Today we’d like to introduce you to Bernette Sherman.
Hi Bernette, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been writing and singing, but I didn’t seriously pursue it until I was a stay-at-home mom turning 40. Hitting the middle-aged years with a pre-schooler and teen, I finally had to ask myself what I wanted the next part of my life to look like. Who did I want to be now that I was grown up?
When I was young I wrote…a lot, sang in a band, did musical theater and loved it all. So, I went out for auditions, did a little theater, recorded an original single, and even did a pageant in 2019. In between, I wrote.
When Covid hit, a play I was cast in was canceled. I focused on writing again. It was liberating and even therapeutic to create worlds and tell stories. I didn’t miss acting!
I use all of my gifts to help me as a creative writer and am excited about sharing my work with others in various mediums.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wish I could say that it was a beeline and I never looked back. Wouldn’t that be nice? But creating and getting traction and visibility for your creations are two very different things. It requires a mindset shift to allow yourself to be open and vulnerable as a creative and to put yourself out there.
My biggest challenge was choosing to focus. I had to remove the other things such as acting and even building a spiritual coaching practice so I could focus on using those same principles in my own work and as a writing coach. Once I removed the clutter, I could see clearly how it was connected and always had been. Once I’d aligned, things began opening up.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a writer! Words have always moved me. Depending on how you came across me you might know me for poetry readings and theater or for my books or even as a singer (usually in the new thought spiritual community). I am most proud of my books as it isn’t easy to write and publish a book as an independent author. I am also very proud of having my play Four Wives and a Will in the 2021 SheATL Summer Theater Festival and directing it.
At this time I’m excited about the fantasy book series I’ve begun and my play, Soil, being a part of the Blue Series which will be performed at the Apex Museum in September 2022.
In 2021 I finally incorporated Mount Hope Media, LLC my publishing and production company to focus on delivery of my works in a professional manner. I don’t limit myself by format because words can move in various forms. Depending on the story or message, I may choose to put into poetry or song, a book, or a script.
I think being multi-genre, including science-fiction and fantasy, creating across mediums, and being able to coach others to their own greatness sets me apart. I absolutely love what I do and cannot imagine life without writing. And yes, I tried and it just doesn’t work.
How do you think about happiness?
I’m such a homebody and introvert that loves going out for a bit, getting some social and community time in, and then coming back to my family and my work. When I do go out, I love to see performances and shows, whether it’s theater or a movie, and enjoy museums and interactive experiences.
As a family, we also enjoy traveling and I am often inspired by the culture and people whether in the states or abroad. It was in Jamaica this summer that I was inspired to start writing the fantasy series centering people of the African diaspora.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://BernetteSherman.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/IAmBernette
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/IAmBernetteSherman
- Twitter: https://Twitter.com/BernetteSherman
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/BernetteSherman1
- Other: https://Payhip.com/MountHopeMedia
Image Credits
Bernette Sherman Ken Sherman Carolann Sherman
