Okay, so I wasn’t expecting that result!
This January, I asked a bunch of writers what their writing goals were for 2013. Was their focus going to be novels, short stories, non-fiction… what? I was interested to see what everyone was planning to achieve, so conducted a poll on my Facebook page. Now here are the results:
Firstly, thank you to the Facebookers and Tweeps who answered this poll: Kate Forsyth, Sophie Masson, Kirsten Tranter, Ian Andrew Irvine, Kim Falconer, Lee Battersby, Jason Fischer, Andrew J McKiernan, Margo Lanagan, Martin Livings, Nansi Kunze, Imelda Evans, Jodi Cleghorn, Alan Baxter, Adam Byatt, Kirsten Krauth, Kirstyn McDermott, Kylie Scott, Laura E. Goodin, Leife Shallcross, Leigh Blackmore, Deb Kalin, Catriona Sparks, Chris Andrews, Catharina Sheely, Kimberley Gaal, Graham Storrs, Geoff Brown, Elizabeth Ottosson, Füzzy Mijmark, Anne Swan, Rowena Specht-Whyte, Adrian Bedford, Graeme R Ing, Aj Spedding, Lily Malone, Rick Bylina, Amra Pajalic, Sean Sweeney, Andy Rane – Author Page, Keryn Donnelly, Dorothy-Jane Daniels, Gerry Huntman, April Clement-Gray, Bevan McGuiness, Robynn Sheahan, Carrie Rubin, Author, Darin Calhoun, Louis Phillips, Robert Michael Easterbrook, Selden and McClain’s Manuscript Conjuring and Adjusting, Terri-Anne Kingsley. There are some exquisite writers among these names and in the interests of supporting our amazing writing community, I’d like to invite you to check out their websites, maybe find them on your preferred social media.
As you can see from these results, novels/novellas and short stories were highest among the votes. But I never expected the ‘work/life/writing balance’ option to get so much attention that it scored third place! Over finding a publisher! Over finding an agent! I only threw that option in because my priority this year is looking after my health more. Last year, I had some health scares. I’ll share them with you – not because I want a response, but because I want you to do something after you’ve read them:
- Breast cancer – a standard check-up (thanks to Kim Falconer prompting me on Facebook) led to worried doctors sending me for an ultrasound and, when that was inconclusive, a mammogram. Ultimately everything was fine though. Phew!
- Irregular heart beat – internalised stress led to a ventricular ectopic beat. Basically my heart was stopping 400 times a day, then suddenly remembering to beat so clustered two beats together to catch up. Luckily it’s a benign indicator of stress and I’ve already reduced it to a handful of beats a day by relaxing more (hello, wine!). Still, this scary wake-up call reminded me about the power of stress.
- Inflamed tooth nerve – from grinding my teeth in my sleep. Again, due to internalised stress. Hi there, my old friend.
- Back ache – yeah, you guessed it, from sitting still at the computer too long, trying to finish all those tasks making me stressed. I’ve taken to asking my kids to sit on my back to crack it back into life! [Don’t try this at home]
Now, anyone who knows me would say: you, stressed – really? As far as I’m concerned, I lead an excruciatingly fortunate life and that belief permeates my general demeanour. But my body clearly has other concerns. Either that, or I’m getting old.
Most writers today have to balance writing against work, family, relationships, etc. But the irrepressible passion for writing that fills us up, also strains us – and as we get older, that strain takes its toll. Clearly, from my poll, you know this deep down.
So I want to make a deal with you – let’s all put our health first this year. I want you to take a minute, right now, to make a list (in your head or on paper) of all the health issues you feel creeping up on you – whether it’s because of old age, genetics, writing, or simple bad luck. Be as honest with yourself as I have been honest with you. Then, consider what would happen if those issues escalated. Would your writing suffer?
Of course it would! So, here’s an innovative idea – look after yourself! Go make that appointment. Take that break. Sleep-in. There’s only one of you and your writing won’t get to speak to the world if you’re not in the best place from which to write it.
You know it makes sense. 2013 is the year of you 🙂
Interesting results, Zena. And I agree, I wouldn’t have expected to see work/life/writing balance so high, although I’ll admit to ticking it myself: I shudder to think that so many other authors have lives so out-of-balance as mine.
He he, I’m sure it’s not that bad, Lee!
The work/life balance issue is an interesting one.
I am often asked me how I get time to write, since I also have a full time job. But in my experience people find time to do what they really want to do. That is why I make sure I write. Other activities outside spending a decent amount of time with my wife and children get ruthlessly pruned!
Just watch out, though, Simon… you may be putting yourself under some invisible stresses that only materialise later…
Remember – this year is the year of you. Health is everything 🙂