What does an author do while waiting for their book to go to print?

Most articles you read on the business of writing will say you should be working on your next book… If you want to be a successful author—or anything else, for that matter—you need to be working at your craft. You can’t rest on the accomplishments of yesterday; you must constantly be working toward tomorrow, if you don’t want readers to forget you.

Fair enough. I can live with that. However… I have been working my buns off for the last three years—and not just on this book. The book is now in the capable hands of a professional editor—the fourth editor to be exact—I’ve just had a devotion published in The Upper Room, I have three contest pieces out there and another story submitted, and quite frankly, I need a break!

And, here’s the thing, writing is an act of creation. And even the King of all Creation took a break from His labors! Not only that, but He commanded us to take a break, too! I’m pretty sure He knows what’s best, so who am I to argue. “All work and no play,” and all that, you know. I never want to be dull, and I certainly don’t want my writing to be dull! So, it’s time to play!

I define play as anything that brings me joy. Not everyone would agree with my idea of play, but it works for me. For example, gardening. Our veggie patch is doing so well this year. Chuck finished putting up the fence to keep the dog out, and in spite of my war with squash bugs, I love the weeding, picking, cooking, and canning. I just canned our first green beans of the summer.

Then there’s crochet. I’ve almost finished with my daughter’s afghan, and I’m working on an infinity scarf for myself. I love to take small projects to the pool when Gracie is having swim class. In years past I would take my computer…but my battery is dying and I haven’t replaced it yet. This has actually proven to be a blessing in disguise.

I also have a bunch of sewing projects to catch-up on. Mostly dresses for Gracie and craft projects that I always put off because I “have to get this manuscript done.”

Reading, shopping, daydreaming…and I am not the least bit embarrassed to admit that I am thoroughly enjoying the forty-foot swing my husband put up in one of our shady sycamore trees…for our daughter. It’s not our only swing, by the way, and Gracie seems to enjoy watching me swing as much as I enjoy doing it.

So, while I know there is still post-publication work ahead, and more books that need to get written, I know my work will happen more joyfully and creatively if I set it all aside for the moment and have a little fun. Now, if you’ll excuse me, the squash bugs are calling.