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Let's Meet Sharon Archer!

Sharon's Bio


I can't say I've always wanted to be a writer.  In fact, there was a long period in my childhood where I really wanted to be a horse - which just goes to show sometimes it's definitely good not to get what you wish for.
Anyway, back to writing... I have always had one of the prerequisites to be a writer - I daydream.  My school reports regularly said "Sharon would do much better in (fill in the subject) if she would stop daydreaming".
I did write some truly terrible prose during my school years.  Most memorable was the piece written in first-person from the point of view of a discarded nail rusting in long grass.

Needless to say, I didn't grow up to be a horse - or a rusty nail.  I was born in New Zealand and grew up a regular tomboy around the Air Force bases where Dad was stationed.  

We even had a three-year stint in Fiji when Laucala Bay was open.  It seemed like paradise to me at the age of five: beautiful beaches, clear warm water, fresh-caught prawn feasts, graceful gauzy mosquito nets, citronella oil on the pillow at night, tropical storms where the lawn turned into a sea of frogs... though they might have been toads come to think of it.  And once there was a hammerhead shark dragged up on the slipway down at the yacht club!
                                                The Markets in Suva - Fiji
                  
                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
I'm lucky because books have always been a part of life.  My parents were readers.  Christmas and birthday presents were often books.
 
Both parents wrote entertaining letters too, so I always knew that letters could be more than "we went here/saw this/did that" and "there was rain/sunshine/fog/a blizzard."

But it never occurred to me that writing could be an occupation.  
Having a scientific bent, I got a job in a hospital laboratory and trained as a medical technologist.  First day on the job, a senior haematologist took me up to the clinic to learn how to take blood from a real live patient.  Not bad for someone with a 100% fainting score at her own blood tests up until that date.

After qualifying, I was between jobs and decided to see the world.  I bought a one-way ticket to Australia and, apart from holidays, this is where I settled.

I met my husband when a girlfriend and I were setting up house.  We advertised for a "Guy, 25 plus, to share house" and we specified that it needed to be someone quiet.  My friend was a nurse working night shifts and I was studying for exams.  As soon as I opened the door and saw Glenn, I felt a "connection" - perhaps not love at first sight but definitely a sort of recognition.
Me with Husband/Webmaster/Hero
So the daily newspaper was my matchmaker and a very good one it was too.  We've been together now for twenty seven years.

The idea to write a romance came after watching a television interview with Australian author, Valerie Parv.  It was a revelation!  This was going to be my new career path.  Just like that, I decided.  All I had to do was put 50,000 words on paper.  How easy!

Well... as it turned out... not easy, at all!

It took me twelve months to dredge up the required number of words.  I posted them off to Mills and Boon.  I was going to be an author!  A reality check arrived sometime later in the form of a rejection letter.  Thank goodness!  The story was awful beyond description.  And, even at the time, I knew it was awful...  I wouldn't let anyone read it!

But I was hooked.  I joined a writing group, discovered Romance Writers of Australia, did courses, put more words on bits of paper.  After more rejections (still well-deserved!), I hung up my romance pen for a while and dabbled with short stories and articles.  Even some bad poetry!  But it all helped me learn about writing and voice and discipline (still need to work on that last one a bit more yet!.
When Glenn's job shifted, we moved to country Victoria.  Suddenly, there was time to write... and procrastinate! Yep, I discovered that the easiest thing about writing is finding a good excuse not to do it.
Alas, some of my very best creative inspiration has gone into the excuses why I didn't make my word target for that day.

And now that we had five acres and a collection of animals, there were so many good excuses to avoid writing.

Anyway, I began fiddling around with an idea for a book-length story but I couldn't seem to get myself past the idea that I needed to know more about the characters before I got too far.  And somehow I couldn't work up the enthusiasm to do really detailed character charts for them - I really wanted to just write the story.  Stalemate!

Then I found Stephen King's autobiography, On Writing.

After reading that, I made up my mind to finish the manuscript.  No complex character charts, no polished plan, no perfect pacing.  I had a hero and heroine that I liked so why not just write and see what I found out.  And it worked!  I finished the manuscript!  Fifty thousand words that I was happy with!

I even let someone read it!  My husband was my primary reader at this stage and I'd regularly find him dozing off in the recliner with my pages lying on his chest.  Since books by some of our favourite authors have also lain there, I didn't get too upset.
Anna Campbell, Emma Darcy, Sharon Archer, Alison Van Vreumingen & Helene Young
The Romance Writers of Australia were running the 2004 Emma Darcy Award at the time.  I entered and my story reached the finals! When it came second, I was thrilled.  The following year, I finalled with another story and came third.

After that, I became an enthusiastic contest entrant.  These marvellous opportunities provided a deadline for me to work towards and required a small, manageable amount of work depending on the contest: a scene, a chapter, a synopsis, a partial. 
Sharon Archer & Marion Lennox
The judges were fantastic, taking the time to give detailed feedback, suggestions of how to improve, tips for plotting and emotion, pats on the back where it was deserved!



My journey from that first dreadful manuscript until publication has been one of fits and starts and has probably taken about twenty years.  And along the way I met the most fabulous, generous people, published and unpublished, who have shared their wisdom and friendship.  It's been a wonderful apprenticeship and I've enjoyed it enormously even if I haven't been the most diligent pupil.

I had my first manuscript accepted on the 25 of September, 2008!

Marriage Reunited: Baby on the Way won the gorgeous RuBY award for the "Short and Sweet" category! This is the Romance Writers of Australia's Romantic Book of the Year Award and I'm just thrilled to bits as you can imagine!  The awards were presented at the Saturday night dinner and I got lots of photos of me clutching my RuBY and grinning like the Cheshire Cat!


Here's a couple of the pics - one of me with fellow Medical Romance author, Marion Lennox and my hubbie, Glenn.  Two wonderful people who have been so supportive and encouraging! And another with friend and fellow blogger, Tracey O'Hara who is holding her RuBY for winning the Romantic Elements category - you can catch us over at the LoveCats DownUnder!

 

Bachelor Dad, Girl Next Door

The woman of his dreams is right on his doorstep!
Single dad Dr Luke Daniels has come home hoping to heal his heart and that of his daughter; he may have lost his wife, but ten-year-old Allie has lost her Mum too.
A&E doctor Terri Mitchell remembers Luke from growing up in Port Cavill… in fact she remembers him too well! And the twinkle in the new doctor’s eyes makes her shiver just the way it always did!
Try as she might to stay away, Terri falls for Luke, and his gorgeous young daughter. But Luke only sees her as the girl-next-door… doesn’t he?

All this information with permission is shared from here. She loves hearing from readers so please do not hesitate to contact her.



Bachelor Dad, Girl Next Door is one intense, roller-coaster of emotions amid all the Medical Drama.

Sharon Archer is also one of the LoveCats from LoveCats DownUnder and you can catch her blogging there.

Speaking of LoveCats, this week Rachel Bailey did a post about lighthouses. So here are a few of my photos of the lighthouse at Cape Reinga, North Island New Zealand. You can a catch Rachel Bailey's post here!

It is very isolated with steep hills going down straight to the sea. At the back of the lighthouse, right at the edge of the cliff, there is a signpost with arrows pointing to Australia, USA, Canada and all other countries with distance marked in kilometres.

We had to park our car at top and walk all the way to the lighthouse.


"My Hero"

But then, coming back up was hard work! 

61 comments:

  1. Hey, Miss Sharon! Hey, Miss Nas! How fabulous to see the two of you here. Sharon, I adored reading your autobiography. You'd told me a lot of that in dribs and drabs but it was wonderful having it all put together like that - you know, like a whole novel instead of a series of contest entries, LOL! Hey, I wanted to be a horse when I was a kid too. Did a mean whinny! Hey, you missed out telling us about the wonderful night when MARRIAGE REUNITED: BABY ON THE WAY won the Romantic Book of the Year Award last year! Whoo-hooooo! Cheered myself silly when I heard you announced as the queen bee! I'm not at all surprised you won - I love your books. They're warm and wonderful - a bit like you, really!

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  2. Hi Anna,

    Welcome! You too? Fascinated with being a horse?!

    Sorry, it was my fault about MARRIAGE REUNITED: BABY ON THE WAY. But it's done now. And I agree Sharon's books are warm and wonderful. And I love them as well.

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  3. Hi, Nas and Sharon!

    Sharon, it's been such a treat to know you (and Glenn!) all these years. Your success is so well deserved.

    Well, I *wanted* a horse, but I don't believe I ever thought about *being* one! When I was a kid I used to gallop around the yard and pretend I was riding my very own 16 hands high palomino. Bit sad, isn't it? Snort!

    Fabulous interview!

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  4. Hey Nas!
    Thank you for having me here in the spotlight on your blog! It's such a thrill!

    I've been to beautiful Cape Reinga where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea! It's a powerful Magical place, isn't it? And wasn't Rachel's lighthouse blog fab - I think the amazing structures fascinate lots of people!

    :)
    Sharon

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  5. LOL, Anna! I used to do a jolly good whinny too - and could I gallop! Rather a nice high step as well! Definitely a bit slower these days! Oh, for all that energy! ;)

    Thank you for your lovely words! I still need to pinch myself when I look at the gorgeous RuBY Award. You've possibly noticed how very reluctant I've been to take it off my home page!
    :)
    Sharon

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  6. Nas, it was very sensible of you not to want to be a horse! Anna and I were very lucky that not all wishes can come true, weren't we! ;)

    I'm so chuffed you enjoyed my stories! Thank you!
    :)
    Sharon

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  7. Hi Vanessa,

    I agree, Sharon's success is so well deserved. Thanks for dropping in.

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  8. You're a sweetie, Vanessa! And right back at you because getting to know you has been a privilege!

    Hey, very sensible of you, too, wanting to *have* a horse rather than *be* one! And you were very specific about that 16 hh palomino! Smashing colour, isn't it! I love the real dark golden ones!
    :)
    Sharon

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  9. Hello Sharon,

    Welcome. Belated congratulations for the RuBy for MARRIAGE REUNITED: BABY ON THE WAY.

    BACHELOR DAD, GIRL NEXT DOOR was also a very warm and wonderful book.

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  10. It must be a girl thing, this wanting to be/have a horse! My sister and I used to pretend we were horses, then--to my mother's horror--we got to the point where we pretended we were riding horses around all the time. From there, it was a short step to getting a horse. (My dad loves horses. His dad had racehorses. Racehorses are a quick route to penury. End of story! LOL) My mom was not impressed. Neither was I, after looking after that horse through the chill and rain of winter.

    Great pix of your lighthouse visit, Nas! NZ is a wanna-visit place for me. Hubby's been there several times, but I never have. I think I need to add Fiji to that list, too. When my middle son was small, I took him to a home daycare run by a woman from Fiji. Around this time of year, she used to speak longingly of her homeland, as you can well imagine.

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  11. Hi Nas, hi Sharon,

    What a lovely piece about you and your writing. Sharon, you intrigue me in your early desire to BE a horse! Never heard of that before. So glad you didn't make the transformation - we would all have missed out on so much. Congratulations especially on your lovely, heartwarming stories. I've loved every one of them and I'm not normally a medical romance fan. You write a great story. Looking forward to more in 2011.

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  12. Hi LP,

    NZ is a fab place to visit but Fiji is the place to live!

    So you're also a horse-fan? Fantastic. I think we can start a club!

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  13. I love the love story. I'm glad you found Stephen King's On Writing. It's one of the best books out there, and was so helpful to me. Good luck with your book!

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  14. LP, I think you might be right about girls and horses! Having one is hard work but a great learning opportunity too. The stubborn little pony I had as a young teen taught me a lot in his own pig-headed way. We eventually settled into a really lovely relationship.

    Ouch on the racehorses - owning them is a very expensive business! For every champion there are dozens (probably closer to thousands!) of also-rans! And they all need to eat, visit the vet and the farrier whether they're a star or not!

    Thanks for popping in to say hello!
    :)
    Sharon

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  15. Thank you for your lovely words, Annie! Hey, I'm pretty glad I didn't make that transformation, too! Life for a horse isn't all bran-mash and curry-combs! LOL
    :)
    Sharon

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  16. Theresa, isn't Stephen King's book great - his life story is an inspiration and his advice about writing process was a turning point for me. It's lovely to hear from someone else who has found it just as helpful.

    Thank you for wishing me luck - I wish you the same with the projects you feel passionate about.

    :)
    Sharon

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  17. Hi Sharon! Hi Nas!
    Great interview! I love the way you found your husband, Sharon! Terrific story! (You are one lucky lady!) I also love your books. I can't believe your first manuscript sold in 2008 and you won the RuBY in 2010. WOW!

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  18. Hi Annie,

    Thanks for coming by.

    I'm one of Sharon's biggest fans and absolutely adore Sharon Archer Medicals, the lovely heart-warming Medical romance stories.

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  19. Hello Theresa,

    Just check out BACHELOR DAD, GIRL NEXT DOOR. It has a ten year old girl and the emotions Sharon conveys onto paper is awesome. It could be your research for your YA books!

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  20. Hi Wendy,

    I know how busy you're in your revisions, yet you took the time out to drop in on Sharon, thanks!

    Sharon's RuBy win is fabulous, isn't it?

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  21. Hi Sharon,

    Apart from Stephen King's book, I remember you recommended some other great writing books over here:
    http://nas-dean.blogspot.com/2010/12/michelle-douglas.html#comments

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  22. I don't think we need Financial help for single dads, do we Sharon?

    Our Dr Luke Daniels is a very capable doctor who's just been promoted to be the Boss! And he's handsome, charming, sexy and lovable!

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  23. Hi Dan,
    I do agree that single parenting is a real challenge. The issue of struggling single parents, particularly fathers, is something that you obviously feel strongly about and that you're addressing with practical advice on your website. Very commendable.

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  24. Hi Wendy
    Thank you for your lovely comments!
    I agree - I am very lucky to have found my dh that way! I think about the "alignments of the universe" that had to happen for it all to come together for that one advertisement in the paper... gives me the shivers a bit! It was meant to be!
    :)
    Sharon

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  25. Hey Nas, thank you for having me to visit! I've had a fun weekend in your blog spotlight!

    Good luck with your writing and I'll catch you somewhere on the cyber-waves soon!

    hugs
    Sharon

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  26. Hi Sharon and Nas
    What a wonderful biography Sharon--and I just love all those photos! I like your story from the view of a rusty nail. How come you didn't grow up to be a literary writer! (Glad you didn't, I like literary writing but I love your romances!)

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  27. Hey, Kandy! LOL on the possibilities of the rusty nail for a serious literary piece! If I remember correctly, it was rather a *short* story - after all, what can a rusty nail do but lie back and... rust some more?!

    Thank you for stopping in to say hello!
    :)
    Sharon

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  28. Hello Kandy,

    Great that you came by. I also love Sharon's Medical romances. Her books are so fabulous!

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  29. What a lovely story! I sat back with my coffee and was entertained by The Sharon Archer Story. Thanks for sharing it, Nas and Sharon.

    And, Nas, those lighthouse photos are stunning! I really must put Cape Regina Lighthouse on my list of places to visit. Thanks for posting them!

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  30. Hello Rachel,

    I'm glad you liked reading about Sharon and her story :)

    And about those lighthouse photos, what can I say? I aim to please!

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  31. What a wonderful, inspirational story. One that teaches us about perseverance. Thanks for sharing!

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  32. Hi Julie,

    Glad you enjoyed Sharon Archer's inspirational story.

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  33. Beautiful pics! I always love reading about a writer's journey. And I also love the pics--always dreamed about living in a lighthouse!

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  34. Hi Liz,

    Hope your dream of living in a lighthouse comes true some day. It'll be awesome to live there and write!

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  35. Hi Nas!
    You bring the most wonderful people to your blog. What a great journey that you've shared, Sharon. Thank you both!

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  36. What a great autobiography, Sharon. Like Anna, I knew a little about you and how you've persevered over the years but having it altogether in one place is wonderful.

    I read this with a smile as you achieved your milestones. My favourites - when and how you met Glenn (what a precious gift he is), followed by last year's win in the R*BY.

    Nas, I love your idea of an autobiography for authors!

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  37. Hi Lydia,

    Thanks for the lovely comment.

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  38. Hi Kylie,

    Thanks so much for coming by and for the lovely comment.

    I'm glad you found something new about Sharon Archer here :)

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  39. Nice to meet you, Nas and Sharon. I too have met the friendliest people through writing novels and blogging!

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  40. Hello Jennifer,

    You are welcome. We are also glad to meet you!

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  41. Hello Nas. What a wonderful guest. I was so interested to read what Sharon had to say about her life and her writing. The pics were an added bonus. I have never heard of Sharon but I'm glad to be introduced and will definitely have a read!

    Denise:)

    Publication Party - new session this Wednesday!

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  42. Hi Denise (L'Aussie),

    Sharon Archer is a multi-published HM&B Medical series author, and She writes heart-warming Medical Romances. I sure am glad that I introduced her to you!

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  43. Hi Nas and Sharon, great interview. Stephen King's On Writing rocks, I love the book to bits. It's so down-to-earth and full of great advice. Lovely to hear your story, Sharon, best of luck with future books :)

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  44. Hi Sharon,
    What an interesting blog - the part where you said "the piece (was) written in first-person from the point of view of a discarded nail rusting in long grass" really intrigued me. You obviously have a great imagination! (Also evident in wanting to be a horse when you grew up :) )

    Thanks, Nas for having Sharon on here as your guest. I got to know Sharon REALLY well when we were on the Romance Writers of Australia Melbourne conference committee three years ago (yes it's been that long!!) and Sharon is just a gorgeous, gorgeous person (as is hubby Glenn)

    Hugs to you both,
    Serena

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  45. Hey, Rachel, thanks for popping is! Aren't Nas's lighthouse pics great. I've been to beautiful Cape Reinga. I hope you do get there one day - I know you'll love it!

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  46. Julie, writing teaches us lots of lessons about patience and perseverance! Us writers are a stubborn lot, aren't we!
    ;)
    Sharon

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  47. Hi Liz, I'm like you - I really enjoy reading about the path that writers have taken to reach their dream. Thank you so much for stopping by to read about mine.
    :)
    Sharon

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  48. Thanks, Lydia! I'm tickled that you enjoyed my story!
    :)
    Sharon

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  49. Hey, Kylie - I'm smiling about you smiling about my milestones! I also smile about your milestone because it's been an exciting year for you and I know there will be more to come!
    :)
    Sharon

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  50. It's lovely to meet you, too, Jennifer! The blogsphere is a wonderful place to connect with people all over the world, isn't it!
    :)
    Sharon

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  51. Hi Denise, thank you for coming by to say hello. I just popped over to your blog page - I love your resolution for 2011 - "Write First - Blog Later!" I hope you stayed safe and dry with the floods in Queensland.
    :)
    Sharon

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  52. Yay, Serenity, another fan of Stephen King's On Writing! Excellent reading and full of interesting lessons on life as well as those tips for writers!
    :)
    Sharon

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  53. You're a sweetie, Serena! We spent some frantically busy but fantastically rewarding time together on that conference committee, didn't we! I still look back with a glow of pride! We did good!

    I love the conferences and knowing how hard the committees work to make them so special gives me an extra appreciation of the event!

    Cant' wait for the next one in August!
    :)
    Sharon

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  54. Hi Nas *waves* lovely to meet you. What a fascinating interview Sharon, I really enjoyed hearing about your journey to publication. Go the Aussies!

    Hugs,

    Rach

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  55. Hi Serenity, Thanks for coming by.

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  56. Hello Serena,

    I'm so happy to know someone who personnaly knew my idol! Thanks Serena, for letting me know what a warm and generous person Sharon is.

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  57. Hello Rachael,

    You are warmly welcomed to my home away from home!

    Glad you enjoyed reading about Sharon's journey to publication!

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  58. Thank you Sharon,

    For being with us here. You're a very warm and generous person and we all enjoyed being with you.

    We will be eagerly looking out for your next Medical release!

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  59. Great Bio. Thanks for sharing.

    Nikki

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  60. Hello Nikki,

    I'm so glad you liked meeting Sharon Archer!

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  61. Hi Rach and Nikki! Thank you both for visiting!

    I've had the loveliest time here on Nas's blog page! Thank you again, Nas!

    :)
    Sharon

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