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Twelve Easy Eye Strengthening Exercises For Writers

19/5/2020

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Approximate reading time: 3 and 1/2 minutes
N.B. For those who prefer vlogs, the video version of this blog will be available soon.
Many people have commented on how good my eyesight is for someone who is both a writer and over the age of 40. I do not wear glasses – not for reading, writing, night-time use, or any other reason. I put some of this down to healthy living (no smoking or drinking, regular exercise, and being a vegetarian) and some to eye exercises I have performed for many years. I know it is not genetic, because everyone in my immediate family wears glasses, whether it’s for reading or other reasons.
 
If I included everything I do below to keep my eyes healthy, this blog post would be looooong. So I had to narrow it down to those exercises I felt would be the most helpful to writers.
 
There is a condition known as “digital eye strain” that is common amongst writers. Tell me if any of these symptoms sound familiar after a day spent at the computer:
 
-Dry eyes
-Tired eyes
-Sore, red eyes
-Blurred vision
 
These are the main symptoms I have addressed in the exercises below.
 
(Important note before you begin: check with your doctor before starting any exercise routine, even one that may seem innocuous to you):
 
The eye exercises:
1.  Blink (50 times).
When you stare at a computer screen for long periods of time, something called your “blink rate” decreases. This can lead to tired, dry, and sore, red eyes because your eyes are not being lubricated by your blinking. I do around 50 blinks at the beginning of an eye training session and another 50 at the end. You can choose whatever number you wish.
 
2.  Take regular breaks.
The longer you stay at your computer, the higher your risk of developing digital eye strain symptoms. Regular breaks are a must.
 
3.  Distance training.
Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to go for a run! Working on a computer employs your short-range vision. You need to balance this out with spurts of distance vision. To do this, aim for the "20-20-20 rule", which states that you look up from your computer every 20 minutes, at something that is 20 feet (6 metres) away, for at least 20 seconds. The object you look at can 
be a roof corner or the bookshelf on the other side of the room, but also try to look out a window, or up at the trees if you’re outside. Follow this with more blinking.
 
4. Focus training A (10-15 times).
Pick a point in the distance that is in focus for you. Then, see if you can shift your focus until the point blurs. Adjust your focus again until it sharpens.
 
5.  Focus training B (10-15 times).
If the above exercise is too tricky for you, stretch your hand out in front of you and point your finger. Focus on the tip of your finger. Notice how everything around it blurs? Next, move your gaze to a spot a little in front of your finger. See how your finger is blurred now? That is what you want to achieve.
 
6.  Focus training C (10-15 times)
With your finger still out in front of you, slowly bring you finger toward the point between your eyebrows (while you focus on your finger). Then, move your finger away from your face until you are pointing again. Follow your finger with your eyes.
 
7.  Ahoy, me hearties.
This is where you get to embrace your inner pirate. Get yourself an eye patch. Yup, an eye patch. Cool options are available these days. I have a cute pink one. Place it over your dominant eye (find out yours) and write for a minimum of ten minutes. Then, switch eyes. I sometimes do this when I’m reading. Even if, like me, you don’t experience blurred vision, I approach it as another tool that is keeping my vision excellent for longer. 
 
A lot of people forget that the eye is a muscle (well, a group of muscles) and muscles respond to exercise. Having said that, the efficacy of the following exercises is debated by science and the medical community. But they have worked for me, so I’m including them.
 
Note: Keep your head still for all of these exercises. (P.S. You WILL look silly doing them, so be prepared. Ha!).
 
8.  Look up and down (10-15 times).
Exactly what this sounds like. You can place a finger on each of your eyebrows to make this easier.
 
9.  Look side to side (10-15 times).
Again, you can put a finger at the corners of your eyes to guide you.
 
10.  Look on the diagonal (10-15 times, both diagonals).
Look up and down on a diagonal.
 
11.  Roll your eyes (5 times, each way).
Think about those people you’ve always wanted to roll your eyes at while you’re doing this one to add an extra bit of fun into it.
 
12.  Infinity (5 times, each way). 
Focus on a point at least 3 metres (10 feet) away from you. Then, trace an imaginary infinity/ figure-of-eight symbol on it with your eyes.
 
The above is a sample of the many eye exercises available to you. I also incorporate sun-gazing, night vision training, and other hand-to-eye exercises. However, these are a good introduction.
 
Are there any other eye exercises you would like me to share? How did you find these?
 
Yours in love, romance books, and eye exercises,
 
A.K. Leigh xxoo
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10 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me As An Aspiring Writer

12/5/2020

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 Approximate reading time: 3 minutes
You can now watch this blog in video format on my YouTube channel
Despite what popular culture would have us believe, being a writer is NOT an easy career choice. I have been a full-time, professional writer and author for the past five years now, so I know it can look easy (especially on social media) to new writers. However, I have a strict routine and picked up plenty of tips and tricks along the way. That is what makes it seem so breezy for me! It was not always this way.
 
Here are some things I wished someone had told me when I was first starting out:
 
#1 – Nobody is an expert (and that’s okay).
You will hear many fellow authors claim that they have all of the answers to your particular writing problem. For instance, if you follow their precise x, y, and z plan, you will write a bestseller. The truth is, nobody knows everything. We are all learning as we go. Some of us, myself included, like to share what we’ve learned. BUT . . . nothing works for everyone. By all means, read all the advice and try it out, then take on what works for you and your readers and discard what doesn’t.
 
That being said:
 
#2 – You will get better at writing.
All it takes is patience, practice, and dedication. Easy, right? J Ha! On a serious note, the more you write, the better you will get. It also helps if you take writing courses and read plenty of craft related books.
 
Remember this important tip as well:
 
# 3 – Belief in yourself is a must.
Naysayers will crawl out of their dungeons to sap you of your passion the second you declare your intention to be a writer. It happened to me, it’s happened to many other famous authors, so it will probably happen to you. Ignore them. Then, remind yourself of this: I have 20 books with my name on them, have singed publishing contracts with two of the top “Big Five” publishing companies (Pan Macmillan and Harlequin), and write full-time. Those people who try to crush dreams have zero belief in themselves and, therefore, think everybody else shouldn’t. Hang in there. If you have a dream, believe in yourself, become more discerning in who you share your goals with, and keep going.
 
It also helps if you:
 
#4 – Have interests outside of writing.
Not only does this give you a break from your head, but it also adds fuel and experiences to your writing.
 
Which leads to:
 
# 5 – Learn from every experience you have, whether good, bad, ugly, or somewhere in the middle.
EVERYTHING can be used in your stories. Draw on the emotions, feelings, and events of your life (past, present, and future) to add rich detail and texture to your plots, characters, and storylines.
 
Then, tell yourself that:
 
#6 – There is no time limit on getting your book done, but get it done!
Procrastination is such a common problem amongst writers, mainly, I feel, due to self-doubt and the romantic idea of the “tortured writer”. Every writer suffers from bouts of self-doubt –
yes, even me! But I have learned to harness this into my creativity and writing. The trick is to accept it and keep writing anyway. It’s true that you are not on a deadline (unless, you are!), but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t push yourself to finish as soon as possible. One word at a time is the only way to reach your goal. Set reasonable, achievable daily word or page goals to finally finish your manuscript.
 
As mentioned above:
 
#7 – Reading will make you a better writer.
There is no getting out of this one. Research has shown that reading improves your writing faster than anything else (yes, really). If you want to be a writer, you need to read. Aside from the pleasure and knowledge gained from reading, doing so teaches you about style, voice, genre expectations, tropes, structure, characterisation, pacing, plot development, story arcs . . . do I need to go on?!
 
It’s vital also to:
 
#8 – Have realistic expectations.
The harsh reality is that 99% of authors earn less than $10,000 AUD per year from writing. This is not something to get upset over, it’s something to keep in mind before quitting your day job and getting your hopes pinned on being a full-time author. Yes, it can be done, but don’t go into this career with a blindfold on.
 
Remember to:
 
#9 – Appreciate and celebrate each step of the journey.
You can get so focused on where you want to be that you forget to appreciate where you are and how far you’ve already come. I celebrate every win: from getting a fabulous 5-star review to reaching number 1 on Amazon (for my non-fiction book, The Dreaming Writer. Woo hoo!).
 
Last, but not least:
 
#10 – Keep writing!
Writers write. The only way to call yourself a writer, and to get better at it, is to write consistently and continuously. Get into a routine and stick to it.
 
All the best in your writing journey,
 
A.K. Leigh xo
Are you ready to fall in love . . . with Leigh?
www.fallinlovewithleigh.com
 
P.S. Do you follow any/all of these tips? Are there any others you could add to the list? Share your positive comments below. :-)
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