FRIDAY STIR FRY - Congratuations Are In Order

I want to use this Stir Fry to congratulate some of my writer friends who have succeeded in their dream of being a published author. If you're not familiar with any of them I've included links to their blogs, etc. (please don't take offense if I leave anybody out - I'm doing this off the top of my head).

First up - Allison Merritt http://havenovelwilledit.blogspot.com/  This young lady has self published several books and now has contracts from traditional publishing houses for two more.

Barbara Bettis - http://barbarabettis.blogspot.com/   This lovely lady is getting her first historical romance published.

Susan Keene - find her on Facebook http://facebook.com/susan.keene1  This wonderful woman has just had her first children's book published.

Lisa Medley - http://lisamedley.wordpress.com  This smart lady entered Harlequin's contest "So You Think You Can Write" and has received a contract for her Reaper series.

T. Sue Versteeg - here's a link to Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D9A3USW   This talented writer has several published books and just added a collaboration with  NYT Bestselling Author Gemma Halliday.

Cecily White - https://www.facebook.com/AngelAcademySeries?fref=ts  This beautiful lady had her first book in the Angel Academy young adult series published this winter.

Pat Tierney  - https://www.facebook.com/pati.tierney  just had her suspense novel an Unlikely Hero published.

 Kaye Calkins -  http://www.amazon.com/Deverells-Dilemma   had her Sweet Historical Romance published.

 I am proud to say all of these women are members of Ozarks Romance Authors  a writer's group I am also a member of. http://ozarks-romance-authors.com/   I have learned so much from this group and these women. This post is just a way to thank them all. And maybe one day I'll join their ranks.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Houston We Have A Problem

As some of you know, I've been in computer training all week. We are getting a new operating system at work. It has been a most exasperating experience. Not only is my old, tiny brain trying to re-boot but there has been all sorts of problems with the training software. Really doesn't give me much confidence in the new system. I mean if you have this much trouble with your training modules, how much trouble are we going to run into when it goes live in a few weeks?

The trainer has been nice and very patient with us though. She even went out for drinks with me last night (too many drinks). I'm surprised we are both functioning today. But that's a whole other problem.

Anyway, I've been so tired when I get home no editing has been going on. Again. My ex never understood how a desk job can wear you out so much. After all it's not physical labor. But, I'm tellin' ya, brain labor can be just as tiring. My neck hurts from hunching over a laptop and my eyes are dry from staring at the screen. I know, wa, wa, wa. At least I have a job.

Maybe this weekend I can recover enough to finish edits, and send out some queries. Fingers crossed.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Living Among Us

Sorry there was no post last week. I was deathly ill. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration. A summer cold attacked me. We are still in a battle. Sometimes I have the upper hand, sometimes not. Anyway, I stayed in bed most of last Friday.

I had every intention to do more edits on BTH all last weekend. Yeah, that didn't happen. Between the nose blowing, the runny eyes, the sneezing and the coughing there was no way I could concentrate. And I've been so tired after work this week, there was a few nights I was in bed before 8:00. So no progress has been made. Excuses, excuses, excuses.

I spent much of my time sitting in my recliner and watching the strange people across the street. Mind you, it's not unusual to see strange people on my street. I live in the hood less than a block away from a liquor store and a Dollar General. Remind me to tell you sometime about coming home one night to find a man laying on my front porch.

Back to my neighbor. There were two men and one woman and I don't know how many dogs and cats. And one riding lawn mower. It seems that mower was their only means of transportation. At one point they attached a small trailer behind and two of them rode in it to the store. Yep, pretty entertaining. You know what though? They more than likely will end up as characters in one of my future books. I don't even have to leave my house to get inspiration!

If you don't live in the hood, where do you go to find interesting characters?