Saw this article below from a independent author I like and it made me think of all my author friends out there working so hard on their art.

Hi Everyone!
The mind of an author is a amazing and overwhelming place to be, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I've learned a lot over the last four years and feel it is important that as an author and as a person, that I share some of the things with others in the hopes that it can help. Today, I'm going to share three things I've discovered since I began writing: One: being in business for yourself is a fun, but scary thing. Two: That being an author is very much like being an artist, but it is also like being an athlete. Three: That it is important to still enjoy life. So, here is what it is like to be in the mind of an author....

Most people, including authors, don't think about going into business for themselves. There are all kinds of things you have to know, learn, and hurtles you must be willing to jump or crawl over. It is time consuming, as well, which eats into a writer's most essential need. I don't care how successful you are, you are still involved in the day to day matters of promoting your work. You have to because if you don't, you don't earn a living. It is both fun and frightening to navigate the rapids and calm waters of finding what works and what doesn't. It can also be exhausting as many authors work 80 plus hours a week with no time off. This can lead to exhaustion and chronic fatigue. I made a promise to myself when I first started writing that I would only do it as long as it was fun. There are days when it isn't, but I'm talking long term. This is why I'm still struggling to find the balance to enjoy the journey while enjoying the work.

The second thing I've noticed is that being an author is very much like being an artist and an athlete. When I talk about an artist, I'm talking about all types of artists: painters, singers, actors, etc. An artist brings things to life. It takes an incredible amount of discipline to capture an image in your brain and bring it alive. It can also be exhausting. Like an athlete who trains to improve not only their mental and physical stamina, but develop their skills, so do other artists. It takes hours and hours and hours of practice for years to become a master. It is said to become a master of anything you must do it continuously for ten years. I firmly believe that. To reach that level, it is important to take care of yourself mentally and physically so that you have the stamina and endurance to reach your full potential. This has been one of the things I've had to learn to do - pace myself - so that I do not burn out. Sometimes my brain actually hurts, feels bruised. When that happens, I know I need to take a break. I don't quit writing, I simply slow down, take some needed rest, and work on other projects. It is not only okay to look after yourself, but necessary if you want to become a master at anything you set your mind to.

Finally, it is important to enjoy life. This is probably the hardest one for me to learn and stick with believe it or not. All my life I have worked and worked hard. I always felt that if I wasn't doing something, that I was being lazy. Have you ever felt that way? Well, it isn't being lazy, it is recharging and appreciating the simple things that make all that work worth while. What is the point of meeting people if you don't enjoy their company? Or seeing a beautiful painting, sunset/sunrise, rainbow, or the other hundreds of things that you may see during the day. We only get one shot at this moment in time and should appreciate and embrace it. If you love the sound of rain or sitting and watching the squirrels play, take a few minutes each day to do something for you, only you, because you matter. Yes, it has taken me years to discover that I'm not only a mom, a wife, a sister, but I'm Susan and it is okay to be just me and do what I want to do every once in a while. My kids, my hubby, my sister and brother love me even more for finally realizing what they've been trying to teach me all this time - it is okay to enjoy life without worrying about anyone else for a while.

The mind of an author is a confusing place - at least mine is. But, it is mine and I'm embracing it. It comes up with vivid, beautiful worlds filled with amazing characters that come to life. They are noisy, pushy, and make me excited to share them with the world. Yes, it is scary and tiresome at times. Yes, I have to work at it and exercise and sometimes take a break. I'm still learning a lot. One of those lessons is that my readers believe in my stories and my skills and are willing to enjoy the journey alongside me as I strive to become a master storyteller. They help me keep this fun and for that I will be forever grateful. Hugs... S.E. Smith

Merry christmas

Happy Birthday Wil! Have a great and awesome day! ^_^

this is so cool!!!

thank you for accepting me as one of your many virtual friends. you just made my day!

greetings and blessings to you and your family from germany

kamala

Thank you for accepting my friend request, Wil! I'm a big fan and can't wait to read your books!

http://startrek.com/article/wesley-cr...

Talk about your backhanded compliments!

Thanks for accepting my invite!

True Dungeon runner - I hope to see you on a rum! Keep you sense of humor & thanks for the friend acceptance!

Wil, thank you for accepting my friend request!
Wishing you the very best!

Hey Wil! As always, thanks for the awesome TableTop episodes. I'm very excited about the new season.

I wanted to post my new book review blog here:

http://www.proudnerdbookreviews.com/

I hope you don't mind! I think you and your friends might really enjoy it (although the content is just getting started now). Thanks!

I just saw a post from George Takei about you (he did apologize though).

https://www.facebook.com/georgehtakei...

Got a notice from syfy that your show premieres tonight. Hope it does well!

Oh my my my!!!
Thank you for accepting my request!
I wish I was one of your friends at tabletop too!
But it's OK, because I have my own team here heheee! :P
Thanks again!!!!!!!!!! Greetings from Greece!

Sheldon Cooper can hate me now! Will Wheaton is MY friend, and I will let him play with my train set <3

Thanks for adding me as a friend! I am much honored. :D

Thank you for resurrecting my inner geek. Ready Player One was brilliant. I dont think anyone could have pulled off the reading as well as you did. Now quit screwing around and make more tabletop! (PS moarrrr Felicia!)

“just this guy, you know?” Ha. Love the Hitchhiker reference. And thanks for the adding me as a friend. I will now remove you from my list of mortal enemies.

Thanks for the friend add, Wil. Glad to have your acquaintance here on Goodreads!

Thanks for lending your voice to Ready Player One! It fit perfectly, what with the reference to you as a political figure of that "possible" future. *nudge nudge* =] Really enjoyed it, thanks again!

Your separated-at-birth identical twin brother works behind the shoe-rental counter at my local bowling alley. Or...have you taken a second job?

Thanks Buddy for adding me as a friend. It's pretty cool.

Lloyd (Your friend)

My horror novel Poe is being published in October, @RogerCorman is following me on Twitter, now Wil Wheaton is a friend on Goodreads...my life is strangely complete.

Wait, this isn't the holodeck, is it?

Thank you for accepting my Friend request. I admire your work! "Stand By Me" is one of my all-time favorite movies. You pulled the leech scene off like a freaking genius! I hope you are having an excellent day.
All my best to you and yours,
Cedric

WHEATOOOOOOOON!!!

Big fan of course, from Star Trek and Big Bang. :D

Such an honor,thank you! :)
Happy holidays with your lovely family, much love from Greece.

Wow! How cool - Wil Wheaton is my friend! Adore you on Big Bang Theory, and Trek!

Your fellow geek thanks you.

My kids and I are listening to you read "Ready Player One." At one point I chuckled and said, "He said 'holodeck'" and in unison all three said, "What's a holodeck?" Hello, geek mom FAIL.

Anyway, it's a fantastic rendition of a fantastic book, thanks! I will definitely check out anything you read in the future.

Dude.

Haha, I just watched your Diggnation farewell blurb. That was too funny.

Thanks for the friendship. I loved Hunter and I'm excited to read the rest of your works.

Heh. Part of me wants to laugh hysterically. Part of me is bemused. The rest of me is hungry.

Nice to meet you, virtually speaking, of course.

Wow, thanks!!
Have a good day!

P.S. I am going to pick up your book Dancing Barefoot too, because as a Trekkie when it comes to your books...

Hi Wil,

I am totally jazzed to have you as a friend! I am a big fan of yours - TNG is one of my all-time favorite shows & I really like your character, Wesley Crusher. I am now going to happily geek out in your comments section... :)








I enjoy reading your blog & I'll be picking up your book, Just a Geek, soon - I look forward to reading it!

Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands

Embiggen is a fantabulous word