<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[www.sherry.com]]></title><description><![CDATA[Sherry]]></description><link>https://www.sherrymartschink.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:16:04 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.sherrymartschink.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Haunted Van]]></title><description><![CDATA[Years ago, I drove a minivan. Now, this wasn’t just any minivan; it was a special one. It didn’t become special until lightning struck it, and then I think it was haunted.             After that, the locks on the doors just did their own thing. Literally. Various doors locked and unlocked without rhyme or reason. It didn’t matter if someone was in the van or not, whether it was moving or not. I could be driving along, minding the road and my own business, when the doors would start doing...]]></description><link>https://www.sherrymartschink.com/post/haunted-van</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c5d3ce60f0b8e1134eedbc</guid><pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:48:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5b21e4_a0e98ab4f3684af0ace58f31417da755~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>sherrymartschink</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Erma Bombeck]]></title><description><![CDATA[https://open.substack.com/pub/smartschink/p/erma-bombeck?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&#38;utm_medium=web           Take a moment to click on the link to see where I'm going!]]></description><link>https://www.sherrymartschink.com/post/erma-bombeck</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69bb4ea5c5d856835575d8e5</guid><pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2026 01:18:24 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>sherrymartschink</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Writing Up a Storm ]]></title><description><![CDATA[So, you think writing is fun, huh?             Well, yes, it is fun. It’s editing, rewriting, querying for agents and/or publishers that’s not so much fun. It’s definitely a learning experience, though.             Maybe there’s an art to getting published, but it’s also absolutely a business. So many of the agents want a platform, i.e. thousands of followers for the author on social media, so, if each person reading this could somehow secure 2000 followers for me on Facebook or subscribers...]]></description><link>https://www.sherrymartschink.com/post/writing-up-a-storm</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69af32cfde5ad9153e0ba00e</guid><pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 20:53:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5b21e4_3468583d220a4bee911703646261087f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>sherrymartschink</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Potty Dance Day!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Tomorrow, March 5th, is the annual National Potty Dance Day. Are you ready? I am. The older I get, the more practice I get! Sometimes my potty dance is frantic.  Especially when I get to the door and someone else is obviously putting the "finale" on his or her own dance. Many dances require music; not this one. It has its own rhythm. Get ready to celebrate all day long - and have fun, okay? In the meantime, I'm practicing.]]></description><link>https://www.sherrymartschink.com/post/potty-dance-day</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a85770ffff75773eb9d134</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:21:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5b21e4_b7843cbe88734817ad65301d03aeb263~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>sherrymartschink</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[      Would You Like to Be in A Book?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Seriously, would you like to be a character in one of my books? You can choose whether you want to be a victim or a villain or perhaps you'd prefer to be a detective, police officer, family member, witness, passerby, etc. Book Character! All you have to do is subscribe to my newsletter, which is free and not a big deal. It's occasional. Maybe once every two weeks, maybe an average of only once a month. And what's more, if it ever arrives, you don't even have to read it! Scroll down for the...]]></description><link>https://www.sherrymartschink.com/post/would-you-like-to-be-in-a-book</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a72698b7ed48968149b56e</guid><pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 18:33:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5b21e4_31e177fc99964f06be47f1ddfec7b8e0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_882,h_816,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>sherrymartschink</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Don't Yawn!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Yawn.             This is somewhat like a test: see if you can read these few paragraphs without yawning, okay?             Just the other night, The Duppster and I were headed home, and we both were yawning.             So, we started talking about why people yawn and why it seems that yawns are contagious.             According to Andrew C. Gallup, PhD, "Brains are like computers... They operate most efficiently when cool, and physical adaptations have evolved to allow maximum cooling of...]]></description><link>https://www.sherrymartschink.com/post/don-t-yawn</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a4a8c851b11cfaffffb4c8</guid><pubDate>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 21:00:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5b21e4_0fde9d28d0bf4bbcaaccdbaa2fbee6fd~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_154,h_200,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>sherrymartschink</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Aunt Nellie Knows]]></title><description><![CDATA[I'm in the midst of writing fiction (crime/police mysteries) and humorous non-fiction, but, on a whim yesterday, I decided to try some quirky fiction. The temporary title is Aunt Nellie Knows...And She Tells. It's a challenge, but I'm having fun. How far will I go with it? Only Aunt Nellie knows.]]></description><link>https://www.sherrymartschink.com/post/aunt-nellie-knows</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a20d7432a596f2a27cd547</guid><pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2026 21:34:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5b21e4_c8685fcd20e24b7ab27e248584c58159~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>sherrymartschink</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ramblings]]></title><description><![CDATA[I really don’t know how to adequately express what I’m feeling. Not a good thing for a writer or would-be author.   I look at sunsets and rainbows, trees, waterfalls, and ripples in rivers and think how beautiful our world is.   Then I hear or read the news. Shootings and killings, and I think how ugly our world is.   What have we done to our world?   Monks walk for peace, days and days and days. Thousands and thousands turn out in support of the walk and for peace. People are yearning for...]]></description><link>https://www.sherrymartschink.com/post/ramblings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69814bcce90da4b7522cd7ee</guid><pubDate>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 01:15:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5b21e4_023b2e64057e48b29ef13a1966cd49d8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>sherrymartschink</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rejections]]></title><description><![CDATA[All writers fear it. All writers experience it.               That doesn’t make it fun – except, perhaps, for sadists.               Writing is hard work. Trying to sign with an agent can be painful, but the pain has been and still is shared by many.               “Chicken Soup for the Soul” was rejected by 144 publishers. “Carrie” by Stephen King was rejected multiple times. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter efforts were turned down a dozen times. Even “Gone With the Wind” and “Lord of the Flies”...]]></description><link>https://www.sherrymartschink.com/post/rejections</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697e2db46379b93199b2b436</guid><pubDate>Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:38:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5b21e4_a69f343fd2484cc39f088692f6cac0f2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>sherrymartschink</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Exploring Character Development in Fiction Writing]]></title><description><![CDATA[(not written by Sherry; author unknown) Character development is the backbone of any compelling story. It is what transforms a simple narrative into a rich tapestry of emotions, motivations, and growth. In fiction writing, characters are not just vessels for the plot; they are the heart and soul of the story. This blog post will delve into the intricacies of character development, exploring techniques, examples, and the importance of crafting well-rounded characters that resonate with...]]></description><link>https://www.sherrymartschink.com/post/exploring-character-development-in-fiction-writing</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697d56cab3cf8ba2384c5c48</guid><pubDate>Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:11:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5b21e4_8c8518aafa754a49b1551fc05d37d9e8~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>sherrymartschink</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Art of Storytelling: Building Engaging Narratives]]></title><description><![CDATA[(not written by Sherry; author unknown) Storytelling is an ancient art form that has captivated audiences for centuries. From campfire tales to modern-day novels, the ability to weave a compelling narrative is a skill that can engage, entertain, and inspire. In this blog post, we will explore the essential elements of storytelling, how to create engaging narratives, and the impact of a well-told story on your audience. An open book resting on a table with a beautiful landscape behind it....]]></description><link>https://www.sherrymartschink.com/post/the-art-of-storytelling-building-engaging-narratives</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697d56bcb3cf8ba2384c5c29</guid><pubDate>Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:11:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5b21e4_bd2dd2c70605456ea00b24b1bcdf27e0~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>sherrymartschink</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Top Tips for Aspiring Authors and Writers]]></title><description><![CDATA[(not written by Sherry; author unknown) Writing can be a daunting journey, filled with both excitement and uncertainty. Whether you are just starting out or have been writing for a while, the path to becoming a successful author is often riddled with challenges. However, with the right strategies and mindset, you can navigate this journey more effectively. Here are some top tips to help you on your way to becoming a successful writer. A vintage typewriter ready for creative writing Develop a...]]></description><link>https://www.sherrymartschink.com/post/top-tips-for-aspiring-authors-and-writers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697d56b8afd4a3da350dd97f</guid><pubDate>Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:11:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5b21e4_17b192ef99284b088d144a286ad80906~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>sherrymartschink</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>