Sandra K. Marshall is author of The Riverboat Mysteries and some short stories, but she has started to give a lot of thought to not writing anymore. Why is this you ask? There are many reasons, and I'll list them below.1. It has become very painful to sit at the computer for hours (neck and shoulder pain).
2. I'm having a difficult time focusing on writing primarily because of #1.
3. I have lost my enjoyment of writing for more than one reason (not just because of #1).
4. Promoting on social media is another reason I'm not enjoying writing. I know I'm going to have to promote my new book when it's published.
5. Not making enough money to justify publishing my work.
6. It's getting difficult for me to make deadlines.
7. Fibromyalgia and neuropathy from an injury in my early 20's is not helping my concentration (keep changing medication to try to get a grip on it)
All of this doesn't mean I'm going to give up writing entirely, but when I start again it will be at my own pace and when I feel like it. I can endure sitting at the computer for a couple of hours to write, but not if I have to answer emails, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
What about you is it time to get away from the rat race? Remember LaVyrle Spencer? She was a New York Times best seller who quit at the height of her career to do something she really enjoyed, composing music.
Below you can find The Riverboat Mysteries links to Amazon and Barnes and Noble in ebook format.
The Catalyst -
http://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Riverboat-Mysteries-Sandra-Marshall-ebook/dp/B00EV47SE2/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/The-Catalyst-by-Sandra-K--marshall?keyword=The+Catalyst+by+Sandra+K.+Marshall&store=ebook
Addiction -
http://www.amazon.com/Addiction-Sandra-K-Marshall-ebook/dp/B00FI6JHT6/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Addiction-by-Sandra-K-Marshall?store=ebook&keyword=Addiction+by+Sandra+K.+Marshall
The Deceived -
http://www.amazon.com/Deceived-Sandra-K-Marshall-ebook/dp/B00G7XR0XE/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/The-Deceived-by-Sandra-K-Marshall?store=ebook&keyword=The+Deceived+by+Sandra+K.+Marshall
I'm sorry to say this will be my last blog at Romance Books 4 Us. I have enjoyed being one of the twenty authors doing a monthly blog, but I'm giving up this position. It is my desire to try to keep up my weekly blog on my blog. I intend to stay with Romance Books 4 Us Yahoo Group, but I'm going to go to daily digest, so I'll be one of those lurkers now.
Also, I'll be staying with my GIAMx2 Yahoo goals group to make sure I do some writing during the week.
Thank you for listening to me and good-bye.
Take care of yourself, Sandra! Constant pain is a terrible thing to live with. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors - whatever they may be!
ReplyDeleteI do understand. I've had arthritis since I was 15. There are days when you just can't concentrate for all the aches and pains. I hope this new outlook gives you all you hope for. Don't stop writing for yourself, Sandy. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteCompletely understand your reasons. Good luck with your health. And, interesting post.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynda. I'm hoping the new medication helps without too many side effects.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rose. I intend to keep writing, but it's going to be at my own pace. It's terrible to live with arthritis so young. My mom had childhood arthritis, so I have a fair idea what that is like.
Thank you, Jeanine. I can only hope the pain gets better.
I understand your reasons but hate to see you leave...although you'll still be at RB4U! You've been such an asset to the group...and one of the original Member Authors!
ReplyDeleteI think we all get to that point when we wonder if writing is what we want to do, lost the enthusiasm, just want to do other things.
Everyone makes their decisions for the next path in life, and health issues certainly play a part in what we do next.
Take your time and do things at your pace...and only do what you really want to do!
Thank you, Marianne. You've been such a sweetheart to include me in your group of authors. The decision was harder because I didn't want to let you down. I'll be at RB4U Yahoo Group checking on everyone.
ReplyDeleteHi, Sandy! Oh my, you have a lot of good reasons to recharge and regroup. I don't blame you one bit. I'll miss seeing you here and hope you come see handbags every now and again. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSandy, you have to take care of yourself first. I have a friend who took a year off because she didn't like what having to promote herself did to her. She is ready to come back and I hope you will too, albeit at a pace that works for you.
ReplyDeleteVicki, I'll come to your blog and look at your bags. I'm bigger on hats though. lol
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jill. I'm going to work at my own pace. I'll stop when I start hurting before it gets too bad instead of making myself continue.
ReplyDeleteI won't be at this computer day and night.
Sandy,
ReplyDeletePlease take care of yourself and enjoy whatever the future holds for you. Wishing you all the best!
So sorry to lose you as a steady contributor. Have enjoyed your posts and excerpts so much, and wish you much luck with your health issues. The promoting is getting me down too.
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Sandy. The promo is a killer and I really hate it but I do it because it's necessary.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you keep writing as long as it makes you happy, and that you find a solution to your pain.
I will miss you at RB4U. Please keep in touch - often! :)
I so understand where you arecoming from. This business is hard on you both mentally and physically. Good luck moving forward and you know you will always have friends here!
ReplyDeleteSandy, I understand but I hate to see you leave. I can imagine how hard it is for you to sit at the computer all day. It's true what you said about promotion and social media. I just want to write, but all that other "stuff" takes away from that. I, too, have thought many times of quitting. The money's not there for the hours I spend and I wonder if it's worth doing. I still love to write, but there are times I think how freeing to spend days reading or catching up on TV and not have guilt because I'm not writing. Best of luck to you in everything.
ReplyDeleteWe will miss you Sandy! You've been a wonderful friend and I wish you more enjoyment and healthy feelings. :)
ReplyDeleteSandra, I understand. It's not easy to sit in front of a computer for extended periods of time. Glad we'll still see you on the Yahoo Groups. I don't post as often as I'd like because I've got a day job and very active boys. In fact, my boys' schedule is why I've had to cut back in my writing and marketing efforts. It's not easy. Be well and I wish all the best for you in the future!
ReplyDeletesmiles
Steph Burkhart
Romance Under the Moonlight!
Sandy, I've just been through a year-long bout of questioning many of the things you speak about - and like so many others, I understand your pain because I suffer it daily, as well. We all have to trust our personal direction, and listen to the guiding voice within us. When it's time to sit back and re-evaluate, and you find an answer that is right for you, it brings peace and relief. I know, for me, despite many people telling me I shouldn't quit, I had to ultimately make the choice myself. The year off was a great equalizer, and gave me much needed perspective. I hope your decision has been good for your soul and your body's pain. May God's grace and blessings be with you, always. Much success to you, in all you do. Denyse
ReplyDeleteThank you, Paris. I intend to much better at taking care of myself.
ReplyDeleteJean, the promotion is the most difficult part of this business. Thank you for coming by.
Thanks, Tina. I enjoyed promo at first, but it became too time consuming.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzanne. I agree with you about this business being tough.
ReplyDeleteCara, I do plan to do a lot of reading and relaxing, but I will spend time writing, too. I just have to give myself some time to get to feeling better first. It took me a long time to come to this decision, Cara. Whatever you end up doing it will be best for you.
Thank you, Melissa. I have your address, and I promise to keep in contact with you.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, I don't know how people with kids, husband's and a full time job do it. You have my admiration.
Thank you for stopping by, Denyse. I've had to do a lot of soul searching in order to reach this decision. Many of us have been around for a long time, and you would think we would have accomplished more. Smile! I do have a book that I'm determined to get published before I pass on though. At the rate I'm going I need some more years. lol
ReplyDeleteI understand. I have a bad back and tendonitis and just about given up my artwork because of the pain in my hands, thank goodness I can still type.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your future endeavors.
Janice~
We will miss you, Sandy. You've been an inspiration to many of us. I can certainly identify with your reasons for backing off for a while. I'm going through much of the same thing myself. Stay healthy.
ReplyDeleteJanice, I understand about the bad back, as I have one, too. Thank you for coming by.
ReplyDeleteR. Ann, I'm sorry to hear you're going through something like what I am. It seems like there are several who are having a difficult time. Thank you for commenting.