I had that problem and I have it again, with BF's sequel. Like most writers, I write when I have someone to read it, and for a while I was on an e-mail group that was waiting for a chapter a week. It kept me writing through the rough spots. I'm not at all sure how I am going to stay motivated with Road Trip--I'm at that stalled point, about 1/3rd of the way through.

The longest stall I've had came at 2/3rds of the way through BF, when I realized that I had to tie all of my ends together and start ending it. I made a list of my characters and what they each most wanted--or most deserved. Yep. The ending ensured they all got what was coming to them.I had been stalled six months at that time and I had the ending in no time after the list.

Join some sort of a writing group or find an adoring friend who will nag you for the next chapter. And read your work out loud. It slows you down and you hear every mistake when it rolls off your tongue. It's the best editing method I know. If you can't manage to read it out loud, your reader can't read it silently. Works like a charm. I torture my poor husband who listens patiently while he does his computer geek stuff. Since we live in a studio apartment, he can't get far.
:-) Mari

If you get a chance, got to Book Marketing Network and read my article entitled "Create Entertaining and Memorable Characters." the URL of my blog page there is www.bookmarket.ning.com/profile/obxwriter; Any comments or questions will be answered.

Best.
Douglas Quinn
www.douglasquinn.com

Hi Katie, I want to introduce you to my debut novel "A Circle of souls" which is a murder, mystery, psychological thriller and a tale of justice and hope. Do visit www.acircleofsouls.com to read more about the book. Make sure you sign up to win an autographed copy of the book. You can also read more reviews by clicking on the More Reviews button at the website. Thanks for your time in advance.

Best regards

Preetham Grandhi

Early Endorsements for “A Circle of Souls”

Linda Fairstein, NYT Bestselling Author: "A fascinating debut - this novel takes the reader to the darkest places in the human soul, from a writer with the authenticity to lead us there. A stunning thriller and an important read."

Judge Judy Sheindlin, star of the Judge Judy Show: "The seminal work of this fine author kept me glued to my chair until the adventure was over and the mystery solved. A great read!"

Book Synopsis:

The sleepy town of Newbury, Connecticut, is shocked when a little girl is found brutally murdered. The town s top detective, perplexed by a complete lack of leads, calls in FBI agent Leia Bines, an expert in cases involving children.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Gram, a psychiatrist at Newbury s hospital, searches desperately for the cause of seven-year-old Naya Hastings devastating nightmares. Afraid that she might hurt herself in the midst of a torturous episode, Naya s parents have turned to the bright young doctor as their only hope.

The situations confronting Leia and Peter converge when Naya begins drawing chilling images of murder after being bombarded by the disturbing images in her dreams. Amazingly, her sketches are the only clues to the crime that has panicked Newbury residents. Against her better judgment, Leia explores the clues in Naya s crude drawings, only to set off an alarming chain of events.
In this stunning psychological thriller, innocence gives way to evil, and trust lies forgotten in a web of deceit, fear, and murder.