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MEET SHERI FINK (2/2012)
by Bonnie O'Brian

Did you write stories when you were growing up? at school? Or at homeas a hobby? As a young child, or as a teenager, or both?

Sheri Fink

I started writing my own little books when I was 7 years old. I created the stories, the artwork, and the covers at home.

As a kid, I was obsessed with things like the Muppets and the Smurfs. I loved how they existed in their own little worlds and enjoyed watching the same movies and shows over and over.

I had a lot of fun dreaming up my own worlds and putting them into books. Fortunately, my mom saved the books I made as a little girl.

What are the topics are some of your books?

I write books that inspire and delight children ages 5-10 while planting seeds of self-esteem that can have lifelong benefit. My books help kids with their self-esteem while they have fun reading the stories and enjoying the beautiful illustrations.

My first book, THE LITTLE ROSE, is about a little rose who grows up in a weedbed and believes that she’s the weed. The story empowers kids to overcome bullying and to embrace their differences as gifts. My second book, THE LITTLE GNOME, is about a garden gnome and his first year in the garden. The story helps kids look for the good in change while learning about the four seasons.

What kinds of things inspire you to write?

I’m often inspired to write by things that happen in my life and the way I feel about them. I also get really inspired hearing the about the successes of other authors. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of speaking to a group of children and having them tell you with tears in their eyes what your stories have meant to them. I love making a positive difference!

What really triggers your imagination?

I like to surround myself with things that I love including beautiful artwork, happy music, pictures from wonderful experiences, and whimsical toys and books that make me smile. It’s easy to let my imagination roam when I’m in that environment. Taking time away from writing sometimes brings the best ideas … they sneak up on me when I’m not looking. I like to doodle to stimulate my creativity. I enjoy coming up with things that make me laugh. I also get really excited seeing beautiful pictures and inspiring messages on Pinterest.

Have any of your books earned special recognition?

THE LITTLE ROSE was published in March 2011 and has been a #1 best-seller on Amazon for over 30 weeks. I released the Kindle edition in January and it became a best-seller and is the #2 top-rated children’s ebook on Amazon. As a result of my success with THE LITTLE ROSE, I was acknowledged as one of the top “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading” last year. THE LITTLE ROSE has changed my life. It’s been a truly amazing year!

Do you work on more than one book at a time?

Yes, I’m currently working on two books and have ideas and plans for four books. When I wrote my first two children’s books, I was narrowly focused and only wrote one at a time. Now, I’m finding that the ideas are flowing to me much quicker and I’m too fascinated with them to wait to write them.

Do you write every day and do you have set hours that you work?

I set aside time one to two days a week for writing. I’m not always writing my children’s books during that time. Sometimes I’m writing for a magazine or creating content for my author mentoring program. I find I’m most productive when I’m sitting on my back patio under the sunbrella. That’s where I most love to write my children’s books. And, I do it as the inspiration strikes, not by scheduling it.

When you do school visits, what question do children ask you most?

The question I get asked the most is “what inspired you to write THE LITTLE ROSE?” The answer is that I was bullied and I learned that everyone should just be themselves instead of trying to be like everyone else. From that experience, I got the idea for a story about a rose that everyone else thinks is the weed. She learns to accept and appreciate herself for the beautiful rose she is.

What do you most want the students to get out of your school visits?

I love doing school visits! My goal is always for the students to have fun and to be inspired. I want them to believe in themselves and the unlimited possibilities for their lives. Ideally, the students will be so excited about their special gifts that they can’t wait to share them with the world!