Juggling 101

When people meet me, I often hear one question repeated over and over: how do you juggle everything you have going on? Fair question, but before I answer I’ll share why this is a frequent query. Here’s a brief look at my June calendar.

I’m a full-time published author with a literary agent. I’ve just completed a two-book contract with Entangled Publishing. My next novel, ANGEL LOVER, hits stores on June 30, and I’ll have a two-week book tour to support its marketing efforts. I’m writing a novella, ANGEL HUNTER (due in one week from this posting). I’ll attend Boas and Tiaras on June 13. I’m in confirmation class at my church. I’m also in a low-residency master’s degree program so I’m preparing to fly to another state at the end of the month. Before that I’ll need to finish reading the required school novel, critique manuscript chapters from classmates, and gather my novels for an on-site book signing.

Did I mention I’m also a wife, a mother of a 5-year-old, and I’m helping to train our Great Dane puppy (the third Dane in our family)? Grr. I almost forgot I write two columns a week for Fresh Fiction (shout out!) and I am editing a novel for Short Fuse Publishing.

This is why the question gets asked. I’m not crazy (yet), but I’ll admit, this kind of active schedule would break others. Why do I do it? Well, I thrive on learning and I know what I want out of life.

Debut authors are dreamers, but we’re also a bit touched in the brain. We pour our hearts into our writing, but that doesn’t stop real life. You can be a full-time writer and hold down a full-time day job to pay the bills. Your children require you to attend their school events, shuttle them to a friend’s house, or join them to watch Penguins of Madagascar for the four-millionth time. Date night becomes date whenever, and still we have more to do.

My point is you learn to juggle. I’ve cut my schedule several times and what remains will be trimmed as I complete the goals I’ve set for myself. I’ll finish my novella and then get to work polishing a manuscript for my agent. I’ll gain knowledge from my university mentor and classmates, which will make me a stronger writer. When I give our puppy a command, he’ll listen (that’s such a joke right now, let me tell ya).

Juggling isn’t for everyone, but it works for me. Each accomplishment makes my life as full and fantastic as I can make it. What would you do for your dreams?

About the Author:

Tricia Skinner writes dark, diverse, dangerous fiction. Her urban fantasy romance series, the Angel Assassins, is her first. She’s represented by Fuse Literary Agency. Trish shares her life with her husband, young son, and three Great Danes.