You’re probably heard that owning a dog is good for you. I’m here to tell you—it’s even better for you if you’re a writer. As some of you already know, I rescued a shelter dog—Storm—several weeks ago. (Read more about that here.) I’ve owned dogs all my life, so thisContinue Reading
How do you reward yourself for a job well done? You reached your word count for the day. You plotted your novel, finished a chapter, or sent your book off for edits. It’s time to celebrate! So what do you do? Reach for that frosted brownie? Indulge in a bowlContinue Reading
by Idara Hampton Are you a busy writer who struggles to stay in shape or make healthy lifestyle choices because you spend so much time sitting? Sacrificing health for writing might not feel like a big deal. But it takes a toll. In a 2010 study, researchers found that peopleContinue Reading
As winter drags on, even the happiest writers can become depressed writers. I felt it coming on in mid-November: that sluggish, tired feeling that often plagues me during these cold, gray months. Some people refer to it as “SAD” (Seasonal Affective Disorder), but for many of us, it’s not aContinue Reading
I woke up the other night feeling dizzy. I opened my eyes to the darkness and felt the world spinning around and around. I turned onto my back and held still, hoping the sensation would pass. It eventually did and I went back to sleep. The dizziness stayed with meContinue Reading
by Jessica Leibe We’re told that keeping a journal is one of the best things we can do as writers. Journaling allows us to rant, plan, and even plot. I don’t know about you, but I’ve taken quite a few experiences from my journal and used it for my stories.Continue Reading
You know that when you sit too long, it’s not good for you. You may have even heard that “sitting is the new smoking” because of how it increases your risk for overweight, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. But you exercise 30-60 minutes a day. You eat healthy foodsContinue Reading
Have you heard the latest health news? Experts are predicting a possible “twindemic” this fall (2020). They’re using the new word to describe a possible collision between the regular flu season and COVID-19. This could be particularly problematic for a few reasons. Of course, no one wants to have bothContinue Reading
There’s a lot of noise in our world today. Also called “noise pollution,” excessive noise has been linked to stress-related illnesses, high blood pressure, hearing loss, sleep disruption, and lost productivity. Writers may want to add “trouble concentrating” and “difficulty accessing the imagination” to that list. Silence, on the otherContinue Reading
It’s a common affliction for writers: painful sciatica. Perhaps the worst thing about it is its persistence. Just when you think you’ve seen the last of it, it shows up again to make your writing time miserable. If you’d like to say “goodbye” to sciatica for good, read on. WhyContinue Reading
by Chad Turner If you’re reading this article, you’re probably seated—whether you’re sitting at your desk or lounging on a couch. In truth, I’m sitting down as I write this. There’s simply no getting around it, modern life is more sedentary than ever—especially for us writers. A career spent writingContinue Reading
Today’s technology could be putting your eyesight at risk. Blue light emanating from televisions, computers, tablets, and smartphones contributes to dry eyes, eyestrain, and computer vision syndrome. Recent studies have suggested high levels of exposure may even change the makeup of your tears, increasing the risk of dry eye syndrome,Continue Reading