Balancing Act
November 4th, 2009 by Michelle
First off, I’d like to do a shout out to the RWA Women’s Fiction Chapter. Their website launched yesterday, and well, I was involved (so was Edie and LaDonna). It was hard work, but worth it, and I think it looks great. It will look even better when there are more articles up, because the theme we found looks better the more you have up. Which is one of the things I love about it.
Because I’ve been really busy with websites and newsletters (learning a lot there, too!), my writing hasn’t had as much of a look-in as it should have had. I remember an article from years ago by Jennifer Crusie (I think?) about protecting the work. I do believe that. But I also believe that when something is worth doing and isn’t going to stretch out indefinitely, that there is a set date where things ease up, that the work can sit back. I’m not saying totally ignored, but a couple of notches down on the importance rankings.
Kind of like going to a writing conference. You’re not going to get much work done there, but the benefits of the occassion far outweight the downside.
In a way, it is similar to the balancing act we do every day as writers. In order to write well, to write convincingly, and to really touch the heart of our characters, we need to be out in the world, observing, participating and being in the moment. But we also have to spend enough time in the chair, hands on keyboard, to translate that experience into something meaningful on the page.
How is your balancing act?
16 Responses to “Balancing Act”
You did an amazing job, Michelle! I could see it was a lot of work. Mine was a blip compared to what you did.
I’m co-area contact for the Milw. chapter. It does take time. Everything does. I really, really need to write more and make that my first priority. But (there’s always a “but”) I’ve made a commitment to my chapter and I have to do that. But even with that, I should still do more writing. It’s not that time consuming.
I need to organize myself better.
I can’t wait to visit the new web-site, but first, in answer to your question, my balancing act is very lopsided. On one end of the scale is school work, one particular course’s homework and tests are 100% essays. Weekly. Another course’s text book consists of lengthy chapters, and I’m required to read one, if not two, per week, which would be good if not so boring.
The other side of the scale sits perched high and empty. Welcome to my world. But, like you suggested, there is a “set date” to when the above imbalance ends. I’m counting down the days to semester’s end.
Love the web-site, and especially the logo-pic. Very intriguing, indeed. Could I have found a new place to roost? (Making note to find out more.)
Hey Michelle, I agree fantastic job on the new website! And raising hand on Edie’s blimp comment, that’s how I feel too.
Juggling will always be with us, since that’s a part of life. Over the years, though, I’ve managed to cull things that I didn’t have time for, or that no longer interested me all the while focusing on the jewels; my fam, writing, and friends. I’m at this stage of my life, and it fits me perfectly.
I know what’s important, and that’s where I focus now.
I still need to work on the multi-task organization thing, though. It’s my life-challenge I think, and will always be there to say, “BOO!”
FABULOUS job on the new WF website (!!!) and getting so many of those details taken care of so quickly and professionally and…well, I’m just very impressed and grateful to you all, particularly Michelle, who rescued me more than once from my techno ineptitude this week.
Thanks, ladies.
Re: balance — awesome photo, btw! — I’ve been *really* struggling with this myself. Probably the best thing I could do is actually get enough sleep, but I’ve made the mistake of staying up late “to do just one more thing” too often this year. I feel as though I need to just return to basics: taking care of self and family, using my biggest blocks of time for drafting new text, and then (and only then!) going online… I find it so easy to procrastinate otherwise.
I take each day one at a time. I prioritize and know that the world will not come to a crashing end if I don’t get to everything on my plate. but more than that, I have learned to very politely say, “No.”
I don’t judge contests anymore, I don’t read for anyone unless it’s my former CP’s or current one (ok, i have a few pubbed friends I read for) I don’t blurb books (not when I have a deadline), I don’t–well, there is a lot I don’t do anymore because writing a good book and meeting deadlines is crucial to my survival in this business. There are those who don’t understand when I say, no. they think i’m being, well, I don’t really know what they think. I’d say I don’t care, but I do. I just can’t please all of the people all of the time, so I don’t try anymore. I do what I can for other’s on my time. I can give so much more that way. It makes my life so much simpler. and balanced.
PS, the site looks great! Good luck with the chapter!
There are days when I feel like I’m trying to balance on a high-wire. Between family, day job, health issues, and writing, my balance is pretty skewed. However, I do manage to fit most everything in. (Sleep? I don’t need no stinkin’ sleep.
)
Seriously, it is a fine line between what you want to do and what you need to do. So far the writing has taken a step or two back. I have no doubt I’ll get back into the groove.
I am terrible at finding the balance in life.
Even now, though I have made the writing a priority, I still struggle to find the balance with critiquing, networking, working with the dogs, walking…well with the rest of the things that make up my life.
And I don’t have a husband or kids!
I took out television which freed up alot of time. But I want to read at least a book a week. I want to start building more of a network presence which means posting to my blog at least two-three times a week, and following other blogs. Which i do enjoy, but it sure gobbles up time.
And then there is the house work…or lack there of, since that is where my balancing act is falling down. My house is filthy.
Oh well, there is always this weekend.
Congrats on the launch of the website! Off to check it out now.
Edie, I find the same thing. The volunteer activities sometimes take up a lot of time, but usually it’s just poor time management on my part.
Hey, Kath, yes, I bet that end date looks very good to you. Good luck with the studies. And glad you like the site. RWA-WF is definitely a much-needed and wonderful addition to RWA.
LOL, LaD. I usually get into these things because of friends. And I hauled you and Edie in with me. Ah, well, I am so thrilled to have you on my team
.
Marilyn, I hear you on the sleep issue. Because I’m in Australia, I’ve ended up staying up way later than I mean to, working on the site, because that’s when others are up and about and I can communicate quickly with them.
It was a pleasure helping you out. Your cover looks fab! (And more than one person has emailed me to say how spiffy the MMR section of the site looks
).
Karin, you’re so generous with so many things, if people don’t understand a no now and then, well, you just have to shrug it off, and I’m sure you do.
Glad you like the site!
Liz, you really do the balancing thing well. I hope your writing gets to the top of the list again soon!
LOL, Theresa, I’m the opposite. I can’t work if the house is untidy. I just can’t. It niggles like a stone in my shoe. So I end up cleaning when I should be working. Ah well, we all have to find some middle-road.