The Writer's View: Sharon Struth

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Sharon will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to two randomly drawn commenters during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

My Room’s Special View

My writer’s cave is nothing snazzy. A small fourth bedroom that I converted into an office, with a twin bed tucked in the corner for overnight guests. I can see into my backyard, a standard neighborhood view of trees, bushes and a partial an obstructed peek my neighbors back deck.

The special views, however, are inside the room.

When I finished my first manuscript (my “practice” manuscript), I entered writing contests. I learned a lot from the feedback, but never became a finalist in any. When I completed my recent release, The Hourglass, I eventually did become a finalist in a contest. Then it happened again. And again…until, all told, I had six RWA Chapter sponsored contest finalist spots to my name for The Hourglass! Each time I received the honor, a certificate arrived in the mail to honor the achievement. My pride would swell, but the certificates accumulated in a pile beneath other papers.

As I submitted The Hourglass to agents and publishers, every rejection made me forget about my achievements with this book. How easily negative news can outweigh any prior positive! Then one day, after another agent sent a rejection letter, I happened to stumble upon one of my contest certificates. I recalled my success and how good I’d felt. How hard I’d worked for that second place finish and it slipped under the radar with an agent’s negative response. So, I had an idea.

I mounted a corkboard on the wall behind my computer monitor. With pushpins, I secured each and every contest certificate to the cork. The result: with a simple shift of my gaze, I could feast my eyes on my accomplishments and easily relive the positive feeling I’d had each time my work had succeeded. Here’s a picture of my little “shrine to success.” It still provides me motivation as I continue onto new work.

I have another unusual view. Something that brings me an unexplained measure of peace while I plot, develop characters and edit scenes. As I sit at my computer, a quick glance to the right makes me smile, lowers my blood pressure and brings me special joy. One look at the picture should show the reason why my constant writing companion is something I consider a view worthy enough to share with all of you. In fact, she’s snoring right now.

Nope. It’s nothing snazzy. But to me it’s where I feel at home, happy and productive.

About the Author:

Novelist Sharon Struth believes you’re never too old to pursue a dream. The Hourglass, her debut novel, received first place in the Dixie Cane Memorial Contest and second place in the Golden Heart. She writes from the friendliest place she’s ever lived, Bethel, Connecticut, along with her husband, two daughters and canine companions. For more information, including where to find her published essays, please visit www.SharonStruth.com.


Discover more about Sharon Struth here:

Blogs at "Life in the Middle Ages”
Facebook Author Page
THE HOURGLASS Webpage and Trailer

Can forgiveness survive lies and unspoken truths?

Until Brenda McAllister’s husband committed suicide, she appeared to have the ideal life: a thriving psychology practice, success as a self-help author, and a model family. But her guilt over her affair with Jack’s best friend prevents her from moving on. Did Jack learn of her infidelity? Was she the cause of his death?

The release of Brenda’s second book forces her into an unexpected assignment with arrogant celebrity author CJ Morrison, whose irritating and edgy exterior hides the torment of his own mistakes. But as she grows closer to CJ, Brenda learns she wasn’t the only one with secrets—Jack had secrets of his own, unsavory ones that may have led to his death. While CJ helps Brenda uncover the truth about her husband, she finds the path to forgiveness isn’t always on the map.

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