FRIDAY STIR FRY - Sophomore Slump?

http://morguefile.com/archive

I read an article the other day about having difficulty writing a second novel. In other words - sophomore slump. I've heard this term for the music industry after some one's first album is a big hit. Can they repeat the success on the second one? Or are they a one hit wonder?

Not that my first book is a huge success, but I am quite happy with it and I've received some wonderful reviews. I love the story and the characters. Maybe a little too much. I'm having a hard time loving my current work just as much. I think it's a good story but, I'm having difficulty getting anywhere with it. It just keeps churning around in circles, never coming to any conclusion. I've started and stopped it so many times, I feel like I'm on a carnival ride. Around and around I go until I either throw up or get off.

But, I don't want to get off. I want to finish this and put it out there. I want writing to be my career so I can retire from the day job. That won't happen if I'm a one hit wonder.

You may have noticed the Camp NaNo sign to the right. Yep, I'm trying again to use camp to finish this book. Will I succeed this time? You betcha! (power of positive thinking and all that jazz)

Any advice from all you writers and readers out there? Comments always appreciated.  

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Done

   

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1409594







 

After serving two years as president of one of my writing groups, Sleuths' Ink, http://sleuthsink.blogspot.com/ I'm done. Whew!

Don't get me wrong, they are a wonderful group of people to be associated with. All talented and supportive of each other. It's just . . . well - the responsibility was starting to wear on me. Getting to the meetings early to set up, deciding on the agenda, making sure I reserved the room we use at the library which entailed me staying up until midnight every six months so I could get our e-mail request in a minute after midnight (I'm not a late night person). Signing up volunteers for projects, making sure we had speakers lined up and writing the president message for the newsletter each month.  Not to mention the occasional problem that would crop up.

Good luck to my successor. I, for one, am going to enjoy my freedom. Our meeting is tomorrow and I may not get there before it starts. I'll just slip in and have a seat anywhere I want. And talk out of turn. Take a nap if I so desire.

Now if I could get somebody to take over the treasurer position I volunteered for with my other group, Ozarks Romance Authors.  http://ozarks-romance-authors.com/

Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment.

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.