Taking A Breather

by Amy Shojai | May 13, 2014 | Cat Behavior & Care, Dog Training & Care, Writing Advice & More | 20 comments

“Come play with us…please? when’s quitting time?” Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC

I need your understanding, Sweet Peeps. After several years of blogging three times a week, along with the weekly newspaper columns and the 8+ monthly articles for puppies.about.com, my frazzle-icity has reached new heights. Or is that depths? More likely a brick wall. 😛

This is my 675th blog post. Yay!

But it’s been a struggle to maintain this pace, while also writing the next book in my September Day thriller series. I’m also about 1/3rd of the way through the rough draft of COMPLETE PUPPY CARE companion volume to my kitten book. But at this rate, neither book will get done any time soon and even the short writerly schtuff feels like I’m giving it short shrift. I hate that!

Oh, and the cats and dog want attention, and–hubster too. They’re funny that way! 🙂 This past month, it hit me pretty hard that I probably won’t have Seren-Kitty for very much longer so I want to enjoy her good days while she has them.

I get to “see” and interact with many of y’all on Facebook anyway. Actually, I was so torn about this decision and then I posted a vague mention of it yesterday and the outpouring of love and encouragement made me feel so encouraged! Thank you, thank you, a million times–I can’t tell you how wonderfully helpful that was. I don’t want to disappoint but really need to figure out how best to spend my time and focus my efforts. If you’re not already following me on Twitter or my Facebook Fan, or a Friend (or Follower) now’s your chance–message me to say you came over from my blog.

I’ve got the BEST Sweet Peeps evah!

Starting next week, I’ll be dialing back my blog posts to one a week, probably Thursday or Friday. I still accept select “sponsored posts” — stay tuned for a fun one this Friday–but for the most part any product reviews will appear over at my puppies.about.com site. I’ll be sure and share all the new puppy schtuff here, of course and any breaking news will get a post, too. That way I can keep y’all up to date on the fictioning progress and any SQUEEE! puppy-licious and cat-astic info. Instead of three weekly lame blog posts, you’ll get one (hopefully) PAW-some post! I’ll try to send out more regular Pet Peeves newsletter updates, too.

Thanks for being such great supporters and followers of the blog! I’m not stopping, really I’m not, I love this BLING, BITCHES AND BLOOD BLOG–just taking a breather to hopefully give y’all more and better content in the books. I hope you’ll understand and still check back in here every week for more writer-icity and pet-astic edu-tainment.

woofs & purrs and ever-so-grateful virtual hugs,

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!

20 Comments

Carma Poodale on May 15, 2014 at 10:34 am

I seriously don’t know how you keep up and still maintain a family life. I give you high paw for that.
Reply
- Amy Shojai on May 15, 2014 at 10:58 am
  
  Awww…thank you Carma!
  Reply
Lois Richardson on May 14, 2014 at 10:06 am

Funny-Ron and I were just expressing our concern the other day. It’s healthy to re-charged your batteries!
Reply
- Amy Shojai on May 14, 2014 at 10:24 am
  
  And tasty to recharge your batteries, too…or am I the only one uses massive infusions of chocolate? *blink-blink-blink*
  Reply
Patricia on May 14, 2014 at 12:32 am

Amy you are the hardest working person of anyone I know and you need to take this breather. You definitely need to spend as much time as possible writing, with your husband and fur babies, especially Seren. You have always amazed me on everything you do. Your books are extremely important and I hope this frees you up to devote the time you need to them. I’m even hoping you can get more rest – you must be exhausted. Amy YOU are a hero to me and being a homebound person, you will never know how much of an inspiration you have been to me. Always remember, I love you my friend and I will always support you in no matter what you do. One thing I know for sure – you will be successful no matter what it is.
Reply
- Amy Shojai on May 14, 2014 at 10:00 am
  
  Thank you, my friend. The support and love from so many folks is incredibly healing. I feel so much better today!
  Reply
Kathy on May 13, 2014 at 1:12 pm

For what it’s worth, I think you made a good decision. Blogging 3 times a week – your own content – can be grueling after prolonged periods of time if you’re also writing books, columns, and more than 8 monthly articles…yipes! Never mind that blogs – over time – change and evolve and part of that is stepping back to figure out “what happens next.”

Glad to know that you’re going to be hard at work on your fiction. 🙂
Reply
- Amy Shojai on May 13, 2014 at 1:33 pm
  
  Thanks Kathy, I think this is the right decision. For now, anyway.
  Reply
Melissa on May 13, 2014 at 9:05 am

Spending time with your lovely Seren-Kitty is the most important thing right now. Everything else can wait. Everybody needs a breather every now and then; we’re not superhuman 🙂 We’ll be waiting for ya!
Reply
- Amy Shojai on May 13, 2014 at 1:00 pm
  
  Thanks so much Melissa. Writing is like yard work or housekeeping. No matter how much you do, there’s always more…and usually do-overs, too. *s*
  Reply
Cat Holm on May 13, 2014 at 8:48 am

Very smart — fiction needs time! We can only do so much, even though we want to think we can keep doing and doing and doing…follow your heart. 🙂
Reply
- Amy Shojai on May 13, 2014 at 8:54 am
  
  Yes that’s true Cat. You can only hamster-wheel so much before you risk going off the tracks.
  Reply
Slimdoggy on May 13, 2014 at 8:45 am

Relax, rest & re-energize. We’ll be here when you return.
Reply
- Amy Shojai on May 13, 2014 at 8:54 am
  
  Thank you!
  Reply
Sheila Webster Boneham on May 13, 2014 at 8:31 am

I’m exhausted just thinking about all you do, Amy! Take a break – enjoy!
Reply
- Amy Shojai on May 13, 2014 at 8:53 am
  
  Appreciate it Sheila. You work just as hard, I know! Today I’m feeling better about the future…
  Reply
Jo Singer on May 13, 2014 at 8:24 am

Wow- Amy..

That’s great to take a “breather” now and then. Just think about all the great stories you can add to your blogging that happen while you are taking a short “vacation”.

Get some rest and take advantage of the time! Of course we all support you.
Reply
- Amy Shojai on May 13, 2014 at 8:52 am
  
  Hope so, Jo. I know others work just as hard as me. *s*
  Reply
Patricia Sands on May 13, 2014 at 7:11 am

Completely understood, Amy! You know we will find you wherever you are. Onward!
Reply
- Amy Shojai on May 13, 2014 at 7:53 am
  
  Thank you Patricia, that means a lot!
  Reply

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