Author Archives: Sherri Matthews

About Sherri Matthews

While bringing her memoir, 'Stranger in a White Dress: A True Story of Broken Dreams, Being Brave and Beginning Again' to publication, Sherri's articles, short memoir, personal essays, poetry and flash fiction are published in national magazines, anthologies and online. She invites her readers to share the view at her Summerhouse blog and is a regular contributer and columnist at 'Carrot Ranch', an online literary community. In another life, Sherri lived in California for twenty years, but today, she lives in England writing stories from the past, making sense of today and giving hope for tomorrow.

Welcome To My World

Posted on September 2, 2020

Originally posted on Carrot Ranch Literary Community:
‘Welcome to my World’, so said my youngest, V, when lockdown struck. Almost six months on, I have a deeper glimpse into V’s world. But this is not a temporary world as for…

Posted in Unsung Heroes Column | Tagged Asperger's Syndrome, Carrot Ranch Literary Community, Coronovirus, depression, Lockdown, Masks, Mental Health, social anxiety, Unsung Heroes Column | 10 Comments

Of Writing, Walking And A Broken Ankle

Posted on July 10, 2020

Walking, as we know, is good for us. A brisk walk a few days a week has always been my go-to form of exercise. Walking helps me. A lot. Especially the kind when I’m stirred up, stressed out and just … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature & Wildlife, Unsung Heroes Column | Tagged Bee Hotel, Black Cat Photo, Book Promotion, Broken Ankle, Carrot Ranch Literary Community, Fitbit, Red Mason Bees, The Pollinator Garden, The Silent Ones Who Change A Life, This is Lockdown Anthology, Unsung Heroes Column, Walking And Writing, Woodland Trust | 68 Comments

Stand And Deliver

Posted on May 15, 2020

Originally posted on Carrot Ranch Literary Community:
The title for this post should be ‘Drive and Deliver’. ‘Stand and Deliver’ sounds better, I think. It also reminds me of the song by Adam Ant, conjuring up a wonderful image of…

Posted in Unsung Heroes Column | Tagged Adam Ant, Carrot Ranch Literary Community, Coronavirus lockdown exercise, Covid-19, Gratitude, Lockdown, Unsung Heroes, Unsung Heroes Column | 57 Comments

Dispatches From Lockdown In An English Spring

Posted on April 3, 2020

We humans are resourceful. We adjust. We have to. My mother lives in her snug, safe home across the garden from us, but I can’t get close or hug her, because she is self-isolating, sheilded from the outside and coronovirus. … Continue reading →

Posted in Coronovirus | Tagged Coronovirus, Isolation, Key Workers, Lockdown, Photos English Countryside, Photos of English Spring Garden, Self Distancing, Supermarkets, thank you, Walking, Working From Home, Writer's Brain Fog, Writing From Home | 77 Comments

A Plea From The Ranks Of Carers At Home

Posted on March 19, 2020

I write this as a plea. Our Prime Minister tells us to stop panic buying, there’s enough for all, stock up in case you need to self-isolate for 14 days, but leave some for others. Please. Mr Johnson, I would … Continue reading →

Posted in Carers, Coronovirus | Tagged Asperger's Syndrome, Carers, Coronovirus, Covid-19, Kindness, Panic Buying, Sandwich Generation, Self Distancing, Self Isolating, Social Isolation, Supermarkets, The Elderly, The vulnerable | 72 Comments

Still Sweet Robin Sings

Posted on March 12, 2020

The world has gone mad, my family’s needs call… but still Sweet Robin sings. And the blackbird too. Take care all, keep safe and be well… This too shall pass.

Posted in Nature & Wildlife | Tagged Blackbird Photo, British Robin Photo, Nature & Wildlife | 32 Comments

Book Tour With Author M J Mallon And Mr Sagittarius

Posted on February 18, 2020

Today, I am thrilled to host talented author and lovely friend, M J Mallon. I have had the good fortune of meeting Marje several times, and she is as kind and as friendly as her smile attests. Marje is on … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogs | Tagged Author M J Mallon, Book Launch, Book Tour, Guest Post, Mr Sagittarius, Poetry | 46 Comments

Happy New Valentines Day With Memoir Pitching Tips

Posted on February 14, 2020

Not quite the jaunty start to 2020 I hoped for, but at least I can wish you a Happy New Year and Valentines Day at the same time. One reason for my absence is my self-imposed, many-weeks long assignment to … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | Tagged Agent Submissions, Anne R Allen, Elevator Pitch, English Coastline, Happy Valentines Day, Jane Friedman, Memoir, Memoir Pitching Tips, Pitching to Agents, Query Letters, Ruth Harris, Storms, Synopsis, Traditional Publishing | 36 Comments

What I Wanted To Tell You At Christmas

Posted on December 17, 2019

What I wanted to tell you at Christmas is how spectacular the illuminations at Stourhead this year. I wanted to show you the carpet of lights twinkling down to the lake and the Pantheon lit up like a beacon in … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas | Tagged Charlie Mackesy, Christmas, City of Bath, depression, Friendship, hope, Light and Dark, Lonliness, love, Memoir, Stourhead Illuminations 2019, The boy the Mole the Fox and the Horse, Writing Contests, Writing fears | 67 Comments

Book Blog Tour: The Last Will of Sven Anderson by Geoff Le Pard

Posted on December 9, 2019

Seasons Greetings, all! Things might have seemed quiet here at the summerhouse, but it’s been a buzz of activity behind the scenes. More on that next week in my Christmas post. For now, it’s great to return with a hearty … Continue reading →