Kerrie Ann's Blog

The moment you tell people you’re an author, they ask the dreaded question, 'What have you written?' They are, in a sense, asking you to justify yourself. To justify the hours you spend each day putting your ideas to paper. It’s not likely they’re asking you to describe the many unfinished projects you’re tinkering with on your computer. They want to know the titles of your published books, and how many you have sold.
But the truth, (which you know deep down), is that it’s not the published book that makes you an author. You’re an author because of the things you notice around you, in the world. You're an author because of the sheer joy you feel, when you string the right words together. You’re an author, because you can imagine things in such detail, that they come to life. You’re an author because you have so many reasons to stop writing (it takes too much time, pays too little, and the rejection hurts too much), but you just can’t. It’s not that you love to write books, it's that you feel you need to.

Aspiring: to have a plan, desire, or hope for something.

Author: a person who writes books

If we put those together, that means an aspiring author is a person who plans, desires, or hopes to write books, but doesn’t actually write them.

Now - writer or author? -
Back in the day, the publishing industry (i.e., agents and editors) thought of 'authors' as published and 'writers' as unpublished. I’m sure there are many people out there, who still have that attitude. However, the ease of self-publishing these days, makes that a pretty useless distinction.
Self-doubt is what causes me to question my own decision all the time. Some people cling to that 'aspiring writer' label. Some, embrace the 'writer' title, and some people will wait until someone else gives them the 'author' title.
But I want people’s first impression of me to be that I’m a professional writer, and that I take my work seriously, so I claim the title of 'author' (most of the time) - And yes, it has taken me time to get used to that, time to get used to being giggled at when I say 'I have written three short books and a novel in progress'. But yes, I am coming to terms with the fact, that no matter what people say behind my back, I am now an author. So, I swallow the self-doubt that nags in the back of my mind, and most other writer's minds too, and I strive myself forward, to live up to the word 'author'.

Good Evening, everyone.
My recent children's novels, as you know, are following a friendship group which includes a red squirrel called Mandy. (in fact she is going to be the main character of my next instalment). I have recently seen news, that red squirrels are in fact under a threat from Squirrel Pox!
This is all due to littering, which makes me sad. In 2008, squirrel pox wiped out around 80% of red squirrels in one of their last English strongholds. The cause of this is discarded litter, especially if it contains food. because this causes the squirrels to come into closer contact with each other, which then in turn, spreads the virus more rapidly.
There are currently many campaigns to stamp out litter, and if you don't pay attention to any more today, please pay attention to this one. Let's take our litter home and dispose of it properly. Save Our Squirrels!

In my opinion this is a good story. Set in a creepy old house that no one has lived in for a very long time, with a dark history, unexplained deaths, and plenty more. It has all the right ingredients of a ghost story.

The story goes back and forth from the past to the present to help tell the history of the house, which is interesting. A Vengeful ghost is born from the horrific events of the past who will not rest until her justice is satisfied. The only thing keeping her contained is the house. The book delivered, in my opinion, in all aspects of a tale of horror. However, it was let down by the editing and mistakes.

Paula is among a group of ghost hunters who are to spend three nights at Blackwych Grange, lead by Mac, a university professor who has a personal interest in what they discover at the old house. Five years earlier, his girlfriend spent time at the grange and came back from the experience totally insane.

If you like Mark Billingham, Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott, Mel Sherratt, or Ruth Rendell, you will most certainly enjoy this exciting crime fiction writer.

Helen's books are written well, they are well paced and keep your interest throughout. Definitely page turners. A couple of the novels are a little gruesome, unquestionably not for the faint of heart.

I really found myself gripped to the lead characters and always wanting more from their relationship. DI Tom Calladine has the weight of the world on his shoulders, an ex-wife, an ailing mother, a supposed girlfriend, an incompetent boss, a DS that's rather close to him and to top it all off, he has a murder to investigate!

Have a read of them yourself and feel free to let me know your thoughts. Books in order :


Dead Wrong

Dead Silent

Dead List

Dead Lost

Dead & Buried

Dead Nasty

Dead Jealous

Dead Bad

Dead Guilty

Dead Wicked

The Detective Kim Stone set is currently a 13 book series with one prequal (First Blood), and having read all 14 I am eagerly awaiting the 15th! The novels are written fabulously with humour, empathy, twists and turns and many heart stopping moments along the way. Stone and her team pursue justice relentlessly and this adds to the need to read on.

These are best to read in order, to get a feel for the main characters as their personalities and traits develop throughout the series.

Angela describes Kim perfectly and portrays her character so well that by the end of book 3 you feel you know her personally, and she is certainly someone you would want on your side! In fact I pictured what Kim would look like in my head before the new covers with illustrations of her were released.


Silent Scream(2015)

Evil Games(2015)

Lost Girls(2015)

Play Dead(2016)

Blood Lines(2016)

Dead Souls(2017)

Broken Bones(2017)

Dying Truth(2018)

Fatal Promise(2018)

Dead Memories(2019)

Child's Play(2019)

First Blood(2019)

Killing Mind(2020)

Deadly Cry(2020)

Good Evening everyone.

I have decided to put together a collection of short stories. I will publish a short snippet from each one on a page on my website for free and the full versions will go into a book, which will be available to purchase on Amazon.

My first snippet is live now on the "Short Stories" section of my website.

https://www.kerriec888.wixsite.com/au...

xXx Stay Safe xXx

Okay, I will keep this one short and sweet, I have just clicked the magic button to self-publish my first book. It is a children's story, surrounding a little squirrel who gets into mischief whilst trying to find a magic nut. I went through so many emotions whilst writing this book. Not only for the purpose of the characters but also my own mind running into overdrive! I genuinely did not think I would be clicking "Publish" on anything I ever wrote, that is for sure.

I also need to take this opportunity to thank the people close to me who have supported me so far on this incredible journey which I am hoping will not end anytime soon.


SO thank you, and I hope you all enjoy my stories.

This was the first book I read on my Kindle, and it is the one that made me want to read more and more. I was hooked from the start. It's written superbly and it has a gripping storyline.

Rob and Wendy are having a nice evening, cooking outdoors, when a badly injured man stumbles onto their lawn. Later they find out the man has died. At first, it seemed like a very strange incident, but Rob begins receiving un-nerving notes, and a series of weird happenings has the family on edge.
Rob’s business was involved in some very questionable dealings which he is beginning to recover from, and his marriage is at a bit of a rocky point, with Wendy expressing her unhappiness, and their children, Josh, Evan, and Georgia each deeply wrapped up in their own worlds. When they all go away together for a family holiday, things go horribly wrong, they are placed in a terrifying position.


Forced to fight for everything they love, can they save themselves before time runs out – or will their act of compassion see them paying the ultimate price…?

If you are anything like myself, you will regularly look at your blank screen or sheet of paper and think "what on earth am I doing" let's face it sometimes we even walk into a room to get something and think that! Below, I have listed some tips that help me to overcome these little hurdles when writing your novels. Feel free to drop me some comments and share your thoughts.

Take a walk

Walking in fresh air, sunshine, rain, and even snow! All of these elemental changes can help get our brains back on track when it comes to writing. So pop on your flip flops or grab your umbrella!

Write Anything.

Exactly as it says on the tin, write literally anything, keep writing until words flow and sentences begin to make sense! If you need to backtrack, do it! But whatever you do, just keep the pen to the paper. (Or your fingers to the keyboard, if you wish)

Get a Little Help from a Friend.

Never be too ashamed to ask for help, a message, a phone call, your friend may even be grateful for the good old natter! Kill two birds with stone and speak to a friend.

Sleep On It.

Rest is key! No matter if you have written 10,000 words today, or 100 words today, sometimes we all need to just stop and breathe. Never feel like you have not done enough to earn a rest.