Interviewing Author of "God's Army" and "Ocean's Power" Who Has Read "Enthusiasm"

In February 2013, Abbottsbooks had big celebration.  We celebrate one year of Antusiasme (Enthusiasm in Indonesian version) and three years of Enthusiasm by interviewing authors who have read Antusiasme/Enthusiasm.  Who are they?  Below is the third exclusive interview with an American author, Sherrel Prefontaine.  She is from North Attleboro, Massachusetts, an author of two novels: God's Army and Ocean's Power.  

You're also invited to read other interviews with other Indonesian authors who have read Enthusiasm/Antusiasme at Antusiasme blog.

Exclusive Interview

A: As an author who wrote two novels: God's Army and Ocean's Power, would you share to the readers what was your idea to bring those stories up?

S: God's Army was divine calling to had to be shared.  God sometimes let us see him in experience vision mode.  This experience that I wrote about was very spiritual and I wanted the world to be blessed by it.  The Greek word "epinosis" means, you see God when looking back at an experience.  This is what happened with God's Army.  I wrote an allegory (fiction) creating what I believe the ants could have experience when called by God to come be a message for us.  The 2nd half is memoir about my brother-in-law and his cancer battle and how the ants affected us.

Ocean's Power is a love story.  The heart necklace part of the story sparked the idea for the fictional novel.  My husband actually did find a heart necklace with a diamond chip on his birthday in the sand at Matunuck beach when he was a teenager and his mother told him to save it for the girl he loved and wanted to spend his life with.  He gave it to me when he proposed.  I used the idea of the necklace and the beach to create the fictional characters and the love story of Brian and Sandy.  Matunuck is so beautiful and was a perfect setting for novel.

A: What special message would you like to tell to the readers from your both novels?

S: I hope that the stories, both true and fiction will bring a smile to face, somehow bless your life and give you enjoyment and peace.

A: In this challenging publishing world in North America, what the best thing being a self-published author?

S: You control your own destiny.  Authors need to help each other and work together.  

A: What kinds of marketing strategy do you use?

S: Social media is key to promoting my book.  Friends and family and people I know hosting a book club using my book.  I've done some book signings at local book stores and had a great time when the ice cream shop I mention in Ocean's Power offered to have a signing there.  What fun.  My self publishers promotes it with press releases and on-line amazon.com, etc. 

A: Who has inspired you and affected your writing career as a published-author and why? 

S: God is my first and primary person to inspire me.  My high school English teacher told me, you should write.  She always encourage me. (Susan Cronin - wherever you are).  My mother loved to read my stories and she was the one who started making up tales with me about statues, dolls, etc.  She promoted my imagination skills! 

A: Talking about Enthusiasm, how did you have a chance to read it?

S: I was fortunate to meet Fida Abbott when using an on-line book site to share and have critiqued her individual writing. 

A: As one of "Enthusiasm" readers, what the most story did you enjoy to read and what was the best part?

S: I enjoyed all of Enthusiasm.  It is very personal and inspiring to hear the story of a writer.  Fida's Enthusiasm is encouraging and contagious.  She has positive energy and great talent, especially writing it not in her native tongue.  

A: What the part of the story of this book have influenced you as a writer and what have you learned from reading this book?

S: Fida reminded me to keep marching forward.  Never give up your dream.  Find your voice and keep writing.  She's an inspiration for her dedication, positive attitude, willingness to share and love of life. 

A: What do you think if the author of Enthusiasm, Fida Abbott is now writing the second book of Enthusiasm Saga?

S: I can't wait to read it. 

A: To whom you would like to recommend Enthusiasm?

S: I recommend Enthusiasm to anyone who ever had a dream and anyone who needs to be inspired.

A: Now we come back to talk about your books: God's Army and Ocean's Power. Where we can find your books?

www.oceanspowernovel.com.  If you buy a paperback from here, I can autograph it for you.  Otherwise, it's available at xlibris.com, amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and several other internet sites. 

Sherrell with her husband, her three children, and her son in law.

Profile

Sherrell is blessed with a wonderful husband, married thirty years, and together they have three beautiful children. She and her family reside in Massachusetts and Sherrell is a manager of a large real estate company. This year she celebrates twenty-eight years in the real estate business. Sherrell has a degree in Business Management and Psychology. Writing has been her passion and a dream since she was a teenager. Ocean's Power is a love story set in Matunuck, Rhode Island. It's a fictional story with a moral message: every decision we make in life has consequences and affects others as well as ourselves.