Fortunately for me, I paid my dues with unwise behaviors long ago. For years now, I haven’t eaten sugar or drunk alcohol or used drugs. I still drink loads of coffee, though! During my time herding goats in the mountains of France, I learned how good it feels to liveContinue Reading
Do you crave that creative euphoria writers sometimes get from writing? Unfortunately, many writers turn to alcohol to get it. Look at the list of famous authors who were alcoholics and you get names like Raymond Chandler, John Cheever, Tennessee Williams, Dylan Thomas, Edgar Allen Poe, Truman Capote, Jack Kerouac,Continue Reading
Since my physical health is not typical, the obvious, typical answer for me would likely not apply to, or benefit, most authors and aspiring authors. So, I will direct attention to another physical “matter,” which is sometimes a challenge and sometimes a blessing: Yes, I speak of the hours weContinue Reading
Are you suffering from the writing blahs? When you sit down to work, do you sigh deeply and resort to eating chocolates until your writing time is over? In other words, has it been awhile since the muse graced your doorstep? If so, it’s time to woo her back. BecauseContinue Reading
People always think it’s exciting to be a writer—perhaps they’re picturing Hemingway on a big safari game hunt—but the reality is that it’s more like being Homer Simpson in front of the TV: you sit and snack a lot on sugary, salty treats while your brain goes into overdrive. ProbablyContinue Reading
Do you need to change your work area? You may not have thought much about it, but it’s important. Really important. Did you know that certain things about your writer’s nook can actually make you stressed out or sleepy? Other things can cause you headaches, make you less productive, orContinue Reading
For me it was weight gain. With deadlines looming, I gave up my morning runs to fit in more work. This took a toll on my health and well being. It took me until recently to reclaim my physical health. I always, ALWAYS fit in a run or walk beforeContinue Reading
How’s it going with those New Year’s resolutions? Are you still working on them? Odds are, you aren’t—or it won’t be long before you forget about them. A study from the University of Scranton reported that just eight percent of people are successful in achieving their resolutions. If this isContinue Reading
The biggest physical challenge for me as a writer, is neck and back pain. I find when I get immersed in my writing I don’t realize how much time has passed. Sometimes it can be a few hours. I know this is not good for my body and once IContinue Reading
Last year, I reported on studies indicating that the more hours we sit every day, the shorter our lives will be. One study, for example, showed that women who reported sitting more than six hours per day were 37 percent more likely to die during the study period than thoseContinue Reading
Well, I do periodically have pains in my hands and wrists from typing too much. But this is generally remedied by getting yourself a good chair. It may sound ridiculous, but every few years I buy the best possible orthopaedic chair I can afford, so I can work comfortably. WhenContinue Reading
When another human leaves your heart in an billion pieces, people get it. Friends are happy to help fuel a nice big bonfire, mostly with the ex’s photos. Family members reveal everything they didn’t like about the person to begin with. “You can find much better,” they assure you. ButContinue Reading