Featured Interview With Tracy Sherwood
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Tracy Sherwood had two great aspirations–to be a screenwriter and to become an author. When Tracy was five, she worked at creating her first book, “Ragmop the Mischeivous Dog” (based on the misadventures of her sheepdog, Gulliver). Even then, she considered writing a serious business. Her heroes at the time were characters who pushed the boundaries to discover what was on the other side.
But her real inspirations have been her mother, a college lecturer in English, and her father, a former Marine and internationally reknowned cartoonist. They both instilled a passion for the arts and the fighting spirit to pursue a writing career.
Tracy’s debut novel, DEATH GRIP, is influenced by the plight of returning military women expected to resume their demanding roles as wives and mothers while struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. However, DEATH GRIP, is for the survivors of any tragic event and their loved ones who suffer along with them.
Tracy is a Pushcart Award nominated writer whose work has appeared in literary magazines and book anthologies. She is also a prize-winning screenwriter.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I discovered my fascination wtih books at the age of three and starting with the wonderful Dr. Seuss. Some of my other earlier book favorites were “Put Me In The Zoo” and “Harry and The Lady Next Door.” I loved Harry the dog’s resourceful spirit–especially when he bit the piano leg in an attempt to stop a loud neighbor from singing. Harry may have fueled my young creative imagination too much. I actually bit the leg of an especially obnoxious guest at one of my parents’ dinner parties. Fortunately, I have outgrown Harry’s influence but not my creativity. It has grown with my experiences. And…I haven’t bitten anyone’s leg.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am an eclectic reader. If a story connects with me on an emotional or mood level then it has stretched beyond any genre limitation or label. I love the writings of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Dominick Dunne and Carrie Fisher. They are all unique voices with nothing in common except providing unflinching insight about the human condition. Which at the end of the day, is what all great writers do.
However, I will concede that it is a toss up between “The Great Gatsby” and “Gone With The Wind” for my all-time favorite book. However, I would lean more toward GWTW because of the main character, Scarlett O’Hara. This is an example of why reading is so personal and subjective. It always comes down to a cord within a particular reader that the author has been able to grab. Incidentally, I’ve read GWTW about eight times. Sorry, F. Scott.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
“Death Grip” is the story of war hero Kat Hartley home from the Middle East, struggling to return to her life as a wife and mother. But Kat is locked in a battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that threatens to destroy her and her family.
Imprisoned by guilt after helplessly watching her fellow soldier die in a fiery Humvee explosion, Kat can’t escape his terrified eyes. They haunt her daylight hours and torment her sleep at night. However, Kat is held in the clutches of a darker secret. The doomed soldier was also her lover…and the husband of her now-widowed sister.
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