E is for Eating and Writing
"I never had any doubts about my
abilities. I knew I could write. I just had to figure out how to eat while
doing this." - Cormac McCarthy
Now you may think this is silly, after
all how hard is it to sit and eat a meal between writing jaunts? But the
problem for me wasn’t finding the time to eat. It was remembering to eat at a normal time.
When I first found out Hurricane Crimes was going to be released for KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), I only had
two short weeks to do my cover reveal and to start planning my blog tour. I was
strapped to the computer from day to night, frantically sending out emails to
bloggers to graciously (aka desperately) ask them to host me on their blog. Between
sending out my emails, I was also scheduling dates to the bloggers who got back to
me and sending them the information they needed. During all of this I would work straight through my lunch hour and end up eating lunch at 2:00 pm or 3:00 pm.
Worst yet, I wasn’t drinking anything.
I’d wake up and hop on the computer, neglecting my morning cup of green tea just
so I could see who emailed me during the night while I was unplugged from the
Internet world. After a few days, I started to feel weak and lightheaded and
realized I was probably dehydrated. I downed water and worried I’d have to have
visit the ER. Luckily, it didn’t get to that.
But before all of this took place, a
month before, I was hip deep in editing the galleys for Hurricane Crimes. I was
also visiting my doctors for the heart problems I was experiencing. In the
beginning of October I was surprised to see I was down two pounds. Two weeks
later, at another doctor visit, I was down another two pounds. Then in November
another two. I was working myself so much—skipping breakfast and eating lunch
late—that I lost six pounds! All of my jeans were baggy. Not good!
So, if you’re like me, forgetful when
it comes to meals and staying on top of the daily recommended dose of H20, change
your habits. Your health literally depends on it. After all, you can’t write if you’re
in the hospital for dehydration!
Bring water to your desk, keep healthy
snacks in your drawer, and take proper breaks to eat. All of your emails and
editing and writing will still be there if you step away for a few minutes to
make a sandwich or get a glass of water.
Stay healthy, my friends!
QUESTION: Have you ever forgotten to eat during a writing jaunt?
A to Z Blogging Challenge:
Yes, best way to lose weight.
ReplyDeleteAnd the not-so-healthiest way.
DeleteUm... no. I never forget to EAT. It's the one thing I forget the least in my life hehe. Sometimes I might not have the time to eat each meal, so will skip a meal, but it's sure not because it slipped my mind.
ReplyDeleteIt's not so much that it slipped my mind or that I would forget to eat all together. I always eat dinner and a snack in the evening, but during this hectic time it was well past lunch when I'd actually eat because I would look at the clock, see that I had time before the lunch hour, and would continue to work. Then I'd end up working straight through that time and have to eat a very late lunch.
DeleteI don't forget to eat - I just don't WANT to when I feel I have some good words going down.
DeleteI've done that, too. :)
DeleteForgetting meal times? Sounds like me, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteAside from that, I get so focused at what I'm doing that someone has to wave a hand in front of my face to get my attention. :-)
Same here, Sittie. :)
DeleteEating always derails me from my writing, so I've gotten into the habit of not eating a meal until around 3pm, usually. I'm not normally hungry in the mornings anyway; a cup of coffee will generally do me, but meals keep getting pushed back further and further as I write more and more each day. :/
ReplyDeleteStopping to eat can take us out of our writing grooves or whatever work we're trying to finish, but not eating anything until 3 pm isn't healthy. It definitely wasn't for me. We need food to give us energy. Maybe you and I, and all the other writers like us, should set egg timers to go off at our lunch hours. lol
DeleteOn the flip side, you have those who have the munches while writing, which can be mistake for binge eating *looks down in shame* :)
ReplyDeleteThat's very true, David! Good point.
DeleteHi Chrys, I'm glad you're taking better care. This is an important message you're sharing. Yes, I sometimes lose track of time and then realize I haven't eaten! I always start with coffee and water, with toast. But the rest of the meals of the day can go down the tubes fast. Almonds are a great go to snack and dark chocolate.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa. So am I. Almonds and dark chocolate are excellent snacks with great benefits. Baby carrots and a dollop of peanut butter is also good. :)
DeleteStopping by on the 5th day of the #atozchallenge while looking for fellow writers. I'm glad I did.Congratulations on your blog. I know you are going to make new blogging friends this month like me who find your blog worth following. I'm writing about gardening and related topics and having a wonderful time. If you have time or interest, come and visit.
ReplyDeleteHi, Stepheny! I'm glad you stumbled onto my blog. Thank you so much for your kind words. I will definitely stop by your blog. :)
DeleteHours have slipped by when meals were missed. I do always have a drink with me. The problem in my house if I forget about feeding everyone else. They're old enough to survive but I don't like them messing up my kitchen.
ReplyDeleteYour comment made me laugh, Susan. I wouldn't want my spouse of kids messing up my kitchen either!
DeleteLOL. Eating? No, I don't do that. ;)
ReplyDeleteActually, my kids have decided they like serving me while I'm working, so they randomly bring me lunch. I'm so blessed to have them.
Aw! That is so sweet, Crystal! You truly are blessed with a fabulous husband and kids. :)
DeleteI've done it many times. Fortunately, I have a friend/beta reader who reminds me to eat when he knows I'm writing. I'm also a big tea drinker; not only do I not get dehydrated, but I'm forced to get up every hour and walk to the bathroom, which keeps the blood circulating. Important to avoid a case of "writer's butt". (That's the G-rated term.)
ReplyDeleteI'm so relieved to know I'm not the only writer whose forgotten to eat a meal on time. I wish I had someone to remind me to eat. lol Writer's butt . . . I like that. I talked about numb butts in my previous post. :P
DeleteErnest Hemingway often wrote standing up. cautious of adding weight where he sat! :-) Harlan Ellison wrote naked and caught pneumonia. Each writer has a style that usually is not conducive to good health! Fascinating post. Writing as a diet. You could write a health book even. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've heard about Hemingway writing while standing, but not that Harlan Ellison wrote in the nude, which is funny because my post for "N" is titled "Naked Writing". :P
DeleteI've developed some outright horrible eating schedules and habits since I've taken this semester off and have had so much free time for editing and writing. Compounded with the awful sleep schedules I got into several years ago, it's probably not good for my health.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not good for the health. That's why I've gotten better with my eating schedule. I keep checking the time and when it gets to be lunchtime, and if I'm hungry, I force myself to quit what I'm doing to eat, instead of plowing through until I'm done. If I always did that, I wouldn't eat lunch until dinnertime!
DeleteI don't think I've ever forgotten to eat but I've definitely noticed when I get wrapped up in writing and feel like I'm in a rhythm with it that I don't feel hungry and the time passes so quickly. I actually wish I could get into that state more often LOL. Lately it hasn't been happening enough.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Julie! Sometimes my hunger goes away when I'm on a roll or trying to finish something. That's what I mean by "forget" because, technically, our minds did make us forget by dulling our hunger.
DeleteMy issue has been making the time to eat healthy and prepare real meals. It's so easy to resort to processed food out of a can when you're pressed for time. I was also worried about all the time I was spending sitting down, so I got a trek desk. That's been a great step in the right direction (no pun intended), but now I have to find a way to incorporate fruits and vegetables back into my life.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
You're right, Holli. Baby carrots, apple pieces, and grapes are quick, healthy snacks that are easy to eat at the desk. :)
DeleteWhen I'm in front of the computer I have to force myself to get up and pee. Eating isn't as big an issue because I'll get the food and come right back to write.
ReplyDeleteBeen there, done that. lol Yes, I'm getting better at eating at my desk.
DeleteI don't think I could ever forget to eat. My stomach won't let me!
ReplyDeleteSometimes when I'm working hard I push my hunger aside so I can finish and that contributes to eating at inappropriate times.
DeleteI am still thinking, but I have never forgotten to eat, it has been a deliberate attempt to skip meals while writing and realising in the middle of night that I have been starving..
ReplyDeleteNice post :)
http://blog.shinekapoor.com/
I totally understand, but I've never gone to bed without getting something in my belly first. :)
DeleteChrys, I really enjoyed this post. I like the way it is written and appreciate your reminder to writers to stay healthy by following the simple rules we need to nurture ourselves daily. I'm wondering, did you do the blog tour with a company or one on your own?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephanie! I'm glad you liked my post. :) To answer your question, I set up my blog tour on my own. It wasn't hard. :)
DeleteI've definitely forgotten to eat during my writing marathons. BUT with that being said, once I remember to eat, I usually eat all the wrong food on my little breaks... like muffins, chocolate, peanuts, crackers and cheese! I'm now paying for all of the writing I have been doing because I've skipped my workouts tremendously while working on my novel. I've gained 10 pounds this winter! I know I will get my groove back but it's hard juggling writing and networking and real life. I've already lost 5 since gaining 10 last month. I will be good in time for May=)
ReplyDeletePlease don't forget to eat, Chrys! You need to hydrate and take good care of yourself. Line up some water bottles next to your laptop. I keep water around me at all times because it's very good for the skin=)
Peanuts are very healthy and an excellent brain booster. Cheese is good too, in moderation.
DeleteI can relate though. I haven't been working out as much and I've recently changed my eating habits in the evening, which is when I'd eat unhealthy snacks such as chips. Now I'm eating a sliced apple with peanut butter, a slice of cheddar cheese, and sometimes a rice cake later.
I am remembering to eat and drink water. I learned my lesson! But thank you for being concerned, Gina. :)
I've forgotten to eat while teaching - doesn't happen often but there are those days.
ReplyDeleteChrys, I hope you might consider joining my bloggers' book club. Details are here: http://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-cephalopod-coffeehouse-april-blog.html
Thank you for inviting me to your bloggers' book clue! I'll have to check it out! :D
DeleteI would say dehydration is a major issue because we drink so much soda even coffee. Great advice for the A to Zers.
ReplyDeletePound of Flesh
Dehydration certainly is a major issue. I actually only drink one can of ginger ale at night and maybe one decaf cup of coffee in the afternoon. It's remembering to drink water or juice at my desk that's my problem.
DeleteI do actually forget to eat sometimes. It never gets serious though because I get major hunger pangs, where I feel very nauseated... and that's when I forget for just about an hour. I also start getting a horrible taste in my mouth if I forget to drink water... so these things sort of take care of me, without having to really think about it. :)
ReplyDeleteRandom Musings from the KristenHead — E is for 'Elementary' (and Elephants)
You're lucky that your body lets you know that you need to eat or drink. Mine is mute. haha
Delete