Urban-Reviews.com - Inside Out with Sherrie Walker

Sherrie Walker

Sherrie Walker is a native Clevelander and is recognized throughout the Ohio area for showcasing another form of her writing skills, as playwright, along with partner Kecia Green. Both possessing a passion for writing, Sherrie and Kecia have been writing collaboratively for the past ten years. As playwrights, their work includes I'm an Addict, The Answer Is, and Choices, later renamed You Reap What You Sow, all three of which have toured extensively throughout the state of Ohio. In 1998, for the play Choices, they were recipients of the Best New Playwright Award from the internationally renowned Karamu House in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mistress of the Game is Sherrie's debut novel and was inspired by the strong bonds of friendship in her own life, which have sustained her through many challenging years. Having just completed Mistress of the Game, Sherrie is hard at work outlining her next novel.

Author's Myspace Page: http://www.myspace.com/themistressofthegame
Publisher's Site: http://www.triplecrownpublications.com
Order Your Copy of Mistress of the Game: Click Here

Urban Reviews: Can you tell us what Mistress Of The Game is all about?
Sherrie Walker: Mistress of the Game is about three young girls from different walks of life that came together by tragedy, who were forced to grow up very quickly in order to survive. Due to personal tragedies of them losing their parents at an early age, they were orphaned. As they endured life's hardship as orphans they formed an inseparable bond that is to last a lifetime. The hard lessons and rules of survival learned at the orphanage set the stage for their entry and rapid success in a do-or-die game in the streets of Cleveland. The girls try to forget the painful events that orphaned them as they rise to the top, but fate forces them to face the Ghost of their haunted past. With one character as the beautiful mastermind and brains behind the organization, the three young women plunge into a ruthless battle against their faceless, relentless enemy in a winner-take-all war to the finish. From beat downs, dealing with snitches, murders, and even falling in love, these three were unstoppable, and the game they played was by their rules only! They were women of strength that had the determination to overcome some of the tragedies in their lives as well as activities that occur in the inner city. Mistress of the Game storyline is powerful, it's of substance, it's unpredictable, it's a page turning novel full of intrigue, suspense, and drama.

Urban Reviews: Where did you come up with the idea for this book?
Sherrie Walker: I wanted to tell a story about strong, intelligent women mastering a will to succeed in life while overcoming the existence and activities of the inner city. I wanted to give a female perspective on life's lessons; literature that examines women in roles exhibiting strength, honor, loyalty, independence, determination and success.

Urban Reviews: How did you go about getting your book deal with Triple Crown Publications?
Sherrie Walker: My book deal with Triple Crown Publications came as a divine blessing from my heavenly Father. And, as a very unique occurrence. Meaning, my very best and dearest friend, and co-writer, Kecia, whom is unfortunately incarcerated had the pleasure of meeting Mo'Nique the actress/comedian. Kecia and I are recognized throughout the Ohio area for writing, producing and performing plays. In 1998, Kecia and I were recipients of The Best New playwrights award from Karamu House Performing Arts Theatre, which is the oldest African American theatre in the country, located in Cleveland, Ohio. Until Kecia is released, we've put our plays on hold and began to showcase another form of our writing skills which has resulted in the birth of Mistress of the Game. As I began to state above, Kecia was introduced to Mo'Nique when she performed her HBO and DVD special, "I Could've Been Your Cell Mate" at the institution in May of 2006. Of the 2,000 women incarcerated (in the institution), Kecia was 1 of 10 chosen to be interviewed by Mo'Nique. While interviewing Kecia, Mo'Nique learned that Kecia (and I) enjoyed writing and had completed Mistress of the Game and was in the process of preparing the manuscript for submission to different publishing companies. Sherry McGee McCovey (writer/producer), who helped Mo'Nique pen Skinny Women are Evil as well as Skinny Cooks Can't Be Trusted, was also present and took an interest in Mistress of the Game which she later submitted to Vickie Stringer, CEO of Triple Crown Publications. Some time later, Triple Crown's vice-president Mia McPherson (who at that time was TCP's editor-in-chief), communicated and informed us they were interested in publishing the manuscript. From that point on, we moved forward with the production of Mistress of the Game. Although Kecia and I are co-authors, we were not able to actually include her name on the book due to certain institution legalities. I, therefore, carry the torch and am the voice for both Kecia and myself!

Urban Reviews: Did you always want to be a writer, or was it something that just happened one day?
Sherrie Walker: I developed a passion for writing when I realized that people enjoyed the work that Kecia and I was producing in our plays. As a result, I've been writing professionally for thirteen years.

Urban Reviews: What do you do when you're not writing or promoting your debut novel?
Sherrie Walker: I am very family oriented, therefore, I spend a lot of quality time with my family. Together we travel, attend plays, concerts, and engage in a variety of family activities and events. I'm also a full time student pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. And, I'm in church more often than not.

Urban Reviews: Are there any authors or books that you can point out as being influential in your desire to become a published author?
Sherrie Walker: The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah. It was so real in hitting the urban community with the truth.

Urban Reviews: What do you have to say about the naysayers who point to street fiction as not being 'literary'?
Sherrie Walker: It is what it is. Which is reality imitating life. Street fiction is here to stay, there's no getting around it. In fact, people are drawn to it. It's not that they are influenced by, or glorify, the elements that make up the urban environment, the work reaches the reader because they can identify with the characters. Whether it be fiction, or non-fiction, readers enjoy reading about the actions, feelings and/or experiences of real or fictional characters. Despite the good or bad reviews regarding street fiction, people are connected to what they can relate to. They are going to gravitate to what they like. If they don't satisfy their wants in one market, they will find satisfaction in finding it in another. Therefore, what I choose to do is present the problem, as well as provide the solution. Noting, life is about choices and consequences, and hoping wise choices and decisions will embrace the lives of all parties involved.

Urban Reviews: Do you have any future projects that you are presently working on?
Sherrie Walker: Yes, I'm currently working on a second book.

Urban Reviews: Is there anything additional you would like to share about you or your novel?
Sherrie Walker: Yes, to all of Mistress of the Game readers I am ever so grateful for your kind support, I'm thankful for this opportunity to share my special way of communicating with you, and my every desire is to pen a quality and satisfying work of fiction with you mind. Life is what you make it, therefore, make the best of it. Keep God first, and know that He will take care of the desires of your heart!