Finding Artistic Balance

When I decided it was time to write my first novel, to take on that bucket list item I’ve dreamt of since I was a kid, I researched advice on being an author. One suggestion that stuck with me was the advice: “Don’t drink and write,” explained further by L. Kahaner (kahaner.com), who mentioned some of my favorite authors, like Jack London and Edgar Allen Poe. I don’t think I even could drink and write, so that’s not a concern. Still, I think it’s good advice for anyone. 

Another idea that stood out was from the master of modern literary horror, Stephen King. King stressed the importance of treating writing as a full-time job. I recently read that he has slowed down a little, though he still writes daily and aims to write a set number of words, followed by time reading and revising, totaling about four hours each day, an average of twenty-eight hours per week. That’s not bad for time spent, though I know it was twice the work when he was younger. 

I’ve heard from several sources that writing is a daily task if one strives to create quality work. I have fallen out of practice with this at times, usually because life was simply too busy, and because writing is not my only job. I am working on my second novel, a sequel to the first, and it has been a while since I’ve made the time to add to what is already a pretty substantial effort. When I was teaching online, I could not take the time to write my first novel because it meant more time on the computer and I was not able mentally or physically to do that, so it too had to wait until my life and I were ready.

As a teacher who has mentored many student teachers and interns, I have always made it a point to stress the importance of having a healthy work/life balance. I have done my best as a high school English teacher to practice what I preach. Regardless of the outcome, the effort has always been there. This is not as easy to stick to as an artist. Whether writing, drawing, painting, or whatever other form of art I am focused on, it isn’t easy to interrupt the flow once it takes hold. As a result, much of my first novel was written in the wee hours of the night, much to the chagrin of my husband who would prefer I get to bed at a decent hour and not burn the candle at both ends, as it seems it is my nature to do. 

I saw an ad online recently that said that because I like to go to bed late, yet still get up pretty early, apparently I am a “wolf” and much of my best creative energy emerges at night, between the hours of eight and midnight. That sounds about right to me! I know I’m just using it as an excuse to continue burning that candle until my fingers are singed. However, sometimes I feel like the opportunity to commit to my artistic pursuits doesn’t come about until the end of a long and busy day. Whether it’s writing this past ten in the evening, decorating cookies until midnight, or working on a painting while losing track of the ticking clock, my passions seem to burn through the hours, as time stands still. 

I don’t know if she is guilty of staying up all night, but my father recently pointed out that I am as busy as my aunt Sandra, renowned for her many talents in the picturesque town she lives in back east in Newfoundland. My cookie creations have nothing on her many delicacies, not to mention the extensive family and community dinners she prepares. She and her husband, one of two uncle Waynes in my family, and for many years the local fire chief, ran an ambulance service and raised an extraordinary son, who is the only one who might rival his parents’ popularity in their community. Aunt Sandra is a talented woman by many rights; her quilting is astonishing. She loves to do it independently and in the many opportunities it provides her to engage with others with the same interests. I can’t imagine any woman, even my amazing aunt, could pull all this off without pulling a late night or ten.

Being an artist, whatever type of artist, is a spontaneous, inspired, and dynamic character type. Sometimes, and maybe even oftentimes that will lead to some late nights, but that does not mean striving for a healthy balance should not still be a goal. This is necessary for most people to be well. Therefore, I am trying to find that balance. Stephen King's advice might help; if an artist can consistently commit to their endeavors for a set and specific goal, then maybe it’s a little easier to call it a night at a decent time. 

When students ask for guidance on finishing their essays, I ask them to reflect on what they learned by writing about the subject I have given them, as they likely hadn't considered the topic so closely beforehand. I am glad I took the time to write this so that I could realize that the best way to find the healthy boundaries needed to be a lifelong artist is to commit to a consistent routine of making time for my passions. The daily experience of time standing still as the hours fly by will be a great meditative practice that invigorates rather than exhausts.