Writing...Bad for your health?

It has become apparent that my writing habits have 'encouraged' me to become unhealthy.

I am overweight. I don't move enough.

My bum is the shape of my chair. I either forget to eat, or eat rubbish - anything that is quick and close to hand! I drink too much in the evenings - although to be fair I'm not sure I can blame my writing habits for that...

I read this post and realised I am doing myself no favours. Not only am I unhealthy, but more than likely I'm not an efficient writer either. I tend to agree, as the last few days I have really struggled, whilst chained to my laptop, to produce anything worthwhile.

I have taken some action against the ever increasing likelihood of illness, disease and depression. I have gone back to Slimming World. Now, this wasn't an easy thing to do, mainly because I worked REALLY hard at getting to my target weight and have now ruined all that hard work.

But, I was welcomed back into the group
with open arms, and no judgements made. Phew!





So, a new writing routine is needed. Regular breaks, more dog walks - which Riley will be very pleased about, 

healthy snacks...a bit of housework (note: a 'bit') and less wine. Hmmm...hang on...one thing at a time.
I'll let you know if I succeed in any of my new aims.

How do you incorporate healthy habits into your writing day? Would love it if you left a comment! 

Mary interviews me!

With thanks to Mary Papas for interviewing me - some great questions!

You can find all of Mary's interviews  HERE - scroll to the bottom of the page for mine :)

I really enjoyed answering these questions, they certainly got the old brain ticking. 

BUT - I have yet to interview anyone, which I think is out of fear.

If I asked someone - would they accept, being that my blog doesn't have a big following? Would they think it was a waste of their time?
You have to start somewhere, but when is the right time to invite a guest?

I would love your thoughts please seasoned bloggers!

What Does 'Success' Mean to You?

I was thinking about a friend of my Mum's the other day. She is sadly no longer with us, but I remember her as a keen writer, often to be found in her 'writing shed' in the garden. 

We are talking some 20 years ago now, and she unfortunately never got her work 'out there.' So, this got me thinking about how different it may have been if she had lived long enough to benefit from today's opportunities to self-publish.

Things have changed so much, no longer do you have to send out your manuscript countless times in the hopes of ensnaring an agent.

 I read with much interest Carol Hedge's blog post regarding whether an agent is even needed/wanted these days. On further searching I found  THIS really interesting article by Hugh Howey, which definitely shows some good reasons to self-publish! 

Having only written short stories, I for one am extremely unlikely to to have ever had my work see the light of day if it wasn't for 'Indie' publishing (sounds so much better than self-publishing doesn't it?)

Back to 'what does success mean to you?' I am thinking that I have successfully placed a piece of my work out in the big wide world, on Amazon (which was both scary and exhilarating!) I have had three short stories published in women's magazines. I have had one published on-line with Alfie Dog Fiction. Now, these are not BIG successes by any stretch. But, I am further on than I was last year. As for the novel...

Having read the article and blog, (plus loads of others) and thinking about my Mum's friend - I can safely say that when my novel is finished (I hope Indie Publishing is still going by then...haha) I know I will be able to publish it. Having people read it will mean it IS a success, even if only three people read it, because at least it made it out of my imagination. I know that I won't be one of those people spending all hours sending out a manuscript again and again in the hope of gaining an agent and traditional publishing deal. I haven't got that kind of patience!

So for me, success is growing and developing my writing, seeing my short stories in print (and getting paid for them) and Indie-publishing the stories that I want to write that don't fit nicely into a market, AND when the time comes I will publish my own novel. 

What does

mean to you?