Juggling Life & Writing

Juggling Life & Writing

            I’m a juggler. How about you? Do you sometimes feel you’ve got too many balls in the air and you’re about to lose them all?

Lately, my juggling has gotten out of control and the balls are falling all over my head. I’ve got too much going on and I’m having a hard time focusing. Here are all the balls I’m trying to keep airborne:

 Last fall, my critique group decided we’d each write an original short marriage-of-convenience story and put all five of them into a boxed set. Our stories are done, but due to setbacks, mostly the bad weather keeping us from meeting, the set, called The Marriage Coin, isn’t out yet. Someone is doing our formatting, but the uploading to the various retail sites falls to me as I’m the only one of the group who has published indie books. We’re pushing to release the book by the end of April.

I’m participating in another boxed set, this one with a total of seven authors. The grouping includes eight full-length romance novels. The authors are all bestselling and several are USA Today and NYT authors. Our collection, called Kick-Ass Heroines and Hot Heroes, is on sale at Amazon for a special introductory price of 99 cents. So get it at that price while you can. The link and cover are below. Each of us authors has taken responsibility for different phases of promotion. I love the books and am honored I was asked to participate. But, of course, that’s another ball in the air.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JNEX10U?tag=carmaraut-20

 

Continuing the boxed set trend, I’m also planning an anthology with two author friends. We’re putting together a total of three books, all set in the summer. We’re calling it Sizzling Summer. Although we’ve hired a cover artist and formatter, there was still work involved in getting our stories ready. And I will upload to the retail sites. I’m not complaining because I’ve uploaded so many of my own books that it’s not a problem. I’m excited about this set too. The other two authors are amazing writers. But, more balls in the air. This book should be published before the end of May. Cover below.

Then, there are the two books I’m trying to write through all this. I’ve finished the first draft of Book 3 in the Redemption series. I have to flesh out that story. Also, I’m expanding a very steamy short story into a novella for a publisher that has expressed interest.

On a personal note, I’m planning a trip to Las Vegas for my husband and me to visit our son and see his new house. Along with the usual household chores, I’m writing, getting together stories for the boxed sets, uploading said boxed sets, plus checking airlines, hotels, and rental cars. It’s enough to drive me to drink…more.

So, you see all my balls flying through the air and why I’m going just a little bit crazy. However, I recognize these are good things, and I’m not trying to make light of those with bigger problems. I’m busy, but I’m grateful for all I have. I’d just like to learn to relax.

How do you handle life when you’ve got too much going on? Any and all advice is appreciated.