Hello friends! After much consideration, it has become clear to me that I need to take a break from writing blog articles in order to focus on the following things:

1. Writing/editing my novels
2. Adopting a regular exercise regimen to help with my fibromyalgia
3. Increasing my knowledge through reading
4. Assisting my husband as he goes through a job transition
5. Spending more time with family and friends

By no means do I intend to step away forever, and I may very well post here occasionally. However, holding to my regular schedule of 1 or 2 articles a week, many of them exceeding 5,000 words and requiring significant research, is simply not possible if I am going to achieve the other things on that list. My fiction writing in particular is of such a character that it requires my full concentration for extended periods of time.

Just so you know, this is a partial breakdown of my activities and the amount of time they consume (or will consume) each week, including travel…

• Church, group Bible studies, and personal Bible study: 6-8 hours per week
• Exercise at the gym or at home: 6-8 hours per week
• Food preparation: 6 hours per week
• Appointments/errands: 3 hours per week
• Essential naps: 3 hours per week
• E-mail and phone correspondence: 2-3 hours per week
• Time with nieces: 1-2 hours per week
• Cleaning: 1 hour per week (I am using a cleaning service to help with this.)

You have probably caught that these things consume about 30 hours per week. On top of that, I do not typically write on evenings or on Saturdays, as I set those times aside to spend with my husband. That leaves me with 4-6 hours each weekday in which I can focus on reading, writing, other projects, and leisure activities. I have been devoting most of this time to writing for my blog. If I am ever going to finish my novel series, I have no choice but to take a break from that.

I am often frustrated by the fact that I do not “accomplish” more, but I must trust in the Lord that in addition to everything else that He provides, He will provide the time for me to do what is truly important. Thank you for your understanding, and I hope to get back to writing for the blog very soon.

~ Amy Mantravadi