How are you torn?

We're home! And we had sooo much fun. I will eventually post some pics once I get them off my camera but right now I felt the need to pontificate on home important I think breaks are.

I THINK BREAKS ARE ESSENTIAL!!

This one was so perfect because it absolutely transitioned me (and fast) from full blown analytical work mode to relaxed, feeling very creative and ready to write mode. Apparently lying around on beaches and next to pools for 8 days with hardly a care in the world besides picking the next restaurant does wonders for activating the right brain. Well, that and a steady diet of Mai Tais and coconut battered shrimp.

I'm so excited about working on the current wip and feel so lucky to have this unencumbered time for the next two months to work on it. When I sat down to write yesterday and today, it was like getting reacquainted with old friends. I love my characters so much, they almost feel like real people to me.

And speaking of breaks and day job work and such, have I mentioned that I will be switching to a part time work schedule for next year? Yup. Husband and I discussed it and we both felt that I really needed the time to try and focus as much energy as possible on writing. So that is pretty freaking amazing and I'm very, very excited to have the opportunity to shift even more time towards writing.

Although, admittedly, it is bitter sweet because it meant having to switch schools for next year (last years school needs a full time psych) so I had to pack my office and say goodbye to some extremely amazing teachers and wonderful kids that I love. So, yeah, that's hard. I will miss them.

That's how I'm torn. I love what I do and working with kids. But I love reading, writing and all things books as well. I think I would write full time if given the opportunity but I can't imagine giving up working with kids. Maybe in a different capacity? Hmmm.

How are you torn between your life and writing? What choices and/or sacrifices have you made or see yourself making in order to pursue what you love?