Author Archives: Sherri Matthews

About Sherri Matthews

Sherri's work is published in magazines, anthologies, her Summerhouse blog, and memoir column at Carrot Ranch, an online literary community. As a young mum of three, she emigrated from the UK to California and stayed for twenty years. Today she lives in England's West Country with her family and two beautiful black kitties. A keen walker and photographer, she is working hard on her memoir. Her 2021 entry to Fish Publishing Short Memoir Prize was shortlisted and also received a special mention at Spread the Word Life Writing Prize.

The Distance Between Us

Posted on September 7, 2021 by Sherri Matthews

Originally posted on Carrot Ranch Literary Community:
Twenty years ago this Friday, I went out for a meal to celebrate my birthday with my family. My eighteen year old had graduated from high school that spring and was looking forward…

Posted in Memoir Across the Pond Column | Tagged 9/11, California, Carrot Ranch, Emigration, England, Family Memoir, Memoir, Memoir Across The Pond | 21 Comments

Shut Away Breaking Free

Posted on May 28, 2021 by Sherri Matthews

Originally posted on Carrot Ranch Literary Community:
California is hot. Sun-blazing, earth-baking, dry-dusty hot. I came there from England and I didn’t know what hit me. I held my breath from May to November until the rains came. ? Except…

Posted in Memoir Across the Pond Column | Tagged California, Camping, Carrot Ranch Literary Community, Drought, England, Family Memories, Family Reunion, Memoir Across The Pond, Memoir Writing, Pandemic, rain, Summer Heat | 10 Comments

The Words We Know

Posted on March 4, 2021 by Sherri Matthews

Originally posted on Carrot Ranch Literary Community:
In recent discussion with my husband about decorating our kitchen, I asked if we had enough paint for the base boards. Base boards? For the life of me, I couldn’t think what we…

Posted in Memoir Across the Pond Column | Tagged America, Carrot Ranch, England, Ex-pat, Family Memoirs, Home, Memoir Column, My California, travel | 12 Comments

Fiction Memoir and Identity Guest Post with Author Anne Goodwin

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Sherri Matthews

Today, I am delighted to once again welcome author Anne Goodwin to the Summerhouse. Since her last visit, Anne has published two novels and a small story collection. Her background as a former professional psychologist brings a depth to her … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogs | Tagged Author Anne Goodwin, Author Guest Post, Book Promotion, e-book promotion, Identity, LGBT Month, Memoir Writing, Novel Writing, Sugar And Snails | 48 Comments

The Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Sherri Matthews

Originally posted on Carrot Ranch Literary Community:
by H.R.R. Gorman Here at the Carrot Ranch, we take the business of 99-word literary art seriously. Those who participate in the Ranch prompts or yearly Rodeo saddle up to TUFF (The Ultimate…

Posted in Reblogs | Tagged 99 Word Flash Fiction Competition, Carers, Carrot Ranch, Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic | 19 Comments

Christmas Lost And Found In America

Posted on December 19, 2020 by Sherri Matthews

Born in England, my firstborn son didn’t meet his American grandparents until he was three-years-old. His father, tired of the rain and dismal British economy of the mid 1980s, decided we would have a better life in the land of … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas | Tagged California, Christmas Memories, England, Ex Pat Life, Family Traditions, Homesickness, hope, Immigration, loneliness, loss, love, Memoir, Morro Bay, travel | 81 Comments

Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore – Author Spotlight – Life Changing Moments – Shake The Dust Off Your Feet by Sherri Matthews

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Sherri Matthews

Originally posted on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine:
Welcome to Cafe and Bookstore spotlight. I invited writers to share what they consider to be a defining moment in their lives that resulted in a major positive change. The current series ends on…

Posted in Guest Blogs | Tagged Asperger's Syndrome, California, Guest Post, Inspiration, Life Changing Decision, Sally Cronin Author, Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore, writing | 26 Comments

Welcome To My World

Posted on September 2, 2020 by Sherri Matthews

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 | 11 Comments

Of Writing, Walking And A Broken Ankle

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Sherri Matthews

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 | 74 Comments

Stand And Deliver

Posted on May 15, 2020 by Sherri Matthews

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…