Please tell us a little about yourself: I am an Inspirational Romance novelist, a speaker, social media junkie, and a former homeschooling mom who loves to make people laugh while I share stories of God’s blessings with them. I live in Georgia with my husband and two children. I love to dream of romantic places and romance in general–good, clean romance, that is. I am passionate about purity and sexual integrity. I am a bird-watcher, love the ocean, dolphins, roller coasters, tigers, ice cream, my family, and my Chihuahua, who faithfully sits by my side every day when I write. I am the author of To Dance Once More (OakTara) and Song of the Meadowlark (OakTara).

Why did you start writing? I started writing because I couldn’t help it. The obsession started when I was about eight years old and just kept on. I’ve tried to quit many times because I wasn’t getting where I thought I should be. But God keeps giving me words to write.

How did you start writing? I loved all my literature classes in school. I loved to read Fitzgerald, Steinbeck, Poe and so many more. After I graduated, the ideas began to take over my brain and the only way I could function was to get them down on paper.

How did you select your genre? I have always loved the Victorian era. ALWAYS. So when I started writing my first full length novel, it was only natural to write with long gowns and debutante balls throughout the pages. My latest book is a Contemporary though. I wanted to try my hand at it and the characters needed to be in a contemporary setting. I still prefer the Victorian era though.

What is your writing day like? I usually start my day with my Bible study and preparing for my Wednesday morning church group. If I’m teaching that week, it takes me a while longer with my studies. After checking emails and my blog interviews for comments, I work on any guest posts or interviews I have coming up. When all of that is done, I work on my latest Work-In-Progress. I usually write until my husband comes home and only take breaks to walk my Chihuahua or make another cup of coffee. On the days I can’t think of anything to write, I edit.

How do you organize your writing? (outlines/note cards/post-its) I usually make notes on yellow legal pads. That’s the handiest way of doing things at the start because my ideas usually come in the middle of the night. My Internet research is organized in Word documents and important websites are saved in my Favorites. I find photographs from magazines or stock photo sites to help me get a visual of my characters and I’ll print them out or keep them in a handy file on my computer. I always, always, always back everything up on an external drive. I’ve had too many computer crashes to risk losing things.

What’s the most surprising thing a character has “told you”? A character from Song of the Meadowlark who shall remain nameless “told me” that the bad guy doesn’t always get caught in the way you think, nor is he/she always redeemable.

Do you have a list of characters that you’re saving for future use? What kind of information do you keep on these characters? Yes! I have several legal pads with story ideas and names for the characters. I write down character traits but usually not physical qualities unless it’s vital to the story.

What does your work space/office look like? My office is my daughter’s old bedroom. It’s got my computer desk with my ancient desktop on it. I use that for family business like paying bills and such. There’s a sleeper sofa in there for my daughter for when she stays overnight. I usually sit there with my laptop on a TV tray and my Chihuahua, Posey, covered in a blanket beside me. I also have a recumbent exercise bike in there that I neglect quite often.

What is your go-to snack when writing? I try really hard not to snack when I write because I would probably get crazy. There are so many treats I like. However, I’m usually found with a cup of coffee, which I may reheat at least six times before I ever get the entire cup finished.

If you could only recommend one NOVEL, what would it be? Why? Of the novels I have recently read, I would have to recommend Short-straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer. I loved her story about a wounded girl who had three potential grooms, how one of them wanted her and made sure he got the short straw, but how she didn’t know he manipulated the pick and that he considered himself fortunate to have her. It’s a jumbled up mess for a while but very touching with lots of character growth. I read it months ago and still think of it often and compare other books to it.

If you could only recommend one CRAFT book (writing, no crocheting), what would it be? Why? The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. is one of my favorite books because it is easy to use and teaches you the basics of what you need in writing.

Is there anything else you’d like to add? I’d like to thank you for having me on your blog and for letting me share with your followers about my writing. www.sherriwilsonjohnson.com