Guest Author, Sharon Donovan

Today's guest is Sharon Donovan, fellow Rose and Pennwriter. I met Sharon at a Pennwriters conference two years ago, and we've kept in touch ever since, and actually get to see each other each year at the Pennwriters conference, something unique in this world of cyberspace where we meet and greet but hardly ever get to actually visit with each other in person. Sharon has an awesome website, designed by the equally awesome Rae Monet, (who also designed my website) and newsletter that is a joy to receive, filled with personal stories and recipes to inspire even the most reluctant of cooks, like myself.

Welcome, Sharon, and here's wishing you many sales of your stories. Check out Sharon's review of Touched by an Angel here.

Hi Liana. Thank you for inviting me to guest blog with you today. I’m Sharon Donovan and my writing career began several years ago after a long bout with progressive blindness. Diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic at the age of six, my vision began fading while I was in my early twenties. For as long as possible, I worked as a secretary in the Family Division in the Court of Common Pleas. I spent my weekends riding horses and pursuing my passion—painting with oils and acrylics.
Devastated when I lost my vision and could no longer paint, I spent my days listening to audio books. Inspired by suspense novels, I enrolled in creative writing classes and a new dream resurrected. Today, instead of painting my pictures on canvas, I paint my pictures with words.
I am a member of Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime and Pennwriters. I also belong to a local writing group--The Northland Writers—where we have just published our first anthology.
Being a morning person, you’ll find me at my desk with a cup of coffee before the birds are up. Thanks to modern technology, I use a computer with adaptive software which converts text into synthesized speech. Glen, my helpful assistant from cyber space, is happy to recite what I’ve typed, no matter the time. He’s never grumpy and doesn’t bug me for a raise. He also eagerly reads my email aloud as well as whatever research I need on the Internet to create storylines.
Glen is a Godsend to me. Now if only I could program him to go out for coffee, I might consider giving him that raise.

What type of stories do you like to write and why?

I enjoy writing stories of inspiration to create a sense of balance in my life. However, writing stories of suspense is my true passion. I took a few courses in psychology to better understand the complexity of the mind. Creating storylines based on a person’s background can lead to the many twists and turns to keep readers turning the page.

What type of stories do you like to read and why?

I love a good romantic suspense with a lot of mystery to add that special something that keeps a reader turning the page. I like when the author throws me with a few good twists—just when I think I have it all figured out. For me, there is nothing better than a intrigueing suspense with a happy ending.

When do you write?

I feel I do my best writing early in the morning after a few cups of strong coffee to get me going. If I happen to be on a roll, I keep going for hours or until my brain simply quits pumping. I seldom write in the evening unless I am pushing myself toward a deadline. I need time to relax and indulge in my second passion…reading.

When do you read? Where?

I generally read in the evening. But in the summertime and warm weather, I enjoy taking an audio book outside to relax in the sun.

Where did you get the inspiration for Touched by an Angel?

Touched by an Angel came to me in a dream. I was having problems coming up with a storyline for a writing contest where the theme was inspiration. I struggled with it and after numerous rough drafts, called it quits. That night, I dreamed of a cemetery with two headstones shrouded in yellow roses. After that, the idea blossomed in my head to write about the spouses meeting and finding a spiritual bond through their departed loved ones.

Where do you go to think?

I do my best thinking in the kitchen while drinking a cup of coffee. But I must admit while writing, sometimes the story will just take off as if the characters have minds of their own, shocking me with a totally different ending than in my original synopsis.

How did you come up with your title and main characters’ names?

Touched by an Angel stems from the main characters, Charles and Emma, who meet in a floral shop while going to place yellow roses on the graves of their loved ones. When they discover their spouses have died on the same day and are buried in the same cemetery—side by side—a spiritual bonding occurs. Convinced Cupid is shooting arrows of love from the sweet hereafter, they find love and happiness with one another. Charles and Emma strike me as names that remain timeless and romantic—and seemed perfect for the roles of my characters.

How long did you write seriously before your first book was published?

Close to six years. Practice makes perfect. I know I’m a better writer today than I was yesterday…and not as good as I will be tomorrow.

Why do you write?

I write because it’s in my blood. Unless you are a writer, you will never understand the countless hours of frustration and all the edits and rewrites that go into a manuscript. But nothing is better than having all that hard work result in a contract. Receiving that news makes it all worth while.

I would like to close in saying that I have also written a memoir on the loss of my vision. Echo of a Raven is the story of a long and bitter bout with progressive blindness due to diabetic retinopathy. A doctor at Children’s Hospital predicted I would be blind by time I was twenty-five. His cruel words changed the entire course of my life, affecting every major decision I made for years to come. I am active in the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetic Research Foundation) fight for a cure. If I can prevent one child from going through the devastation of losing his or her vision, Echo of a Raven will be a smashing success.