Q&A With Sherri Shepherd

Saturday afternoon, I headed over to Barnes & Noble in Lincoln Square for Sherri Shepherd’s signing of her fabulous new memoir, “Permission Slips.”

Svelte Sherri: The actress/comedienne/author wowed the crowd at Barnes & Noble

During a lively Q&A, the hilarious co-host of “The View” demonstrated why she has become such a force to be reckoned with. Sassy, smart and infectiously upbeat, Shepherd spoke with great candor about her personal and professional ups and downs -- from losing her mother to diabetes to her challenging first year on ABC-TV's morning chatfest.

“If it was all about stability, you wouldn’t need to have faith.”

As she portrays so irresistably in her new Lifetime sitcom, the former legal secretary found creative fulfillment when she turned to acting and stand up comedy.

“Being on stage when you kill,” she quipped “is better than the best orgasm.”

Wordsmiths: Sherri and I chatted about the fact that we’re both journal keepers

Shepherd revealed that she turned down “The View” several times because of her quiet, non-argumentative nature.

Of her now-infamous response to Barbara Walters’ question of whether the earth is flat, she attributed it to first day nerves. The experience, she says, reminded her of how important it is to give yourself permission to make mistakes.

“We try to be perfect for everybody,” she said. “As long as my four year old is looking at me and saying ‘Mommy I love you,’ everything’s good.”

Shepherd spoke with great affection for her beloved son Jeffrey, who was born four months premature and not expected to live. His miraculous recovery, coupled with faith and family, she says, are what keep her smiling and looking at the glass as always being half full.

“As long as you get up and look up, everything’s going to be okay,” she said.

All smiles after the signing

Shepherd’s positive outlook on life also extends to her single status.

“There’s a time for everything -- and that includes being a relationship or not,” she told the crowd. “While you are in the season, find out what’s great about it and why.”

Along with being a true inspiration, Shepherd is a class act. She responded directly to my tweet about the book signing with a very gracious thank you. What a pleasure to know this multi-talented star is as delightful off screen as she is on.