Sincerely Sharmen

Author/Writer Interview:

1. What inspires you most to write?

Honestly, life inspires me. Everything I’ve been through, everything I’m still learning, and all the women who carry the world on their shoulders every day, that’s what pushes me to pick up the pen. Writing is my way of turning pain into purpose and giving other people hope.

2. What is your favorite genre?

I love anything that lets me mix real life with healing. So women’s empowerment, mental health, self-help, and those deep emotional fiction stories that feel like therapy. That’s where I feel most at home.

3. Who is one author you admire if any and why?

I really admire Iyanla Vanzant and Brené Brown. Iyanla speaks to the soul and Brené speaks to the heart, and somehow I try to land right in the middle combining spiritual honesty with real-world vulnerability.

4. How do you overcome blank writing spells?

I step away and reconnect with why I’m writing in the first place. I’ll journal, listen to music, pray, or just sit with my thoughts. My writer’s block usually means I’m avoiding a truth I need to put on the page and once I’m ready to face it, the words come back.

5. What legal publishing advice can you give?

Know your rights and protect your work. Don’t sign anything you don’t understand. Make sure your ISBNs and copyrights are yours, and keep good records. Publishing is exciting, but the business side matters just as much.

6. How many books have you written, are any a bestseller yet?

I’ve written several books across genres, from self-help to fiction to academic workbooks to children’s books. My audience keeps growing, my books keep gaining traction, and the support has been incredible. My book “B is NOT for Bully” is a Booksy Award winner. Although, my goal isn’t just to hit a list; it’s to truly impact people.

7. If you had the opportunity to rewrite one movie script which would it be, why?

I’d rewrite Diary of a Mad Black Woman by Tyler Perry. It’s not that the movie wasn’t good, it’s just that we’ve seen this narrative so many times: the strong Black woman who gets broken down, betrayed, and left to rebuild from scratch. I’d shift the focus. Instead of her healing because a new man came along, I’d show her healing because she chose herself. That’s the kind of story I’d write. One where women are depicted rediscovering their identity, their power, and their voice, not just surviving pain but rising from it.

8. What are some difficulties you've experienced in your writing career; how do you handle book critiques/criticism?

One challenge has been balancing transparency with privacy, specifically, wanting to help others without reopening old wounds. And when it comes to criticism, I’ve learned to take what helps and leave the rest. Not everyone is my audience, and that’s okay.

9. What are your best experiences in your writing career?

My biggest and most memorable experiences are receiving messages from readers. When someone tells me a chapter changed their life, or they finally felt understood, or they cried because they felt seen, that’s the best part. That’s what keeps me writing. I’ve received messages from readers of “Hanging Up My Cape” who’ve said they’ve reconnected with and forgiven others who have held them mentally and emotionally bound for years. Realizing you have the ability to liberate yourself is truly life-changing.

10. Do you prefer to write in silence and or have some sort sound in the background?

It depends on what I’m working on. When I’m writing something emotional or reflective, silence helps me go deeper. But when I’m building stories or doing something creative, I love having soft R&B or calm music in the background.

11. What are some encouraging words you'd give to another author/writer?

Write your truth. Don’t worry about perfection, worry about honesty. Someone out there needs the exact story you’re scared to tell. You never know who you’re going to heal.

12. How did you decide the pricing of your material; how did you go about promotion/advertising and distribution of your work?

I price my books based on the value, the length, and what’s fair in the industry. Promotion-wise, I lean heavily into social media platforms, especially TikTok. My online presence, and building a real community of healing women has also been a great asset to marketing and promotion. Distribution is through my website, online platforms, live events and in-person sales at conventions and community events. It’s all about connection and consistency.

13. Why should anyone read your book?

Because my books feel like sitting down with someone who truly understands you. They feel like heart-to-heart conversations with your best friend. They feel like “self talk”. I write all the things we, including myself, are afraid to admit to ourselves. They’re honest, they’re relatable, and they’re written to help you rediscover yourself. My goal is always healing and empowerment, and I believe readers truly feel that.

14. Did you have a book coach?

No, I didn’t. I figured it out piece by piece, learning as I went and now I help others achieve their writing/author dreams. I always encourage new authors to get whatever support they need. There’s no wrong way to bring your story to life. No one will ever read your book if you don’t write it.

15. What was your favorite subject in school?

English, I absolutely loved reading, writing, and anything creative. Even back then, words were my safe place. I always believed writing is the heart’s way of conveying messages your mouth doesn’t speak.

16. Are you self-published or have an established publishing contract elsewhere?

I’m proudly self-published. I built everything from the ground up…my brand, my books, my website, my distribution, all of it. For me, self-publishing gave me the freedom to tell my stories my way, without watering down my voice or waiting for permission to be heard.

While I’m open to partnerships, I love the ownership, control, and creative freedom that comes with publishing under my own brand. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s also been one of the most empowering decisions I’ve ever made as an author.