"Sisters in Crime" mystery writer and handwriting expert Sheila Lowe discussed her skills and expertise with more than 35 interested folks at the Valencia Library on Sunday.

She began by telling how she got interested in graphology, how she became court-qualified and how friends finally convinced her to write a book about it.

Her first book, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Handwriting Analysis" was "the book I'd like to have had when I was studying," she admitted. She also penned the now out-of-print "Handwriting of the Famous & Infamous" with samples of writing "from Galileo to George Bush."

Sheila has always loved reading mysteries, beginning with a children's series she read by Enid Blyton at age seven. But it wasn't until about 10 years ago while sitting in a dentist's chair that the idea for a mystery story came to her.

It started with the death of a real person she knew, "a woman you'd love to hate," and developed into the book, "Poison Pen." Her protagonist, Claudia Rose, is Sheila's alter ego, the handwriting expert who helps solve the mystery.

Sheila followed her mini-bio with some facts on handwriting analysis, telling us what the science can and cannot do. Handwriting can reveal our basic drives and motivations, strengths, attitudes, fears and defenses.

It can be used for pre-employment screening, compatibility, self knowledge, vocational guidance, and of course for signature authentication.

Next she showed handwriting samples and asked us to "guess" what types of person wrote them. How surprised we were to see embezzling hints in the handwriting of the Enron executive; a need to be noticed in the script of Princess Diana; several tell-tale warnings of death consciousness in a convicted killer, and the neat and orderly writing of First Lady Laura Bush.

According to Sheila, "Handwriting is brain-writing. It reflects the person."

Her method of analysis is holistic, seeing the whole picture, considering space, pressure and speed, instead of looking at strokes individually.

When she opened the discussion for questions, many responded, including some who wished to have their own handwriting analyzed. Later Sheila stayed to sell and sign her books.

If you are interested in Sheila Lowe's non-fiction or mystery books, having your (or another person's) handwriting analyzed, or how to get started in the profession, see her Web sites www.sheilalowe. com and www.claudiaroseseries.com.

(See my review of "Poison Pen" by Sheila Lowe at: http://valleynews.com/TheValley/Stories/Reviews/General-Reviews/Story~179954.aspx)