Sharon CassanoLochman Interview Published on: 13, Jun 2018

Where did you grow up? What were your parents’ professions?

I grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Rochester, New York when I was a teenager. My parents were professionals employed at a well-known Rochester-based company.

You were formerly a teacher. What did you teach? How has it impacted your writing?

I was a preschool and elementary school teacher. I witnessed firsthand that children have a preference for what they like to read and write. Also, if they fall in love with a book they fall in love with reading. Like a child, I write about issues and topics that are of interest to me; and if I’m writing for children, I write through the eyes and mind of a child.

You write on religion and spirituality. What about this genre attracts you the most?

The spiritual verses flow naturally without worry for the logistics of writing and leave me in a place of calm and serenity.

Religion and spirituality is a sensitive topic to write on. How do you make sure you don’t hurt any community/group’s sentiments with your writing?

I do not write for any specific religious or spiritual group. We all know sadness, even though our suffering may be for different reasons. We all know grief, even though we may grieve differently. We share in the ups and downs of life. We share in our joys and our hopes for peaceful tomorrows—regardless our creed or nation.

Who all are in your family? Do they inspire you to write?

I have a son that is a phenomenal writer; his debut novel is scheduled for publication in 2019. He is a constant inspiration in that he continues to dream and reach for the stars.

What does writing mean to you?

Writing is my reason for being. It is my passion. It is my joy and occasionally my frustration.

What are your other past times apart from writing?

I love the outdoors and spend much of my time outside regardless the weather.

Which genre did you enjoy reading the most while growing up? Which is your favorite book?

As a child, I loved Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. As an adult, I fell in love with John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. I felt as though I was in the back of the truck with the dusty road grit between my teeth along with the family forced cross-country.

You have a 31-day challenge running on your website. What is it about? Give us an insight to it.

The Thirty-One-Day Challenge encourages positive self-esteem. It is thirty-one days of changing old destructive thought patterns of insignificance and unworthiness. The Thirty-One-Day Challenge gently offers a new perspective on self-esteem from many directions.

You are an Award-Winning #1 Best-Selling author. How do you feel about the merit? What is your one mantra for success?

I am humbled to be where I am at this stage of my profession. My mantra for success is to keep writing, and eventually, the writing skills will catch up with the story.

“The Man with the Sand Dollar Face” has an extremely interesting title. What is the story behind it? What inspired this book’s story?

I wrote the rough draft for Man with the Sand Dollar Face in less than twenty-four hours. I tried to stay out of my way and allow the book to come forth on its own. The story played out in my mind like a movie. It was a fun and quirky way to write. I wrote without concern for where I was going or how the story would end. I believe Man with the Sand Dollar Face was inspired by my self-awareness of the honors and freedom associated with being a sixty-something woman—and possibly a little quirky in my own right.

Spiritual Versus Today is a soul soother offering relief from the heaviness of life. Are there any activities like meditation or exercise that you involve in your routine to calm your mind and body?

I meditate periodically throughout the day which keeps me balanced in the moment and not looking back to the past or worrying about the future.

As a writer, do you think one should constrict himself/herself to a particular genre so as to specialize in it, or explore new ones?

I like to challenge myself to try something new. I don’t put restrictions on myself or my writing abilities. Some projects are more challenging than others, but that’s what keeps my pencil sharp.

Tell us about your latest project that is under work.

I’m working on an adult fiction that deals with Quantum Physics that I hope to have ready for publication in 2019 as well as a sequel to Man with the Sand Dollar Face.

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