Searching for my...Sort of a Jimmy Buffett Tribute... by Diane Bator

 

Get a FREE book after we chat! Click HERE!

I was struggling with what to write this month. Personally, things have been a bit crazy, hectic, weird, wonky, whatever over the past three months. Then Jimmy Buffett died September 1, ironically at the end of summer when school returns and life resumes as normal (even thought it's technically still summer until the Fall Equinox on September 23). Normally, I wouldn't do a tribute or anything to anyone but Jimmy has held a special place in my heart the past three months. You see, I've been listening to his music every day all day long since I moved! No idea why. But it helped me through a lot of the hard stuff.

Jimmy even made his way into a short story I wrote and published:

My phone fell off the table while Jimmy Buffett serenaded me about looking for salt over my earbuds.

In fact, the main character of that story will appear in future ones. So will Jimmy.

It wasn't only his love of the sea and his storytelling that I enjoyed, but how he lived life to the fullest and got to do what he loved best. Is that my takeaway from the past three months?

What I love to do the most is to write. To create. To tell stories. To take time to rest and relax in between all the big stuff. A-HA! There's my treasure! I've been one of those people who has juggled so much for so long that relaxing is difficult. I still have to be busy. 

A friend called one day and I told her I was being lazy. My version of lazy was editing a book! Her version was sitting and enjoying a cup of coffee. It was a weird moment when I realized I've been so trained to constantly do and have never taken a lot of time to just enjoy the fruits of my labour. To celebrate the new books. To savor the reviews and the comments. To treat myself when I reach the milestones: finished books, published books, moving across the country to a new life.

There will always be deadlines. Always be another book, more podcasts, work to do, and dramas to smooth over - mostly not mine! 

That short story I mentioned? It's called On Beach Time. While the main character, Dash, is a private detective, she takes life one case at a time while listening to Jimmy Buffett songs. It was also the most fun I've had writing in years! And she will be back!

I have been told recently that I work too hard. I take on too much. I need to play more. It's all true. This fall, I'm working on finding balance in my life and time to do the things I love! 

Is that what you've been trying to tell me all summer, Jimmy? 

Keep your toes in the sand,

Diane Bator

Escape With a Writer

Sign up for my newsletter here: https://bwlpublishing.ca/bator-diane/

OR join me on Substack: https://substack.com/@dianebator

New Year, New Beginnings by Diane Bator

I am one of those busy people who manages 3 teenagers (one at University), 2 part-time jobs, a fledgling writing career and a new editing business as well as a husband. Yes, I am my own special kind of crazy and can cause myself all sorts of stress. I also make sure to create all kinds of joy in my life to keep some semblance of balance.

During a really busy, extremely stressful, time in my life recently, I took the time to make a list of the things that relaxed me and gave me joy. This list is in no particular order, but simply as they popped into my head.

1.       Baking Cookies

~ I don't do this enough because of the inevitable side effect - I eat them!

2.       Laughing

~ the light-hearted, silly moments are the ones that inspire me the most and open the creative portal.

3.       Snuggling with my cat

~ our furry baby was a rescue animal 9 years ago as a newborn kitten. He's funny, chatty, and always seems to know when anyone needs a hug.

4.       My kids

~ good, bad, or ugly, the kids are always entertaining to some degree and a constant source of laughter, hugs and inspiration in my life.

5.       My friends

~ coffee dates and lunches aren't as common as they used to be so I savor every one. My friends all know I write (as to many of them!), they all know I use the best lines they toss out at me, and they all know I treasure every one of them!

6.       Yoga

~ I love yoga to restore my body and spirit - my mind I'm still working on. Mind tends to be a wild horse that does NOT want to be reined in and constantly needs the gentle reminder to be still. I seek the calming effect, which helps me focus on my writing later.

7.       Christmas Movies

~ Okay, I admit it. I'm a Christmas movie junkie, especially those made-for-TV movies. Have you ever noticed about 95% of them feature writers?

8.       Walking

~ A great moving meditation, I love as how my feet move, my brain sweeps out the bad thoughts and lets my creativity flow - just when I have no pen or paper within reach!

9.       Martial Arts

~ my hubby and kids did karate for 6 years before I started nearly 3 years ago. Another form of moving meditation, students are trained to empty their minds, yet be aware of everything around them.

10.   Writing

~ My Happy Place! When the rest of the world is getting me down, or life gets out of control, I find escaping to write is one of the best ways to regain my joy, calm my spirit, and find my focus.

As the New Year begins and the glitter and busy-ness of the Holiday Season fades, we all need to find take a deep breath and return to being the creative souls we are. This year, make Joy your constant companion. Find the awe and wonder in the little things and make your own list of the things that make you happy for those days you'd rather tear the world - imaginary or otherwise - apart.

My wish for all of you in 2015 is to learn how to stop once and a while and just breathe.

Happy New Year!

Diane Bator

Author of the Wild Blue Mysteries Series

~ The Bookstore Lady

~ The Mystery Lady

~ The Bakery Lady

....more coming soon!