The Crazy Train has Left the Station
It’s been a whirlwind around here amidst the launch of my second book, Revelation. I sent out my first newsletter; revealed the book cover; wrote and distributed a press release; prepared the “about” material for the website; uploaded Revelation‘s book details into Goodreads; prepared a media kit; updated my blog; and posted the new book cover to Facebook. Then I took a breath.
The Crazy Train called writing
The tornado of activity reminded me of the concept of balance. It’s a concept I’ve been working on since I hopped on the Crazy Train called writing. A train pushed by a caboose called publishing.
Balance is important, and though I have difficulty with it at times, deep in my heart I know it’s not just a concept. It feeds my sanity, grounds me. It’s why I made time to get into the garden last week and why I made the trip to Vancouver to help a friend celebrate her birthday on the weekend. It’s why I went to lunch with the girls the other day and enjoyed a super-sonic gin and tonic in the shade of the garden umbrella with my husband last night.
If I let it, this writing thing would consume every moment of my life. At times, it does. And because I’m an indie writer, all of the marketing and promo falls on my shoulders, so if I want to get the word out, it’s up to me…and it’s a lot of work.
Work/Life Balance
But the “work” has to be balanced with other things. Things that make me smile. Things that energize me and fire me up: like friends, family, fine food and great wine. And writing.
Writing you say? Isn’t that what got you in trouble in the first place? I know…you think I’m talking in circles. But I’m not.
The writing I refer to—the writing that energizes me—is creative writing. Not the sometimes tedious chore of writing promo material or editing manuscripts. Creative writing is what happens when I open the throttle on my imagination and run it on all cylinders. Suddenly new characters are running loose through new settings wreaking all kinds of havoc. Exercising my imagination is as important as physical exercise. It reminds me why I do all the other less-fun stuff. It makes the necessary, but tedious stuff, worthwhile.
It’s a crazy ride, and I need to keep injecting balance, but the circuit is oddly addictive: write, publish, promote, balance, fuel-up, rinse and repeat. Better than work-eat-sleep repeat. No?
Has your Crazy Train left the station?
My brother suggested I may like this blog. He used to be totally right.
This put up truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how so much time I had spent for this info!
Thanks!
You’re welcome. Glad it helped.
I’m reading this post long after you posted it and I’m happy to see you’ve found time for the type of writing you really like. I agree. Creative writing and writing my stories energizes me whilst some of the other writing more ‘business’ oriented can make me very tired. Although talking to other writers and the occasional reader is a bonus.
You’re right…it has been a while since I wrote (or read) this post. Thanks for bringing me back to it and adding the bonus of talking to other writers and readers, both of which feed my energy and imagination.
Hi Jo, Congratulations, I just loved your first book, i can’t wait to read the 2nd. Hoping to come see you when your home this summer, with Sue. lov, Cindy xo
Thanks Cindy – so glad you enjoyed Awakening. The 2nd book, The Gift: Revelation is out now. It’s darker than Book I, but was just as much fun to write. Hope to see you soon.
JP, I understand and share your sentiment about creative versus ‘business’ writing, and, I’m looking forward to the day when I experience that ‘whirlwind’ you describe.:) Congrats on your 2nd book launch 🙂
Thanks so much.
I’m a conscientious uni-tasker and like you JP I could sit all day at the laptop but there are so many other things that need doing around here that I start feeling guilty letting the chores go. I’ve also found that getting away is important to the whole process and the next time I flip up the screen I see things with a fresh eye. I have a couple of other writing files not related to my book but I haven’t opened them for a while. Perhaps this rainy, dreary day is the perfect opportunity to do that.
Sounds like the perfect thing for a day like this.
My Goodness,,,,,that looks like me squatting down in front of your garden…..lol
I wish it were, Sue. We could pull a weed or two then sit back with one of those super sonic gin and tonics!