Kathi Macias (www.kathimacias.com; http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com) is an “occasional radio show host” (www.blogtalkradio.com/communicatethevision) and an award-winning author of more than thirty books, including the popular Extreme Devotion series from New Hope Publishers and Valeria’s Cross, co-authored with Susan Wales which is now available from Abingdon Press.

When I got the “author by night” assignment, I thought, Hmm… When was the last time I was up late enough that it qualified as “night”? Been awhile, I’m afraid.

Seriously, I am NOT a night person. The problem is, I’m not really a morning person either, though my current lifestyle requires that I get up most days at dark o’clock. And I must admit that once I’ve rolled out of that warm, cozy bed, I really do accomplish a lot in those early morning hours.

For one thing, my husband heads off to work before the chickens are out and about, and my almost 90-year-old mom (who lives with us) rarely opens her eyes before eight or so. Hence, the house is quiet and I can actually grab some alone time with the Lord before jumping feet-first into my daily to-do list. And that, I suppose, is the secret to pretty much everything I do—before or after dark, as an author or otherwise. If I miss that beginning-of-the-day time of prayer and Bible reading and worship, I’m definitely starting off on the wrong foot, and my day almost always goes downhill from there.

I’m actually quite blessed (and have been for some years now) to be able to write (my own books and scores more for other people, as well as being a regular contributor to Crosswalk, The Christian Pulse, Pearl Girls, International Christian Fiction Writers, Churchmouse, and various other online publications, including this one) and edit fulltime, rather than trying to squeeze in a little writing time after getting home from a “real” job. (Yes, through the years I’ve had several of those—including bank teller, pre-school teacher, church secretary, bookkeeper, string reporter and newspaper columnist, adult curriculum editor at Gospel Light Publishing, and biblical counselor/pastoral team member at a large SoCal church.) Do I miss any of them? Only every couple of weeks when I realize that if I had a “real” job I’d also have a “real” paycheck. But the flexibility and freedom of working at home is worth the tradeoffs—most of the time.

One of the primary responsibilities I juggle with my fulltime writing/editing job is being the primary caretaker for my almost 90-year-old mother, who lives with us. In addition to caring for her 24/7 when I’m home, I have to make arrangements for her care when I’m gone—which happens often because that’s another one of my “author by night” activities. In addition to being a writer/editor, I’m a speaker. I teach at writer’s and women’s conferences, workshops, and retreats, and have recently been doing some national and international TV appearances, all of which require being away from home for several days at a time. It also requires a great sense of humor because I DON’T DO PUBLIC SPEAKING! At least, that’s what I always thought. When I became a Christian at 26, I even explained that to God—the very first day! You’d think He would have paid attention.

Sigh.

And so I do my best to balance traveling and public speaking—which I’ve actually come to enjoy very much—with my writing, editing, and caretaking. In addition, I am what I call “an occasional radio show host.” Along with artist Ron DiCianni, I co-host blogtalkradio show “Communicate the Vision,” a program that highlights Christians who are using the arts to honor God and preach the Gospel. Though we don’t have a set time for broadcasts, we line up our guests and find a time that works for all of us, then lock it in and announce it all over the Internet. Blogtalkradio is the perfect medium for that type of thing because it archives the shows and people can go to listen any time they wish. Our most recent guests include Jerry Jenkins, Jane Hampton Cook, and Carol Kent , and we have several others in the works.

On a more personal level, in addition to being married to my junior/senior high school sweetheart, Al (whom I’ve known since we were six, though we didn’t like one another much at the time), I’m a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. (Trust me, I still have trouble absorbing that myself!) But as I tell our burgeoning clan, we aren’t over the hill yet! Al still rides his Harley (forty years after buying his first one), and I ride with him—on the back of his, not on my own. (And now you know where I got the name “Easy Writer.” Many have commented to me that it’s a cute name, but few have seen me in my leathers and helmet. Send chocolate and you just might get a chance one of these days!)

I can’t finish up an explanation of my “author by night” life without mentioning my wonderful church family at Nuevo Community Church. What a supportive bunch! I miss them when I’m doing my “road warrior” thing, but always glad to check in for hugs and warm welcomes when I’m home.

I also am active in several writers/speakers’ groups, including AWSA (Advanced Writers/Speakers Association, where I received the Member of the Year award in 2008—yeah, ME, the one does NOT do public speaking!); CAN (Christian Authors Network, where I serve as spiritual adviser—which should give you pause if you’re considering joining the group); Christian Writers Fellowship International; Orange County Christian Writers’ Fellowship; ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers); ICFW (International Christian Fiction Writers); The Christian PEN (Proofreaders/Editors Network); Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service; and Wonderful Wordsmiths.

And that about sums it up! It also brings us full circle to why I grab myself by the hair of my head and haul myself out of bed before the sun is up. Without my quiet time with the Lord each morning, the rest of this would simply overwhelm me and I’d throw in the towel. (Trust me, there are easier ways to make minimum wage or less!) But God has called me to be a communicator, and so (in spite of myself), I am. And I am so grateful for the opportunity! At the same time, I stand ready to lay it down at a moment’s notice—if God calls me to do something else, or if He calls me home. My “author by night” life begins and ends with Him, and that’s the Truth that keeps everything else in perspective.