Monday, January 30, 2012

Interview with Okla. author, Sharon Srock


I wanted to introduce you all to another wonderful Oklahoma author, Sharon Srock. Sharon recently signed a contract with Harbourlight Books for two books in her series, The Women of Valley View.

Congrats on your recent contract, Sharon! What have you learned on this journey from aspiring to contracted author?
I look at those words "contracted author," and I look around to see who you're talking about. What have I learned? Oh wow, so much. 
I've learned to listen. Not just to fellow writers, but I've learned to listen to my own heart. Mostly, I hope I've learned a new level of listening to God. I told someone that I'm just the funnel to the keyboard. I want what ends up on the page to be what He intended.
I've learned perseverance. I think Callie's story went through six complete re-writes in three years.
I've learned that an old dog CAN be taught new tricks. 
Those are all great lessons! What was the best and worst advice you've received on writing?
I can't think of a single piece of bad advice so we'll skip right to the good. The first piece of good advice came from a good friend who isn't a writer, but believed that I could be. She found the website for ACFW and encouraged me to contact the local chapter. That first meeting was the first day I realized there were other people in the world with the same voices whispering in their heads. What a relief to know I wasn't alone!
The agent that now represents me was the first to reject me, but he pointed me in a new direction. His advice?  Get some good critique. Good critique partners are a gift from God and I have one of the best. Beyond the one on one, I enjoy the group setting of a critique group. Our little group probably isn't the most faithful when it come to regular meetings, but the feed back I come home with is always solid and has pushed me to try things I wouldn't have on my own.
I completely agree. I don't know what I would do without great critique partners. Other than writing, what do you enjoy doing?
Reading. Nothing holds my attention quite like a good courtroom drama, or a brisk romantic suspense. I like to cook. Baking mostly. I love cookies, and I have a shelf full of cookie cook books. I enjoy going to NASCAR races and panning for gold. And I'm a HUGE Star Trek fan. Writing for Star Trek Fanzines and chapter news letters is where my early writing experience came from.


But my favorite hobby over the last few years has been traveling with my grandchildren. I take one of them on a special vacation every year. I'm working my way down from oldest to youngest. So far we've been to Hawaii, Cozumel, Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and several cruises. This year it's Disney.
Fun! Can you adopt me as a family member so I can go? :) Tell us a little about your book.
The Women of Valley View: Callie is about a woman wounded by the death of a child she tried to help and her reluctance to listen to God when he urges her to get involved again. Callie is afraid to risk her emotions a second time but finds she can't ignore the problems of the Evans sisters. When she steps out on faith to reunite the girls with the father who abandoned them ten years ago she finds herself rescued in the process.
It sounds wonderful! Where can people find you online and follow you on your journey?
I've become a computer junkie. 
Twitter account: @SharonSrock
The blog is a great place to meet the Women of Valley View. The main weekly post is a running story just for readers. There is a page that introduces the main characters with pictures and short bios. Each of the women have their own page inside the blog. Callie does Bible lessons, Terri does author interviews, then reviews and gives away their books. Pam does recipes, and Karla's page is a this and that sort of thing. They would love it if you stopped by for a visit. I'd love it if you joined the page.
Here's a little more about Sharon:
Sharon Srock lives with her husband, Larry, and two dogs in Rural Oklahoma. She is a mother, grandmother, and Sunday School teacher. Sharon has one and three-quarters jobs and writes in her spare time. Her favorite hobby is traveling with her grandchildren. She is a member of the ACFW and currently serves as treasurer for her local chapter. Sharon’s writing credits include numerous poems and short stories published in science fiction fanzines.
Writers, what is the biggest lesson you've learned on your journey?

41 comments:

  1. So proud of you mom! I look forward to what God has in store for you.
    A~

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    1. :) I love when family members stop by for support. Great to meet you, Amber.

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  2. It's hard to explain how much of a positive influence fellow writers have had on me, helping me to know I'm not alone.

    Lovely interview.
    ~ Wendy

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    1. I agree. It would be so tough to do this without the support of other writers.

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  3. Great interview, Sharon and Julie! So very happy for you, Sharon!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Janet. I'd love to interview you some time!

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  4. What a great interview. We are so proud of all of Sharon's hard work. She is such a good story teller and friend. Thanks for letting us visit with you guys today.

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    1. Yep. Sharon certainly worked hard for this. She's definitely deserving!

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  5. Sharon & Julie, it's a blessing to know you both. Great article. Thanks for sharing your story with us, Sharon.

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    1. Isn't our local group great? I love the Oklahoma City ACFW chapter!

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  6. So nice to meet Sharon!
    And I totally agree, a good critique partner is a gift from God!

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    1. Absolutely! That reminds me I need to send them a chapter today.

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  7. Yeah! Great interview and good to get to know a new author! :)

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  8. I've learned that dreams take a team: critique groups and prayer partners are invaluable and gifts from God. Great interview:0

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  9. Congrats on your success Sharon! Great interview, Julie and Sharon.

    God knows we can be taught new tricks!

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  10. Nice to meet you, Sharon. I like baking cookies, too, but not as much as I enjoy eating them! Congratulations on your book.

    Sounds like you have a great time traveling. I can only imagine what Cozumel is like.

    Great interview, Julie!

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    1. I think I could add eating cookies to my list of hobbies too!

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  11. Congratulations on your First Sale, Sharon! Enjoy the thrill. =)

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    1. I love hearing about first contracts. So much fun!

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  12. So nice to meet you, Sharon! And I'm with Julie...Can I join your family? :) What a blessing to take your grandchildren on those trips. Wow.

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  13. Beautiful interview, Julie. Sharon, I completely understand the joy of finding writers with similar thoughts. :) It's nice to know we're not alone in this world.

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    1. Thanks, Melanie. ACFW is such a great community of writers!

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  14. Congratulations on your interview. You've worked hard on these books along with working full time and selling Avon. I hope to see your books on the shelf in the near future.

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    1. And she has time for hobbies! Sharon stays busy!

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  15. I'm so overwhelmed by everyone's support. Thanks for all the kind words.
    Sharon Srock

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    1. Thanks for being here, Sharon, and congrats again on your contract!

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  16. Great interview and I'd like for my grandmother to start traveling! :)

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  17. Awesome interview, Sharon is a very hard worker & friend of mine. I love it when I hear exciting news like we just received about Sharon's books being published!! It's always exciting to see what's going to happen next! Keep up the good work Sharon!! Teresa Talbott

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Teresa. Great to see Sharon's friends and family here to support her.

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  18. Nice, Sharon! Congrats and continued success!

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  19. Sharon, I am so proud of you and just can't wait to buy the books when they are published! I look forward to your continued success! Your brother in Christ, Jeff Salter

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    1. Col., You are still the only guy thats read them. So glad I kept you entertained. It gives me hpe of reaching more than just the ladies
      Sharon

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  20. Great interview! The biggest thing I've learned is that everyone's journey is different, unique.

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  21. I found your blog through a comment on Jenny's post. I so enjoyed reading this! I think there's always such a humble and sweet (and well-earned) kind of joy that shines through when the first contract comes. Congrats to you, Sharon! I guess the biggest thing I've learned recently as far as writing goes - and everything else really - is that I can't compare my journey to anybody else's. Sometimes, the fact that I'm a chronic dreamer and goal-setter is a good thing. I push myself harder and keep learning more. But, other times, when I don't accomplish what I'd hoped, it's easy to get bitter and focus on the wrong things. I've seen a quote floating around on Pinterest that says, "Comparison is the thief of joy." That's so true for me. When I'm comparing, I'm not writing. And if I am writing, there's a certain joy that's missing. So I would second Stacy H's words: everyone's journey is different. I'm learning to write the best I can write, be playful with my words, and keep finding joy in who God says I am (and in the people he's surrounded me with - the good stuff). Thanks for this post! Your blog is lovely.

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  22. Hi, Julie. I've passed the Liebster award on to you! check out my blog for details.

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  23. I've read this twice now and enjoyed every bit of it.

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