| Sharon Skinner | Sharon Skinner | <div class="ExternalClassA4A21CB8DB78463BA512264F3A3A59EE"><h2><a href="https://phoenix.overdrive.com/phoenix-phoenixpl/content/media/1720198" target="_blank"><em></em><em>The Healer’s Legacy (Book 1 of The Healer’s Trilogy) </em>by Sharon Skinner </a></h2><p></p><div><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Sharon Skinner holds a GPC, a BA in English, an MA in Creative Writing, and is a Certified Book Coach and freelance editor, whose goal is to help writers weave their words into stories that shine. She writes fantasy, science fiction and paranormal for audiences of all ages. Skinner is an active member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and serves as the Regional Advisor for SCBWI AZ.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p></div><div><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">She served as an Arizona State Library Writer in Residence for Scottsdale Library (2017), Mesa Library (2018) and Tempe Library (2019).</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p></div><div><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Her Young Adult and Middle-Grade novels tend to explore complex relationships, particularly those between women, and especially mothers and daughters.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p></div><div><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">A proud Navy veteran, s</span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">he served aboard the USS Jason, the first US Navy vessel to take women to sea (WestPac cruise). But that’s another story.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p></div><div><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">A voracious and eclectic reader, Skinner also loves drawing, arts and crafts, sewing, and costume-making (especially steampunk). Her guiltiest pleasure is online gaming, and her biggest weakness is home-made, double-dark chocolate fudge. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three annoying but lovable cats.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p></div><div><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">More information can be found at </span><a href="https://bookcoachingbysharon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">bookcoachingbysharon.com </span></span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">or </span><a href="https://sharonskinner.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">sharonskinner.com</span></span></a>.<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><br></span></p><h3><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">Q + A</span></h3></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><br></span></div><h4><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">What inspired you to write this book?</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":360,"335559739":160,"335559740":259,"335559991":360}"> </span></h4><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">My work is very character driven and always starts with the character in mind. Often, characters get inside my head and just refuse to let me be until I write out their stories. I wrote the first draft of </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><em>The Healer’s Legacy</em></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"> as part of the work for my MA degree in Creative Writing. It, combined with my thesis on the use of fantasy as resistant text for young women in a patriarchal normed social setting, delves into the ways in which women must often struggle to navigate a system set up to favor men. Ultimately, <em>The Healer’s Legacy</em> trilogy is an exploration into what happens in an imbalanced society and how it is not only possible to seek and find renewed balance but that finding such balance can offer betterment to society. I also worked hard to make it a solid quest/adventure /hero’s journey. </span></p><h4><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">What attracted you to this genre?</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":360,"335559739":160,"335559740":259,"335559991":360}"> </span></h4><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">I am a huge fan of speculative fiction, particularly fantasy and science fiction, which is what led me to both write and coach the genre. I find that speculative fiction provides opportunities to explore real issues in an imaginative setting, which provides additional distance from the issue and offers the reader a safe space from which to deeply explore difficult topics. Also, magic and science are great fun!</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><h4><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">What book are you currently reading?</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":360,"335559739":160,"335559740":259,"335559991":360}"> </span></h4><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">I am a voracious and eclectic reader. I just finished </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><em>The Heart Forger</em></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"> by Rin Chupeco and am now reading </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><em>American Demon</em></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"> by Kim Harrison with </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><em>Red, White, and Whole</em></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"> by Rajanni LaRocca up next on the TBR pile.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><h4><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Are you writing anything now? If so, when will it come out?</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":360,"335559739":160,"335559740":259,"335559991":360}"> </span></h4><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Yes. I am always working on the next thing, really the next several things. Right now, I am in final edits for a collection of short fiction coming out later this year. It’s titled </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><em>Blood From a Rose</em></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"> and is a bit outside my usual work, consisting of flash fiction, short stories and poetry that treads the darker side and edges up on horror. Though, TBH, some of it twists in a bit of humor, as well. The new book is due out in late September/early October, so just in time for Halloween/All Hallows’ Eve.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><h4><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">If you weren't a writer, what would you do?</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":360,"335559739":160,"335559740":259,"335559991":360}"> </span></h4><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">I always wanted to be a writer, but for much of my life my work was of a technical nature. If I couldn’t be a writer, I would probably pursue some other art form, like painting. That said, I do find the area of forensic science quite fascinating.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><h4><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Do you use your local library? If so, which library is it and what do you do there?</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":360,"335559739":160,"335559740":259,"335559991":360}"> </span></h4><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Yes! Yes! Yes! Mesa Library system is home, but I am a fan of all libraries and have spent a fair amount of time in the Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Tempe libraries.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">I am an eclectic and voracious reader, so I go through books at a high rate of speed and can’t afford to buy them all. I use the public library to support my habit. I also love doing local events and workshops for libraries. This year, I presented a webinar for Temp library in January and participated in the Mesa Local Author Day at the Main Library on June 18, 2022.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><div><p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p></div></div> |
