Monday, May 06, 2013

Blogger Burn-Out

Going straight from my blog tour to the A-Z challenge might’ve been the slightest bit ambitious...



Because now I’ve got Blogger Burn-out, along with a minor case of the Industry Woes. This weekend, I found myself dreading things I normally enjoy—writing (!), reading industry news, planning blog topics, skimming my Facebook newsfeed, etc. It was all I could do to sit here and force myself to work.

So, I've decided to go on semi-hiatus until the end of June. Here are some loose guidelines:

  • I will schedule cover reveals, blog tour stops, and blog hops I've agreed to participate in.
  • I will celebrate my 2nd blogiversary with a big ol' giveaway.
    (But I’m trying to wait until I hit 500 followers. Hint, hint.)

  • I won’t be doing regular content posts until July. X

In the meantime, I’ll be getting my sequel ready to query/submit. (Heads-up, critique partners!) I also want to completely clean out my work space. It's cluttered with release mess and writing notes, and it's driving me nuts! 

Yep, I'd say it's time to take a step back...

Anyhoo, that's what's up with me.
How are you holding up, post-challenge?
:)

48 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sometimes a break is needed.
I'm beat, but my May calendar is full. I'll ease back a bit in June though. At least there weren't a hundred and fifty posts waiting in my blogger buddies reader file this morning!

Donna K. Weaver said...

Enjoy your break. The last thing we want is for you to get burned out on writing!

Spanj said...

Sounds like you've got enough going on without worrying over regular blog posts. Enjoy your break, you certainly deserve it!

ilima said...

We'll miss you. Hope you enjoy your break!

David P. King said...

That's pretty much what my last month was all about, getting over burnout, and other things. See you when you get back! :)

Jessie Humphries said...

Happily I have no burnout bc I strategically chose not to participate in that burnout-a-thon! haha. jk. I hope you recover cuz we love us some Carrie!

Carrie Butler said...

If I'm burned-out, I can only imagine how tired you are! Eek.

I hope you do get to cut back in June. Otherwise, we might have to have a ninja intervention... ;)

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Donna! It's crazy. After I started clearing out my schedule, the writing itch came back. :D

Carrie Butler said...

Thank you very much, Angeline! :D

Carrie Butler said...

I'll miss you, too! In fact, I don't know if I can stay away that long... LOL

Thanks, Ilima! :)

Carrie Butler said...

I hope it helped, DPK! :) Thank you!

Carrie Butler said...

*Grins* Strategic or not, it was brilliant on your part. And I love me some Jessie, too!

Unknown said...

Sometimes a break is in order to refresh the writing soul and find our passion again. Best to you on your break.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

I'm slowing down this week. Only posting the necessities and trying to focus. My commenting power will stay top notch though. Enjoy the rest.

Crystal Collier said...

Way to know your limits and be realistic. I know what you mean. I've been to that place of complete burn out too, and it's a scary place to be. Enjoy your break!

Carrie-Anne said...

I'm still occupied, since I've still got a few more books to finish and write up for my end-of-semester portfolio in Children's Lit! At least these are just children's and MG books, so I won't be cramming in really long books over the next few days, and we're submitting this electronically, not printing it out.

Carrie Butler said...

This is very true. :) Thank you, Julie!

Carrie Butler said...

I hope the slow-down helps, Sheena-kay! :) And thank you!

Carrie Butler said...

It is scary, isn't it? I'm glad I hit the brakes before I started doing all-caps rant posts. LOL

Thanks, Crystal! :)

Carrie Butler said...

Thank God for electronic submissions! :) Best of luck, Carrie-Anne!

Nancy Thompson said...

Finishing my last edit this week then I'm tuning out to write.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

After Nancy mentioned she was cutting back, I started thinking about it. I can so understand how you feel. It's not industrial woes but house selling and all the prep that goes into it that's getting me down. I want to write too. Can't do everything, I guess.

Have a great rest, Carrie.

Melissa said...

It's about d@mn time! LOL

*clears off space on writing desk*
Come hide out with me. I'm on hiatus 'til June. ;)

cleemckenzie said...

I'm right there with you, Carrie. This is my last go around to my blogger friends before I store my keyboard and lock up my internet access. May 06 to June 06 I'm on official break. See you in July

JeffO said...

I'd say you've earned a break. Enjoy the time away!

Leigh Covington said...

I've noticed a lot of people are burned out. Sometimes you just need a little break to rejuvenate. I'm didn't do A-Z but I'm burned out from everything else in life I need a vacation... like Bahama style. (I WISH!)

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Carrie,

It is SO WELL DESERVED! You definitely need a breather! I know EXACTLY how you feel. I haven't done a pos since the first. Maybe for Wednesday. BUT WHAT? WHo knows... NO MORE INTROS... LOL at least not for a while.

Take care and PLEASE keep in touch. If you need any help with anything let me know.

Michael

Carrie Butler said...

Go, go, go! :)

Carrie Butler said...

That must be such an exhausting process. I can't even imagine.

Here's to hoping things look up, Joylene! :) Thank you!

Carrie Butler said...

Woohoo! This gives me more time to harass... I mean, text you. :D

Clare said...

Enjoy your break, Carrie! After how busy you've been recently, you deserve it! :D

klahanie said...

Greetings human, Carrie,

Of course, my human and my amazing self, didn't do and would never do, the alphabet challenge. However, we did satirical alternatives to hopefully bring a bit of light relief from those experiencing the burn-out of it all.

Thus, dear human friend, totally understandable you take a well deserved break. Personally, we think a month long challenge is ridiculous and it hijacked the blogging world.

Be well and keep smiling.

Pawsitive wishes,

Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! :)

Elizabeth Seckman said...

You might feel tired, but you look marvelous!

Carrie Butler said...

Enjoy your break, Lee! :)

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Jeff! :)

Carrie Butler said...

I guess we'll have to settle for these in the meantime. ;)

Lisa Regan said...

Sequel! Sequel! Sequel! Imagine me wearing my Wallace t-shirt standing outside in your driveway with a megaphone. Sequel! Sequel! Sequel!

Carrie Butler said...

Hey Michael,

Thank you, my friend! I've been away from the blogosphere for two days, and already I feel a little better. LOL

And yes, you deserve a break, too. Those intros must've taken so much time and effort. I can only imagine!

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Clare! <3

Carrie Butler said...

Thank you, Penny! I appreciate your understanding. (I also appreciate that you seem to be housebroken.)

Enjoy your week! ;)

Carrie Butler said...

*Grins* Well, that certainly helps! Thank you.

Carrie Butler said...

LOL I can so picture that. Soon. I'm thinkin' next week!

Angela Ackerman said...

I think it's good you realize you're burning out. And definitely good you're taking a break. Enjoy it and recharge your batteries!

Carrie Butler said...

Thank you, Angela! I appreciate that. :)

Mark Murata said...

I had at one point gotten the stack on my desk down to hardly anything. Now, using a ruler, I measure it as 2 and 3/4 inches tall.

Carrie Butler said...

Yikes, Mark!

Anonymous said...

You're 1 closer to 500 now. We need to take breaks once in a while -- enjoy yours.

Carrie Butler said...

Thank you so much, Milo! :D