Greetings:

I didn't realize this site was so comprehensive--and easy to navigate. Lately I've been furiously polishing my latest manuscript, a non-mystery novel I've tentatively titled Phantom Baby. One of my readers said the main character, Iris, was much like Rose McNichols, the protagonist in my mystery, A NOSE FOR HANKY PANKY by Mainly Murder Press. That's not what I intended, but I'll accept it. The towns are similar: seaside. I've lived by the ocean my entire life, including the 6 months I lived in Waikiki.
I am in the process of giving the ms a final polish before sending off to an agent who requested the hard copy. Writers will know how it is: you think your ms is finally done. Take a peek one week later and the flaws pop out at you. I suppose I'll never be satisfied, but at some point you have to let it go. I'll be happy to finish so I can gather my mystery stories together for e-pubbing. The title story, "Bluefish Weather," appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, one of my favorite periodicals. I did the cover for A NOSE FOR HANKY PANKY (I'm an art school grad: Montserrat College of Art, '83) and will do the cover for the mystery collection. In fact, it's already done--further motivation to finish.
Here's a message for those of you with ADD: Just keep on keeping on. Your ways might not be the ways of others. In fact, they might be damn peculiar. Remember to not compare yourself (unfavorably) with your more efficient colleagues, the beta types. All best until then, Sharon Love Cook