Gotta Know when to Hold 'em, and when to fold 'em.

A self-portrait.... (not really)

Confession: I like to listen to country music.

Ya ever heard the old song by Kenny Rogers, The Gambler Song?

Ya gotta know when to hold 'em.
Know when to fold em.
Know when to walk away,
know when to run.

You never count your money
When you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for count'
When the dealin's done.

So yeah, it's about gambling. Not really a normal "Christian" topic on a blog for Christian writers, I know. Bare with me.

I've been sitting here thinking about my crazy writing life right now and that song popped into my head. Last month I'd done this super detailed writing calendar for myself, SO excited that I'd be organized and have daily wordcount goals and all that. It was FANCY, y'all. My turn had come and I was gonna roll the dice on my time and go all in.

Then my daughter got sick. Pneumonia. 5 day hospital say.

BOO!!!

Since then we've had a billion doctors appointments for various reason, I've had my wisdom teeth out, and end-of-the-year school stuff is raging on for all of my kids, as well as a fundraiser for a heart walk we're doing to honor our daughter, Annabelle.

I threw my cards down, dropped my head onto the table, and yelled FOLD a few weeks ago.

I'm not out for the game. Just for this hand--this month. There wasn't any way I'd win with the cards I'd been dealt. To try would have been just plain stupid.

What is NOT in my hand today....

Sometimes you really do just need to know when it's time to fold 'em and set it aside for a bit.

Other times ya need to hold em. Don't up the ante but stay in the hand because you might just come out on top.

Personally, I find myself bluffing a little too much, but that's a whole other conversation.

I was supposed to post today on "money" as it relates to writing. That's why I included the second part of that song above. Because I'm choosin' not to count my money at the table at the moment, because there will be time enough for that later, say, maybe June-ish.

So until then, I'm gonna walk away to bed (no, take that back, I might run!) because this writer-momma is TIRED and needs a few zzz's to make it through tomorrow, another busy day.

Never thought you could learn a few things from a gambler about your writing life, did ya?

Yeah, me neither.

Let's Chat! What's in your hand right now? Are you gonna toss in a few coins and go for it? Or are you like me and need to fold for a bit because there isn't a snowballs chance in Cuba you'll actually come out on top trying to write in this season?

Or are you sitting there thinking, "Wow... that was a stretch, Krista. You must REALLLLYYYYY be tired." It's okay if you're thinking that. It has a distinct possibility of being true!!!

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Krista is a follower of Jesus, a wife, a mother, and author of Sandwich, With a Side of Romance, A Side of Faith, and A Side of Hope. She blogs about finding JOY in the journey of LIFE at http://www.kristaphillips.com. She is represented by Sarah Freese of Wordserve Literary.