Welcome SHERRY FICKLIN to JBR.
First why don't you tell us a little about yourself?
Well,
I'm Sherry Ficklin, writing as Dianna Collins. I write primarily YA
novels, hence the pen name. This is my first adult paranormal series.
Newest release?
I'm
really excited for the re-release of my Palmetto Moon series. It was
previously published under my real name, which caused a bit of confusion
for my younger readers, so my publisher and I decided a re-brand was in
order. It gave us the chance to get all new covers (aren't they
fantastic, by the way?) and do a few minor tweaks to the books
themselves. Nothing major, just little things.
What can we expect from
your stories, action, drama, romance,sex, blood and guts?
Palmetto
Moon has a lot of humor, a lot of heart, a bit of romance, and copious
amounts of Sophie landing herself up shit creek without a paddle.
Do
you have a favorite character in your stories? Who? and Why?
I
have to say I love Sophie. All the characters in these books are loosly
based on my real family, which makes them both fun and honest. I got to
take this group of people (who, let's face it, is already completely
nuts) and really draw them out and make their personalities even bigger
and crazier. And my family still talks to me. Even my poor aunt Lisa who
ended up being a dead hooker. (Sorry Auntie!)
How about your least
favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?
I
think I actually like Caleb the least, which I know sounds odd since
he's one of my male heroes. But he's one of those people, who we all
have in our lives, who just knows exactly how to push our buttons. He's
the one person is Sophie's life she actually lets kind of run over
her--not because she isn't strong enough to handle him--but because he
knows exactly where her soft spots are and how to get to them.
Give us
an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:
So,
the mystery in Born of Blood is loosely based on a real crime that
happed in my small town. Obviously I've changed the names and details,
but it's very similar. Except for the vampires. At least I hope there
wasn't any real vampires involved. But that's sort of how my mind works.
Woman goes missing? Most people think husband or co-worker. I go
straight to vampire. What can I say? I'm "special".
Has there been
any other authors who have inspired your work or helped you out with
your stories?
I think every book I read, if I enjoy it at all,
inspires me and in some small way, becomes part of my genetic makeup.
Things I read stay with me forever. I'm spongy like that.
What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
I
think the best thing a reader can do is offer feedback. Leave a review,
shoot me an email. Whether the feedback is good or bad, it's important.
We need to know what we are doing right, and by the same token, what we
are doing wrong.
Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other
writers trying to get published?
Read on, Mo'fos.
Seriously. Readers make the best writers because they instinctually
understand things like pacing and flow, things that can't really be
taught.
Do you have a favorite author? If yes, what draws you to that
person’s work?
My favorite author is always whoever I'm
reading at the time. I actually took a writing break this weekend to
read the new novel by Konstance Silverbow, Only Half Alive. It was
really good.
Can you remember one of the first things you wrote? What
makes it memorable?
I wrote this amazingly terrible
poem about a dragon. It was like, total crap. I read it at an open mic
poetry night and some guy after came up to tell me how much he liked it.
Turns out he worked for some tiny magazine and he wanted to buy it to
use. It was the worst thing I ever sold. (ha ha, I was trying to type
FIRST thing I ever sold, but it came out worst thing I ever sold. Since
both are true, I'm leaving it as worst.)
Where do you gather most of
the inspiration for your works?
Everywhere. Characters
first usually. They sort of start chatting in my head, telling me
stories. It really is like a form of schizophrenia. I even read an
article that says it is the same part of the brain.
Do you have any
other interesting hobbies, pets or stories you would like to share?
So...I collect rubber ducks. The weirder the better. I'm also a confirmed nerd hoarder.
Favorite places to travel or visit?
Europe,
but not France (sorry France). I love road trips (not with my kids) and
seeing new places. I went to NYC for the first time this year and at
first I was like, eeew. It's so loud and dirty and my feet hurt. haha.
But now I can't wait to go back. I love it.
And now, before you go,
how about a snippet from your book that is meant to intrigue and
tantalize us:( Include links to were we can find your work)
After cursing my way through five red lights and three stop signs I saw the red and blue
lights before I even turned onto my street. I pulled up to the curb in front of my house. The first thing
I noticed was the yellow crime scene tape strung across my porch. The second thing I noticed was
Caleb and Mercy standing in the side yard, talking to Reggie. Neither vampire was in handcuffs or
perma-dead, so that was a relief.
Caleb must have heard my door slam because he said something to Mercy and Reggie and
walked toward me. But knowing he was safe, my interest was focused on the black bag lying across
my porch.
“Sophie,” Caleb said, putting his arm around my shoulders.
“What happened?” I asked, shaking my head. “Who’s in the bag?”
At that moment Reggie and Mercy joined us. She slid her head under Caleb’s other arm in a
maneuver that was both possessive and childish. I shook my head again and slid out of Caleb’s grasp.
It was Reggie who answered my question.
“Caleb and Miss Mercy here say they came home from a movie and found the deceased on
your porch. He’s been identified as one Heath Jorgan.”
“Wait. Jorgan, the arsonist?” I asked.
“Looks that way. You tell anyone else that he was bothering you, Sophie?”
I shook my head, staring at the bag, trying to make sense of the situation.
“Just Caleb,” I replied automatically.
On one hand I was weak with relief that it hadn’t been someone I cared about, on the other I
was racking my brain. Who would have done this?
“It looks as if he was killed somewhere else and placed here,” Reggie added.
“How do you know?” I asked.
“The body was drained of blood. But it’s not here,” he said motioning toward the ground.
“So, you’re thinking vampire?” I asked.
“Maybe, but there were no bite marks. It looks like whomever did the deed slit the bastard’s
throat.”
Caleb and I exchanged a glance. It didn’t sound like a vamp kill, but it didn’t exclude them
either. A squeal of tires from behind me made me turn. A Channel 7 news van had just showed up to
the party. Super.
Reggie tucked his notebook in his pocket and nodded. “If ya’ll excuse me, I need to go deal
with this.”
As soon as he was out of earshot Caleb grabbed me by the elbow and led me off to the side,
Mercy still in tow.
“That isn’t all,” he said in hushed tones. “When we found him, there was a big red bow on
his head and a tag stuck to his shirt. Sophie, it had your name on it.”
“My name? Anything else?”
He shook his head.
“We, uh, left the bow, but I took the tag before the cops got here. I was afraid they might
think…”
“That I had something to do with the murder.” I added gently. Caleb’s heart was in the right
place, but if the cops ever found out he’d tampered with the evidence, they could both be screwed.
“Exactly.”
“What kind of deranged person would put a bow and a tag on a dead body?” I asked out loud.
To my surprise, Mercy answered.
“Someone who was leaving you a gift,” she said in her usual over-the-top accent. With a
petulant frown she added quietly, “She gets the best presents.”
Sherry D. Ficklin, Author www.sherryficklin.com http://about.me/sherrydficklin
"Remember to always be yourself. Unless you suck." ~Joss Whedon
Thank you for visiting with us here on JBR! We wish you great success!!!
thanks,
Julie Ramsey
ADM, JBR
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