The confidence to try new things sometimes comes from the success of previous publications. Not long after that, I took apart a young adult novel I’d written and rewrote it in free verse. The voices of the characters in my first two middle grade novels were more literary in style than my teen work had been, and because they did well, I was encouraged to keep challenging myself and trying other new things. It was exciting to have a book out for young children, and I soon discovered that doing presentations to that age group was a hoot! They can be hilarious! (Recently, I visited an Ontario school and after the teacher had introduced me and told the students I had come all the way from New Brunswick, one little fellow hollered out, “Welcome to Canada!” So sweet!)Īfter that, I made up my mind to expand again – into the middle grade market. I called it, “There’s a COW Under My Bed!” and I was thrilled when it was published and immediately shortlisted for a couple of awards. Even with different characters and voices, when you write exclusively for one age group, that’s a very real danger.Īnd, I’d had this picture book text rattling around in my head for a while – the story of a boy who believes there are invisible creatures around him. It was natural for me to write for that age group, and I enjoy it a lot.īut after a while, I got worried that the books would all start to sound like each other. They tell you to write what you know – and that’s excellent advice. When I began writing, it was entirely for teens. Brent and Valerie live in a converted funeral home with their four bossy cats: Lilly, Thragg, Tootie and Cody.ĭefinitely. Valerie’s husband, Brent, is also a published young adult author (and a carpenter). In 2008, she expanded her work to include picture books and junior novels and she enjoys the new challenges of writing for those age groups. Valerie eventually gave up fostering and her work at the group home, but she still enjoys writing for teens and children. It was natural, in light of those experiences, that when she began to write in earnest, Valerie chose to write for young people. Sherrard also worked for twelve years as the Executive Director of a group home for adolescents. Over the years, she fostered close to 70 teens for various lengths of time. A personal tragedy led Valerie made the decision to become a foster parent. Sherrard has made her home in NB since 1980. They remained in touch until 2007, when Lower passed away.) (Sherrard later located her former teacher and dedicated a book to him. One posting was to Lahr, West Germany, where Valerie’s grade six English teacher, Alf Lower, encouraged her writing and told her she could become an author.Īlthough nearly three decades would pass before she began to pursue writing seriously, Valerie never forgot her teacher’s words. Her dad was in the Air Force and so the family moved on a regular basis. Valerie Sherrard was born on in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
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