Hi folks; I hope you're doing well these days. I'm here to let you know that I will no longer be keeping this blog. Rest assured that it's nothing personal or reflective of anything that's happened at WDC. I hate to use the "it's not you, it's me" line, but that's exactly the truth.

There are several reasons for this, but they're all intertwined. First, you all know that my life went through a major transition two years ago, when my in-laws moved in next door, my father-in-law was diagnosed with dementia, and my job was transferred in a period of less than six months. I was very honest about the difficulty of that journey. Unfortunately, most people aren't comfortable dealing with other peoples' pain or struggles, and I lost a lot of readers at this blog during that time - readers I haven't (and probably won't ever) be able to get back. I can't say that I blame them. After all, who wants to follow a blog where every entry is a pissed off tirade. In retrospect, I realize that's exactly what it was. I wasn't nearly as objective as I thought I was being, and I think I overwhelmed people with too much of my pain and struggle. When people are uncomfortable, they leave. And the truth is that my blunt and overt nature made many people uncomfortable during this period of time. People in my personal life understood and several of you were good enough to stick it out with me. I thank you for that. But I also can't blame the ones that left, because I understand why they did it. I'm happy to say that things have settled in a better place and in fact, I do believe my life is better than it was before the changes. It was a brutal transition full of learning and struggles, but I think it's safe to say that things have settled in a spot where it's all worked out as well as it possibly could. Still, the damage of sharing too much of my trials is done, and it can't be undone. So here you see one more lesson I learned from that painful period of my life - the importance of discernment.

Another reason is that I'm not nearly as active here as I was several years ago. I've gravitated toward working on novels, novellas, and long stories more than short stories. The work that I'm producing really doesn't get reviewed well here at WDC, where most readers seem to prefer poetry, short stories and flash fiction. I dabble in these things, but I've come to realize in the past year that I'm truly a novelist at heart, and that's where I'm going to direct the majority of my time and effort in my writing. Plus, I was fortunate to get 2 book contracts last year, which have kept me very busy. I've had to learn a great deal about promotion, and that takes up more time than I imagined. I'm having to channel my energy at a broader range of activities to support my writing and unfortunately, they've taken me away from here. In fact, I don't plan to extend my upgraded membership when it expires in August. I'm paying to host my own website now and the money would be better directed toward supporting that and other promotional efforts for what I have published. I will maintain a basic membership here, but since I have less time to spend here then I will not be as active.

This leads me to my final reason to abandon this blog: It comes down to the basics of where time, money and energy are best spent. I'm not on this site as much as I used to be. Getting published has drawn me into other areas on the Internet, including more work on my own website and other social media. Frankly, I'm not selling books through this site, and I have to pay to have my own domain name for my writing website. Plus, the blog on my personal website results in many more hits than this one does. I have another blog that I update periodically at Open Salon, and the truth of the matter is that I simply don't have time to maintain 3 blogs on a regular basis when I have my writing, a full time job, family, friends, and volunteer work at church. As my former therapist said, every human being only has so much energy. Some of it must be directed toward mandatory things (like work and family) and you have to choose how to spend the rest. I've taken a long, hard look at what's producing results for my writing online and frankly, this blog isn't resulting in any new readers, fans or book sales. My life is too busy to invest in something that isn't returning, so I've had to take stock and cut back or eliminate several things who's season has passed in my life. Unfortunately, this blog and my updated membership at WDC are two of those things.

Believe me, it hurts like hell to have to make these decisions, but the truth is that this new life is very different from the old. It's a better life and despite the challenges it has brought greater blessings and opportunities, but it's also required me to go through everything in it and to cut some things that were painful to give up. I've also had to give up counted cross stitching, membership at another writing website that I couldn't keep up with (Authonomy), and I've announced my intention to resign from one of my committees at church when Rick's term on council ends in December. When your life grows, you have to push out what isn't serving. I hope I am able to return to some of these things one day but for right now, I must let them go. Time will tell what returns and what was truly for a season that has passed.

I wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors and welcome you to follow me at other places where I have an online presence. My website has a blog at it and I welcome you to check it out at http://www.sherrithewriter.com . I am also at Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads and welcome you to follow me at those sites as well.

Thanks for many wonderful years of being a member and blogging here. I've learned a lot and can truly say that I wouldn't be where I am with my writing or in my life if it weren't for your help and support. Thanks everything, and I hope you will continue to follow me elsewhere on the Web.

Godspeed!
 

Hi all; I hope you're doing well. I've been reading a lot lately about people theorizing that "writer's block" is a myth. I have a pretty strong opinion about this topic. Here is a copy of the response I posted on the blog at my website at http://www.sherrithewriter.com . I really think that dismissing it as such is demeaning and minimizing what writer's do and it's offensive. Here's the entry:

I've been reading a great deal lately where people say that writer's block is a myth. Our muse doesn't get blocked, they say. We're just making excuses to not writer.

To them I say that if this is true, then "burnout" is also a myth. Think about it - if you apply this logic to every other area of life, then it logically follows that you don't get burned out on work; you simply get lazy and don't want to work anymore.

Now how does that arguement sound? Extreme, right? Well, I'll go to the other extreme and say that if a writer hasn't experienced writer's block, then I wonder if they're really writers. Because frankly, there's a difference between crafting a piece that is truly researched and developed and pounding out whatever random crap runs through your brain. If you want your work to be published and well received by readers, then you must invest in it by putting the time, thought and effort into it to make it the best piece it can be. That doesn't happen overnight and frankly, it can be a daunting task.

I know I sound peevish, but I've been writing for nearly 11 years and it makes me angry for people to "assume" that I get writer's block occasionally because I'm lazy. First of all, you don't stick with something for this long if your lazy. Second, you won't survive in the writing world in you're lazy because you'll drown in the flood of others that are willing to work at it and put their best work forward to get a break.

Writer's block does exist, and it's not laziness. Rather, I return to my previous statement of comparing it to burnout. I believe it's a natural tendency for us to get stuck in ruts and to show us that we need to break out of the same old same old to refresh ourselves and feed our muse. It's a sign that we need to slow down, relax, and experience life in order to refresh our creativity. Tapping that same old well over and over again is only going to drain it dry. We need to replenish it in order to keep turning out fresh work. We need to look around and find new ideas instead of pounding the same old ones, over and over. We need to stretch, grow and learn. And yes, sometimes it means we do need to take a break and live a little. A writer without a life isn't much of a writer. You need to live your life and fully experience it in order to keep the creativity flowing.

So yes, writer's block is just as real as burnout. And if you don't believe me, I challenge you to cancel your vacations this year and don't take a day of leave for the next 365 days. Then tell me what's real.

That's all for today.

Bye!
 

Hi all; I hope you're off to a great start to 2012. I certainly hope this weekend isn't an indicator of how the rest of the year's gonna go. Rick and I both came down with a vicious virus over the weekend that had us both bedridden. That's the sickest either of us has been in a long while. It's frustrating to get sick right at the start of the year, but I am glad it didn't happen over the holidays. That would have been inconvenient!

That being said, I do have 2 tips for those of you dealing with someone that's sick:

1. Don't force feed them, especially if it's gasterointestinal. Believe me, whatever you fear may happen from not eating is nothing compared to what will happen if you force them to eat; and

2. Don't pepper them with a million questions. People are addicted to asking too many questions in general, so it's a good habit to break. Plus, you'd be amazed at how much you can discover from putting your brain on something for 5 minutes. I bet it cuts the question quota by 75%.

Plus, on top of all this fun, I got a letter from my hairdresser that she's retiring at the end of March. I suspected this might be coming, but she always deflected the question. She's done my hair since I was 16, which is over half my life. She's also the only one that would do what I wanted with it, except for my great aunt, who quit doing hair when I was in my tweens and died 15 years ago. Everybody else wanted to do funky things with hair dye and curling irons and blow dryers and layers. I just want simple, all one length, no fuss, no electric appliances, brush it and go style. Not popular I know, but not terribly time consuming in the mornings either. I don't know what I'm going to do. I guess I'll go for my next trim at the end of the month, bid her farewell, and decide what the hell to do next. I was thinking of growing it out some anyway, so maybe this is a sign to go for it. It would be nice to be able to do braids and ponytails again, too.

Anyway, enough griping. God willing, I'll get back to life tomorrow, albeit cautiously. We're both recovering, but it's slow going.

That's all for today. More later.

Bye!
 

Happy New Year everybody! I wanted to drop by to tell you that I wish each and every one of you success in your writing endeavors in 2012.

As my gift to writers and to those that have supported my writing through the years, I have recently self published a guide titled "So You Want to Be a Writer." I hope it will help new writers get started in the bold and exciting journey of writing. You can download the guide at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/118382 . It's available as a free download, so please let others know that it's available.

Thanks to all of you for your help and support. 2011 was a great year of tremendous progress with getting published again, and I have WDC to thank. The rates, reviews and feedback I receive on my work is critical and has been tremendously helpful in getting it shaped and polished for readers. Thank you SO much. This is a wonderful community!

I wish you success, joy and happiness in 2012. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
 

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s almost here: Christmas, the most magical time of the year. Weeks of planning, coordination, and frantic planning are about to come to their purpose as that blessed date finally arrives.

As we come upon Christmas, I’d like to urge all of you to remember the reason for the season. It’s so easy to get caught up in full schedules, gift buying, parties, family, friends, food and fun that we forget WHY we’re celebrating. It isn’t about gifts, decorations, meals, or Santa. It’s about the most wonderful gift that humanity has been given: Christ, our King who brings our salvation.

We talk about family, friends and church. These are wonderful gifts, but remember that the core of why we celebrate is the personal victory that Christ gave us when he died on the cross and defeated Satan for once and for all. It’s our responsibility to claim that victory and the free Grace of God that is offered with it. Nobody can do it for us. This is a free gift offered to each and every one of us and we alone must claim it. This is a time to give thanks for it. Remember that we join together to give thanks to Christ for coming into this world. We give gifts to one another as symbols of the wonderful gift of Salvation that Christ has given to us. We celebrate because we know that we’re free from the devastating consequences of sin on our soul and know we have eternal life.

I know the days ahead are full, but please take some quiet time to reflect on the reason for all of the activity in the coming days. Otherwise, it becomes another item on the “to do” list. Christ deserves better than that. It isn’t about putting on the “perfect holiday.” It’s about celebrating the “perfect gift” that we have, now and always, throughout all of eternity. Thanks be to God.

Merry Christmas!

 

Hi folks; I hope you're doing well and having a great week. My week got a lot better at 4:30 when I got off work for my last day in 2011. Yep, I'm free until January 3rd, and let me tell you - I need it.

I'm sorry I haven't been better about blogging, but frankly the last 2 weeks have been rough. Everything at work came down at once and we were literally buried under a mountain of deadlines and incoming information that just wouldn't stop. So this week couldn't end a minute too soon, and boy am I glad it's over. I made it by the grace of God. I'm so tired, I feel like I could collapse.

And so, with that, I shall log off. I know it's pathetic to call it a day so early when I'm finally off for the holidays, but my brain is beat and busted. Better luck tomorrow, right?

Well, it should (I pray) be better from here. If I don't make it back by, I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas!

Bye!
 

Hi folks; I hope you're doing well and having a great week. My week got a lot better at 4:30 when I got off work for my last day in 2011. Yep, I'm free until January 3rd, and let me tell you - I need it.

I'm sorry I haven't been better about blogging, but frankly the last 2 weeks have been rough. Everything at work came down at once and we were literally buried under a mountain of deadlines and incoming information that just wouldn't stop. So this week couldn't end a minute too soon, and boy am I glad it's over. I made it by the grace of God. I'm so tired, I feel like I could collapse.

And so, with that, I shall log off with that. I know it's pathetic to call it a day so early when I'm finally off for the holidays, but my brain is beat and busted. Better luck tomorrow, right?

Well, it should (I pray) be better from here. If I don't make it back by, I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas!

Bye!
 

Hi all, just dropping in to tell you that my latest author interview posted at Marja's Mystery Blog. I believe this one is my best to date! In it, I talk about my current novel (Blurry, the young adult mystery novel published in August), my upcoming novel (Anywhere But Here, a supernatural suspense novel scheduled for publication in April 2012) and my birds! Check it out at http://blog.marjamcgraw.com/2011/12/12/sherri-fulmer-moorer-guest-author.aspx . It will be up until Sunday!

Thanks all for supporting my writing!
 

Hi all; I hope you're doing well. Has it really been 12 days since I last blogged here? I suppose so. I have an excuse. I've been working, cleaning house, decorating and Christmas shopping. So I'm sure you understand - I'm tired!

I'm making it, though, and it's alright. Actually, I finished all of the shopping for family today during my lunch break. All that's left are gifts for co-workers (watch out discount stores, here we come!) and stocking stuffers, which need no wrapping and can be bought at the grocery store (or discount stores - hooray!). And yes, I'll mail Christmas cards tomorrow. It's time.

I've been focusing more on promoting my writing this month. The muse, naturally, shows down during the busy holiday season. So I'm focusing on promoting my novels. I have another author interview that's scheduled to post on Monday, December 12, so I'm excited about that. I'm also running a blog series on my personal website on Surviving the Holidays With Your Sanity Intact. You can check it out at http://www.sherrithewriter.com . The blog is at the "Into the Rabbit Hole" tab.

The family is doing good and the birds are excellent, as always. The job is busy, but ok. Things are moving steady. Next week will probably be busy yet, but we believe it will slow after that. I finally got over my sinus infection too, thank God.

That's really all there is to report. Sorry it's not more exciting. Just the usual holiday hullabaloo.

That's all folks, for this time at least. Take care. Happy Friday and have a great weekend.

Bye!
 

Hi folks; I hope you're doing well and had a great Thanksgiving Weekend. Ours was good, but exhausting. To those of you that travel, don't be fooled into thinking that a holiday at home is "relaxing." In some ways, it's more tiring than hitting the road! We're lucky that both families are here in town, but that means 2 families to see (and calling you all weekend). Then some friends called Thursday - surprise! They're in town visiting family and want to see us too. It's been a very full weekend of family and friends. Good yes, but we need a break and some time for ourselves - very badly!

Believe it or not, today is the first time that I got the laptop out since Wednesday. And it's about to be put back up too, as I'm just checking in. Facebook actually E-mailed me yesterday to remind me that *ahem* I have an account and am missing things. I didn't know they did that if you didn't log in frequently enough! Well, too bad. I've been busy and today, I need a break. I'm not sure what we're going to do yet, but it won't be at the frentic pace we've been keeping. We've got to slow down the pace.

Ok, I'm going back to my "Thanksgiving Break" now. Don't worry - I'll be back on the writing thing very shortly.

Have a great day! I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels to those of you that did have to hit the road and/or airways!

Bye!