Balance

Your work has to be focused; you cannot write about everything at the same time. There has to be balance. For example, if you’re writing a mystery novel, it’s okay to incorporate elements of other genres, but ensure it doesn’t become something else entirely. It’s also crucial for the writer; without focus, a person will get burned out, there will be no balance, and there’s nothing that can be done to fix it.

Hello, Timmy! Welcome. Today, I have another warning for aspiring writers like you. I know you have ambitions, perhaps you hold a high opinion of yourself and think you can create something so complex that even God himself would weep a tear of joy. Well, I’m here to slap some sense back into you, Timmy—that is impossible.

Trying to do it all will end up achieving exactly nothing, Timmy. That’s the sad truth of the matter. Personally, I would love nothing more than to be able to write something that encompasses everything, covering every imaginable topic. But that is bad writing.

There has to be a balance of elements—characters, themes, everything—so something can stand out and drive everything forward. It might be the protagonist, the villain, or something unexpected because readers are more often than not pretty weird creatures. Take a deep breath, relax, and focus.

Focus on a theme with complementary accessories, especially if you have no experience. Concentrate on a small group of characters, allowing you to give them the depth they need. Focus, focus, focus. And take things one step at a time. Since it’s likely to require multiple manuscripts, don’t be afraid to adjust as you go. Sure, you might have a hard plan, but sticking to it with no deviations is, in my criteria, like going for a swim with a cinder block tied to your feet—it will drown you.

Maintaining balance might also require you to step away from your work. Yes, I know I’ve mentioned before that writing requires a blue-collar mentality, but those jobs are often more physical than purely mental. You can rest the body much easier than the mind. In my experience, I’m not setting this rule in stone, Timmy, so eventually, it will be worthwhile for you to just stop, walk away for a time, and then come back.

Worried about wasting time? Yes and no. That obsession with wasting time comes from this modern, inhumane world we find ourselves in. Life is a balance, Timmy. If you don’t find it, it will eat you from the inside, and you’ll have nothing to show for it.

Balance is something that I see many over-ambitious individuals scorn when it would be the best friend. The things one ends up missing for ambition are staggering, especially if you get lost in the weeds of your story.

Find balance. If you do, you’ll be able to focus, and with focus comes quality work. Quality work means less effort for you and a better return.

Until next time.