Author Interview – Cheryl Bradshaw

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And now…

Today I present Cheryl Bradshaw . She writes mysteries and thrillers and will soon be dabbling in paranormal as well.

Cheryl Bradshaw

My Interview with Cheryl:

  • What is the title or working title of your current book?

Stranger in Town

Stranger inTown

 

  • Please provide us with a brief synopsis of your book.

He only needed her to look away for a few seconds…
Six-year-old Olivia Hathaway tiptoes down the center aisle of Maybelle’s Market, stopping once to glance over her shoulder and make sure her mother isn’t watching. But Mrs. Hathaway is too preoccupied to notice her daughter has slipped away. Moments later, a frantic Mrs. Hathaway runs up and down the aisles, desperately searching for her missing daughter. But little Olivia is already in the arms of a stranger. Will PI Sloane Monroe find Olivia before it’s too late?

  • What genre does your current book fall under?

Mystery

  • Do you always write for the same genre?

I have been writing mysteries and thrillers for the past three years, but next year I will be introducing a new paranormal series, because as much as I love solving a murder, I love the presence of a ghost or two every now and then. J

  • Who or what motivates or inspires you to write?

Reading inspires my writing. As a fan of Agatha Christie, it was easy for me to choose the mystery genre for my Sloane Monroe series. I find authors do best when they write about what interests them or what they, themselves, enjoy reading.

  • Tell us about your writing background.

In high school, I was in both advanced English classes as well as creative writing classes. I entered contests with my short stories and my poems and had a couple of poems published before I was eighteen. I continued my creative writing in college, and started writing novels a few times, but I never finished one. After college, I was an editor for several years, and then in 2009, I wrote my first novel, Black Diamond Death, the first novel in my Sloane Monroe series. I now try to write three full novels a year.

  • How long does it typically take you to write a first draft?

Four months. I write several chapters and then go back and edit them. By the time I finish a book, about 75% of it has been edited about five times. Maybe even six or seven!

  • Do you employ an editor to assist you in your writing process?

I have a team that consists of editors, proofers, and formatters.

  • Are you self-published or represented by an agency?

I have the rights to all my books, but I am affiliated with a publishing company.

  • Do you have future projects we can look forward to?

Yes. Next year I’ll introduce my paranormal series (Addison Lockhart), write the first in another new series (Cade McCoy thriller), and write the fifth installment in the Sloane Monroe mystery series.

  • Do you have any tips or advice to offer fellow writers?

Read every day. Write every day. Set a time to write each day and stick to it. Consistency is key. Do not publish without at least one editor and one proofer, a formatter, and a dang good cover artist. If it’s your first book, enlist a few beta readers (not friends and family—you want honest, sound advice). Learn about the publishing industry, and then once you learn, keep learning. It’s constantly changing, and a lot of work to keep up with, but it’s worth it. I’m amazed at how much indie writers know that traditionally pubbed writers don’t when it comes to what’s happening in the industry. Indie’s know because they have to if they want to be successful, and it’s that knowledge and dedication that spirals many of them to the top of best-seller lists today. And last but not least, learn what you need to do to promote yourself, build your brand, and then grow your brand. And most of all, write a good book—scratch that—a great one!

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Comments (15 )

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  1. JeriWB says:

    Three full novels a year! That is amazing. I will be happy if I am ever able to pull of one a year 😉

    • Geek Girl says:

      I am with you. 3 novels a year would be a dream for me. 🙂

  2. Cheryl,

    I am impressed, three novels a year, I can't even get through one. I wish you much success.

    Jenn

    • Geek Girl says:

      I am still working on my first one as well. 🙂

  3. findingourwaynow says:

    WOW she is a writing machine!!! And to think I struggle with a story post once a week, that doesn't even compare. I'm impressed. 🙂

  4. I am very intrigued by the upcoming paranormal work. Will there be any mystery elements to it, will it be more urban fantasy or more classically aligned? (Yep being nosey, I can get into a bit of paranormal mystery)

  5. Seems to me Cheryl that you are going about writing books the right way. Affiliated with a publishing company and a team that consists of editors, proofers, and formatters.

    The cover of your latest book makes me think of National Geographic Magazine. Is that intentional?

    • Geek Girl says:

      I will do this one day when I make it. 🙂

  6. This is a profile of a hard working professional writer who treats her writing as a business as much as an art, which sounds like a good way to drive success.

    • Geek Girl says:

      I agree. I am trying to do that as well.

  7. namirusso says:

    Ms. Bradshaw's book sounds interesting but more importantly, what a great role model for struggling writers.

  8. Geek Girl says:

    Machine is right. 🙂

  9. Geek Girl says:

    Yeah, paranormal is intriguing…

  10. Geek Girl says:

    Yes. Role model is correct.

  11. Jeannette Paladino says:

    I love mysteries so I'm going to hop over to Amazon to check out Cheryl Bradshaw.