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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.
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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:
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!
Also at The Book Loft in Solvang
