Fit Writer Archives - Debra Sennefelder

Morning After Release Day

Tuesday was the big day. THE HIDDEN CORPSE was released and that meant I’d be busy, busy, busy. Busy checking on social media, busy finishing the outline for Resale Boutique Mystery #3, busy stressing out if readers will love Hope’s latest adventure, busy updating my resume because readers are going to hate Hope’s latest adventure and my publisher will have no choice but to cancel all future books.

See, I was busy.

To say that the thoughts in my head were racing a hundred miles an minute would be an understatement. It was like rapid fire. Who posted what? What did I have to share? How was my ranking? Why all of a sudden did my outline for the new book feel flat? What skills do I have to put on my resume? Did I give Billy all of his eye drops? What? A new idea? Geez. I don’t need new ideas because my writing career is over. Wait. What am I going to wear to my booksigning in two weeks? Booksigning as my career crumbles? Might as well go out with a flourish.

Busy, busy.

By the time I went to sleep my mind was exhausted. It had been on hyper-alert all day. I can’t even imagine if I was on Twitter. Facebook and Instagram was more than enough for me. On Wednesday morning I woke feeling somewhat refreshed from a good night’s sleep (total miracle because I have no idea how that happened). But when I woke my mind started reeling again with all the same thoughts from the day before. It was clear I needed something to quell all those racing thoughts or else I’m not sure how the day was going to go. I still needed to work on my outline.

I decided yoga is what I needed to do in order to reboot the start of my day. I found a morning yoga session on YouTube and for eleven minutes my mind was solely focused on the practice. Eleven minutes sounds like nothing. Blink and eleven minutes are gone but it was just the right amount to clear my head and guide me into a more peaceful mindset to face the day after release day. When I was finished with yoga, I treated myself to a cup of green tea and sipped leisurely as I reflected on all that I’m grateful for. I had a new book out (the reviews have been very good and it’s truly a relief), I was working on another, I have a wonderful, loving family and amazing friends and two of the sweetest little dogs who were gently snoring not too far from me.

There is so much abundance in my life to be thankful for and I’m especially appreciative of my readers. I heart you!

The day after release day was a calm day. Thank goodness! I settled down to work, managed my time online and made sure to get out at lunch time for a walk with the pups. All in all, a really good day. Heck, it’s been a fantastic week. A little crazy but that’s okay.

Hey, this wouldn’t be a writer’s life if there wasn’t a little craziness. 🙂

There are a few more days left on the blog tour the THE HIDDEN CORPSE and I’ll be sharing on social media. If you haven’t had the chance to get your copy of THE HIDDEN CORPSE click here for more information about the book and where you can get your copy.

Talk soon!

Coffee & Chat, Fit Writer, New Book Releases, Writing

Coffee & Chat #20

Happy Wednesday! We’ve had nice weather for the past few days and now it’s all downhill – back to high levels of humidity. Not gonna lie, I’m counting down the days until fall. Beautiful, cool, crisp fall. The photo below makes me very happy.

While we wait for fall to arrive, there are some brand-spanking new cozy mystery releases from my friends and fellow Cozy Mystery Crew authors. Shari Randall’s AGAINST THE CLAW is the second book in her Lobster Shack Mystery series. MIDNIGHT SNACKS ARE MURDER is the second book in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series. If you’re looking for some end of summer reading here are two really good options.

I’m finishing up THE SUBWAY GIRLS. I shared that read with you a couple of weeks ago in this post. I’ve been trying to carve out reading time in the evening but I’m not always successful. Another thing I’m trying is using my Fitbit Alta HR again. I’ve been remiss about wearing it primarily because it’s been so hot and I don’t like wearing any jewelry or a watch. Yuck. I feel like I’m melting and then to have jewelry on just makes it feel worse. My gold stud earrings have become my go-to everyday. But, I do feel I need the reminder of the Fitbit to make sure I get up and move. I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to do that. I never had a problem in my old day job. But now? I get really into what I’m writing and I don’t want to leave, to miss what happens next or forget how I want to rearrange the sentence if I happen to be editing.

Anyway, I started wearing my Fitbit again on Saturday and on Sunday I selected a solo challenge, Vernal Falls Trail. It’s 15,000 steps and I completed it early Tuesday morning. Along the way, I was sent notifications of photos of th trail to mark the landmarks I would be passing if I actually was walking the trail. When I finished the trail I got a badge from Fitbit. Cool, right? It was fun and different. I’ll definitely do another challenge.

From My Desk:

I’m moving forward on book 3 in the Food Blogger series. It’s due to my editor November 1st. This part of the process is slow and at times seems neverending but I know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and it includes two little words – the end. Yeah, this writer’s favorite phrase. I should be done with the manuscript at the end of this month.

One question authors get frequently is whether or not we work on multiple projects at the same time. I do. But I’m not writing two or more books at the same time. Each project is in a different phase. Along with doing this final pass through on book 3, I’m brainstorming a new book idea. Next week I’ll share the two new books on plotting I’m using.

Thanks so much for visiting with me today. It’s kind of dreary here right now with rain and of course, humidity. A good day to stay inside and write. What are you up today? Let me know in the comment section.

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Fit Writer

Pilates Challenge

Writing is a solitary career and it’s also one that is done by sitting hours at a computer. This makes it imperative for a writer to get up and move on a regular basis. In other words, exercise. Full disclosure, I love, love, love to exercise but I’m human and I can slide into bad habits very easily. In the past couple of months there was a significant change to my daily routine and I adapted only to be hit with another unexpected routine shake-up, but this time it’s only for a couple of weeks and I’m half-way through it. During both routine shake-ups I adjusted my workouts and tried to find what new schedule worked best for me. So far, so good. But I know I can do better and that’s where this challenge comes in.

While on Facebook this morning I saw an ad from Pilates Anytime for their Spring to Life challenge. It’s a free challenge and it consists of 10 workouts, most of them are 30 minutes in length, one is 40 minutes. I’ve been wanting to try Pilates Anytime for awhile and it’s free so I signed up and I just finished the first workout. It was amazing!

I’ve done Pilates on and off over the years and I did attend mat classes about two years ago and I even took a few reformer classes. I loved every class and workout I did at home because afterwards I felt so much better and yes, I felt taller. 🙂 Pilates is a gentle workout that challenges you where you are in your fitness and pushes you to become stronger.

With my workout complete it’s time to hit the shower and begin my day. I don’t know how long the challenge will be offered but if you’d like to check it out click here and you’ll be directed to their page.

Have a great day!

Fit Writer, Wellness Wednesday

Wellness Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

This week has been all about getting back on the fitness wagon. I got hit with a cold or something that knocked me down for a few days and then took several days to fully recover. Of course during those days I didn’t workout. Ugh. I felt like such a slug. But now, I’m back in my sneakers.

Coming back after several days of not working out I have to tamp down the urge to hit it hard since I’m dying to workout. Yes, I’m one of those who enjoys exercising. It’s hard to go days without working out for me, just like it’s hard to go days without writing. Exercising clears my mind, which is very good for a writer. I’m always surprised when I talk to another writer and they tell me that they don’t exercise. Ever! I can’t imagine that. But, to each their own. Right?

This week is all about easing back into my workouts so I’ll be taking it easy with the weights and intensity on the treadmill. I’ll also be getting back on track with my eating. Poor choices are made when you barely have to energy to get out of bed so I need to re-group on my meal planning this week. 🙂 What’s your fitness plans for this week? Trying a new workout? I am actually. I’m adding a short session on our rowing machine after each treadmill workout. I’m really excited about that. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Don’t be shy. Say “hi” in the comment section if you have the time. And if you feel like it, tell me what your favorite workout is. Or, what your least favorite workout is.