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A Writer's Life

(Or… Things That Keep Me Sane In My Writer's Life)
 
by Julie Ann Walker

It's funny - not funny ha-ha but funny weird - what people assume when I tell them I'm a writer.  They imagine I sit in cafes drinking over-priced coffee, doodling in a notebook or henpecking my laptop as I watch humanity drift by, waiting for the muse to strike.  They imagine I live this "artist's" life that includes nature walks and long conversations over wine about such esoteric things as character motivation, plot movement, and the grand, sweeping meaning of life.

I let them believe this... 

Because the reality would crush them.  Especially since the reality is… I work.  My. Butt. Off.  Ten to twelve hours a day.  Five, sometimes six, sometimes seven days a week.  I make my page counts.  I make my deadlines.  I sign up for new deadlines.  I answer fan mail.  I schedule appearances and signings.  I write speeches for appearances.  I update my Facebook fan page.  I tweet about myself and my fellow authors.  I blog.  I blog some more.  I update my website.  I run contests and giveaways.  I stand in line at the post office so I can mail out the swag from these contests and giveaways.  Ad nauseam, ad infinitum…    

But even though I'm basically running a small business, the truth is I do have an artist's spirit.  And sometimes the workload, the abundance of… stuff that must be done as an author that has absolutely nothing to do with actual writing begins to wear on me.  So, what do I do to remain sane, you ask?  Well, I have hobbies.  A lot of them, in fact.  An arsenal of soul-saving activities that I can choose from when everything starts to feel just a little bit too heavy, too overwhelming.  And those are what I want to share with you today. 

So, let's get to it, shall we?  I give you my top five sanity checks… in no particular order.

HIKING...
Bryce Canyon, Utah

FISHING...
Cooper Lake, Texas... 12lb Large Mouth Bass


CYCLING...
With Mr. Walker in San Francisco, California

TRAVEL...
The Forbidden City in Beijing, China


VINO...
Although, according to this picture, perhaps I shouldn't rely on this sanity check very often. LOL!



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julie Ann Walker is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Black Knights Inc. romantic suspense series. She is prone to spouting movie quotes and song lyrics. She'll never say no to sharing a glass of wine or going for a long walk. She prefers impromptu travel over the scheduled kind, and she takes her coffee with milk. You can find her on her bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination into submission. Look for the first four books in her fast-paced series: Hell On Wheels (August 2012) In Rides Trouble (September 2012) Rev It Up (October 2012) and Thrill Ride (April 2013). For more information, please visit www.julieannwalker.com or follow her on Facebook www.facebook.com/jawalkerauthor and/or Twitter @JAWalkerAuthor.

To Purchase Thrill Ride

Comments

  1. It is a small business and you never to get to go home! I love your ways for staying sane (except fishing--poor fish!). Believe it or not, I run. I hate running but it helps me de-stress.

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  2. Shana, I WISH I found running soothing. That would be so very helpful to my figure. ;-) My sister-in-law runs marathons to de-stress and I'm always so envious of her - and her figure - for that.

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  3. Shana, I WISH I found running soothing. That would be so very helpful to my figure. ;-) My sister-in-law runs marathons to de-stress and I'm always so envious of her - and her figure - for that.

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  4. Let's trade lives for a day, Jules. No...make that a week. Or a month. ;) I'm envious of your awesome travels!

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    1. @Melissa, maybe a week. I'd have fun with your boys. Teach them bad behaviors. Let them eat sugar and stay up late. Then I'd give them back to you. LOL! ;-)

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  5. I'm pretty much working 365 days a year and late into the night. Clearly I need better hobbies!

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    1. @Cheryl, honey, I'd go crazy, flat out lose my mind if I didn't have a few release valves. More power to you, doll! Good for you!

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  6. I would love to go back to the days when all I had to do was write. The social media stuff gets me down and so behind on writing. I like your ways to stay sane.
    Amelia

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    1. @Amelia, I have some writer friends who LOVE all the social media interaction. That IS their de-stresser. I think I'm a hermit by nature. :-/

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  7. So many awesome photos! Life can be stressful, but looking at all the wonderful places you've been, great things you have done...you know deep down LIFE IS GOOD - and there's no better soul food than that! Wishing you a future that continues to be full of many busy writing days, and plenty of de-stress days too!

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    1. Absolutely, @Drama Mama! And, thanks! Same to you!

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  8. Great to read a bit about you!! Looking forward to your next book. Love seeing the photos, pretty lady!! :)

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    1. Thank you, @Sue! I'm anxious to hear what you think of the book.

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  9. Yes, ma'am...reality and what folks think we do are two different things. Love what you do to de-stress! Cooking is my de-stresser...doesn't require too much energy and I get to eat the results.

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    1. Carolyn, I love your de-stresser! And you can come cook for me any day! :-D

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  10. Great pictures, wish I could travel somewhere!!! I am anxiously awaiting your next book - they are awesome.

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  11. Funny how the actual writing eats up about 50% of what we have to do these days (:

    I need something active to relax me, since I spend so much time nailed to my computer. I love running, going to the gym, walking the dog, riding a motorbike, anything that gets me out in the fresh air. I also love chocolate, hence all of the above.

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  12. Funny how the actual writing eats up about 50% of what we have to do these days (:

    I need something active to relax me, since I spend so much time nailed to my computer. I love running, going to the gym, walking the dog, riding a motorbike, anything that gets me out in the fresh air. I also love chocolate, hence all of the above.

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