by Fae Rowen

My word for 2018: Balance

Last year, in my focus to publish my first book and prepare the next two, my life became directed to one thing: THE BOOK. I spent twelve to twenty hours a day working on revisions. Seven days a week. I didn’t take trips with friends like I usually do. I even turned down week-end excursions. I didn’t go to movies or out to lunch with “the usual suspects.” I ate what was fast and easy. Not only did my body suffer, so did my writing.

For 2018 BALANCE is my word for every day. At least seven hours of sleep, at least two healthy meals, continuing with my exercise regimen—which saved me in 2017—and writing on a reasonable daily basis, which to me means four to eight hours when I’m not on a trip with friends. This seems like a good plan to publish two (maybe three!) books (two of which are already written and awaiting revisions), get healthier, and enjoy my life. Healthy and happy will be the outcome of balance in my life.

Walking the tightrope of life requires balance. Balancing time, resources, and energy isn't easy. Why? Because we always need more of each. Have you ever wished for more time to finish a project? What about more resources? Whether it's buying a lotto ticket, a book on the craft of writing, or another pair of eyes to read my WIP, I'm always ready for more resources in my life. I freely admit I need help. With just about everything. 

And energy? Getting enough sleep is a good start, but there are plenty of energy sumps. Stress, fighting off a cold or the flu, or finally cleaning out the garage all take a toll on our energy. Even "relaxing" with a video game may not be all that relaxing. When our reserves are good, we can bounce back from adversity. When our energy is depleted, nothing seems to go right.

Think of maintaining balance as eating a meal. Planning and preparing the meal is the first step for balance. If you've taken care to place healthy food on the plate, you've got a good start. Bite by bite I consume the meal. But if I take too big of a bite, I can be in trouble. If I ignore one section of the plate, say the green beans, my nutrition suffers. 

So this year, I'll be checking in with myself to be sure there is balance in my everyday life. Sure, surprises will mess with my schedule, but when my habit of balance is in place, I won't fall too far.

How do you deal with the imbalance in your life?

ABOUT FAE

Fae Rowen discovered the romance genre after years as a science fiction freak. Writing futuristics and medieval paranormals, she jokes  that she can live anywhere but the present. As a mathematician, she knows life’s a lot more fun when you get to define your world and its rules.

Punished, oh-no, that’s published as a co-author of a math textbook, she yearns to hear personal stories about finding love from those who read her books, rather than the horrors of calculus lessons gone wrong.  She is grateful for good friends who remind her to do the practical things in life like grocery shop, show up at the airport for a flight and pay bills.

A “hard” scientist who avoided writing classes like the plague, she now shares her brain with characters who demand that their stories be told.  Amazing, gifted critique partners keep her on the straight and narrow. Feedback from readers keeps her fingers on the keyboard.

Look for P.R.I.S.M., a young adult science fiction story of survival, betrayal, deceit, lies, and love, at your online book retailer.

When she’s not hanging out at YA Outside the Lives, you can visit Fae at http://faerowen.com  or www.facebook.com/fae.rowen

Fae also blogs at Writers in the Storm on the first Wednesday of every month.