A Life in the Day of Crystal L. Barnes

Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin

For today’s post on balancing writing and life, I’m so glad to be able to introduce you to a fellow Texan. (To be honest, she’s born and bred. I just flitted in for twenty-three years and flitted back out.) 🙂 Welcome, Crystal!

Howdy, y’all! Thanks for having me on your blog, Sandy, to talk about life beyond the computer screen. Something, frankly, we spend too much time staring at, or at least I do. With being, not just an author, but also a freelance cover designer and book formatter, it can be a challenge to have a life of my own. I’m sure many of y’all juggle just as many things, if not more.

Recently, I had a revelation about how important it is for me to guard my “me” time. In this life, there will constantly be demands on our time and energy. However, God is very good at reminding me to “be still and know that I am God” aka “stop trying to control everything and rest in Me.”

Something, I’ll admit, is often more easily said than done.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6NfOJl26F4&w=560&h=315]

It’s amazing the joy, peace, and energy we find when we simply learn to “let go and let God.” I don’t know about y’all, but I’m so grateful God never intended us to go through this life overburdened and overworked.

So how do I “let go”? During my “be still” time, you’ll typically find me doing one or more of the following:

• Reading my Bible and praying
• Singing
• Baking
• Sitting down with a new novel (I can’t wait for Karen Witemeyer’s new release to show up on my doorstep.)
• Watching old movies/sitcoms. Normally something guaranteed to make me laugh. Lately that’s been Little House on the Prairie, Full House, Gilligan’s Island, and I Love Lucy.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de46acGp5qE&w=560&h=315]

How about y’all? Where do you find your escape? What do you do when life gets too much? How do you guard your “me” time?

 

An award-winning author, bona fide country girl, and former competitive gymnast, Crystal L Barnes tells stories full of fun, faith, and friction that allow her to share her love of Texas, old-fashioned things, and the Lord—not necessarily in that order. When she’s not writing, reading, singing, or acting, Crystal enjoys exploring on road-trips, spending time with family, and watching old movies/sitcoms. You can find out more and connect with Crystal at www.crystal-barnes.com.

Find her also on the Stitches Thru Time group blog, her Amazon Author page, Goodreads, Pinterest, Google+, or on her Facebook author page.

Want to be notified of her latest releases and other fun tidbits? Subscribe to her newsletter.

Husband Hunting:

Roxie Montgomery is too wild for her own good, or so her father thinks. Determined to protect her from herself, he demands she settle down and find a husband or he’ll find one for her. However, Roxie’s lack of domestic skills make the task easier said than done.

Texas rancher, Garrett Husband has been sitting on a secret for years, but that might have to change if he wants to keep his childhood friend from marrying another man. When her choice becomes apparent, will he cave to her decision or do the unthinkable to make her hunt him instead?

Originally released as an award-winning short story, Husband Hunting is now more than quadruple the length and packed with more laughter and romance than before. Enjoy this companion novella to the exciting inspirational western romance Love, Stock, and Barrel (Marriage & Mayhem, Book 2).