Hints On Creating Balance: Wisdom from Other Writers

In my free group for writers, I post writing prompts. (Have you found us on Facebook yet?) A while back, some of the prompts centered on the topic of balance in your authoring life. I thought it was interesting to see the varied responses which proved the point that the definition of balance to one person, is different for everyone. There really is no “one size fits all” in the world of your authoring life.  Before reading the responses after each heading, I encourage you to answer the writing prompt for yourself first, then move on to read the responses

Writing Prompt:  What does having a balanced authoring life mean to you?

Stephanie Carter:   Don’t sit at the computer 12 hrs straight and write, not get up and eat and drink.. it will be there tomorrow

Yakyak Lue:  Having a balanced authoring life means writing and family life should be balanced. 

Therese Kay:  Pen in one hand, cake in the other? I think it depends on what role your authoring life plays in your life whether it’s an adjunct to a full time job or if it’s the star player. As much joy as there is in writing, it’s still work. There needs to be rest and play and friend/faith/family time in addition to the work.

Valerie Riese: writing 24/7 stopping only to sleep and pee

Melinda C. McCray: Having to put myself in time out on purpose!

Karen L. Carlson: Creatively managing your time to write!

Teresa Moyer: All writing and no play leaves us drained and all play and no writing gets nothing done. So fitting both into each day improves my writing and mood.

Marta Goertzen: Making the time to actually write and not just think about it.

Beth Jones: Writing what God desires me to write. Intentionally getting out of the chair to drink, eat, stretch, etc. Writing can get wildly out of hand like a tiger 

Linda Johnson VanderWier: Determining and keeping proper priorities. Those are two separate issues – at least for me! 

Writing prompt: What are some activities in life you feel you need to say “no” to so you can create balance for your authoring life?

Valerie Riese.. housework

Therese Kay..Unpacking.

Leone Byron..TV

Kathleen Margaret Schwab..I have chronic low energy, and I need to use the early part of the day to write. I can wash dishes when my brain is fuzzy, but writing doesn’t work so well. So, I have to leave the dishes until some words are down. Just hoping nobody drops by.

Tanya Arpin.. Just do what you can.Chantia Tia Stewart.. Sometimes, my children

Writing Prompt:  What are some activities in life you feel you need to say “yes” to so you can create balance for your authoring life?

Tanya Arpin: Writing more often. Calming my mind. Actively choosing a less stressful response. Unraveling the fight or flight response.

Robin Puchala: I am choosing spiritual Journaling!

Leone Byron: Spending more time writing.

Teresa Moyer: Last weekend I did a big yes with working behind the scenes in a virtual conference about marketing for authors and speakers or anyone else who needs to learn some marketing skills. It helps to say yes to these opportunities as it expands my knowledge in my craft which in turn makes me a better writer.

Inspirational Quotes About a Balanced Life:

To wrap up, I want to share with you some favorite quotes about creating a balanced life. My desire is to help authors create balance in your life so you can not only write your words, but put your words out there into the world! One of those lessons is finding balance in it all. Yes, you’ll have seasons of push..push for a book launch, or the push to finish a deadline. But, in the overall scheme of it all and the way to enjoy authoring for a lifetime, is to create the balance you need to reach your goals.

“Live a life that is well balanced; don’t do things in excess.” Daniel Smith, Banned Subconscious Mind Secrets

“The problem is that technology has become an extra limb for some of us. It’s important to utilize this technology, but at the same time it’s important to know when to take a break from it.” Alex Broches, Start Living…Now!

“In all aspects of our lives balance is key. Doing one thing too much can cause upset, like the old saying goes, everything in moderation is the secret!” Catherine Pulsifer, Balance of Life

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There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, NIV)