Born and raised in west Michigan, Shar attended Spring Arbor University.  Upon graduating with an education degree way back in 1971, she traveled internationally for a year with a small singing ensemble, then came home and married one of her childhood friends.  Together they raised two lovely, wonderful daughters, both of whom are happily married and enjoying their own families.  Retired in 2003 from 31-years of teaching, Shar loves to read, sing in the church choir and worship team, travel, and spend time with her family, in particular, her wonderful, adorable grandchildren, Dylan, Alexis, and Gavin!


A Christian for forty+ years, and a lover of the English language, Shar has always enjoyed dabbling in writing—poetry, fiction, various essays, and freelancing for periodicals and newspapers.  Her favored genre, however, has always been romance.  She remembers well the short stories she wrote in high school and watching them circulate from girl to girl during government and civics classes.  “Psst,” someone would whisper from two rows over, and always with the teacher’s back to the class, “Pass me the next page.”  



Shar is a an occasional speaker for her local MOPS organization, is involved in KIDS’ HOPE USA, a mentoring program for at-risk children, counsels young women in the Apples of Gold program, and is active in two weekly Bible studies.  She and her husband, Cecil, live in Spring Lake, Michigan with their lazy, fat cat Mocha.

Chat with Shar

Q – How did you get your start in writing?

A – I have always loved writing, but it wasn’t until the year 2000 that I began to have a recurring dream—I know, this sounds a little weird—that I had written a book.  At first, I thought, how silly, but after having the dream at least three or four times I began to wonder if God was trying to tell me something.  Shortly thereafter, I sat down at the computer to see if I could get beyond the first page.  I did!  And my first-ever novel (along with my writing passion) was born.  In fact, I wrote about 90,000 words in three weeks!  My husband kept me watered and fed, bless his heart.  By the way, I will never write that fast and furiously again!

Q – Why do you write?

A – Precisely for the reason stated above.  God gifted me with a passion and I simply can’t stop!  It is my heart’s desire to write for His glory and honor.  Therefore, I pray about all my plot lines, and when I “get stuck”, as every writer does, I go to my knees in prayer and ask God to renew my spirit, refresh my mind and heart, and redirect my thoughts.  He has never failed me!

Q – What message would you like your readers to walk away with after reading one of your books?

A – I try to weave my Christian faith into each of my stories, and so it’s my desire that, while entertaining, my novels will also carry a message of God’s divine love and forgiveness.  He wants to have a relationship with each of us, so I pray that people will come away from my books with a clearer knowledge of that eternal hope.

Q – What is your favorite Bible verse?

A – My all-time favorite verse is Romans 8:28, which says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” 

This verse really speaks to me—tells me that no matter what trial or heartache I might have to suffer, God is right there in the middle of it, carrying me, guiding me, lending me strength.  And that in the end, he’s going to take that rough circumstance, turn it around, and make me stronger for it—make me thankful that I had to experience it.

Q – What advice do you have for new writers?

A – Follow your passions.  Never give up!  Don’t let discouragement or disappointment keep you from pursuing your dream.  If God has planted a seed of yearning in your heart to write, it won’t go away.  Be assured he will use that passion if you ‘give it back to him’.  Also, involve yourself with others who share your enthusiasm, join a writers’ group, attend writers’ conferences, read books about how to improve your craft, and above all, PRAY! Then prepare yourself for what God will do through you!