A Fine, Tricky, Balance

Women balance many roles. I know men do this as well, this isn't a slam against men, but hey, I'm a woman. I try to write about what I know. In addition to trying to figure out how much to let the house go to hell in pursuit of grabbing this moment while my first book comes out, I also have to balance how much to work on my new book.

Writing a new book is like dating a new guy. It's fresh, new and easy. No one has read it (although a couple people have read the first draft) and it's simple to fall into the warm embrace of the book that is better -- because it's not out there in the world being knocked around.

Adventures with Max and Louise is out surfing on the wild waves of readers' imaginations, thoughts and caprices. Do I run around trying to help people understand that Adventures is a comedy but it has serious undertones? That's it's a romance but it's not one of the hot sexy stranger type; more on the ridiculous, fumbling scale of sex scenes with some tender moments thrown in throughout?

As usual, the answer is one that my youngest daughter accuses me of using anytime I'm interviewed. The old "Yes and no."

Any working mother, or stay at home mom or daughter/wife/grandmother with more than one thing going on her life knows that life is about finding that tricky balance that enables you to make everyone feel that you are paying attention. But your first obligation is to yourself. Which is what Adventures with Max and Louise is about: taking care of yourself first.

It's not easy. It requires constant self monitoring and many, many deep breaths. And we can all do it. Sometimes.

Writing gives back to me more than I put in. So I'm off to work on my new book.

Happy Reading!