How do you balance your work and home life?
That has been my struggle since before I published!
I realized very early that sitting at a desk so much would cripple me so I have always been very good about looking after my body with yoga and walking and for several years I’ve been working at a standing desk.
For the last few years, I’ve been making a concerted effort to spend more time with family and friends, to reach out to other authors and generally not be such a hermit. It’s a difficult mind-shift because we’re all conditioned to work harder and then harder still, right? I love writing, but I want more in my life than *just* writing.
What are some challenges you’ve faced recently?
I dealt with burn-out a couple of years ago and I’m still putting new habits into my daily routine that will hopefully keep me in a stronger, more resilient state. Some of these habits are things like journaling and discovering that I’m an 8 on the Enneagram, so I can learn to work with the traits that come along with that, rather than fighting myself by trying to be something different.
For example, I learned that I’m a person who likes to be in control of things—this was not news to anyone who knows me, not even me, really. And I like to believe I’m a rational person who is capable of compromise, but it helps me to know it’s not a negative quality, per se. It’s just how I’m built and as long as I’m aware of it in that context, I can use my power for good instead of evil.
But also, knowing that I’m someone who will always reach to be in charge means I am more susceptible to taking on too much and burning out so I need to watch for that.
What rejuvenates you?
I listen to music most evenings, often while doing other tasks, but I find it soothing. It should be noted I listen to *very* soothing music – chill acoustic instrumentals, lol.
Also, we live very rural with a forested backyard and a peekaboo view of the lake. It’s very serene with tons of deer and more quail chicks than we can count.
Anytime I take a break, especially if it’s to visit family, I come home feeling fresh and excited to get back to work.
What makes you laugh?
My husband! We make each other laugh every single day. Also our kids and my sisters.
I’m actually taking a trip this summer with my husband to visit one of my sisters and we’re going to a comedy festival. I expect that to be nonstop laughter. I can’t wait!
Award-winning and USA Today Bestselling author Dani Collins thrives on giving readers emotional, compelling, heart-soaring romance with some laughter and heat thrown in, just like real life. Mostly she writes contemporary romance for Harlequin Presents and Tule’s Montana Born, but her backlist of ninety books also includes self-published erotic romance, romantic comedy, and even an epic medieval fantasy. When she’s not writing—just kidding, she’s always writing. Look for Dani’s latest Presents, Maid to Marry, out now!
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Their reunion was for show…
Will he reclaim her for real?
Heiress Carmel Davenport hasn’t seen Damian Kalymnios since their whirlwind marriage imploded as explosively as it began. Now the reformed wild child needs a fresh start. Which means facing her Greek husband to demand the divorce he refused her years earlier…
Damian will grant Carmel’s request…if they can call a temporary truce for his ailing grandmother’s sake. Only the ruse forces him to admit there’s more to his ever-tempting wife than she’s allowed him to see… Leaving Damian questioning whether to sign the papers—or set them on fire!
