I was talking to a woman at a party the other night, and she said that when she thought of authors, she thought of someone who enjoys being alone, a recluse. She went on to say that she imagined them enjoying solitude in a cabin on a lake. That’s when I told her that sounded like the perfect place for me.

As for being reclusive, I can say there is some truth to that. Before writing, I hosted parties at least once a month and often even twice a month. I was very extroverted and organized many girls’ night outs, but now I don’t organize or host anything. It’s not that I don’t enjoy the parties and friends. I just don’t have the time, and my mind is often thinking of other things.

I have always been a busy person with a busy mind. Before writing, I was always organizing some social event, home schooling, cleaning, baking, etc. I always had to be “on,” but that’s not so anymore. Where I used to have the radio on while driving or I’d go crazy, I can now sit in silence. My mind has learned to entertain itself by creating stories, and I enjoy it. I guess that means I’ve learned to enjoy my own company. I don’t have to have outside distractions anymore.

My family will soon be visiting my in-laws, and since I’m behind on my writing, I will be staying behind. I’m hoping to finish writing the novel I’m working on. I even plan to keep the alarm on in my home, because I won’t be going outside (too cold for me). It will be a complete writing binge with no makeup, comfy clothes, and I’ll only take breaks for cereal, sandwiches, and bathing. I’m actually extremely excited about having a few days alone and can’t wait to completely immerse myself into Alissia’s latest adventure.

Does that make me a recluse? I don’t know. What I do know is that I will soon have to find balance between my new reclusive lifestyle and my old extrovert self. My friends and the ESL class that I teach have told me that they miss my parties. I’m also about to start leading a class with my husband on the Love & Respect books out by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. That means I will most likely want to start hosting gatherings for the people in the class.

Spring and summer I’ll be back to face-to-face marketing with book signings and some travel, so the pressure is on to get ahead of my schedule. I’m in the process of organizing a meet-up with other authors in the area, and it will be nice to ask them how they are doing with their management of time. If you are an author, how’s it going for you, and do you find yourself more of a recluse since writing? I’d love to hear from you in the comments’ section below.