Hi Folks,
This is going to be a short post today. That fits quite nicely with the topic on achieving balance in your life and writing.
As writers, we tend to work in a fairly solitary environment. I've seen countless posts about this--regarding the strengths of going to writing workshops, seminars, signings, etc., so that you get out there and meet fans and friends and network. It's all true--and fantastically so.
I've also read scads of pieces on how to make sure you actually produce--methods for writing, setting goals, making sure you make your writing time sacrosanct so that you can produce and feel good about it, and so on. Great advice, too.
And then there are the questions about, "How do I do it all? How do I find time to write while still doing all the things I have to do?" Also a great question.
But I want to talk for just a moment about the opposite: How do I find time for my life when I'm writing/editing/networking?
Sometimes you have to really cram in the work. There is just no way around it. I spent 8 hours editing on Saturday--a day I had planned on spending with my kids. I had spent almost all my time off the day job busy with some duty or on writing. But there was a request, and a need to get it out, and so the sacrifice was made.
But now I'm finding there's a need for just a bit of a break. My family needs me. My yard needs me. My brain needs a break. I have some books I need to read. Etc., etc.
The reality is, I'm still fortunate right now in that I can take some time off. This week, I'm going to see Thor with a friend, I'm going to take my son to see Kung Fu Panda 2, and I'm going to just relax.
Yes, I'll probably also read some on plot structure and map out some of book 2. But only if the itch sends me there.
Sometimes you just have to take a break. And that's ok, too.
[Look forward to Fantastic Author Friday: This week I'm interviewing Lisa Mangum, author of the Hourglass Door Trilogy]
2 comments:
I just want to say that Josh does a FABULOUS job in my opinion of finding a balance between doing what he loves and also spending time with those he loves.
Yes, there are times when his family duties call and he has to put his writing aside--even when he doesn't want to. And there are times when he works extra hard at his writing and his family patiently waites(or patiently tries to wait) until he's available.
But I continue to be in awe of how sensitive and responsive he is to his family. He is a constant example to me of putting first things first!
I consider myself the luckiest woman on earth!
Amen, Josh. These last few months have contained less writing for me, but I know we all have times and seasons, so I'm not panicking about it. Sometimes other things are more important, and that's okay, especially when those more important things are eternally important, like family.
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