The Writer's Block: Where Are They Now? Catching Up with Sheri Fink

Today on The Writer's Block, we head to sunny California to check-in with award-winning children's book author and marketing machine Sheri Fink! Following her passions has established her brand and fueled her creativity. Prepare to get inspired!

1) Welcome back to The Writer's Block, Sheri! Please tell everyone a bit about who you are and where you live and work.

I'm an inspirational speaker, #1 best-selling author, and award-winning entrepreneur who creates books, products, and experiences that inspire and delight kids of all ages while planting seeds of self-esteem. I live in sunny Southern California and write everywhere I go around the world. 

2) What were you working on when we spoke last? (Interview link:http://raychelle-writes.blogspot.com/2012/03/writers-block-interviews-sheri-fink.html )

When I was last interviewed on The Writer's Block in 2012, I was preparing for the release of my second children's picture book, The Little Gnome. 

3) Catch us up on what you have done since then.

OMG ... so much magic has unfolded since 2012! I've published a total of 7 books including 5 #1 best-selling children's books (The Little Rose, The Little Gnome, The Little Firefly, The Little Seahorse, and Exploring the Garden with the Little Rose), an inspirational journal (My Bliss Book), and a sweet and sexy romance novel (Cake in Bed). The Little Rose was adapted into a stage play, I debuted a beauty line inspired by my characters, recorded and released two inspirational albums, and have had the privilege to share my story with over 35,000 people throughout North America. My children's books have been released in audiobook, ebook, and paperback editions ... It's a whimsical life! 

4) Whimsical indeed! What is next for you?

I'm currently working on a few potential book projects as well as expanding The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink brand globally. I want to bring the empowering messages of my books to kids worldwide. I love speaking to inspire and plan to do even more in 2017. One of my joys today is mentoring aspiring authors to achieve their dreams of publishing their books. It's an honor to nurture the spark of creativity in others and to see their books and their careers blossom and grow.

5) How did The Writer's Block help you promote yourself? What advice would you offer to aspiring author/illustrators?

The Writer's Block was one of my earliest author interviews and I was grateful for the opportunity to share. 

My best advice is to focus on what you really want without watering down your dream. Don't settle for safety or mediocrity ... Get in touch with the passion for achieving your goal every day and visualize yourself already having achieved it. Feel the feelings you'll feel when it's come true. Marinate in the juicy goodness of living your dream. Then, take action each day toward your goal and keep going no matter what. You are limitless and everything is possible if you stay in alignment with your highest vision and continually take inspired action in that direction. It's hard work, but your dream is worth it. You will get there and it will be even better than you imagined! 

Congratulations, Sheri! Thanks again for joining us on The Writer's Block!

**********

Sheri Fink is an inspirational speaker, a #1 best-selling author, an award-winning entrepreneur, and the creator of “The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink” brand. Sheri writes books that inspire and delight kids of all ages while planting seeds of self-esteem. All five of her children's books have become #1 best-sellers, including The Little Rose which was a #1 Amazon Best-seller for over 60 weeks.

CBS Los Angeles selected her as one of the top three authors in the local area, a distinction she shares with Dean Koontz. Sheri’s brand is the recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award for the best in family friendly entertainment. She was recently named an inspirational beauty by supermodel Cindy Crawford’s “Beauties Give Back” campaign.

Sheri’s newest adventure is a contemporary romance. She was inspired to write Cake in Bed, her debut novel, to empower women to be their authentic selves and to not settle for less than they deserve in life or in love, because everyone deserves to have their cake and eat it too ... preferably in bed! Discover more about Sheri and her books at www.SheriFink.com.

Keep up with Sheri!

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/SheriFinkFan

Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/Sheri_Fink (@Sheri_Fink)

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/Sheri_Fink (@Sheri_Fink)

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

**Ready to give your writing career a jumpstart? Promote your project on The Writer's Block!

6 Quick Tips for Parents Telling Bedtime Stories By Sheri Fink

1. Tell a story from your heart, let go of perfection and be fully present in the moment.

2. Use descriptive language to engage your child - what does it look like? sound like? smell like? feel like? taste like?

3. Draw parallels that your child can understand. For example, if the character in your story is excited, how excited is she? Maybe she's excited as if she's going to Disneyland tomorrow.

4. Make it fun - use a storyteller's voice to embody the characters and give them unique voices to entertain your child.

5. Keep it short - 15 minutes or less is perfect.

6. Leave them with something positive or hopeful, a feeling of well-being before they go to sleep.

About Sheri Fink


Sheri Fink is the #1 best-selling, award-winning children’s author of The Little Rose and The Little Gnome, the creator of “The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink” children’s brand, and an international speaker. Sheri writes books that inspire and delight children while planting seeds of self-esteem.

Sheri’s next book, Exploring the Garden with the Little Rose, debuts on October 2, 2012 and takes 2-5 year olds on an educational adventure through the garden. Along the way, kids will have fun and learn the names of the plants and animals in the garden. Exploring the Garden with the Little Rose retails for $14.95 and is available on Amazon.com at: http://tinyurl.com/exploringthegarden.

Discover more about The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink at http://www.WhimsicalWorldofSheriFink.com.

The Writer's Block Interviews: Sheri Fink

(Sheri Fink's second children's book, The Little Gnome, is now available on for purchase on the Kindle market! This adorable book explores the concept of change in a way that both parents and children can appreciate! Get your copy today for the special price of $4.95! http://www.amazon.com/The-Little-Gnome-ebook/dp/B0085YDP3M/   Read my review of The Little Gnome.)
 
1) Tell us a bit about yourself and where you live and work.

I grew up in a small town in Virginia and moved to the west coast after grad school. I had a successful career in online marketing before deciding to make a change in my life. Despite the outward signs of success, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was meant to do something more. With a lot of courage and the support of my amazing husband, I left the corporate world in 2010 and starting writing and publishing children's books. Although some folks thought I was crazy two years ago when I started off down this path, I'm so grateful that I did it. I'm living my dream and it feels incredible!
 

2) How did you start writing for children?

I wrote The Little Rose when I was going through a difficult situation. I didn't even let my husband read it at first. I put it in a desk drawer and left it there until fall of 2010 when I attended a transformational conference. I met a woman there who encouraged me to share my story and insisted that her grandchildren needed its message. When I got home from the conference, I shared the story with 20 people that I respected and trusted. Eighteen of them told me they got goosebumps when they read my writing. At that point, I started considering publishing my first children's book.

After seeing my first book in print, I was hooked. Ideas flow to me and have to write them. It's fun to make stuff up and write it down for a living. I began writing The Little Gnome a month after The Little Rose debuted. Now that I've experienced the joy of sharing my stories with kids, I want to create more goodness in the world for them. I want them to believe in themselves and lead happy, successful lives. I find children to be very charming and I love it when they say that I make a positive difference to them.


3) Tell us about The Little Gnome. What inspired you to write it?

The Little Gnome is a charming story about a garden gnome experiencing the wonder of the four seasons for the first time. At first he doesn't understand and resists the changes in his environment. That just makes him grumpy. Once he begins to understand the seasons, he finds something good in every change. The book helps kids ages 5-10 learn to embrace change. Published in March 2012, The Little Gnome debuted at #1 on the Amazon best-seller list.

I'm inspired by my experiences and how I feel about them. I love taking something that feels like a negative and helping kids discover a way to see it in a different light, one that can be truly positive and beneficial.

The idea for The Little Gnome came about when I was thinking about moving from Virginia to California. My husband and I moved to Southern California 9 years ago and the seasons are much milder here. I was wondering what it would be like for a kid who's only known SoCal to live in Virginia and what that first year might be like. And, there are things that I miss about each season. Those are the things that are highlighted in the story.


4) Describe your path to publication. Has this experience met/exceeded your expectations?

When I was considering publishing my first book, I talked with lots of authors. After learning about the traditional publishing industry and the independent publishing possibilities, I chose to self-publish. I'm an entrepreneur at heart and I believed in my book enough to invest and bring it to market much quicker than would have been possible going the traditional route. There are advantages and disadvantages to both paths, but independent publishing was the right one for me at the time.

I'm very happy that I chose to independently publish my books. I hold the rights and get to make the decisions about my books and my brand. I learn new things every day and enjoy the journey.


5) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

I find that a lot of people hear about my books through word-of-mouth. People who read The Little Rose and The Little Gnome tend to tell their friends and it just takes off from there. A lot of sharing takes place on Facebook and Twitter. I'm very accessible and I think people really like that. I also find in-person author events to be very rewarding. It's a lot of fun for me and it helps spread the beautiful messages of my books to lots of children who need them. I feel so fortunate for all of my fans who have made this a wonderful journey for me!

6) Please catch us up on what you have been up to since you released The Little Rose.

Published in March 2011, The Little Rose has been a #1 best-seller on Amazon for over 45 weeks. The Kindle edition is also a best-seller and became the #1 top-rated children’s eBook on Amazon. Having the courage to write and publish my first book has completely changed my life.

Since that time, I've launched a children's brand, "The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink," with the mission to create books, toys, merchandise, and life experiences that inspire and delight children while planting seeds of self-esteem. I've been working with a playwright and we've co-written a stage adaptation of The Little Rose that will debut later this year. I also wrote and published the second book in "The Little Series," The Little Gnome, and have plans for 8 more books in the next 5 years.

In 2011, I was selected as one of the top “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading.” I was featured in several inspirational non-fiction books, including two international best-sellers, Self-Esteem Doesn’t Come in a Bottle by Kelly Falardeau, and Dare to Dream: This Life Counts by Debbi Dachinger. This month, I'm delighted to be featured the cover of Conversations Magazine, in an issue that's focused on books for the young and the young at heart.

Earlier this month I completed my first book tour. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun. I've also had the privilege to travel and speak with thousands of kids and share my stories with them. In the past six months, I've spoken for the Girl Scouts, UCLA, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Reading is Fundamental, schools, libraries, and writing conferences. I really enjoy it!


7) Describe a typical day in your life.
A typical day for me includes breakfast with my husband, working out at home, meditation, media/PR (interviews, writing press releases, etc.), spending some time connecting with fans on Facebook and email, updating my websites, business calls, planning upcoming author events and book launches, writing thank you cards, dinner with my husband, cuddling with my two kitties, reading, and writing in my journal.

I set aside time on two days a week to focus on writing. I’m not always writing my children’s books during that time. Sometimes I’m writing an article for a magazine, blog, etc. I try not to be too hard on myself if I don’t stick rigidly to the schedule. Once an idea has come to me, it’s only a matter of time before I can no longer resist writing it. Lately I've been very focused on my upcoming books and have been writing 1-2 drafts a week. I have a lot of travel coming up this summer and want to have the books already in motion when I leave.


8) What projects do you have in the works?

My next book, Exploring the Garden with The Little Rose, debuts in October 2012 and takes 2-5 year-olds on an educational adventure learning the alphabet and identifying the plants and animals of the garden while exploring our natural world alongside The Little Rose.

I'm also writing the next book in "The Little Series," The Little Firefly, about a late-blooming firefly who learns about friendship and acceptance. The Little Firefly will be published in March 2013. I'm very excited about both books!




9) What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

My advice is to continue writing and keep dreaming. There are so many opportunities now for writers to get their work out into the world. I’m living proof that independent authors can be successful and make a positive difference for their readers. It’s a great time to be a writer!

Author Bio

Sheri Fink is a #1 best-selling children’s author, the creator of “The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink” children’s brand, and an international speaker. She writes books that inspire and delight children while planting the seeds of self-esteem that can have lifelong benefit.

In 2011, Sheri was selected as one of the top “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading.” She is featured in several inspirational non-fiction books, including two international best-sellers, Self-Esteem Doesn’t Come in a Bottle by Kelly Falardeau, and Dare to Dream: This Life Counts by Debbi Dachinger.

Sheri is a founding member of the Evolutionary Business Council, an international, invitation-only council of speakers and influencers dedicated to teaching the principles of success in order to make the world a better place, and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Sheri is a proud supporter of organizations that make a difference in the lives of children, especially Reading Is Fundamental and the Girl Scouts of America.

In her free time, Sheri enjoys adventure traveling, writing and reading, scrapbooking, and spending time with family and friends. She spent her childhood in Culpeper, Virginia and now resides in beautiful Southern California with her husband, Ryan Fink, and their two kitties.


Contact Sheri

Websites:

http://www.SheriFink.com,
http://www.TheLittleRoseBook.com,
http://www.TheLittleGnome.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Sheri_Fink

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SheriFinkFan

Book Review: The Little Gnome by Sheri Fink

I just finished reading Sheri Fink's new release, The Little Gnome. This book is both imaginative and educational. The story begins when The Little Gnome makes a whimsical Victorian garden his new home. Initially, he appreciates the warm weather, blooming plants, buzzing activity, and animal companionship. But, then the seasons begin to change and the Little Gnome has to adapt and appreciate his new surroundings.

The Little Gnome is a great way to introduce children to the differences between the four seasons. It concludes by teaching them to be positive and to embrace new situations:

"Just like the Little Gnome, you can choose to look for the good in every season and situation. When you look for the positive in every change, you will always find something to appreciate and enjoy."

Learn more about Sheri Fink by reading her interview on The Writer's Block!

In Case You Missed It! The Writer's Block in Review

Every week on The Writer's Block, I am blown away by the creative people who grace our pages with their talent, personal journeys, and advice. This week was no different.

We kicked things off this week with The Writer's Block alum and guest blogger, John Kenworthy (author of The Missionary and The Brute), who turned the tables and interviewed me! I think that he asked great questions which really made me think and reflect about my journey to becoming an author, illustrator, freelance writer, and blogger. Read the full interview!

On Monday, we met artist and cartoonist Kerry G. Johnson. He is a very accomplished individual who is illustrating and publishing children's books while also publishing a web comic, Harambee Hills. His interview has fast become one of the five most popular posts on my blog. Read his interview and see why!

Next, we met Italian artist and illustrator Alessandro Bioletti. Not only is he incredibly talented, but he is also fluent in Japanese! Learn more about Alessandro!

Lisa Eichlin is a preschool teacher and the author of The Bravest Boy I Ever Knew. This week we learned that it is possible to enjoy life in spite of our physical limitations. We must choose to play the cards we are dealt to the best of our ability. Read Lisa's story!

On Thursday, we visited with Sheri Fink who authored The Little Rose and the upcoming release The Little Gnome (March 22, 2012). This Amazon.com best-selling author started writing during a difficult time in her life. Her story now helps children to cope with being different and embracing it. Read Sheri's story here!

Yesterday, we met author Sylvia L. Ramsey who writes across a variety of genres. She is a professor of communications, coordinator of the Academic Resource Center at GMC-Augusta, adviser for the campus newspaper, a bladder cancer survivor, the adviser for the GMC-Students for Bladder Cancer Awareness Group, and the V.P. of the American Bladder Cancer Society. Read more about her fascinating journey!

To round out the week, be sure to read my review of Donalisa Helsley's The Day No One Played Together!






We are already booked for the next three weeks with more great interviews, blogs, and book reviews to come. You could be next! For more information about being interviewed on The Writer's Block, CLICK HERE!

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

The Writer's Block Interviews: Sheri Fink

1)      Describe your journey to becoming a children’s author.

I wrote The Little Rose when I was going through a difficult situation. I didn't even let my husband read it at first. I put it in a desk drawer and left it there until fall of 2010 when I attended a transformational conference. I met a woman there who encouraged me to share my story and insisted that her grandchildren needed its message. When I got home from the conference, I shared the story with 20 people that I respected and trusted. Eighteen of them told me they got goosebumps when they read my writing. At that point, I started considering publishing my first children's book. I'm so glad that I did! Published in March 2011, The Little Rose has been a #1 best-seller on Amazon for over 30 weeks. The Kindle edition is also a best-seller and is currently the #2 top-rated children’s eBook on Amazon. Having the courage to write and publish my first book has completely changed my life.


2)      Where do you find your inspiration to write?

I'm inspired by my experiences and how I feel about them. I love taking something that feels like a negative and helping kids discover a way to see it in a different light, one that can be truly positive and beneficial.


3)      Please tell us about your children’s book, The Little Rose.

The Little Rose was my very first children's book. It's an enchanting story about a rose growing in a weed bed who thinks that she's the weed. She learns to accept and love herself despite her differences. It helps empower children ages 5-10 to overcome bullying and believe in themselves.

4)      Who illustrated The Little Rose? Describe your working relationship.

The Little Rose was illustrated by Mary Erikson Washam. She's so talented and wonderful to work with. We collaborated on the book via phone and email. She also illustrated my upcoming book, The Little Gnome. I love working with her!

The Little Gnome will be released March 22, 2012!

5)      Describe how you chose your publisher.

When I was considering publishing my first book, I talked with lots of authors. After learning about the traditional publishing industry and the independent publishing possibilities, I chose to self-publish. I'm an entrepreneur at heart and I believed in my book enough to invest and bring it to market much quicker than would have been possible going the traditional route. There are advantages and disadvantages to both paths, but independent publishing was the right one for me at the time.


6)      What is Author Success Academy?

I created Author Success Academy to help aspiring authors to understand how to write, publish, and market their books so that they can become successful entrepreneurs. Author Success Academy is an author mentoring program that provides the mindset, strategies, resources, and support needed for success. The 12-week program includes audio and video downloads, bi-monthly group coaching calls, an Action Guide book, expert interviews, templates and tools, and surprise bonuses all designed to transform authors' writing careers and lives.


7)      What other projects do you have in the works?

I have lots of projects in development as part of "The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink" brand right now. It's an exciting time! My second children's book, The Little Gnome, will be published on March 22. Set in a Victorian garden, The Little Gnome is a heartwarming tale about a garden gnome experiencing his first winter and helps kids of all ages embrace change while learning about the seasons.  My first children's book, The Little Rose, is being adapted for the stage and will debut later this year. I'm currently writing two new books, one that expands the universe of The Little Rose for younger readers and the next book in my series which will be released in 2013.


8)      As a best-selling author, how do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

I find that a lot of people hear about my book through word-of-mouth. People who read The Little Rose tend to tell their friends and it just takes off from there. A lot of sharing takes place on Facebook and Twitter. I'm very accessible and I think people really like that. I also find in-person author events to be very rewarding. It's a lot of fun for me and it helps spread the beautiful message of The Little Rose to lots of children who need it. I feel so fortunate for all of my fans who have made this a wonderful journey for me!


9)      What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

My best advice is to find the right mentor. A mentor is someone you can trust who can guide you in the right direction and help you overcome obstacles along the way. Learning from someone who's already successful dramatically shortens the learning curve and makes it a better experience. It's had a very positive impact on my author career so far and I highly recommend it.


10)   What is your definition of success as an author?

For me, success is hearing from children and adults that my books make a difference in their lives. I love receiving fan mail (something I never imagined would happen to me!). I want to inspire and delight children all over the world while planting seeds of self-esteem that can have lifelong benefit.

Author Bio

Sheri Fink is a #1 best-selling children’s author, founder of Author Success Academy, and an international speaker. Sheri writes books that inspire and delight children while planting seeds of self-esteem. Her first book, The Little Rose, has been a #1 best-seller on Amazon for over 30 weeks and is the #2 top-rated children’s ebook on Amazon. Her second inspirational children’s book, The Little Gnome, will be published in March 2012. Sheri’s passion for helping other authors’ dreams come true blossomed into the Author Success Academy, a mentoring program that transforms aspiring authors into successful entrepreneurs.

Contact Sheri

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/sherifinkfan
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Sheri_Fink  (@Sheri_Fink)
The Little Rose Book Website: http://www.TheLittleRoseBook.com
The Little Rose Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/jFcDrQjxuFM