All in the Family

There’s an abundance of creativity flowing through the lives of Valerie and Brent Sherrard who live and write in Miramichi, New Brunswick. Valerie has over thirteen books published, written predominately for children and young adults. She’s been nominated and received numerous awards for her Shelby Belgarden Mystery Series (Dundurn). Her two picture books, There’s a COW Under My Bed and There’s a GOLDFISH In My Shoe (Tuckamore Books) are delightfully illustrated by son-in-law David Jardine. Her young adult novel Watcher (Dundurn), also released in 2009, is ranked a Canadian best-seller.

 

Brent Sherrard’s debut novel Wasted (James Lormier & Company Ltd.) was also released in the fall of 2009. Written for reluctant readers; this book paints with words the reality of substance abuse and how Jacob, the young protagonist, discovers just how powerful dependency can be.     

 

AH: Do you share an office or studio in your home?

 

VS: No, we’re fortunate to each have our own. I tend to write at various times throughout the day and prefer to work with little distraction.  

 

BS: Early morning works best for me. I appreciate having a personal space to write where I’m surrounded by items that give me inspiration.

 

AH: Is there subject matter that’s difficult to write about?

 

VS: My book Watcher was very difficult to write as it’s about a child who gets caught up in parent alienation. A subject not widely discussed, but due to the high divorce rate is an issue that’s unfortunately becoming far too common.

 

BS: For me, it’s not so much the difficulty but the realization that so many children are sad. I can relate to their pain as I write.

 

AH: Let’s talk about David Jardine, your gifted illustrator.

 

VS: David is our son-in-law and certainly gifted. I gave him the stories and was amazed 

at how his zany illustrations brought my picture books to life. He also did a phenomenal job on the cover of my Tumbleweed Skies book. He discovered that he thoroughly enjoyed designing the cover, and welcomes the opportunity to do more.   

 

BS: David loves to doodle. Combine that with his vivid imagination and the results are unbelievable.      

 

In the photo: Brent and Valerie Sherrard with son-in-law David Jardine

 

 

AH: Besides writing, what are you passionate about?

 

VS: Literacy is extremely important to me. I want to encourage children to read. Brent and I share a mutual passion to help underprivileged children. We currently sponsor through Christian organizations, a child in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Paraguay.

 

BS: I simply love life and the beauty of nature. I want to make a difference in the life of young people who struggle with substance abuse. Hopefully through writing and speaking in schools about issues that are important to teens.

 

AH: What books would you recommend?

 

VS: I recently read a diary entitled A Woman in Berlin: Eight Weeks in a Conquered City. An amazing book that includes very private details, it’s understandable why the author is anonymous.    

 

BS: I highly recommend The Wasted Vigil by Nadeem Aslam.   

 

AH: Any words of wisdom for aspiring new writers?

 

VS: Read read read. I can’t stress enough the importance of reading; the more you read the better writer you’ll become. Find your niche; whatever comes natural is a good indicator.

 

BS: Never give up. Just keep going and see where it leads you. It’s better to try than regret later in life that you didn’t.  

 

AH: Are there books in progress or due to be released?

 

VS: There’s always a book or two in progress. As for releases, my non-fiction book, Biography of Vanessa Hudgens is due this spring. And in the fall, there’s Accomplice, a short Young Adult book for reluctant readers, and The Glory Wind which is set in the Prairies of the 1940s. I’m so excited about this book as I believe it’s my best work to date. 

 

BS: My novel Take Down will be released this fall. Another young adult novel for reluctant readers.

 

AH: Have you considered co-authoring a book?

 

VS: Yes, with my daughter Pamela Jardine who’s married to David. Her style of writing blends perfectly with mine.  

 

BS: It wouldn’t work. Our writing styles are totally different. We’re writers who live, love and laugh together—that’s works really well.