Expanding on that idea, I think it’s interesting to point out just how much of a compulsive writer I am. It’s what I love to do, and I spend quite a bit of my time doing it. Pretty much my whole life revolves around what I’m writing—any spare moments focus on planning, and when I take time off to relax, I generally just spend it writing. This actually worries some people who know me, who think I might need more balance in my life. I know they might have a point. (Hence my insistence to myself that I have a hobby, such as the Magic card game.)
All of the other things—signings, conferences, writing groups—are also things I do to take time off from writing. Even if you love it as much as I do, breaks are important. Without them, you tend to rush plots and stories. Taking a week or two off after the completion of important plot sections like I just got done with in A Memory of Light actually helps the writing of the next section. Like the cracker between two tastes of cheese.
Anyway, I just wanted to assure everyone. All of the ‘other’ things I do aren’t taking much time away from this book that we all want to see done as soon as possible. (While still maintaining the writing quality, of course.) It’s good that I have these things in life. Trust me on this one. ;)
I do promise, however, that I’ve set aside REAL distractions. Namely, other books I want to write. (My readers know that I ‘accidentally’ write books that my editors aren’t expecting. None of those for me this year.) Also, I haven’t let myself play Halo 3 yet, since I know that will pretty much wipe out a week or two on its own. . . .
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