Once Upon A *Spark*: Cherie Colyer

I met Cherie Colyer about five or six years ago during the early stages of my writing career in children's books. Wondering how I could get more involved in the process and meet others with the same passion, I googled "children's writing groups" and eventually (and most likely by fate!) stumbled upon the SCBWI website. I've been a member ever since. It was through this wonderful organization that I got in touch with the SCBWI-IL local chapter and met some wonderful people, including Cherie.

Last year, Cherie received wonderful news: that her first romance book was going to be published!

I couldn't have been more thrilled for her! A year later, we are excitedly celebrating the first anniversary of its publication. Though she is working on several new thrilling novels, I was able to reign Cherie in for some quick questions:

Katie Sparks: Congratulations on the first anniversary of Embrace! What has the past year meant to you as a published author?

Cherie Colyer: Thank you. To answer this question I need to back up a bit. I started writing because I had a story that was begging to be told. I kept writing because I enjoyed weaving stories of my own and I wanted to one day share these stories with readers everywhere. Publishing a novel became a personal goal of mine. Being published means I reached one of my goals.

KS: That's a fabulous goal to reach! Since my blog revolves around the theme of “sparked ideas”, I must ask: Where do you get your story ideas from? For Embrace?

CC: I’m usually sparked by a character. I’ll get an image of someone in my head and this person will just keep showing up. Embrace started with a scene of a teenage girl that kept replaying itself in my head for weeks—it might have been months. I'm not really sure why I kept seeing her. I imagined her sprinting through the halls at school trying to reach her locker before anyone saw her. The soft steady click of heels against the tiled floor wasn’t far behind her. I started to ask myself who is this girl and why is she in such a hurry. Madison Riley was born and Embrace became her story.

KS: And it's an enticing story at that! What is it about the paranormal genre that sparks your interest?

CC: I’m fascinated with the possibility of what might be and what could be. And, well, I wouldn’t mind having supernatural powers myself.

KS: Me either! I'd love to be able to move things through the air with my mind. Where do you prefer to write?

CC: I do most my writing in the family room. I like to be in the middle of the action. I think having things going on around me helps my creative side.

KS: What’s the best part about being a writer for children?

CC: Meeting readers and aspiring young writers.

KS: What’s on deck for you as far as future books?

CC: Definitely more paranormal. I really enjoy researching the subject and then twisting what’s known or believed into my own stories. Right now I have a few things in the hopper. My agent is sub’ing my middle grade ghost story. I’ve sent the sequel for Embrace to my publisher. I hope to have an update soon. To keep me busy I’m doing one more round of revisions on my newest YA novel about a brother and sister who must outsmart supernatural beings if they hope to remain human and if they are to avoid being pawns in a coming war. Once I’m done, my agent will start to submit that novel. Fingers crossed I’ll have lots of good news next year.

Word Spark

(Try to answer these in three words or less!)

Favorite movie? Serendipity / Practical Magic. (Okay, I have two.)
Most inspirational book? Any well-written book
Best time of year? Autumn
What always makes you smile? Mornings without agendas
If you could ask Santa for one thing this year, what would it be? A book contract.
Celebrity crush? Ian Somerhalder :)

A big thank you to Cherie for stopping by! For more information on Cherie and her book, Embrace, head over to Cherie's homepage or by clicking any of the links below!

Cherie's on:

Facebook

Twitter: @CherieColyer

Website