Descending Fire: The story behind the stories by Sherryl Jordan

Sherryl Jordan’s story is one of remarkable perseverance. She lived a life dedicated to her craft and her last gift as a writer was this memoir. Sadly, Sherryl passed away eight days after her publisher received the manuscript. 

“This is not a novel or an autobiography; It is an account of the books I have written, what inspired them, where the ideas came from, and the events in my own life that gave the stories depth and truth. It may also be useful to anyone wishing to write their own stories, who may come to know the awe of inspiration’s descending fire, and the great joy of holding worlds in their hands,” writes Sherryl.

What makes this memoir special is its honest portrayal of Sherryl’s writing process - a blend of struggle, divine inspiration and unwavering dedication.

For those familiar with her novels, Descending Fire provides fascinating context. It follows her evolution from illustrator to internationally recognised novelist, including her breakthrough with Rocco and her prestigious fellowship at the University of Iowa in 1993. These professional milestones are interwoven with personal struggles that shaped her worldview.

Sherryl not only overcame countless rejection letters but also physical pain, including Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) and other illnesses. No matter what challenges or obstacles she faced, she never gave up on her passion for writing. She doesn’t shy away from sharing the challenges she faced, including self-doubt and the practical difficulties of sustaining a writing career. Her frankness about these obstacles offers aspiring writers a realistic, but hopeful perspective on life as a writer. I was also fascinated by Sherryl’s spiritual journey and how her beliefs informed her approach to storytelling. She describes her characters arriving fully formed, with desires and opinions of their own, revealing a creative process that was less about invention and more about discovery.

Beyond her personal narrative, the inclusion of The Writing Craft appendix is a treasure trove of practical wisdom. This section distills her decades of experience into accessible insights about character development, dialogue, setting, points of view and the discipline required to transform inspiration into finished work.

Sherryl Jordan was an award-winning New Zealand author, specialising in fantasy and historical fiction. She wrote numerous children’s and young adult titles. She died in 2023.

Reviewer: Andrea Molloy

Bateman Books