COUGHS, CRUD, CHALLENGES & CREATIVITY

by Amy Shojai | Jan 8, 2015 | Uncategorized | 6 comments

Images Copr. DepositPhotos.com

For the past week, I’ve battled the “crud” with congestion, fever, coughing, aches and more. Apparently everything from the flu, pneumonia, colds and any combination thereof have afflicted many of my friends here in North Texas. I sure hope you dodged the bug!

Magical-Dawg thinks he’s “helping” by stealing the soiled tissues. Eww…sorry, TMI.

When you work for someone or a company, there’s always a bit of “wiggle room” built in, and you can call the Boss to say you’re just not able to attend to business and need a sick day. But that doesn’t happen when you work for yourself. It reminds me of that commercial playing these days, where the parent tries to tell the toddler, “I need a sick day…”

When you work for yourself, that just ain’t happening.

So those of us who are self-employed limp along and do our best to fulfill commitments. I don’t remember the last time that I forgot to send in my newspaper column–how embarrassing! And I didn’t have much of a voice and knew that coughing on camera wouldn’t be appealing, so yesterday I stayed away from my regular TV Pet Talk segment. Meanwhile, I’d love to unscrew my head to get rid of the yuck and the painful breathing/choking/coughing trifecta.

I’m a bit better today. And I promise, you can’t catch my “bug” by reading the blog, it’s not that kind of virus, LOL! I did want to update y’all on my must-do-projects I worked on despite the brain-fuzz-icity.

Cat Writers’ Association Collaborates with BLOGPAWS!

I’m honored to be the 2015-16 CWA Conference/Program Chair, and this week we announced an official collaboration with BlogPaws Conference 2015. I’m delighted that the CWA-branded WRITER TRACK of two professional panels will be highlighted at this prestigious blogging and social networking event.

Publish Or Perish? This publishing panel features pet book authors and publishers Amy Shojai of CWA, Pam Johnson-Bennett a best selling cat behaviorist and author, Lisa Erspamer a best selling publisher of cat and dog books, and Bob Mayer, a best selling author and publisher. The panel will discuss the current state of publishing from the “traditional” to “indie” paths, how publishing has changed, why bloggers should write a book (or become a publisher), how to choose your publishing path, pitfalls to avoid, and how to leverage social media and blogging to build your author platform.

Bridging the Gap Between Bloggers and Publishing This publishing panel features Layla Morgan Wilde, Janiss Garza, Alana Grelyak, and Deb Barnes. The session will be a “how to use your blog as a springboard to professional publishing” by learning how to write, research, edit, and design your blog posts in such a manner that they become a portfolio of quality work to help open the door to publishing deals. Learn more about the speakers and events at the CWA Website here.

GOODNEWSFORPETS.com INTERVIEW!

I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working with Lea-Ann Germinder for many years, and am thrilled to be featured in an interview on her fabulous GoodNewsForPets site. You can check out the interview here–but be sure to check out all the marvelous pet-centric news and information provided in this stellar site.

SHOW & TELL PROGRESS

The next thriller has progressed in fits and starts, it seems. But I’m determined to get this book finished and into the “paws” of all of you fantastic reader-fans who have been sooooo very patient. I’m very much hoping to launch the next NAME THAT DOG and NAME THAT CAT contest late this month, so stay tuned. The first two books HIDE AND SEEK and SHOW AND TELL would never have happened without you…and the contests and wonderful characters y’all suggested made them that much better.

Now, it’s your turn. Have you been afflicted with the “crud” or something similar, but still had to work? How’d you manage? Did your boss understand? (My boss is a b*tch about being lazy, LOL!) Do tell!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!

6 Comments

Serena Dracis on January 10, 2015 at 7:07 pm

The CWA/Blogpaws conference looks fantastic! I love the panels and just wish I could sit in on the Publish or Perish discussion. Hope you’re feeling better soon!
Reply
- Amy Shojai on January 11, 2015 at 9:55 am
  
  I know, Serena, I can’t wait! I’m hoping that they record or live-stream some of the panels, will keep you posted. This “crud” apparently hangs on a long time, so I’m trying to stay out of the public and just work through it at home. Already gave it to my husband. 🙁
  Reply
Patricia on January 10, 2015 at 2:48 pm

I hope this finds you feeling much better today. This bug going around now is wicked. Some time when I worked in the office and I called in sick, I think it was a different level of acceptance than it was when I worked at home and was sick. I kinda think they thought hey we worked at home and we could stay in bed if we needed to and then work awhile – just as long as we got our production. I was such a workaholic I felt a little guilty calling in sick and very rarely did. Enjoyed your blog this week. I love the title of your book of stories that you wrote when working as a vet tech. Congrats on your CWA Conference/Program Chair – what an honor! Looking forward to the name the dog and cat contest because I know the new book is not far off! Can’t wait to read it. Hugs to you and the fur kids.
Reply
- Amy Shojai on January 10, 2015 at 2:54 pm
  
  Hi Patricia, I’m fearful now my husband caught the bug. And his busy tax season is ready to launch, yikes! I’ve had more energy both yesterday and today and got a bit caught up on things but still sooooo far behind.
  
  Thanks for the kind words as always. The CWA appointment is …not sure “honor” is the word, but I do appreciate the confidence and just hope not to let people down. It’s a LOT of work so it’s not just me, but a big team effort.
  
  Better get back to work on the book!
  Reply
Nancy J Nicholson on January 8, 2015 at 6:27 pm

Amy, you’re an amazing woman. But do take care of yourself. We want you healthy and doing your pet-icity best.
Reply
- Amy Shojai on January 8, 2015 at 7:27 pm
  
  Awww…thanks Nancy. Trying to take it easy tonight. *s*
  Reply

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