Earlier this month I posted this to my personal Facebook page:

A moment of honesty:

Ten years ago, I wrote a novel and wanted to see what it would take to get it published. I wish (oh, how I wish!) writing well was enough, but it’s not, and I am absolutely burned out trying to figure out how to maintain my websites, blogs, Facebook pages, and Twitter account to attract readers for a book that I don’t have.

I’m constantly worrying about it and thinking about it. I’m so busy trying to figure out how to prove to publishers that I’m worth the investment that – between work, trying to spend time with Matt when he’s home, and reading endless articles and posts about how to make the most of my social media – I haven’t touched my novel this entire month. Even now, I’m trying to figure out what work/blogs/articles to take with me when I drive to Detroit to pick up the kids (as if I’ll have a lot of time to work while I’m driving…).

I received some great advice today, and I’m going to leave it all at home. I’m going to take JUST my manuscript with me, and I’m going to do what I originally wanted to do a decade ago – write a good book. At this point I’m honestly not sure that I’ll ever submit it anywhere, but at least I’ll know that it’s the best book I could possibly write, and if God and I are the only two people who ever read it, I’ll learn to be content with that.

I’m still writing, and I’m still on social media, but I’ve had to make some changes. Not only is it wearing on me mentally, it’s affecting me physically. I’ve struggled with adrenal fatigue for several years. One of the main contributors? Stress.

I’m still not sure how to make the most of my online presence (including this blog), but I know that I need to cut some stress out of my life. That’s why I’m going to take some time off from blog post writing.

Don’t worry, though – I’m not abandoning my blog! I’m actually getting some help and featuring two author interviews per month. That will give me the much-needed rest that I need while still providing you with the quality fiction-related posts I’ve always tried to offer.

Someday I’ll figure this all out. Until then, I’m looking forward to meeting more authors and learning more about what they write and how they do it. I hope you’ll join us for more insider information about what it’s like to be a published author.

Since I’ll have more authors here each month, what do you want to know? What questions would you like to ask a published author?