cherylsterlingbooks.com

Welcome back! I hope you're enjoying my website. Please email us with any comments at cherylsterling@hotmail.com

I’m here.  I’m writing.  I’m spending most of my time at www.writerslikeme.com.  You can also catch me at www.facebook.com/writerslikeme and www.twitter.com/writerslikeme  I blog once or twice a week and facebook almost every day.

Comments (0) Aug 18 2010

I have a Kindle.  It is smooth and sweet and I’m thinking of naming it Steve.  As in Guttenberg (2 “s”).  As in Gutenberg (1 “s”) Press and Gutenberg Project.  I love www.gutenberg.org, where all books are free and I can find first hand accounts of whatever I’m researching.  Like Victorian Egypt, where my characters decided to go.  Why, I don’t know.  They’re unpredictable like that.

My book budget (ha, ha, as if) hasn’t taken too great a hit.  I’ve downloaded two books and a magazine subscription.  I’ll let you know about “The Help” when I’m done reading it.

Meanwhile, head over to www.writerslikeme.com for my handy writing hints and publishing news.

Comments (0) May 19 2010

Today is “What if cats and dogs had opposable thumbs” Day.  Cool!  They could hold a pen or type.  My new kitty, Aunt Vicki, could pen the new Steven Kingish book, “Three Weeks with a Dead Woman.”  Yes, her last owner died, and Aunt Vicki (formerly Sugarplum, blech!) survived for almost a month before someone decided to check on the old lady.  No, there was no gross kitty misbehavior, but the tale begs to be told.

So, what would your pet relate if they had opposable thumbs?

Take care and visit me at www.writerslikeme.com

Cheryl

Comments (1) Mar 03 2010

Looking back at 2009

As CNN and People look back every year at what happened and who died, I think it’s just as important to review your own year.  What did you accomplish? What disappointed you?  What surprised you?  Are you where you thought you should be?  Why not?

For myself, I’m in a different spot than I thought I would be.  Writing is a part of my life, but it’s gone in a new direction.  That’s neither bad nor good.  Just different.  And exciting.  I love my characters and I enjoy being part of their journeys.  I’ll won’t cuss when my muse doesn’t show up, because, ultimately, I am my muse.  There is no fairy waving magic words in the air, no benevolent (or mean spirited) force influencing me.  If I don’t produce, it’s my own fault.  If the words flow, it’s because of my talent.

Not long ago, I read a writing exercise.  It’s beautiful in its simplicity:

If nothing was holding you back, what would you do?

For 2010, what’s holding you back?  Why aren’t you doing what you want?

Make a commitment in 2010.

Comments (0) Dec 26 2009

From www.helium.com

by Meghan Rizzo

A woman’s heart is a vessel of complex desires; within it lies a conflict between needs and dreams. The woman needs security and comfort, but craves adventure. She wants to be treated well, but understands the allure of the ‘bad boy.’ She knows there is no such thing as a perfect relationship, but she will never give up on true love.

No matter how content she may be, no matter how many of her needs are met, at times, wistful memories of beloved childhood fairy tales and their ‘happily ever afters’ arise. When life becomes routine and just a bit too comfortable, a certain longing takes hold, an escape is needed, and this woman suddenly finds herself in love with a fictional character.

Fictional characters represent the absolute ideal. They are perfect to the point of being inhuman (and many of them are). How many times, for example, does an author describe the central romantic character having to use the bathroom or even eat? This character leads a life full of adventure and drama, without tending to the mundane and routine necessities of life, and a women smitten with such a character imagines herself his beloved companion. She lives vicariously through the pages of a book or the glow of a TV screen.

Surprisingly, some of the characters women lust after possess highly undesirable traits. Dr. Gregory House, for example, of the TV show House M.D. has become quite the sex symbol. However, his character is addicted to narcotics, he is cold and mean-spirited, and he takes a sadistic sort of pleasure in making others uncomfortable. So, why the appeal? Each woman imagines herself being the sole individual who can tame the beast within, and how special she would feel if she were the only one considered worthy enough not only to be treated nicely by such a character, but to be adored by him. The current vampire mania also confirms this theory.

Women who fall in love with fictional characters are not delusional. They do not expect their objects of affection to climb out of their novels or TV screens and sweep them off their feet. They are merely indulging in fantasy, and this is a healthy outlet for any woman who finds herself slightly bored with the status quo.

Falling in love with fictional characters is actually quite common and there is nothing abnormal about it. Fantasy makes for a wonderful pastime and it is particularly useful for women already in relationships as fantasy can enhance sexual experiences.

On the other hand, the desire for an individual who doesn’t even exist can be damaging if it becomes overwhelming. The besotted woman might find herself expecting the real people in her life to be like these fictional characters. Obviously, no one can live up to expectations based in fantasy and a woman who has unrealistic demands will find herself sorely disappointed.

Some women even become obsessed with these fabricated objects of affection. They might spend an inordinate amount of time perusing fan websites or watching the same film over and over again. This is not healthy and might even be indicative of a mental illness such as depression.

When a woman can find a balance in which she has appreciation for her real, but flawed life and can accept fantasy for what it is, then falling in love with a fictional character poses no harm and can actually be great fun.

Comments (2) Nov 27 2009

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

You were odd, bizarre, and downright weird sometimes, but there was no denying your talent.

If you, reader, have a modicum of talent, don’t hide it, don’t be afraid of trying, of rejection, of being different.  Blaze a trail.  Don’t look back and say “I wish I had -”

You never know when time has run out.

Give yourself permission to be awesome.

Comments (0) Jun 25 2009