K. Troutte Children's Fiction Author: 2014

Congratulations on the debut of your first novel, WISH YOU WEREN’T. It is a fabulous book. How old were you when you realized you wanted to be a writer?

Thank you! I finished writing my first full-length novel in 7th grade and immediately wrote to Simon & Schuster to find out how to publish my novel J It was called Dreamer, about a 12-year-old ice skater. Funny, I’m still writing about 12-year-olds! I even used colored pencils to draw my cover. Though that might have been the deal breaker for S&S. I’m not good at drawing.

In the book, Martin makes a wish on a star that changes his life. If you could have one wish come true, what would it be?

Gosh, the answer to that question changes at least daily! But right now I think my wish is to be able to support myself as a writer and keep writing books that appeal to middle grade readers.

How did you get the idea for the book?

I’ve always been a star watcher. One August I dragged my kids out of bed to watch the shooting stars (sound familiar yet?) and they were bickering about something ridiculous, I don’t even remember what. I wished that they would stop fighting. But then, being a writer, I wondered what would happen if one of them actually wished the other one away. The story just took off from there.

There are some very interesting scientific details in WISH YOU WEREN’T. How did you research for the book?

My father is an aerospace engineer, and while high school physics class proved that engineering would never be a career option for me, I was still fascinated by space ships and time travel and far away planets. While I was working on WYW, I took my kids to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab: once during their annual open house, and once for a private tour. I got to ask a lot of questions and visit all the places the boys go in the story. That really helped the book come alive for me.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

I spend a lot of time reading. When I’m not in the midst of writing a book, I can read a book a day. I also love to bake, visit the beach and travel. I love exploring new places.

Are you working on another book now?

I’ve been working on a story about a boy who gets stuck by lightning and then finds he can hear other people’s thoughts, but my daughter has been campaigning for a companion novel to WISH YOU WEREN’T. Of course my son wants me to finish the lightning book. They still can’t agree on anything! Maybe I need to wish a little harder…

Thanks for having me here!

I loved having you. Come back again.

About WISH YOU WEREN’T: MG sci-fi/fantasy

Marten doesn't believe in the power of wishes. None of his have ever come true. His parents ignore him, his little brother is a pain and his family is talking about moving to Texas. Not cool. So when he makes an impulsive wish during a meteor shower, he doesn't expect it to make any difference.

Until his annoying brother disappears.

With the present uncertain and his brother’s future in limbo, Marten finds himself stuck in his past. And if he runs out of time, even wishes might not be enough to save the ones he loves.

SHERRIE PETERSEN still believes in magic and she loves to write (and read!) stories that take her on fantastic adventures. In addition to writing middle grade novels, Sherrie moonlights as a graphic designer, substitute teacher, freelance writer, school newspaper advisor, yearbook advisor and mother of two children. She spends her free time watching movies, driving kids around and baking cookies. Or eating them.

WISH YOU WEREN’T is her debut novel.

Find her on:

Twitter @Sherrie Petersen

Read the first two chapters on Wattpad

And right now if you buy a printed copy on Amazon, you’ll get the e-book for free!

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Also at The Book Loft in Solvang