Tobi and Serena were the best of friends and everyone expected them to become more than friends until a disagreement between their families happened over who was responsible for the death of Tobi’s father who worked for Serena’s father in the phosphate mine. As you read about the accident, do you think it was right of Mrs. Doyle to blame Mr. Robinson or was it an unavoidable situation? Mining accidents and deaths still occur all over the world wherever this type of work is necessitated such as the extraction of diamonds and coal. There are laws in some countries protecting these workers. Do you think mine owners should provide safety to their employees? Can you find a news article about a recent mining disaster and compare it to what happened in the Robinson Phosphate Mine?
Why do you think Tobi had to find out for himself if Dr. Trask had captured a mermaid? Was it peer pressure? Did he believe the Root Seller Woman? If so, why? Was there some other reason that Tobi did something so out of character at least from Serena’s perspective?
The phosphate industry helped bring Charleston, South Carolina back from the brink of financial ruin after The Civil War, but it was eventually supplanted by the discovery of the “stinking stones” in Florida. Today, both states have permanently damaged ecological disaster areas that the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States calls “legacy pollution” sites that are in constant reclamation. The water and soil are contaminated with lead and arsenic which were byproducts of mining phosphate rocks and preparing it for use in fertilizer production. Multiple acres of land are uninhabitable perhaps forever. Keeping in mind the era of Reconstruction following the war, do you think the results of the mining were worth it? Here is an article from The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services that you may want to read Historic Superphosphate Fertilizer Industry in S.C.
One of the major themes of The Mermaid Riot is the warning “don’t believe everything you’re told.” Can you point out any of the ways or scenes where Tobi and Serena experience this adage? Have you ever had a situation where this idea played a role? What happened? What did you learn?
Do you have any questions about the characters in the story?
Looking ahead, do you have any ideas about how Serena and Tobi’s life will change after The Mermaid Riot?
Thank you for reading The Mermaid Riot! Please be on the lookout for Book 2, Revenge of the Mermaid where Serena comes face-to-face with the mermaids and strives to solve their concerns while keeping her family intact! Coming 2026 from Headline Books, Inc.
Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links although I have never made a single dime from one, I’m required by law to provide a disclaimer.
If I am a workaholic, I don’t care.
Honestly, I’m pretty sure I am a workaholic, but I’m not going to blame anyone else. Growing up, I had intense role models. My parents and extended family members were all middle class and had to work incredibly hard to make ends meet, food appear on the table, and apparel that met the fashion expectations of the day available to everyone. If we were poor, I didn’t get the memo, but I also don’t remember wanting too much besides a book to read, the time and freedom to read it, and paper and pencil with which to write my own poems and stories.
When I was twelve years old, my parents, who were self-employed (my Dad actually worked two jobs year-round; one full-time and one part-time, both as a contractor,) decided I should be more conscious of the money necessary to run a business and a household. I was happy to learn and by the age of fourteen I was keeping the financial books for both of them. As the family bookkeeper for two entrepreneurs, did I maybe see too much work going on? Did I assume everybody worked all the time? I don’t remember thinking that, but perhaps it influenced me more than I knew, because flash forward I will work, work, work until something is done or I run myself into the ground and get sick.
Something called the Bergen Work Addiction Scale entered the world around 2012. It was compiled by researchers in Norway and the United Kingdom and administered to over 12,000 working Norwegians. It’s based on the traditional psychological conditions indicating addiction to anything and is developed in specific accordance with the principles of work. Here are the seven basic criteria of the Bergen scale:
You think of how you can free up more time to work.
You spend much more time working than initially intended.
You work in order to reduce feelings of guilt, anxiety, helplessness and depression.
You have been told by others to cut down on work without listening to them.
You become stressed if you are prohibited from working.
You deprioritise hobbies, leisure activities, and exercise because of your work.
You work so much that it has negatively influenced your health.
How many do you recognize in yourself? I meet six of the seven. Whatever.
To save me from myself, my Mom introduced me to yoga when I was eighteen. She probably recognized the type A (for Always busy) oldest child syndrome leaking out. Because I was a competitive gymnast, hatha yoga suited my twisty-twirly, boneless body just fine. Consequently, I have practiced yoga and meditate to counterbalance my worker bee personality ever since.
And although not much is said about it, the dirty little secret of gymnastics AND ballet is that you can’t do that stuff forever. THAT has haunted me forever. The last day of ballet, the last day of back handsprings, and the last night of reading till dawn were difficult for me.
The last day of storytelling will inevitably make its appearance. That will be a really tough one. Eyes, hands, shoulders, spine, and hips will eventually stop cooperating. My pragmatic side gets this. My creative side says, “Get this shit done before you can’t!” So, I read books, write books, sell books, and help others with their book needs while I can and until I can’t.
That’s why I am a workaholic. One day the work won’t work.
Are you a workaholic? I took this test on the Psychology Today website and scored a B-. Well, damn. I would love to know what you score. Remember to take such things with a healthy, side-eye of skepticism.
One of my many projects is My WriteDay bi-monthly subscription box for writers, and it opens to new subscribers Monday, March 2 at noon eastern. Each box is packed with a new writing craft book, office essentials, healthy snacks, and items to support a writer’s creativity and health. The March-April 2026 box is “Picture Book Perfection.”
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Would you like to see your book advertised here? Just $20. Contact me at writerwellness@gmail.com
JOY E. HELD is a busy author, educator, editor, book coach, entrepreneur, and literary citizen responsible for this site and its contents. She is the author of
Writer Wellness: A Writer’s Path to Health and Creativity (Headline Books, Inc., 2020)
Writer Wellness Workbook: A Guided Workbook and Journal to Accompany Writer Wellness: A Writer’s Path to Health and Creativity (Headline Books, Inc., 2023)
The Mermaid Riot (Fire and Ice YA, 2024) Young Adult Historical Fantasy
Saving Marietta: Journey to Freedom, Book 1 (Headline Books, Inc., 2026) Adult Historical Romance
She is the winner of multiple writing and book awards:
West Virginia Writers, Inc. Annual Writing Contest, Honorable Mention, Novel, 1998.
New York Book Festival, Honorable Mention, Writer Wellness, 2020.
Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Finalist, Writer Wellness, 2021.
Northeast Ohio Romance Writers of America, Member of the Year, 2020.
Northeast Ohio Romance Writers of America, First Book Award, 2020.
She is an adjunct faculty member in the Southern New Hampshire University Online MFA Creative Writing.
She is a proud graduate of Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA with an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction.
She is a member of The Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Joy is the founder and CEO of My WRITEDAY Subscription Box for writers and readers.
Writers really aren’t that difficult to buy gifts for because much of the equipment and supplies they use runs out on a regular basis, but buying pens and copier paper for a writer is like buying a cookbook for a chef. Um. Here’s a list of goodies I know from experience the writer in your life will appreciate.
GIFT CARD FOR INTERNET OR MOBILE PHONE SERVICE
A writer MUST have internet access for research, marketing/promotions campaigns, EMAIL, social media, courses/webinars, professional memberships, and to stay up to date on current events associated with their work. It might surprise you to learn that almost all internet and phone providers offer gift cards, but you have to visit their websites for the best offers and service because cards are not always available on those mega-gift card racks in stores. T-Mobile and Verizon sell them online, AND they can be used to pay the gift card recipient’s monthly bill!
SMALL MASSAGE GUN (but not too heavy or small)
Of course, a gift certificate to a massage therapy clinic such as Massage Envy or a local spa will bring a smile to your writer’s face because sore hands, arms, shoulders, and backs come with the job. That said, a small hand-held massage gun is a wonderful thing to have near the desk and after a day of writing. Don’t go too small or too cheap because power is the name of the success game when it comes to reliability and usefulness. Something important to consider is the weight of the massage gun. A heavy one is difficult to hold with a tired hand. Check product specifications for weight before purchasing a heavy massage gun that defeats the purpose. Theragun Relief ™ is a good option.
MY WRITEDAY BI-MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION BOX
My WriteDay subscription box for writers is created to do exactly what this post recommends: support your writer with education and gifts delivered every other month to their door. Each lovingly curated box contains a writing how-to craft book and a subscriber only digital magazine with articles and market news. A yearly subscription is $264.00 for six boxes and includes free US shipping. I have gift certificates ready to send as a way to let your writer know how much you believe in them and what they do. Purchase by Dec. 31 and their first box will ship in January 2026.
This article may contain affiliate links which may result in the author receiving a commission when readers purchase items through the links.
You are receiving this message because you previously signed up for notifications or participated in a program/course with Joy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
My ideas are not ever meant as a substitute for consulting with a qualified health professional.
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JOY E. HELD is an author, educator, editor, book coach, entrepreneur, and literary citizen responsible for this site and its contents.
October Theory for Writers: Finish the Year Fresh Instead of Fatigued
Open a book, any book, to a random page (to the page of today’s date works.) Copy one sentence from that page into a journal or a blank page. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and repeat the sentence in your mind three or more times until a new idea pops into your thoughts. Write the new idea down and keep writing if inspired.
Count things for a whole day. Consciously stop and count things/people/ideas as often as you can remember to do so for one day. Journal at the end of the day about the experience. Recognizing patterns is a great way to train your mind to organize your stories.
Talk nice to yourself in your journal instead of beating down everything and everybody. Just for the rest of the year, write balance into your journal pages. Consciously recognizing the pros and cons of just about everything can improve mood and self-esteem.
Organize something, anything! Digital or tangible, spend one hour of one day in October sorting, donating, and trashing at least one of those piles or drawers or stashes. Promise to repeat this in November and December. Write this into your planner if you think you’ll need the nudges. Cleaning out a closet or a junk drawer can create an amazing feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.
Build something calming and relaxing into three or more days a week for the rest of the year. Five minutes of resting on your back with a cloth over your eyes. Short walks. Listen to quiet music or nature sounds for five minutes. Sit still for five minutes inside of someplace crowded like a coffee shop and cultivate being calm in the midst of chaos. Practice counting breaths or a meditation method of your choice. Builds mental clarity and focus.
Exercise 20-minutes a day, five times a week. Gentle movement is fine but include a cardio workout once a week if you can. Sitting and lifting small hand weights IS cardio! Better energy, improved confidence, and physical strength are some of the side effects.
Reflect on the last nine months of the year, use the above ideas to select Reasonable goals to end this year, and Reach out to another writer this month either in person, online, on the phone, or mail an actual card or letter to them! Stamps are pricey, but one won’t break the budget.
Open
Count
Talk
Organize
Build
Exercise
Reflect
The end is always the beginning if you want it to be.
Write on!
~Joy
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My WriteDay Subscription Box
Disclaimers
This article may contain affiliate links which may result in the author receiving a commission when readers purchase items through the links.
You are receiving this message because you previously signed up for notifications or participated in a program/course with Joy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
My ideas are not ever meant as a substitute for consulting with a qualified health professional.
JOY E. HELD is an author, educator, editor, book coach, entrepreneur, and literary citizen responsible for this site and its contents. She is the author of
Writer Wellness: A Writer’s Path to Health and Creativity (Headline Books, Inc., 2020)
Writer Wellness Workbook: A Guided Workbook and Journal to Accompany Writer Wellness: A Writer’s Path to Health and Creativity (Headline Books, Inc., 2023)
The Mermaid Riot (Fire and Ice YA, 2024) Young Adult Historical Fantasy
She writes spicy historical fiction under a pen name.
She is the winner of multiple writing and book awards:
West Virginia Writers, Inc. Annual Writing Contest, Honorable Mention, Novel, 1998.
New York Book Festival, Honorable Mention, Writer Wellness, 2020.
Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Finalist, Writer Wellness, 2021.
Northeast Ohio Romance Writers of America, Member of the Year, 2020.
Northeast Ohio Romance Writers of America, First Book Award, 2020.
She is an adjunct faculty member in the Southern New Hampshire University Online MFA Creative Writing.
She is a proud graduate of Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA with an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction.
She is a member of The Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Joy is the founder and CEO of My WRITEDAY Subscription Box for writers and readers.
Welcome to “Next Level Plotting” the July/August 2025 My WriteDay box!
Wherever you are as a writer and regardless of genre, you still have to have some kind of organization for the story, article, poem, etc. Something that serves as a framework for stability and keeping you on track and on task. From the featured writing craft book to the elegant planner in the box, “Next Level Plotting” is designed to help you develop the plot and document your progress.
Let’s look at it all.
Welcome to “Next Level Plotting” the July/August 2025 box!
Next Level Plot Structure: How to Write a Better Novel Using Advanced Storytelling Techniques by K.M. Weiland lays it out plain and simple but with handholding advice every step of the way. There is a signed book plate sticker from K.M and she has contributed a special message for MWD subscribers for the digital magazine.
I’m All Booked hand towelwas too cute to turn down! It has the perfect message printed it on to remind you and maybe others that you have a plan and a writing schedule to keep!
Writer’s Tea Bags from Cliché Tea.Cute, fun, and an assortment of yummy tea flavors. You gotta save the tea envelopes and put them in your journal (or the new planner you just received in this box) simply because they are so true to the writing world.
My Daily Organizer with Matching Ink Penis one more thing in this fun box to take you to the next level of writing and plotting. So pretty I wanted you to have them. Keep track of your word count, plotting notes, and more.
There are reading andwriting stickers, a Thoughtfull pop-out journal prompt, and promotional bookmarks from some my author friends.
Want to get in on these fun and practical gift boxes for writers? Easy. The next box will be available for new subscribers on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 @ NOON EASTERN TIME.
$59.00 every other month includes FREE SHIPPING (continental U.S.)
Look it over here then mark your calendar for Monday, Sept. 1 to get in on the next box of writerly goodies.
Already a subscriber? Camp out at your mailbox the first week of September for your next box!
I hope your WriteDay is fantastic!
~Joy
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Perfect Strangers by Barbara Jean Miller
The Mermaid Riot by Joy E. Held
Disclaimers
This article may contain affiliate links which may result in the author receiving a commission when readers purchase items through the links.
You are receiving this message because you previously signed up for notifications or participated in a program/course with Joy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
My ideas are not ever meant as a substitute for consulting with a qualified health professional.
My WRITEDAY is a subscription box program that delivers curated products from authors, creators, and small businesses to writers and readers in the continental U.S. It’s unique in that many products are sourced from writers who are also crafters and artisans. Each box delivers a writing craft book and 3-7 items associated with the key concepts (journaling, fitness, relaxation, nutrition, and creative play) of Writer Wellness, my flagship program and book (Headline Books, Inc. 2020.)
Each box is inspired by literary themes, genres, and holidays. Every box includes access to My WRITEDAY Digital Magazine filled with writing and publishing tips, writer wellness ideas, fiction excerpts, poetry, special offers, social media options such as live virtual meetings, and more.
The idea behind My WRITEDAY is to help writers spend more time creating stories, engaging with like-minded book friends, and enjoying the juicy, creative life they deserve. From craft books to office supplies to fun, writing/reading inspired décor, subscribers ages 14 and up will discover an experience designed to offer a healthy plan for living their best writing life. The cost per box is $59.00 and includes freeshipping (in the continental U.S.). There are discounts available on the website. Please visit us!
“MY TOP 10 REASONS FOR STARTING MY WRITEDAY SUBSCRIPTION BOX”
Monday 18 August 2025
MYWRITEDAY SUBSCRIPTION BOX FOR WRITERS is celebrating two years in September. I’m reposting this to ask if you think MWD is living up to my reasons for inventing it. Leave a comment and get ready to subscribe to the next box.
CART OPENS MONDAY SEPTEMBER 1 AT NOON EST FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS.
“My Top 10 Reasons for Starting MY WRITEDAY Subscription Box”
When I take online quizzes, the results are generally the same regardless of the intent of the quiz. How much weight do you want to lose? Is your mindset fixed or flexible? What are your top five strengths? The final explanations generally note that I’m a CURIOUS person. That’s always been the case, and it’s a quality that serves me well as a writer and a human.
The first place I learned about my curious nature was on a career prospect survey the entire ninth grade class had to take before attending a mandatory career counseling session with the school guidance counselor. I already knew I was going to be a published author and teach writing. At the time, I’d already been a published columnist is two newspapers and won several writing awards. I was also secure about my college and career path.
Nonetheless, my guidance counselor informed me that my survey results indicated that I should be a researcher. Talk about vaguebooking. Or a salesclerk. Flash forward and I have ended up doing all four jobs:
· Published author of historical fiction
· Requires a ton of research,
· College English professor and book coach
· Retail salesclerk in my own dance supply store
Now I’m mashing up these experiences and starting a subscription box for writers and readers. It’s called WRITEDAY, and it’s rolling out in September 2023. But why am I adding yet another job to my freelance W-9 (independent contractor) classification? Because I’m curious.
My curiosity about how other people write has led me to this place. WRITEDAY, which will also be known as MY WRITEDAY, satisfies my interests in shopping (retail therapy,) helping other writers (writing teacher/book coach,) and research (learning how to operate a subscription-based business.)
Here are my top 10 reasons for having a subscription box business devoted to writers:
1. CONNECTION
Writing is a solitary occupation. Not always lonely, but a job that only a singular human (here’s giving the middle finger to you, AI) can do. One person sits (or stands if you have one of those newfangled lifted desktops) and writes. Even when a co-author is involved, the general nature of the business of writing is akin to solitary confinement but in a good way. Writers usually have unrestricted access to the refrigerator and the bathroom. My number one reason for a subscription box for writers is to remind them that while the writing process is individual, there must also be some form of connection to others and the outside world. I want to connect with other writers and connect them to each other with a monthly WRITEDAY box.
2. CONVENIENCE
While the contents of WRITEDAY will follow many themes, genres, and contain products made by writers for writers and readers, I intend for the boxes to supply writers with convenient refills on things like tea and coffee, unique variations of office supplies such as paperclips that also hold a pen, and colorful organizer thingies to straighten out all the damn cords under your desk. One of the highlights of WRITEDAY will be products made by writers who are also crafters. By including these items, I want to demonstrate that writers are NOT one-dimensional, but creative makers in more than one field.
3. CONVERSATION
Despite it being their mandate, social media is a dismal failure at encouraging and supporting meaningful conversations. One reason is that it takes so much time to wade through the piles muck to find a valuable dialogue that once arrived, the researcher is too exhausted to engage. WRITEDAY subscription boxes will contain writing by writers (from books to poetry) in a magazine where the work has already been curated and the reader can relax and enjoy the writing. Then contact and engage with the author at their convenience.
The remaining seven reasons for my starting WRITEDAY subscription are
4. A source of revenue
5. Fun planning the contents every month
6. Being something of a personal shopper
7. Surprising subscribers with fun and practical gifts
8. Expand my own customer base
9. Learn something new
10. Bring joy to other writers and readers
Want to get your books and stories into the hands of buyers specifically interested in what you write? Are you a writer who makes bookmarks or something else for writers and readers? Got other ideas or suggestions? Stay tuned for how you can be a part of this start-up. Subscriber, product supplier, cheerleader, advertiser, and more opportunities are open now. MY WRITEDAY is on the way.
***
What do you think?
Already a subscriber? THANK YOU!
CART OPENS MONDAY SEPTEMBER 1 AT NOON EST FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS.
My WriteDay Subscription Box
Disclaimers
This article may contain affiliate links which may result in the author receiving a commission when readers purchase items through the links.
You are receiving this message because you previously signed up for notifications or participated in a program/course with Joy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
My ideas are not ever meant as a substitute for consulting with a qualified health professional.
My WRITEDAY is a subscription box program that delivers curated products from authors, creators, and small businesses to writers and readers in the continental U.S. It’s unique in that many products are sourced from writers who are also crafters and artisans. Each box delivers a writing craft book and 3-7 items associated with the key concepts (journaling, fitness, relaxation, nutrition, and creative play) of Writer Wellness, my flagship program and book (Headline Books, Inc. 2020.)
Each box is inspired by literary themes, genres, and holidays. Every box includes access to My WRITEDAY Digital Magazine filled with writing and publishing tips, writer wellness ideas, fiction excerpts, poetry, special offers, social media options such as live virtual meetings, and more.
The idea behind My WRITEDAY is to help writers spend more time creating stories, engaging with like-minded book friends, and enjoying the juicy, creative life they deserve. From craft books to office supplies to fun, writing/reading inspired décor, subscribers ages 14 and up will discover an experience designed to offer a healthy plan for living their best writing life. The cost per box is $59.00 and includes freeshipping (in the continental U.S.). There are discounts available on the website. Please visit us!
JOY E. HELD is an author, educator, editor, entrepreneur, and literary citizen responsible for this site and its contents. She is the author of
Writer Wellness: A Writer’s Path to Health and Creativity (Headline Books, Inc., 2020)
Writer Wellness Workbook: A Guided Workbook and Journal to Accompany Writer Wellness: A Writer’s Path to Health and Creativity (Headline Books, Inc., 2023)
The Mermaid Riot (Fire and Ice YA, 2024) Young Adult Historical Fantasy
She writes spicy historical fiction under a pen name.
She is the winner of multiple writing and book awards:
West Virginia Writers, Inc. Annual Writing Contest, Honorable Mention, Novel, 1998.
New York Book Festival, Honorable Mention, Writer Wellness, 2020.
Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Finalist, Writer Wellness, 2021.
Northeast Ohio Romance Writers of America, Member of the Year, 2020.
Northeast Ohio Romance Writers of America, First Book Award, 2020.
She is an adjunct faculty member in the Southern New Hampshire University Online MFA Creative Writing.
She is a proud graduate of Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA with an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction.
She is a member of The Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Joy is the founder and CEO of My WRITEDAY Subscription Box for writers and readers.
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Perfect Strangers by Barbara Jean MillerWriter Wellness by Joy E. Held
NEXT LEVEL PLOTTING is the focus of the upcoming My WriteDay subscription box for July/August.
Get ready for the doors to open for new subscribers Monday, June 30. “Next Level Plotting” July/August My WriteDay subscription box will blow your mind with the fun, practical, and educational items inside.
Cart opens Monday. We have limited quantities so snap up a new subscription while you can.
Summer is great for all kinds of activities, but the writing shouldn’t be shoved aside. This box includes special items to keep you inspired, on track, and on task with the word count.
My WRITEDAY is a subscription box program that delivers curated products from authors, creators, and small businesses to writers and readers in the continental U.S. It’s unique in that many products are sourced from writers who are also crafters and artisans. Each box delivers a writing craft book and 3-7 items associated with the key concepts (journaling, fitness, relaxation, nutrition, and creative play) of Writer Wellness, my flagship program and book (Headline Books, Inc. 2020.)
We also offer one-time gift boxes for kids and teens!
Each box is inspired by literary themes, genres, and holidays. Every box includes access to My WRITEDAY Digital Magazine filled with writing and publishing tips, writer wellness ideas, fiction excerpts, poetry, special offers, social media options such as live virtual meetings, and more.
The idea behind My WRITEDAY is to help writers spend more time creating stories, engaging with like-minded book friends, and enjoying the juicy, creative life they deserve. From craft books to office supplies to fun, writing/reading inspired décor, subscribers ages 14 and up will discover an experience designed to offer a healthy plan for living their best writing life. The cost per box is $59.00 and includes freeshipping (in the continental U.S.). There are discounts available on the website. Please visit us!
It’s time to unwrap and take a look at the “My Writing Coach” box for May/June My WriteDay subscribers!
What writer hasn’t dreamed of having a solid writing coach at arm’s length with a good pair of editing eyes and a cache of great ideas to help create and polish a piece of writing? Yes, we writers must work in solitude for the sake of focus and authenticity, but all of our writing eventually needs another perspective to offer constructive suggestions to improve the final product. I hope “My Writing Coach” offers this to you.
Let’s look at it all.
1. Writing Coach in a Box caught my eye during an inventory shopping session and made me chuckle at first because, like I noted, I would love to have a decent writing instructor and proofreader handy all of the time. I just never thought of keeping them tucked away in a box until I need them. Well, the writing craft “book” is this set of inspiring and practical writing tips from “author, publisher, and writing guru” Alan Anderson. The cards are worthy of spending random time to read through, pick one for a journaling session, sharing at writer’s critique sessions, and providing sound reminders of what it takes to write anything!
2. Flower Petals, Blossoming Guidance from the Garden is part of the flower theme for this box. Each card is beautifully illustrated and includes ideas for journaling prompts. The language of flowers is a real concept developed during the Victorian era as the study of botany flourished. From everyday household suggestions to hidden meanings of different blooms, these cards are a contemporary take on this idea. Use them to inspire journal entries, blog posts, or tuck them into the celebration cards you mail to friends and loved ones.
3. Blueberry Vanilla Cashews from Earthside Farms in New York will win over anyone who already loves to snack on nuts and those who have previously turned up their noses at this healthy treat. Earthside calls their line of products “snacking reimagined” which grabbed my attention because all writers are regularly in need of ideas and healthful snacks. I keep a bag on my desk for those moments when I need a munchie but don’t want to walk away from the work-in-progress. I would love to know what you think of these delightful treats.
4. Flowered Pencil Pouch (or make-up, markers, etc.) holder. Keeping with the theme of flowers, I’ve packed this pretty pencil pouch with bookmarks and office supplies.
5. There are reading andwriting stickers, a Thoughtfull pop-out journal prompt, and promotional bookmarks from some my author friends.
Also, I am experimenting with wrapping the boxes for a couple of reasons.
1)boxes were getting beat up during shipping
2)wrapping reduces the amount of tape and stickers on the boxes themselves
3)subscribers have told me that they keep and repurpose MWD purple boxes and would like for them to be in better shape after shipping
If you’re a current subscriber, what did you think of the wrapping paper? Better, worse, no opinion? I’d love to know.
Want to be a My WriteDay subscriber? Easy. Click here
My WriteDay Subscription Box
Next, I would love for you to follow My WriteDay on social media if you’re interested.
No, we are not boiling writers in a soup pot today. We are looking at how eating right can improve more than one aspect of writing. These include brain health so you can think better and energy levels so you feel like writing.
Disclaimer: I am not a certified nutritionist or health care practitioner. I have consulted with such and done personal research to learn what works for me in the way of what to eat so I have the brain cells to think and generate ideas, the energy to show up and write, and the general wellbeing that supports me creatively. I am sharing my ideas and practices in an effort to encourage others to get the assistance they need to make good nutritional choices.
The food program known as “the blood type diet” has served as my foundation for what to eat since 1998. Eat Right for/4 Your Type by Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo with Catherine Whitney answered many of my questions about why certain foods and I didn’t get along. The general principle is that each blood type has a list of foods that are more helpful than others and by avoiding the harmful foods, the body stands a better chance of thriving. I highly recommend checking out the system.
As writers, we need the whole body to be in good working order because we need brain power to think, physical stamina to endure hours of sitting, and emotional stability to deal with the publishing industry. It’s a rough profession in some regards even though we can have a lengthy career if our bodies are healthy.
BRAIN FOOD
I’m simplifying things in the interest of expediency. The brain needs high levels of protein and healthy, plant-based fats to function. You can make soups with good broth bases such as tomato, vegetable, and low sodium animal proteins. If you want a creamy option, choose plant-derived ones like coconut or almond milk. Likewise, plant-derived oils like olive, avocado, and coconut are better for brain function.
Next, choose ingredients such as beans, vegetables, and leafy greens (kale, spinach, broccoli, cabbage) which are also heart healthy and add taste, texture, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your diet.
Your brain needs a lot of protein. Lean meats like beef and chicken are ideal but go outside the kitchen box and try turkey, lamb, and fish for a change of pace. Since chicken is an avoid food in our family, I make every type of traditional chicken soups with lean, antibiotic free turkey instead.
Grains and flours are called for in many soup recipes. Checking my blood type, which is O, I cannot eat wheat, corn, or barley. No worries. I thicken our creamy soups with spelt flour and use spelt noodles instead of wheat. Tastes great!
Finally, soup needs herbs and spices for flavor and balance. Light amounts of salt is a given, but black pepper doesn’t agree with my blood type. A pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes adds the perfect zing to my soups.
Here is one of my favorite soup recipes for healthy brains.
Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup
Ingredients
1 medium butternut squash
2 medium sweet potatoes
3 heaping teaspoons minced garlic
4 cups of low sodium turkey broth
2 cups of almond or coconut milk
½ cup diced celery
½ cup diced white or yellow onion
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon pink salt
¾ teaspoon oregano
¾ teaspoon marjoram
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¼ or ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup of sour cream
Chopped parsley or cilantro
Chopped green onion
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Peel and dice the butternut squash and sweet potatoes. Smaller chunks bake faster.
Place the squash, sweet potatoes, garlic, celery, and onion in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle liberally with olive oil. Stir then add salt, oregano, marjoram, cumin, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes and stir, coating the vegetables thoroughly with oil and spices. Allow to marinate for five minutes.
Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper and swirl olive oil in the center. Pour the marinated vegetables onto the parchment paper and spread evenly.
Bake at 400 degrees for 40-45 minutes (or less if the pieces are small). Check that the squash and potatoes are very soft before taking out of the oven.
In a large soup pot, heat a little more olive oil over medium heat. Add the roasted vegetables. Stir to heat evenly then remove from the stove.
Cool the vegetables slightly then puree in a blender, food processor, or with a handheld immersion blender by adding ¾ cups of turkey broth and two cups of roasted veggies in batches until all is smooth. Return to the original soup pot.
Allow puree to heat but not boil adding any remaining turkey broth. Add additional spices to taste. We like this soup spicy, so I’m always upping the herbs and spices.
Temper two cups of almond or coconut milk by adding ½ cup of hot puree to the milk to warm it and avoid curdling when you add it slowly to the pot. Stir the milk in thoroughly.
Temper the sour cream the same way and slowly add to the soup mixture. Allow to simmer gently.
Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro and green onion.
Six servings.
I know I promised stew, so stew on this. Think of the food you eat as if it were a story or article you’re writing. Prepare your meals and snacks with good ingredients the same way you search for good ideas to write about. Your food program should have purpose and meaning like the stories you tell. Outline your food choices and eating habits in advance the same way you organize a piece of writing—both need a beginning, middle, and end. Preparation and planning always make for better writing and eating.
No boiling writers allowed.
What is your favorite snack for brain health and support?
Up next: Your Creativity on Auto Pilot
Be well, write well!
~Joy
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My ideas are not ever meant as a substitute for consulting with a qualified health professional.
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JOY E. HELD is an author, educator, editor, entrepreneur, and literary citizen responsible for this site and its contents. She is the author of
Writer Wellness: A Writer’s Path to Health and Creativity (Headline Books, Inc., 2020)
Writer Wellness Workbook: A Guided Workbook and Journal to Accompany Writer Wellness: A Writer’s Path to Health and Creativity (Headline Books, Inc., 2023)
The Mermaid Riot (Fire and Ice YA, 2024) Young Adult Historical Fantasy
She writes spicy historical fiction under a pen name.
She is the winner of multiple writing and book awards:
West Virginia Writers, Inc. Annual Writing Contest, Honorable Mention, Novel, 1998.
New York Book Festival, Honorable Mention, Writer Wellness, 2020.
Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Finalist, Writer Wellness, 2021.
Northeast Ohio Romance Writers of America, Member of the Year, 2020.
Northeast Ohio Romance Writers of America, First Book Award, 2020.
She is an adjunct faculty member in the Southern New Hampshire University Online MFA Creative Writing.
She is a proud graduate of Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA with an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction.
She is a member of The Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Joy is the founder and CEO of My WRITEDAY Subscription Box for writers and readers.
REGULAR EXERCISE IS THE EQUIVALENT OF “MIRACLE GRO” ™ FOR YOUR BRAIN
19 April 2025
Exercise. We either love it or hate it, but we all know that some form of physical activity on a daily basis is part of a healthy routine and promises a balanced lifestyle, reduced stress levels, and longevity. Sometimes it can be a challenge to workout because life and schedules get in the way. Regular exercise doesn’t have to be time consuming or exhausting. Working in short bursts of movement throughout the day is better than nothing at all. On days when you have more time, exert more effort to exercise in concentrated amounts of time. Consider this sample exercise schedule for busy people.
1.Plan to exercise for 10 minutes three times a day. Choose from these examples,
walk
work with small hand weights
work with a treadmill or other exercise equipment
pedal exerciser (under-desk-bike)
do some stretching
Better yet, be active in a variety of ways throughout the day to keep boredom at bay. Yard work counts!
2.Group exercise classes that are regularly scheduled can be very motivational but are not always practical. Spend a few minutes researching and bookmarking exercise videos on the internet. There are tons for free. Once a week, prioritize time to exercise with a video. If it is more than ten minutes long, that’s okay. Do the first ten minutes only, which should be the warm-up portion, if that’s all you can work into your schedule.
3.While books about exercise don’t offer the benefit of having a knowledgeable instructor nearby to offer tips for safety and modification, they are a great source of information.
4.Put exercise on your list of things to do every week. Just writing it down will remind you to do it and make you feel accomplished when you can check if off the list.
Physical exercise is not just about keeping the body in shape. The mind-body-spirit connection is a real thing and has been proven by studies to deliver overall health benefits.
In his book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, Dr. John J. Ratey offers amazing details about how exercise supports thinking while keeping the physical container in working order. For the sake of simplicity and understanding, Ratey reported that the discovery of a protein factor found in the brain called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is responsible for the growth of new cells, especially those required for learning. BDNF is manufactured in the brain only. There is no pill form of it. What stimulates the production and hence the new brain cells is the connection between the protein and physical activity. Exercise propels BDNF for what Ratey calls “Miracle-Gro for the brain” (40). Studies since Ratey’s report have expanded on this principle and evidence proves that exercise strengthens not only our physical bodies but also develops our brains. Throughout the life span.
Here are a couple of questions about your physical fitness program if you care to post a comment!
Exercise question #1: Describe your current exercise routine explaining what you do and how often.
Exercise question #2: Are you satisfied with your current exercise routine? Why or why not?
Up Next: Quick and easy relaxation techniques.
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Be well, write well.
~Joy
MY WRITEDAY SUBSCRIPTION BOX CART OPENS MONDAY, MAY 5. Don’t miss out on this fun box of writerly goodness lovingly called by one subscriber “A treasure trove for writers.” The May/June box is called “My Writing Coach.”
“Miracle-Gro” ™ is a registered trademark of OMS Investments, Inc.
Work Cited
Ratey, John J., M.D. Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. Little, Brown, and Company, 2008.
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You are receiving this message because you previously signed up for notifications or participated in a program/course with Joy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
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Buy me a coffee:)
JOY E. HELD is an author, educator, editor, entrepreneur, and literary citizen responsible for this site and its contents. She is the author of
Writer Wellness: A Writer’s Path to Health and Creativity (Headline Books, Inc., 2020)
Writer Wellness Workbook: A Guided Workbook and Journal to Accompany Writer Wellness: A Writer’s Path to Health and Creativity (Headline Books, Inc., 2023)
The Mermaid Riot (Fire and Ice YA, 2024) Young Adult Historical Fantasy
She writes spicy historical fiction under a pen name.
She is the winner of multiple writing and book awards:
West Virginia Writers, Inc. Annual Writing Contest, Honorable Mention, Novel, 1998.
New York Book Festival, Honorable Mention, Writer Wellness, 2020.
Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Finalist, Writer Wellness, 2021.
Northeast Ohio Romance Writers of America, Member of the Year, 2020.
Northeast Ohio Romance Writers of America, First Book Award, 2020.
She is an adjunct faculty member in the Southern New Hampshire University Online MFA Creative Writing.
She is a proud graduate of Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA with an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction.
She is a member of The Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Joy is the founder and CEO of My WRITEDAY Subscription Box for writers and readers.
Writer’s Tea Bags from Cliché Tea. 
