Maddie James - “It’s a Libra Thing.”

Right now, it’s all about balance. I’m talking about my life, you know? Maybe I’m talking about yours, too. For me, it has a lot to do with the month and the astrological sign. Oh yeah, the birthday is coming up. Tomorrow. I’m a Libra. And balance is a big thing for us Libras. At least it is for me.

I often struggle with the balance between day job and writing. I know I’m not the only one. It could be inherent, who knows? It sure does feel deep-seated, like it’s a part of me I can’t shake.

Are you ever like that? When the balance in your life is run-amok, do you struggle to get it back and put your life on-kilter again?

I do.

So, I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. Balance. Life. Creating order. I’ve also been cleaning out closets. Interesting, the things you find when you clean out closets. Yesterday, I found a writing portfolio that I created for a job interview nine years ago. The portfolio must have done the trick because I was hired and still have the job. Yes, the job that supports my writing habit.

You have one of those, right? The job that supports your writing lifestyle? The one that pays the mortgage, the utilities, the groceries, and provides the nice retirement plan? Ah yes. The necessary job that keeps you in caffeine so you can stay up late and write? That one.

Anyway, as I thumb through the pages of my portfolio I do a little reflecting on my past twenty-some years of writing and suddenly, I feel, well, satisfied-even though I’m STILL not writing full time. Even though I still strive for that elusive “big contract.” Yes, I am satisfied with my accomplishments but I’m not yet settling for status quo.

I recall the desperation to “get published” all those years ago. A small byline in the local newspaper was gold to me. The articles I wrote for a softball magazine were priceless. And oh, what about that column for a regional magazine titled, “One Woman’s Perspective?” That one got me in trouble more than once with the ex and his family. Seems they did not hold the same opinions as moi, but I did say “ex” and family, so perhaps that is self-explanatory.

I’ve come a long way. The portfolio, even though I stopped adding to it in 2000, is a nice validation of the journey I’ve taken on this road to publication. I’ve added a couple dozen or so works of non-fiction to the list, not to mention another dozen works of romance fiction. I suppose it’s time to update the portfolio. Although I have no desire to job hunt, it is nice to have the validation of my writing work all in one place.

Balance. Creating order. Feeding both my right and left sides of the brain. I’m striving for that right now as I contemplate another year added to my life, and one less year of my five-year-plan toward writing full time.

Do I hear a ticking clock? Do I have the balance I want and need in my (writing) life? Do you?

I’d love to hear your thoughts about balance in life, writing or otherwise. What is important to you?

Maddie

p.s. Thanks, Terra, for the opportunity to visit your page!

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Maddie writes about stuff like balance, and tarantulas, and cupcakes on her blog, Life Unedited You can also find out about her latest romance releases, too, like A Perfect Escape, a single title romantic suspense, that just hit Amazon this week, or Red: A Seduction Tale, which tells the story of what happened when Little Red Riding Hood grew up, now available at Fictionwise You may also want to visit her in Legend, Tennessee, where she cavorts in the fictional world she’s created with her SisterWriters

p.s.s. I’ll give away a print, trade paperback copy of Ladies of Legend: Finding Home, and an ebook of Red: A Seduction Tale. Just leave a comment to be entered!