Housework is a bad thing for writers. It’s intrusive, creeping into our thoughts when we least want it to. Blank screen? That’s when we realize the bathroom needs immediate attention. Plot struggle? It’s time to mop the floor. We try to stop it. A messy house isn’t going to self-destruct,Continue Reading
The biggest physical challenge is being sedentary. My two favorite hobbies—writing and reading—require no more from me than sitting still and turning pages or typing. And I’m way too comfortable with that. For example, I’d never look up from my computer and say, “Hey! You know what? I think I’llContinue Reading
Those successful people. How do they do it? My dog gave me an idea the other day. Have you ever seen someone behave as if they really wanted something? My dog is really good at it. If she wants a bone, you know it. She’ll do all the tricks she’sContinue Reading
By far the biggest physical challenge for me is managing my weight. As a full-time teacher and mother of two, the only time I have to write is in my “free” time (I’m laughing on the inside, because I barely know the meaning of that phrase), and that is theContinue Reading
A couple weeks ago, I told you all about my trip to research my current work in progress (The Beached Ones). Now I’m back home, the trip is over, and I’m processing the whole experience. I thought it only fair to warn you—this type of journey isn’t for the faintContinue Reading
I woke up with one of these a week ago. Yuck! There’s nothing like trying to work for hours at the computer when your neck hurts. In the past, I’d always just lived with it, slowly working it out through my yoga practice over a series of days. It gotContinue Reading
My biggest physical challenge has been repetitive stress hand annoyances plus overall discomfort at sitting too much. I’m always trying to improve my desk situation, but this high-minded approach has only arisen now after several years of sitting on a couch, virtually curled into the cracked screen of my laptop.Continue Reading
Situation: I’m in the second draft of my work in progress. My characters travel across country, from Iowa to California. Dilemma: I’ve either a) never been to the locations where my characters stop along the way, or b) it’s been so long the places are dim in my memory. SolutionContinue Reading
I’m a big believer that the quality of my work is directly related to how my body feels, so I try to be good to myself. Exercise makes me a better writer, so I typically fit something in every day. A good workout is like a mind cleanse; it resetsContinue Reading
I heard a radio commercial the other day that got my attention. I remember little about the product they were advertising, other than it had something to do with RVs, but I do remember one line: Do you look forward more to starting your day, or to ending it? IContinue Reading
My biggest physical challenge since I’ve begun writing full time is being indoors for so much of the day. I’ve tried working outside in nice weather, but I can’t seem to do any meaningful writing, just light, daydreamy work, though it’s a good place to edit. Deeper work eludes meContinue Reading
Forest bathing—it’s something I’ve done many times, but I didn’t realize I was doing it. You don’t need a washcloth, soap or shampoo—just a good pair of walking shoes, some comfortable clothes, and all your stress and anxiety. That’s because forest bathing—or as it’s more commonly known, “taking a walkContinue Reading