when our eyes met. It took a nudge in the ribs from Angela to snap me back to the present. I quickly ripped my gaze from his, studied the floor tile, and muttered an apology to him before moving my concrete-filled legs into action – as fast of a walk as they would go.
“Whoa, girlfriend,” his deeply amused voice carried after me. “What are you running from?”
As if he didn’t know.
I heard heavy steps bound after me. It was all I could do not to scream and run like a panicked rabbit. My four friends were walking quickly beside me, but they had no idea why I was acting so strangely.
Strong fingers circled my upper arm, and I found myself being swirled around to face the very thing that would consume my future nightmares.
Talking Shop
What do you want readers to take away from your books?
I hope to show a sense of hope, even in dark times. All may not be as it seems.
What’s the best review/compliment that you’ve received about your book?
Eyes with No Soul
I was a teacher of high-functioning special ed students (with normal IQs). One of my students hated reading, but I was his teacher and I made them read fifteen minutes three times a week. He never could find a book. So, to help him, I asked what kind of books he liked. He explained he liked suspense, kind of supernatural or psychic elements, and magic.
I didn’t know if my book would fit his criteria, but I told him a little about it. He was interested. He read it in a week (for a non-reader, this is terrific speed). He loved it so much he kept talking to me about it every day and asking me when I was going to write another one. It probably helped that the setting was the very town I taught in. So I’m sure he thought that was neat.
Passion Series
A lady reached out to me and told me she reads all the time (historical romance mostly). She has the unlimited Kindle version, and she let me know that she reads, reads, reads. She said my books were her all-time favorite. She tells me I need to write the third book all the time and hints for this all the time. (I have other projects I want to complete first). We have become very good friends. She even started a book group about the Passion series because she loves to talk about the characters and adventures.
What is a fun or strange source of inspiration that ended up in your book?
In my short, YA thriller, Eyes with No Soul, I used the town I worked in (what I consider my home town) as the setting.
How long have you considered yourself a writer? Did you have any formal training, or is it something you learned as you went?
I’ve wanted to be an author since I was in the fifth grade. However, it was hard to bridge the gap into thinking that I actually am one (a “real” author is famous).
Finally, I think I see myself as an author, or at least I now call myself one. I was a teacher for thirty years. I worked with high-functioning students with mild needs, and my emphasis was reading and writing. I helped them learn how to construct sentences, use adjectives/adverbs, write paragraphs, and analyze story plots.
This, of course, helped me analyze my own writing and improve with practice. My true reform, however, has been with my new editor, Eric Myers (he did not edit these books – but has my upcoming release – not related).
If you don’t make a living exclusively writing, what is your day job? How, in any way, does it relate to your life as a writer?
I answered some of this in the question above. My day job now is raising Pomeranians. I am licensed by MO state and USDA. There is so much work involved, no one would ever suspect how much. My daughter and her girlfriend now help, but there is still a lot of work, especially paperwork, to do. My writing in this realm consists of nonfiction (writing contracts, regurgitating information).
Who is on your Mt. Rushmore of great writers?
I consider myself a multi-genre author, and I have many.
For young adult and fantasy: J.K. Rowling with the Harry Potter series, C.S. Lewis and The Chronicles of Narnia, Madeleine L’Engle and her Wrinkle in Time books, Brandon Sanderson with the Reckoner series, Neal Shusterman and the Scythe series, Peter V. Brett, and the Warded Man series.
For suspense and mission-driven men, Mark Greaney and the Gray Man series.
Suspense/horror-ish: Whitley Strieber (The Wolfen), and Dean Koontz (many).For historical romance/romance: Nora Roberts / J.D. Robb with her trilogies and her In Death series, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Sandra Brown, Janelle Taylor, Johanna Lindsey, Heather Graham, and Jean M. Auel with her Earth’s Children books.
What were your expectations for writing and publishing your first book? Have they changed since then?
Yes. Like many authors, I have big dreams and of making it big. I would love to be the next J.K. Rowling (but she is SOOOO good) and Nora Roberts.
I started off with huge aspirations – submitting to large publishing houses without an agent. I was rejected many times. Finally, a small house out of Canada was my first experience with a “yes”. They took my novella YA, Eyes with No Soul, and published it. It got my foot in the door. Now I realize I have to start small and work my way up. It’s nearly impossible to start at the top. Dream big, though, right?
How well do you handle criticism, either while writing, editing, or reviews? Do you ever use that criticism to change your story?
If you truly want to get “great,” you must swallow your pride and accept constructive criticism. With reviews, you will get some just nasty remarks, so be prepared. Look at the good rather than focusing on the bad or it will destroy you.
My editor, Eric Myers, is amazing. He is helping me to reform my writing. He’s made me better than I am. I’m deeply indebted to him. I can’t wait to see how my upcoming release (my first experience with him) will do. It is completely different from my other publications. A Killer, Revisited is not a romance, but dark suspense, futuristic detective.
What is the most fun part about writing? The most difficult?
I love watching my story come alive. The characters shape themselves and the story progresses. I have a basic “outline” in my head, but I am not one to sit and write it all down. My story can rework itself as it translates from my head to the document, and I love it. My greatest enjoyment, though, is someone else enjoying what I create.
The hardest part is working through a block when you get one. Sometimes you just have to walk away. That could be for a few hours or a few years. It you walk away too long, though, you may never get the story written.
What skills have you acquired or information have you learned from writing?
Working as a teacher and author have both helped with my research skills. I like to write realistic fiction. That involves research, sometimes a lot. I’ve researched for the Passion series extensively, and also in my coming release, A Killer, Revisited. Eyes with No Soul takes place in what I consider my hometown. So, I didn’t have to research so much on that one.
Did you consult with any professionals or people who lived through a particular event to help you craft your story?
Yes. I like to ask my family and friends questions. In my upcoming release, it involves the army. I bowl with two veteran friends, and I asked them a lot of questions. I try to give credit when someone helps me develop an idea.
What is your most stereotypical writer trait? Your least stereotypical?
I’m not sure. I write strong woman characters, but this really doesn’t fit in with being stereotypical. In historical fiction, however, women are still dominated due to the era. It’s a balancing act to show the strength of the woman under the powers of a man.
“What If” Scenarios
If you could have one person that you admire, living or dead, read your book, who would it be?
For the Passion series, Janelle Taylor. I have long admired her.
I would love Kay Hooper’s opinion on Eyes with No Soul.
If you could be in a writer’s group with up to four famous writers, who would they be?
My favorite author forever is J.K Rowling, so her for sure. Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, and Peter V. Brett I would love to get to know and discuss writing techniques with, as well.
A wealthy reader buys 100 copies of your book and tells you to hand them out to anyone you wish. Who do you give them to?
It depends on the book. Eyes with No Soul I’d give out to the school district I taught at. I love kids, and if they would read a shorter book with something that interests them, then I feel accomplished.
Your book becomes a best seller. What do you do next?
I would write more books (well, I do that anyway)! I have a lot of ideas that I would try to bring to life in a more timely fashion.
You have final say over who reads the audio book version of your story. Who do you choose?
I’d have to think about a historical romance narrator, but for my upcoming release, I’d love to have Jay Snyder (Gray Man series) be my narrator. I think his IMDB name is Dan Green. I wish I knew how to contact him to ask.
Your story gets picked up by a streaming service to make into a series. What service would you want it to be, and would you want them to follow your story closely, or would you rather see what directions they take it in?
If my book gets made into a movie, I would ideally like them to keep it close to the same format. It’s a short story. So I wouldn’t mind suggestions or “help” to make it longer or cater to different crowds as long as it was approved by me and still considered “mine.”
Just for Fun
Your trademark feature.
I’d love for my author logo to be recognized!
What legacy do you want to leave behind?
I’d love for my work to be entertaining and raved over, but I also want readers to think about some of the underlying ideas. I believe in planting seeds for growth. That would be amazing.
One bucket list item you’ve completed and one that’s still on your list.
I learned to scuba dive in the past six months. Now I need to practice and plan a trip to the Great Barrier Reef.
A movie or a piece of music that changed your life.
I keep coming back to Harry Potter. It’s so powerful. I remember when the religious community was going berserk over how it was blasphemous, etc. However, I see a strong depiction of heaven and hell representations throughout. I love it and think it’s brilliant.
Favorite time of/part of your day.
I love night. I don’t consider myself either a morning or night person. I usually get up around 7:30 and go to bed about 1:00 a.m. I like it when the day is over and all is calm. I can write any time of day, but that is my favorite time of day to relax and do some writing (if I’m not too tired).
Favorite place you’ve visited/place you want to visit.
I really want to go to London. I love nature, but I love sexy British accents. I have a werewolf series I want to rework. The third adventure is going to occur in London, so I’d love to visit it as part of my “research.”
My favorite vacation to date has been the Bahamas. In the states, Universal (Harry Potter) in Florida was awesome. I’d like to take my family back there some day.
Food you’d like to win a lifetime supply of.
Steak. I love pizza, tacos, and such, but steak is expensive and yummy. That’s my vote.
A book that you recommend everyone reads.
Eyes with No Soul. Haha. No, seriously. Actually, I’d pick a spiritual book.
I listed some of my favorite series above. I LOVE the Gray Man series, The Scythe series, and The Warded Man series. Of course, it goes without saying (Yes, I’m going to say it): The Harry Potter series. I mentioned The Gray Man, Scythe, and Warded Man because they aren’t as well known and are just… something to write home about.
The topic you can’t shut up about and the topic you wish everyone would shut up about.
Harry Potter? Hahaha
Celebrity you’d want to be friends with.
I’d LOVE to meet and be friends with Chris Hemsworth.
When time travel is achieved, do you go forward or backward?
I’d always want to go forward. Don’t we relive our mistakes enough? If we go back, we’ll just make new mistakes while we’re trying to fix the old.
Buy it!
Buy a copy of Wild Passion by Sheri Chapman here, and help support local bookstores! This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission on any sales.
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