Sharon Daynard

by Lynne Ober

Nine year Hudson resident Sharon Daynard is a published author who specializes in mysteries with a hint of geology. "I also work a piece of geology into everything I write, " smiles Sharon. "I majored in geology when I was in college and I still love it."

Sharon and her husband of twenty years, Randy, have two children, Ken, who is 17, and Kristen, who is sixteen. Both are students at Alvirne High School.

Sharon earned her B.S. in Environmental Sciences and Geology from the University of Lowell, but has not worked directly as a geologist. "It's a little difficult to go out into the field when you are also a mom," she notes. "However, I have used my degree in my work. I've worked for a long time in banking. One banking job involved mapping flood plains. That definitely used what I learned in my degree."

Today she incorporates geology into her writings. "Many of my main characters are geologists. One story took place in an abandoned mining camp. In the current mystery that I'm working on, the protagonist is a female geology professor who becomes the prime suspect in a murder when her prized field specimen is found to be the murder weapon."

Although Sharon has worked in banking for almost seventeen years, and currently works at Hudson's Citizens Bank, she also was a substitute teacher in the Hudson School District for five years. "I substituted at both Hudson Memorial School and at Alvirne. I loved working with the kids, but as my own children got older, they were not thrilled to have me in the same school as them." Her daughter, Kristen, offers a big grin and a cheerful "yup" at that statement.

The Toadstool Book Store in Milford recently hosted a book signing for Undertow a collection of New England mystery stories. "One of my stories is included in that volume and I participated in the book signing," reports Sharon. "It was lots of fun."

Sharon got interested in writing about ten years ago. "I was working at a bank in Massachusetts that was about to be seized by the FDIC which meant I was about to be unemployed," she recalls. "I was always an avid reader and figured that one day I'd give writing a try. When the bank closed to find the time to write was easy, but finding something to write about wasn't. Eventually I began writing horror stories with Twilight Zone twists as well as writing mysteries. I love the twists and turns that occur in both genres."

Sharon has been recognized as a successful storyteller who thrills her readers with an intriguing variety of twists and unexpected plot changes. "I've been published The Bohemian Chronicle, The Threshold, Shiver and now I'm also in Undertow."

With her current work schedule, Sharon writes on Mondays and Tuesdays and then works the rest of the week at the bank. "That lets me concentrate on my work while my kids are in school." Sharon's published name is SA Daynard. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.

Sharon has also contributed to Hudson's natural resources and served a term as on the Conservation Committee. "Obviously with my background in environmental science and geology, I'm very interested in preserving the environment," she states.

Community Questions:

HLN: What do you like about living in Hudson?

Daynard: "I'd have to say one of the nicest things about Hudson is the small town feel one gets here. I love Old Home Days. It's such a great community celebration. I also love our cozy little library. I can't give enough praise to our wonderful school system."

HLN: What would you change about Hudson?

Daynard: "This is both selfish and impossible, but I wish Hudson was as small as it was nine years ago. I loved that New England town feeling. We’ve had a lot of growth since then."

HLN: What are your hobbies?

Daynard: "It's hard to have too many hobbies when you are raising kids and working at two jobs – the banking and the writing," she laughs. "But I love bingo." Sharon tries to play bingo once a week – going with her mother and sister both of whom live in the area. "It's great fun."

"My other big hobby is reading," said Sharon. "I love Janet Evanovich, Parnell Hall, Evan Marshall, Diane Mott Davidson, Mary Daheim, Lou Jane Temple, Dorothy Cannel, Dana Cameron, Ellen Hart, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Harley Jane Kosak. All of them write great stories that just engross the reader."

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