One of my favorite writers Katie Crouch said once in an interview, "Writing is a crazy business. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone. It's too bad I'm not very good at anything else." At first this comment kinda pissed me off. I mean, she's published several books and has won awards. Isn't that worth the craziness? But as I sit here in front of my computer (which is glaring back at me), I think this applies to the process as well as publishing. I mean, writers work in a vacuum.

We toss around big concepts like story ideas and structure in our heads, and then sit down to bring the individual words together that make up this huge thing. It's insane – looking at something as both a whole and all the minute parts that go into it at the same time. I get overwhelmed sometimes, and I don't think I'm alone. I'd like to think this is how Katie feels every time she sits down to write something new. came in at the bottom of the heap of countries.

Speaking of work, I was listening to NPR about this work/life balance study that was just released, and how the U.S. We don't know how to balance work and life at all. What a depressing thought—even the Germans do it better. What constitutes a balance between work and life? According to what I read, "The OECD settled on three chief variables: (1) The share of the labor force that works extreme hours; (2) leisure time; and (3) employment rates for women who have children.

The United States, which leads most of the world in share of mothers who are working, lagged in leisure time and share of overworked employees." Yee-haw! I'm not trying to make excuses. (Or maybe I am.) I guess my point is – we're all still trying to figure out what it means to be successful in life, in a career. We're also all trying to make a living. These don't necessarily go hand in hand. I don't think success in life means the same thing to everyone.