The biggest physical challenge for me of being a writer is stopping long enough to do the things I know will improve my health.
I get on tangents with stories and don’t want to take a break until I see how the scenes will unfold. If I’m not careful, the end of the day will have arrived and I’m still at my laptop typing away.
What do I do? I lean into the planner/plotter side of my writing style and schedule breaks whether I want them at the time or not! This includes eating, exercising, and sleeping.
How the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic Hurt My Writing Muse
I also struggled with the world-wide pandemic.
I’m not saying I haven’t had problems during my years of writing, but this year (2020) takes the cake.
Let me explain. My writing is punctuated by the ability to travel and experience the cultures of the countries, cities, or small towns that provides the backdrop for my novels. This year — my travel muse is nonexistent.
Now that I’m on my soap box, I miss the social outlet of dining out with friends and family, visiting family, and the energizing workouts from my local gym. I suspect I’m not the only one experiencing this loss.
How I Get Back on Track with My Wellness
For those who are feeling the pinch, these are a few things I’ve tried with mid-to-high success in getting back on track.
Tai Chi — This is something you can do at home and there’s some great YouTube videos to help you get started.
Yoga — Yes, lay out that mat and pick your favorite guru to workout with. The gained flexibility from learning these movements is improving my overall health.
Reading — I’m always reading but this year has provided more time for my life-long learning goals. I’d suggest to writers to take the time to study the craft and read novels. This will enhance their own writing.
Exercise — Walk it off! Find a safe path whether hiking in nature, or a city park and let your senses experience the outdoors. There are also some excellent videos for at home workouts. I know it’s more fun with friends — but — you can do this and feel better.
Writing Is Like the Air I Breathe
[I stay creative] by maintaining a mindset that is filled with curiosity, hope, and faith that I’m on the right track for me.
Writing for me is like the air I breathe. It’s therapeutic and a longing I can’t describe.
My Top Two Book Marketing Tactics
The top two marketing tactics that have worked for me are my websites and social media platforms.
1. Websites are like real estate they are the mainstay of your brand.
You own the domain and can post what you want without an advertising fee. Also, it provides a central point for connecting with your fans, and new readers.
2. Social media platforms are an excellent way to meet new people and engage to learn more about them.
For me, it’s a release and a fun way to connect with others especially now when outdoor activities and social gatherings are unsafe. Monitoring your social platforms is the number one step after setting it up. Then, taking the time to engage with others, and reciprocate their good intentions toward you.
Advice for a Young Writer: Prepare Yourself for the Journey
This is a heartfelt decision [to be a writer] and one to be celebrated. I’d congratulate them on their decision and ask that they prepare themselves for the journey.
This may include more studies, finding a mentor, and doing the things we talked about earlier to keep them moving in the direction of their goals.
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Carolyn Bowen is a mystery author who calls on her life escapades and an adventurous, imaginative spirit to inspire and entertain. Bowen uses travel as a muse to explore cultures and dialogue to bring her stories to life.
Her writing credits include Cross-Ties, a romantic adventure; The Long Road Home, a contemporary crime fiction mystery; The Sydney Jones Series Mystery Thrillers; Book 1: Primed For Revenge, Book 2: Chance, and Book 3: ONE.
For more information on Carolyn and her work, please see her website and Amazon author page, or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram.
Chance: They took her lover. Getting him back could be the last thing she ever does… High-powered Atlanta attorney Sydney Jones never backs down from a case. So, when her bodyguard and boyfriend is accused of murder, she’s determined to fight for him in court. Instead, the charges are suddenly dismissed, and he vanishes without a trace…
Suspecting CIA involvement, Sydney takes on a lawsuit with Chinese Black Society ties and finds a startling connection to her missing man. But as she digs deeper, she discovers that someone may kill to keep the secret. Will this dangerous cat-and-mouse game reveal the truth or put a bullet in Sydney’s head?
Chance is the second book in the Sydney Jones psychological thriller trilogy. If you like fearless heroines, page-turning action, and shocking twists, then you’ll love Carolyn Bowen’s gripping story. Buy Chance to board a wild roller coaster ride today!
Available on Amazon.
ONE: Sydney’s daredevil attitude for taking on legal cases most would run from catches her in a snare. Will she use common sense and leave the past behind or is it too late?
Walker the father of her son is dead. She had suspicions about his abandonment after the Rock star Roxanne’s murder investigation was announced a suicide. Could his death be related to what she believed to be the CIA’s intervention?
A summer vacation with her son in Barbados was warranted. Enemies from her past were already scouting out the island for their next move. Was there no place she could have peace?
She makes new friends on the island. Godwin appears in Sydney’s life after booking a charter for her son’s first salt-water fishing trip. She has no idea how deep the friendship goes between the two, but her son appeared happier since arriving.
Reality sets in upon returning home to Atlanta. She’d made many enemies from her personal injury and human trafficking cases. Would her first day back at work be the day the assassin’s bullet hit its mark?
Her friend and confidant, Director Thomason of the GBI insisted she has a worst-case scenario plan for her son’s care. Would the plan be carried out in her absence? And, would her son inherit a perpetual target on his back? There were no options for protecting David, except the truth which could be as catastrophic as the world news.
Available on Amazon.