Writing, Deadlines and You

I just completed an article for Daddy123 as well as a blog for my focus writing group the Rogues Gallery Writers. Both these pieces of writing come in way overdue and I must admit, I am a bit frustrated with how far behind my writing tasks have become. This situation is not uncommon, and most writers know that one of the best ways to correct the situation is to write your way out of it.

Writing myself out of this backlog just happens to be my goal at the moment. But the fatherhood article I wrote reminded me that too often we take our jobs and careers too seriously and miss out on more valuable experiences. I know a paycheck holds value as does keeping one's job. I need the Daddy123 gig to gain exposure for my book Fatherhood 101 .

Family, children, peace of mind, joy, and many other life experiences should hold a paramount place in our day as well. The pic of the smiling little girl and the house was drawn with love by my five-year-old daughter. She is on an artistic kick these days, but more important and special to me is that she is on a self-expression I-love-you-dad kick these days.

She is the youngest of six and I am reflective enough to realize these days will pass much too quickly. I need to seize the day and make sure I connect with her, let her know how wonderful her artwork is and how much I love her. Yes, my deadlines call, and yes, I must work through the backlog, but not at the expense of family.

When the family is clicking on all cylinders, backlogs of work can be enjoyable, anticipated and fulfilling. The same goes with my state of mind. Every writer runs into those times where writing grates on their nerves and nothing appears to work. Writing through these times can be enlightening and helpful, but separating yourself from the rigors of writing for a short time may do more.

I must maintain webpages, blogs, write articles, work on the four book projects in progress and also take care of my fiction addiction. These are not drudgery to me, but sometimes they can appear that way. In fact, these are precisely the gigs I signed on for when I decided to become a writer. Better watch what you ask for, right? Keeping the passion in the writing comes from balancing the life outside the writing.

This balance looks different for different people. Finding this balance can be vexing, but the pursuit is well worth the effort. I have a number of products (writing products) for which I have high hopes. In fact, a couple of them should be more than high hopes, they should be money generators. Yet they've fallen by the wayside during a somewhat difficult period. I realized today the passion and excitement I possess for these projects and I wondered at why I left them dormant so long.

I need to gain balance. I cannot lie and tell you I'm in perfect balance. But I know where I'm and and where I wish to be and that helps set the page for a positive stroll through the keyboard. Prioritizing family, personal health and a certain amount of personal joy has benefited me by instilling the passion needed to undertake completion of two major writing projects.

I encourage you to step back, contemplate what is really important in your life. I'm telling you it is not money. Scoff if you will, but it's true. Read my article at Daddy123 next Tuesday about children's artistic self-expressions. Hopefully you will understand - money cannot buy you what many of you already have. Money won't keep it either.

Take care of your deadlines by taking care of yourself. You will apply yourself with more gusto, more passion and more excitement when you do.