By Toni Shiloh, @tonishilohwrite
Writing a book is hard work. I don’t think anyone knows how hard it really is until they sit down and start their own story. It also doesn’t seem to matter how many you’ve written in the past, each has their own ups and downs. That’s why caring for ourselves is vital. If we wear out our body, the downs of writing will be that much harder to bear.
Here are three tips of ways you can care for yourself.
1. Fuel your mind.
Pouring out your creativity to write, revise, edit, and launch a book out into the world can drain you of energy as well as creativity. You need to fuel up! There are many ways you can do so and everyone will have a different preference. The below list are ones that I usually turn to.
- Read. Reading in your genre, outside your genre, in fiction or nonfiction can fill your imagination and quench the dry parts you used to pour out into your own books. Reading is vital!
- Create. You can craft, draw/color, build with your hands, etc. Oftentimes just simply creating something outside of a new story will replenish you.
- Brain dump. Do something that requires no effort on your part. Whether that is binging a series on your favorite streaming app, watching those movies you saved for after the deadline, or going for a walk in nature, you need opportunities to completely veg out. I know that sounds the opposite of fueling your mind, but it’s adding to your creative well.
2. Stretch.
Having butt in chair, hands on keyboard (BICHOK) for hours on end can wreak havoc on the body. When you’re in one position, body parts can stiffen and seem to turn on you in your time of need (i.e., getting up from the chair). There are dozens of places online you can find that will show you some simple stretching exercises for the person in an office. Darebee offers office yoga and neck & shoulder stretches to keep you limber. Don’t sacrifice the time it takes to stretch for an extra sentence in your story.
3. Celebrate the victories.
Nothing could be better than winning. Whether that’s finishing your edits, publishing a brand new book baby, signing that contract, or receiving an award, the victories are what keep us going on the bad days. If we don’t take time to enjoy those wins, celebrate where we are on our journey, we’ll be in danger of not smelling those sweet roses. Setting up a reward system can also be a way to celebrate the wins. Whatever way you choose, do something! Celebrate your victories because time is short and your hard work deserves a round of applause.
I hope these three tips fuel your mind, body, and soul!
Until next time,
Toni Shiloh
Love Is Only Business for 4 Wedding Planners
Discover how keeping secrets from each other threatens four women’s friendships, wedding business, and own ability to find love in Loveland, Colorado.
Business partners Felicity Anderson, the cake baker; Kiki Bell, the seamstress; Cassie Blackthorn, the coordinator; and Chef Saffron Fare are best of friends in a town that is a romantic wedding destination for many couples—who work together at Weddings by Design to make every bride’s special day perfect. Could each falling into their own romance be the key to working out their differences and learning to trust each other—and God—with their futures?
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and multi-published Christian contemporary romance author. She writes to bring God glory and to learn more about His goodness. Her novels, Grace Restored, was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist, Risking Love a 2020 Selah Award finalist, and The Truth About Fame a 2021 Holt Medallion finalist.
A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and of the Virginia Chapter, Toni seeks to encourage authors in the writing industry. She loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media. You can learn more about her writing at http://tonishiloh.com.