Friday, August 24, 2012

Interview with Sherry Gloag

I’m delighted to welcome multi-published author, Sherry Gloag to the blog today. Sherry is a transplanted Scot living in the beautiful coastal county of Norfolk. She considers the surrounding countryside an extension of her garden, to which she escapes when she needs "thinking time" and solitude to work out the plots for her next novel. While out walking she enjoys talking to her characters, as long as there’s no one else around. Sherry cheerfully admits her books tend to take over most of the shelf and floor space in her workroom-cum-office. She also finds crystal craft work therapeutic. So what do you enjoy most about your particular genre? 

I read and write contemporary romance, with a twist of suspense because I enjoy a story I can become absorbed in. I enjoy being taken to places and events I’d never otherwise learn about or see, and most of all following the journeys of well portrayed characters I can empathise with and celebrate their HEA with.

Are you a specialist or do you have another identity?

Although I have experimented with different genres under the romance umbrella I write all of them under the same name of Sherry Gloag.

In what way has your childhood influenced what you write?

I had to think long and hard about this one, and return to the many childhood illnesses when reading kept me entertained. I gravitated to romance and liked the obligatory HEA. After reading hundreds of romances I tried my hand at writing one.

What do you do when the going gets tough?

Grumble! Loudly! Then get stuck in.

What tips would you offer to any aspiring writer wishing to write a regency? 

There are a lot of Regency books out there that simply add a few ‘regency-type’ phrases into the book here and there, with their characters dressed to suit the period, but the speech, action and terminology is all written in present day ‘cant’. So if you aspire to write a Regency please, do your homework. Unlike Georgette Heyer, who had to do her own research and by the time of her death had accumulated such a vast and accurate research library, even many museums failed to afford them when they were auctioned off, there are hundreds of websites brim full of information. But check and cross check because not all of them are accurate. When you’ve done all that, grin, and get your butt in the chair and believe in yourself, and write!

Have you ever based one of your characters on a real person? 

No! It would be just my luck that the person would recognise themselves, and if it was a villain….. shudder.

How did you hear about the RNA, and how has it benefited your career?

I heard about RNA many years ago and joined the new writers’ scheme. My submission didn’t make the grade, but the resulting comments were very informative. Several years went by while ‘life’ took over before I began writing again, so I rejoined RNA.

Have you ever been published in any other media besides novels?

Apart from my two novels THE BRAT and DUTY CALLS, I have three novellas in ebooks. The first two Gasquet Princes books ( From Now Until Forever and His Chosen Bride) and a humorous Valentine story called The Wrong Target.

Can you tell us something of what you are working on now? 

I am waiting for the edits for NO JOB FOR A WOMAN to come in, and desperately trying to get VIDAL’S HONOR finished before the submission deadline. It’s due to be released the day after the American Thanksgiving Day. (The Americans call it Black Friday). After those are done and dusted, I have two more novellas to complete for the Gasquet Princes series, plus one that may – or may not- become another in the GP series or the first in a spin-off from the Gasquet Princes series. As a ‘pantser’ writer, I still don’t know which it will be!


His Chosen Bride (2nd Book in the 4 book Gasquet Princes series) Prince Henri Gasquet is happy to let his father, the king, choose his bride for him until he meets Monica Latimer. Monica Latimer is not prepared to risk letting any man close enough to learn about her Gift. A gift that normally has men running for the hills when they find out about it.

Thank you for sparing time to talk to us today Sherry. We wish you continuing success with your new titles. 
Best wishes, Freda 

Find out more about Sherry and her books:

Interviews on the RNA Blog are for RNA members, although we do occasionally take guests. If you are interested in an interview, please contact me: freda@fredalightfoot.co.uk

4 comments:

Sherry Gloag said...

Thank you, Freda, for having me here today.

I was wondering how many authors work on multiple WIPs at one time, and whether any readers read more than one book at a time?

Caroline said...

Great blog Shery. I do love your covers! Caroline x

Caroline said...

DuH - spelt your name wrong Sherry - sorry! Caroline x

Sherry Gloag said...

:-) Caroline, thanks for your kind words and company.