Author Interview: Sherri L. Dodd on Magick, Mystery, and Creative Intuition in Her “Murder, Tea, & Crystals” Trilogy

Good morning, creatives!

Today I’m delighted to welcome author Sherri L. Dodd to the blog as part of her tour for Murder Under Redwood Moon—the first book in her cozy-paranormal Murder, Tea, & Crystals trilogy.

If you’ve been following my site for a while, you know I love exploring how writers tap into creativity through voice, intuition, and the unexpected intersections of daily life and imagination. Sherri’s work sits right at that crossroads—blending mystery, magick realism, nature, and a strong sense of atmosphere into stories that feel both grounded and enchanted.

As I read more about her creative process, I found myself fascinated by how she draws from real experiences, natural environments, and personal rituals to build her fictional worlds.

Whether you write poetry, fiction, or something in between, her approach offers such a refreshing look at creative intuition and how to welcome a little wonder into your work.

Today, Sherri shares the inspirations behind her trilogy, the role nature plays in her imagination, the ways real-life strange moments make it onto the page, and how she keeps creativity alive across so many parts of her life.

At the end of the post, I'll share more about Sherri, where you can find her online, and how to purchase your own copy of Murder Under Redwood Moon, the first book in the Murder, Tea, & Crystal trilogy.

Without further ado, here's the interview!

-Kaecey

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Sherri L. Dodd on Magick, Mystery, and Creative Intuition in Her “Murder, Tea, & Crystals” Trilogy

Kaecey: Sherri, welcome! I’m thrilled to chat about your writing and the Murder, Tea, & Crystals trilogy. I’m curious—your books blend cozy mystery with the paranormal—a mix that feels both grounded and otherworldly. How did this combination of genres come together for you creatively?

Sherri: Thank you for having me, Kaecey! I believe to execute the duality of otherworldly and grounded, you need to live the way … at least, while writing a book of such nature. When you feel grounded in sanity, yet aim for finding the magick in everyday life, it’s easier to be creative with the subjects on paper.

Kaecey: That makes so much sense, especially given how vividly the natural world comes through in your writing. And so many of your characters seem attuned to the natural world—herbs, crystals, animals, the redwoods. What role does nature play in your writing process and imagination?

"It’s not necessarily the crystal’s or the tea’s POWER that made it happen, but the process of working with these natural elements solidified the intention. We focus on a goal and meditate toward that end. "

Sherri: Arista’s and Bethie’s worlds revolve around a reverence for nature. So it is for the modern-day witch (the ones I talked to), and I wanted to represent their lifestyle with respect. Further, I believe when we attune to the naturalistic energies of Earth, it clears the path to good health, mental clarity, etc.. Sometimes it’s all in our mind. Say, we focus on an Amethyst or Labradorite palmstone or concoct an herbal blend and steep it while inhaling the spiced aroma, all, while focusing on what we want to manifest.

Then, it comes true!

It’s not necessarily the crystal’s or the tea’s POWER that made it happen, but the process of working with these natural elements solidified the intention. We focus on a goal and meditate toward that end. It is similar to a Christian’s belief of lighting a candle in the church. Others may call it the Law of Attraction. And this does not need to be for materialistic gain nor for our own benefit. It is simply believing in a purpose and sending out the energy to God, Goddess or the universe to make it real.

Kaecey: I love that perspective—and it leads perfectly into this next question. You’ve mentioned that some of the paranormal encounters in your books are based on your own experiences. How do you translate real-life moments of mystery or energy into fiction while keeping the story accessible to readers who might be skeptics?

Sherri: Luckily, I think if a reader gets past the blurb, they may have a tolerance for thinking out of the box. Even if a skeptic’s own life feels fully grounded, maybe they purposefully read fantasy because they want relief from their sober reality. It’s like some viewers and horror movies. I’ve read a few different articles lately on research that shows people watch horror movies so that their own lives feel more manageable. In that same notion, perhaps a skeptic’s life feels too ordinary, so they will purposefully transport to the fantastical on page to escape it.

Kaecey: Speaking of grounded and otherworldly… your settings really bring both qualities to life. Setting plays such a strong role in your books. How did you go about building atmosphere and making the setting such an integral part of the stories?

"Unless you have actually walked amongst the California redwoods, you cannot fathom their magnitude. A snapshot does not convey the energy of an evergreen tree any more than the true personality and charm of a human."

Sherri: As an avid hiker I think you may agree that walking in nature inspires the mind. Unless you have actually walked amongst the California redwoods, you cannot fathom their magnitude. A snapshot does not convey the energy of an evergreen tree any more than the true personality and charm of a human. While a photo can serve as a great reminder, you must have experienced it firsthand to truly feel it.

I found the same to be true with the Red Rock Monuments in Sedona as well as some locations in Spokane. Each of these locations were mentioned in the Murder, Tea, and Crystals Trilogy, and I hope that people get a chance in their lifetimes to visit them. In addition to exotic international locales, the United States has so many beautiful areas to explore.

Kaecey: And beyond setting, your entire creative life seems infused with that spirit of curiosity and exploration. Before we wrap up, I’d love to turn to the creative process more broadly… Your life seems filled with creativity—from writing and fitness to art, animals, and even your “creepy doll collection” (love that, by the way!). How do these different parts of your life feed each other creatively?

Sherri: Color and richness! Variety and novelty! These are the fabrics to creating a life that does not stale as you age. By middle-age and as our children grow, we may begin to feel like we’ve seen it all. We grow bored. There is the time to seek newness. Writing and art are a given to these aspects, as are creepy doll collections – hah! Specifically to the latter, I don’t buy all Barbies. They must have a certain appeal. But when I find one that wows me, finances do not hold me back! This gets troublesome when Mattel goes on a grand release. Case in point – Twelve Days of Halloween, La Llorona, AND the Stevie Nicks Bella Donna dolls came out within a month of each other! I had a bit of a Barbie hangover after that binge.

I’ll add that exercise contributes as a novel experience. As an example, people are afraid to try a group fitness class because they are embarrassed that they’ll mess up! Who cares? Go and try something new. Unless you go to a gym full of pompous jerks, the regular students embrace new people. Each one of them have been the fledgling at one time and know how it feels. I have seen this as an instructor and a fellow student. (Just be aware that some students can be territorial of their space!) Adding this experience grows new circuitry in your brain. BEST of all, it releases endorphins like a popped, shaken bottle of champagne, giving you a natural high. Though, the benefits are vast, too many to discuss, and off topic for this author’s interview!

Kaecey: Lol, maybe we'll have to have another exchange! And that blend of intention, openness, and playfulness really comes through in your work. I hope everyone will check it out.

Lastly, for writers and artists who want to explore genre-blending or infuse their work with a touch of "magick," what advice would you give them about trusting their intuition and finding balance between realism and wonder?

"The term of magick realism, which is the basis of my trilogy, is that you accept this type of encounter as it is. It could be scientifically explained away, but it could be contact with a different realm. "

Sherri: Live it! I’ll give the example of my throw blanket incident as it happened to Arista in Murder Under Redwood Moon. The truth is I did wake up to a voice that ‘felt’ like my own, yet older and wiser. I did wake up in the wee morning hour and felt the drag of sleep as I opened my eyes to darkness. And I DID see a suspended leopard throw blanket in front of me and generously FREAKED out, whereupon, I swept my leg/foot out from under the covers, hooked it, and flung it to the ground. Then, I hid under the covers and slowed my breathing (thank you, meditation) until I fell back asleep. In the morning, the blanket laid in a heap on the floor beside me. NOW, did it truly happen? It felt real. The evidence of the fling sat on the floor, as a blanket spread flat on your bed does not end up in a heap like that.

In my world, it does not matter. The term of magick realism, which is the basis of my trilogy, is that you accept this type of encounter as it is. It could be scientifically explained away, but it could be contact with a different realm. Who knows? It does not matter, you just accept it as is, and carry on with your routine. Go wash your face, eat your frosted mini-wheats, and go out with a friend. Hopefully, one you can share the experience with!

Kaecey: Sherri, thank you so much for taking the time to share your process, experiences, and creative insights with us. It’s been a joy learning more about the inspiration behind your trilogy and how you approach storytelling with such curiosity and heart.

Sherri: Thank you, Kaecey! I see you are a fellow writer and hiker. I am sure you love our California oak-laden hills and evergreen mountains as much as I do, and feel they must help inspire your artforms of which I am going to seek out. Maybe we’ll meet on the trail someday. Have a lovely holiday season!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sherri was raised in southeast Texas. Walking barefoot most days and catching crawdads as they swam the creek beds, she had a love for all things free and natural. Her childhood ran rampant with talk of ghosts, demons, and backcountry folklore.

This inspired her first short story for sale about a poisonous flower that shot toxins onto children as they smelled it. Her classmate bought it for all the change in his pocket. It was not long after that her mother packed the two of them up and headed to the central coast of California. She has ping-ponged throughout the area ever since.

Her first real step into writing was the non-fiction fitness book, Mom Looks Great – The Fitness Program for Moms published in 2005, and maintaining its accompanying blog. Now, transmuting the grief of her father's passing, she has branched into Fiction, specifically the genre of Paranormal Thriller with generous dashes of Magick Realism! Her Murder, Tea & Crystals Trilogy released book one - Murder Under Redwood Moon - in March 2024. Book two - Moonset on Desert Sands - released in March 2025, and the final book in the series – Hummingbird Moonrise – became #1 New Release in Occult Supernatural on Amazon in October 2025!

Connect with Sherri on Instagram @sherri.dodd.author or at www.sherridodd.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK

At the age of eight, Arista Kelly was frantically swept up by her parents and whisked off to an isolated town in the California redwoods. Two days later, her parents were gone.

Now at the age of twenty-three, she has settled quite nicely into an eclectic lifestyle, much like her great aunt, and guardian since childhood, Bethie. She enjoys the use of herbs and crystals to help her commune with the energy and nature around her and finds pleasure in the company of her beloved pet, Royal.

Usually quite satisfied with her mundane life high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, life becomes unsettling when a new recurring vision of an ominous tattoo as well as increased activity from the ghostly presence within her own cottage invade her once-harmonious existence.

But life in this mountain sanctuary takes an even darker turn when the body of Arista's former classmate is found in the nearby river. As other young young women fall prey to a suspected serial killer, Arista realizes that the terror is coming to her.

You can grab your copy of Murder Under Redwood Moon and the other books in the Murder, Tea, & Crystals trilogy on Sherri's website or via Amazon. And don’t forget to add it to your GoodReads shelf.

Plus... there's still time to enter the GIVEAWAY!! TWO winners will receive the full Murder, Tea & Crystals trilogy. Enter at The Muffin from November 24 to December 14

Do you have something to add to our conversation? Let Sherri & me know by commenting on the post or send me a message!

Happy reading and happy writing!