Relaxing the Writer: Guidebook to the Writer's High
By Amber Polo
5/5
()
About this ebook
Relaxing the Writer: Guidebook to the Writer’s High by Amber Polo provides a travelogue of hints, exercises, and whimsical side trips to help the stressed writer breakthrough the physical and mental limits to creativity.
From aromatherapy to zumba, find hundreds of practical ideas and suggestions. Written with the special needs of writers in mind, anyone who spends time in a chair will discover useful tips to escape the dangers of sitting.
Suggestions range from centuries-old techniques like meditation and yoga to iPad apps. Every page inspires worried writers to explore new ideas to de-stress their lives.
Relaxing the Writer provides an appendix of resources in all media for further study.
Amber Polo has also released a 20-minute deep relaxation audio, Relaxing the Writer Relaxation, to teach a proven relaxation technique.
Relaxing the Writer is a perfect gift for your favorite writer or yourself.
Amber Polo
Amber Polo is best known for her Shapeshifters’ Library series, a light urban fantasy filled with dog-shifting librarians and book burning werewolves. Released, Retrieved, Recovered, and Reprinted.Amber's love of books drew her into a career as a librarian- and later a writer. One day a plane flew past her office window and she turned her pen to her own Arizona airpark backyard and Heads in the Clouds was the result. Hearts in the Vortex, a Sedona paranormal romance, was also is set in amazing Arizona.Following her trail back to libraries, The Pharaoh & the Librarian imagines what would have happened if Cleopatra had faked her death and escaped on a pirate ship? While her sister sailed for Wales with the most valuable ancient books from her Library of Alexandria? And they both landed in an imagined new world filled with crypto-creatures and historical humans?In addition to her novels, she is proud of Relaxing the Writer: Guidebook to the Writer’s High which offers hundreds of tips to help writers and readers relax and her self-produced Relaxation One Breath at a Time, an audio that uses her voice to teach relaxation to calm your body and mind and/or help you fall asleep.
Read more from Amber Polo
The Shapeshifter's Library Laughing Dolphins: A Novel of Coincidence Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Relaxing the Writer
Related ebooks
Journaling:The Super Easy Five Minute Journaling Like A Pro Box Set Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow To Write, Even If You Think You Can't: 21 Easy Exercises To Bring Out The Writer In You Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Author Life: A Collection of Essays on Craft, Marketing, and Mindset: The Author Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWeek by Week: A Year's Worth of Journaling Prompts & Meditations: Journaling for Transformation, #1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/552 Ways to Get Unstuck: Exercises to Break Through Writer's Block Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFiction Writing: How to Use Writing for Personal Therapy: How to Use Writing for Personal Therapy, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRewrite Your Life: Discover Your Truth Through the Healing Power of Fiction Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5NaNoWriMo Ready: Writing Organization, #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5My Upside-Down World: Journaling Through Unique Quotes & Writing Prompts Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTrue to Life: Fifty Steps to Help You Write Your Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow Writers Work: Finding a Process That Works for You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5NaNoWriMo: A Cheater's Guide Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Just Write It: Write More, Sell More, Starting Today Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Daydreams at Work: Wake Up Your Creative Powers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWriting and Being: Embracing Your Life Through Creative Journaling Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5You Should Be Writing: A Journal of Inspiration & Instruction to Keep Your Pen Moving Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Writing for Bliss: A Seven-Step Plan for Telling Your Story and Transforming Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Story Catalyst: A Writing Retreat for the Soul Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIn a Flash!: Writing & Publishing Dynamic Flash Prose Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUnbound Writing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThis Creative Life: A Handbook for Writers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDrafting and Goal-Setting for Creative Writers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRoads to Writing 1. Making Your Characters Speak Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOvercoming Creative Anxiety: Journal Prompts & Practices for Disarming Your Inner Critic & Allowing Creativity to Flow Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNo More Writer's Block! Become a Prolific Writer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Novel Idea: Workbook for Writers Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5The 5 Minute Author: How to Write a Novel: The Five Minute Author, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Reference For You
Art 101: From Vincent van Gogh to Andy Warhol, Key People, Ideas, and Moments in the History of Art Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anatomy 101: From Muscles and Bones to Organs and Systems, Your Guide to How the Human Body Works Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/51,001 Facts that Will Scare the S#*t Out of You: The Ultimate Bathroom Reader Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Legal Words You Should Know: Over 1,000 Essential Terms to Understand Contracts, Wills, and the Legal System Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Fifty Shades Trilogy by E.L. James (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Everything Sign Language Book: American Sign Language Made Easy... All new photos! Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5THE EMOTIONAL WOUND THESAURUS: A Writer's Guide to Psychological Trauma Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Chat GPT For Authors: A Step-By Step Guide to Writing Your Non-Fiction Book Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Useless Sexual Trivia: Tastefully Prurient Facts About Everyone's Favorite Subject Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mythology 101: From Gods and Goddesses to Monsters and Mortals, Your Guide to Ancient Mythology Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Emotion Thesaurus (Second Edition): A Writer's Guide to Character Expression Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Emily Post's Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Show, Don't Tell: How to Write Vivid Descriptions, Handle Backstory, and Describe Your Characters’ Emotions Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bored Games: 100+ In-Person and Online Games to Keep Everyone Entertained Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Learn Sign Language in a Hurry: Grasp the Basics of American Sign Language Quickly and Easily Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Spy the Lie: Former CIA Officers Teach You How to Detect Deception Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Art of Manliness: Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5U.S. History 101: Historic Events, Key People, Important Locations, and More! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related categories
Reviews for Relaxing the Writer
2 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Relaxing the Writer - Amber Polo
Relaxing the Writer:
Guidebook to the Writer’s High
by
Amber Polo
Relaxing the Writer:
Guidebook to the Writer’s High
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2011 by Amber Polo
Cover Design by Connie Fisher
ConnieLeeMarie.com
Formatted by Laura Shinn
Wordshaping Press
Contact: info@RelaxingtheWriter.com
License Notes
Relaxing the Writer: Guidebook to the Writer’s High is a work of non-fiction. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without express written permission of the author. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy or copies. If you did not purchase this book or it was not purchased for your use, please go to Smashwords.com to purchase your personal copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
The ideas and suggestions in this publication are not intended to substitute for proper medical advice. Not all exercises are suitable for everyone. Pregnant women are advised not to practice twisting poses. If you have any chronic or recurring conditions, take prescription drugs, or when in doubt, always consult a reliable health professional.
Table of Contents
I. Traveling the Writing Road
Why Writers Need Relaxation Strategies
The Writer’s High
Around the Writer’s Block
II. The Ergonomic Writer
Setting the Scene
Sitting is Scary
Wired to Write
The Writer’s Space
III. Essential Stops
Desk Stretches *
Hand Stretches *
Rolling & Passive Stretches *
Breathing
Eyes Need Exercise, Too *
IV. Exploring Other Attractions
Aromatherapy
Food
Guided Visualization
Hands *
Journaling
Laughter & Smiles
Massage
Meditation
Progressive Muscular Relaxation
Retreats & Other Destinations
Self-Massage
Seriously Aerobic
Shaking & Rocking
Sleep
Sound, Music, Noise & Silence
Tai Chi
Tea & Tonics
Walking
Weight Training
Yoga *
V. Relaxing the Writer Audio Guides
Relaxing the Writer Relaxation
Relaxing the Writer Hand Meditation
VI. Resources
Tour Guides & Guidebooks
Apps to Relax (iPhones, iPods, & iPads)
Tour Guides (Teachers)
About the Author
Reviews
*Illustrations
I. Traveling the Writing Road
Relaxing the Writer: Guidebook to the Writer’s High is filled with practical hints, reminders, and surprises which relax writers. Anyone who spends time in a chair will find useful tips, suggestions, and options. Relaxation can be learned.
First, a short detour to look at our goal, The Writer’s High, and one roadblock, Around the Writer’s Block.
Section II - The Ergonomic Writer - Setting the Scene explores the writer’s office and other physical needs that help create a relaxing writing experience.
Section III - Essential Stops introduces proven ways to quickly relax you: stretches to do at or near your desk, breathing practices, and eye exercises.
Section IV - Exploring Other Attractions surveys options from Aromatherapy
to Yoga,
each filled with solutions from the mundane to the mystical to spark your curiosity and help you discover what relaxes you. If one technique doesn’t work, move on.
How to Use This Book - Choose several stretches and breathing exercises from Section III and practice for several days. Then choose a few from Section IV and experiment with those. Some practices will become part of your day and others will become refreshing breaks.
Why Writers Need Relaxation Strategies
Writing Affects the Writer
Writers lean forward, necks scrunch into shoulders, backs hunch, brows furrow, eyes bug out, and lower back, arms, wrists, and fingers tighten. Even our faces squinch tight and wrinkle. Eyes squint at screens without blinking. Repetitive use of muscles and unnatural postures create tension, the body’s natural response to imbalance.
Mental Stress & Physical Tension Affect Every Part of a Writer’s Life
Mental – Poor concentration, obsessive thinking, preoccupation, racing thoughts, worry, indecision, memory loss, poor problem solving skills, procrastination, conflicted personal relations
Spiritual – Lack of purpose, goals, and direction, disconnection, lack of inspiration, alienation, loneliness, cynicism, boredom, melancholy
Physical - Headaches, eye strain, constricted breathing, repetitive stress injuries, back pain, stiff neck, fatigue, insomnia, over-eating, loss of appetite, low energy, frequent colds, accidents, sweaty or cold hands, weakened immune system, teeth grinding, jaw pain, indigestion, hypertension.
All writers need relaxation techniques to focus the mind, de-stress the body, and calm emotions. Relaxation replenishes creativity. This guide will help you develop your personal user’s manual of relaxation methods.
The Writer’s High
Just as athletes revel in the runner’s high
and an actor says the muse is with me,
writers experience a similar phenomenon. Their zone
is also an altered state of consciousness. In that place, time stands still. We are in our bodies, but not. This effortless creativity is the goal writers wish they could reach every time they sit to write.
The exhilaration felt when faced with danger, stress, and pain supposedly happens when endorphins, the body’s own morphine-like substances, prevent nerve cells from sending out pain signals. The most famous rush is the runner’s high, which takes an athlete over a threshold that activates endorphins. Going past an individual’s physical limits and ignoring pain may cause damage. Lucky for writers, there’s little danger, other than forgetting to get out of the chair.
As writers, we’d love to step into that absorbed state of mind at will. Yet without preparation, it’s likely to happen less often. Relaxation doesn’t negate the need for hard work, research, or analytical preparation, but does release the physical tension and mental stress that blocks the path.
In Section III - Essential Stops and Section IV - Exploring Other Attractions, you’ll read about techniques to increase your chances of finding that elusive clarity and activities that help put writers in a place where the writer’s high is more apt to happen.
Around the Writer’s Block
Some dismiss writer’s block as simple procrastination or just