FEATURED ARTIST FRIDAY: Sherley Mondesir-Prescott

Joining us today is Sherley Mondesir-Prescott, author of the children's book: If Your Shoes Could Speak.What would your shoes say about the things you do every day?  Young readers find out in "If Your Shoes Could Speak," the new paperback book from children's author Sherley Mondesir-Prescott.In the story, raindrops drizzle from above.  Muddy puddles swell on the ground, perfect for splashing.  Readers learn that if their rain boots could speak, they would giggle in this charming tale. 1. When and why did you start writing?Although I didn't make it a career until now, I started writing at the age of 14.  I started writing because I wanted to express myself.2. Why did you choose to write in this genre?I chose to write children's books because children's stories, to me, are more difficult to write than novels.  Children are a tough audience. You have to capture their attention at the very beginning of the book and keep them entertained until the last page.  You can't, for example, have a long introduction that leads to a story.  And children are honest; if they don't like a story, they won't want to read it anymore.  The book has to be fun for kids and for the adults who are reading it to them  Since I like a good challenge, I chose to write children's book.4. Which authors do you admire? Why?I admire Sandra Boynton because her books are simple.  Yet kids love them because they're fun, imaginative and catchy.5. What are your fondest writing memories?Writing my current book "If Your Shoes Could Speak."6. What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous?My advice would be to find a publisher that is looking specifically for your genre or story-type.  If your book is already published, be sure to promote it to a niche market/audience.7. What inspires you to write?My kids.8. Describe your process for writing/completing a novel.My process is to come up with an overall theme for the story.  Then I decide whether or not the story should be told in the first or third person (I vs he/she).  Then I write it one paragraph at at time.9. What is the best part about writing?The best part about writing is reviewing the finished work and feeling good about what I've created10. What is the hardest thing about writing?Coming up with an overall theme or idea.11. What is the most important thing you have learned about yourself through writing?That I have a specific style: descriptive poetry. 12. Decribe your ideal place to write.My family room, which is full of toys and things that make me think of my kids.13. How do ideas come to you?Completely out of the blue!14. What is your favorite thing you have written? Why?A poetic type of story in which the main character is a place.15. Who has been the biggest influence on your writing? Why?My kids.They have big imaginations, and I want to create stories that meet their very high standards.16. Who would you most like to thank for their involvement in your writing career?My family. Being successful for them is my way to thank them for being my inspiration.17. How would you like to be remembered?As a children's writer who understands how kids think.18. What is the most fun thing about writing?Coming up with crazy, out-of-the-box ideas.19. What is the most boring thing about writing?Trying to overcome writer's block.20. What is something (book, short story, poem, paragraph, sentence) that you wish YOU had written, and why?I wish I had written all of Eric Carle's children's books because they are extremely poetic. Thank you, Sherley, for participating in Featured Artist Fridays!Learn more about Sherley and her writing journey at her website.