Balancing Life and Writing

Today it's my pleasure to host author Marie Astor. Marie is in the middle of a blog tour promoting her new release, On the Rim of Love. Welcome. Marie.

Marie will be awarding a custom made jewelry set (necklace and earrings) to one randomly chosen commenter so make sure and leave her a comment. (US / Canada only)

 

Balancing life and writing – I have a one-line answer to this topic – it is hard!

If it were up to me, I would be writing non-stop, with perhaps short breaks for sleep, but I have a family and I have friends and all the obligations with come with being an adult.

I can certainly relate to the plot of Inkheart by Cornelia Funke where the author of a book finds himself transported into the world of his own creation. When I am working on a novel, the plot and the characters become as real to me as my own life - I find myself drawn into a self-created world where I am listening in to every scene, every thought – the trick is not to get sucked in or risk becoming a social recluse, which is a fate that I’m pretty sure no one would like to fall victim to.

So, my advice on balancing life and writing? Take breaks! Don’t forget your friends, remember to surprise your family with doing something special for them, like making pancakes and eggs for dinner (yes, breakfast food for dinner!) or heading out for a picnic on a sunny day. But what about writing? you say, don’t you need to have a schedule? Yes, it certainly helps to have a schedule and most of the days I follow a very rigorous schedule – I try to devote at least two hours a day to writing – it may be in the wee hours or the morning or it may be at night and sometimes in the afternoon – the schedule will wary depending on the hectic demands that life throws my way each day. But, every now and then, I’ll take a break and let the day shape itself. I always carry a small notebook with me, so that I can jot down any ideas that spring up in my mind, and I find that when I’m out and about with my family and friends, ideas become frequent guests.

I’d like to thank Sarah for inviting me to her blog and giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts on this exciting topic. Wishing everyone happy writing and reading!

 

On the Rim of Love
by Marie Astor

BUY IT ON KINDLE

BY IT ON NOOK

Maggie Robin has been dating the irresistibly good-looking, successful Jeffrey Preston for two years. But when Jeffrey proposes marriage a week after Maggie’s college graduation, she is no longer sure if she wants to marry a workaholic TV producer.


Her doubts culminate when during a ski trip to British Columbia, Maggie meets Taylor Denton, a handsome, free-spirited big mountain skier who is the complete opposite of Jeffrey. It does not take Maggie long to realize that she has fallen in love with Taylor and she decides to break off her engagement with Jeffrey. But just when she thinks she has found the love of her life, an ill-fated misunderstanding tears Maggie and Taylor apart.


A week later, Maggie is told that Taylor has died in a tragic ski accident; yet, her heart refuses to believe in Taylor’s death. When Maggie returns to Taylor’s native town, she learns that Taylor is indeed alive, but has been seriously injured. Resolved to bring her lover back to life Maggie stands by Taylor’s side, convincing him to embrace life again.

Marie Astor is a die-hard romantic who wholeheartedly believes in true love, which is why she writes in the contemporary romance genre.

Marie is the author of contemporary romance novels, On the Rim of Love, Lucky Charm, and a short story collection, A Chance Encounter and Other Stories.

In addition to being a writer, Marie is an avid hiker, an excellent swimmer, a good skier, and a capable badminton player.

Currently, Marie is working on her next novel - stay tuned for details! If you would like to receive updates about book releases and events, please visit Marie’s website at: www.marieastor.com or visit Marie at her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorwrites.

Website: http://www.marieastor.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollection

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/marieastor