I’m often asked why I choose to write mysteries, sometimes in a way that suggests I’m throwing away any writing talent I have. Mysteries are often deemed formulaic and crass, dealing with brutal crimes and unsavory characters and leading to a foregone conclusion, with only the “whodunit” in question.  Like all forms writing, mystery selections range from very bad to very good. I contend that the good is as good as any you’ll find. Here are few reasons I write—and…

This is more my mind wading through options and freebasing in a stream of consciousness - or perhaps - a lack of consciousness ... but I'm trapped at a point in my novel where I've decided on something and now, it must happen:

Two people must die. Two characters I really like, must die. They are good people with big hearts. It’s not that I can help it – it’s part of the plot – it will move the main character forward. But killing off these two characters is killing me. It won’t happen…

I used to walk around all the time with a smile on my face.  My co-workers teased me by calling me "Smiley" and commented on how it made their day to see me because I always had a big, ear-to-ear smile on.  Even when I was crying inside, my default facial expression was a smile.

I walked with a spring in my step, a smile on my face; that was my default.

I don't smile as much anymore.…

This week, the news spread via the international media and the Internet that popular writer Maeve Binchy has died after a short illness. Rest in peace, Maeve. And thank you for all those loveable and highly readable  stories and books.…

Every so often I like to go back to the basics. It is easy to get caught up in  trying to impress our imagined audience. However sometimes the craft becomes too crafty and loses it's meaning - (A bit like this sentence). In a bid to come up with a new way of expressing an idea or stepping out of the box, we lose our reader along the way. I remember the first year of my Literature degree, I was so sure of my writing ability and the big words I was encouraged by my secondary school teachers to…

Did this get your attention? It did mine when I saw it in the subject of an email from Ted Talks. It got my attention for a couple of reasons I think:



First, because I don’t normally associate “failure” with “interesting” …and especially not when that failure is connected to my life! Most of us would call failure a “set back”, an embarrassing loss, a sign we aren’t meant to do it, depleting, or disheartening  – wouldn’t we? That’s the tempting first reaction to feelings of failure.…

Friendship is one of life’s greatest gifts. It is a fulfilling relationship that is shared by two people who care about each other, trust each other, and want only the best for each other. A good friendship is honest, loyal, and truthful; good friends understand and accept each other in ways no one else can.  

A healthy friendship feels good to both parties. It is positive, supportive, and…

Today, I have the pleasure of introducing to you all - the lovely and very talented author of the Time Spirit Trilogy -Melissa Pearl.

I met Melissa last year through mutual friends, and after a while, discovered that she had written an urban fantasy young adult trilogy. Obviously…

by Sherrie Wilkolaski

Social media marketing via Goodreads is a must for any author. 

What Is Goodreads?

Goodreads is the largest site for readers and book recommendations in the world. They have more than 6,200,000 members who have added more than 210,000,000 books to their shelves. A home…

"A bit disappointing. The story ambled along for ages, giving no indication of where it was going, with lots of rather pointless looks at the main character's youth. There's also the mysterious letters that have no purpose in the story until the very end, when the reason for them is revealed totally out of the blue."



Is that…

When we're two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we've found the right person. Our soul mate is the one who makes life come to life.

-Richard Bach, from The Bridge Across Forever

I was never the kind of girl who did what girls were supposed to do.

Don't get me wrong, I have been a "girly-girl" for my entire life.  I love and have always loved high heels, purses, makeup, dressing up, and pink.  So if girls…

photo from We Heart It

I kind-of-sort-of started doing yoga to help with my back problems. Since I already paid to take a creative writing class this summer and I might start the kiddo in some gymnastics classes, I can't afford to take a "real" yoga…

This Prayer Vigil Friday, Good Friday, is a special day for remembrance and prayer.

Over the past two weeks, I have heard about four women who have had miscarriages. Four. One a failed IVF cycle, their…

Latest and last blog entry of the day.... on how I earned my keep ...

He set off for San Francisco this morning. From London, it's quite a schlep. I packed his bags and even packed a picnic so he could avoid airplane food. Computer? CHECK. Cell phone? CHECK. Reading glasses? (He hasn't had them that long.) CHECK. Sun glasses? (It is California afterall. Nevermind that London is about as warm as the box of fish fingers in your freezer). CHECK. Coat? Scarf? Ear plugs?…