Happy Labor Day to me!  I'm wading into new territory, both in writing a blog and in setting up a new web presence.   My computer-engineer son, now married and living far away, is not around to help with all my techie questions as I set up this new MySpace and wade into unknown waters.  It's fun and addictive, though, and I can see if I'm not careful, I may never save time to write any new books.

He finally taught me how to update my primary website Sheri Sinykin's Place, where I have a link to the first chapter of Giving Up the Ghost on my CURRENT BOOKS page, along with a link to a Teacher's Guide. 

But Patience seems to be the lesson of the day. That and Perseverance.

The last decade of my life has been visited by much loss--both personal and professional.  But I am happy to be publishing again--under a slightly new name (I dropped my maiden name I used in my earlier books) after an extended period of writer's block.

As my novel for readers ages 10-14 is set near New Orleans and the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina just passed days ago, I've been feeling sad and frustrated about all the promises that have not been kept, all the lives that have been shattered and not rebuilt, all the pain and suffering that continues.  What can I do?  No amount of political action, donation of money and books seems to help heal aching hearts.

Maybe Giving Up the Ghost is a response of sorts, one I hope will bring comfort and healing to adolescents wracked by fear and grief, no matter where they live.

I'd love to hear your comments about Giving Up the Ghost or about Patience and Perseverance!