For Immediate Release:

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

http://www.tracyshawn.com Tue, 24 Mar 2015 21:37:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1 http://www.tracyshawn.com/blog/very-inspiring-blogger-award/ http://www.tracyshawn.com/blog/very-inspiring-blogger-award/#respond Fri, 27 Feb 2015 00:48:30 +0000 http://www.tracyshawn.com/?p=767

By

Tracy Shawn, M.A.

Thank you very much to Michelle Robin La for nominating me for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award.” This award allows bloggers to share other websites they feel are relevant. I’m honored to be nominated by Michelle Robin La, the author of the fascinating, “Catching Shrimp with Bare Hands: A Boy from the Mekong Delta,” the true story of a boy growing up in the midst of the Vietnam War and his struggle for freedom after the Communist takeover. Michelle’s website includes engaging blogs about the culture and history of Vietnam: http://www.michellerobinla.com/.

Here are the guidelines for accepting the award and nominating other bloggers:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and add his or her link to your blog.

2. List the award rules so your nominee/nominees will know what to do.

3. State seven things about yourself.

4. Nominate other blogger/bloggers.

5. Contact your nominees and provide a link to your post.

6. Display the award logo on your blog, whether on your sidebar or about page, or special award page.

Seven Things You Might not Know About Me:

1. I absolutely love cloudy days!

2. I have several comfort foods, including lox, bagel, and cream cheese (lots of cream cheese, please!), popcorn, and Chinese food.

3. I drive a used car, which is a stick shift, and it makes me happy when I can zoom ahead of expensive, high-end cars (safely, of course!).

4. Although I’m naturally shy, I love talking to strangers and getting to know their stories.

5. I was really hesitant to get on any kind of social media, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I love Twitter!

6. I cry and laugh way more easily than the average person.

7. I like to be by myself and get stressed out if I’m not able to have some time to myself every day (thank goodness I’m a writer!).

Bloggers I Nominate for Making the Internet a Better Place:

  

Charles Friedo Frize

I nominate Charles Friedo Frize for Very Inspiring Blogger Award because he shares relevant topics such as marketing trends, social media branding, and digital marketing, with the intent to help others succeed. His work is always well written, well researched, and positive. Charles is a marketing genius with a heart! http://www.internetbusinessideas-viralmarketing.com/viral-marketing-blog.html.

 Beverlye Hyman Fead

I nominate the Beverlye Hyman Fead for Very Inspiring Blogger Award because she writes inspiring pieces about “aging with acceptance, humor, and style” that not only makes me think, but laugh as well! Beverlye is an outstanding writer who has written two books: “I Can Do This” and “Nana, What’s Cancer?” and is turning her blog, Aging in High Heels, into her third book. She epitomizes the word inspirational. Thank you, Beverlye, for writing such great, relatable pieces! http://beverlyehymanfead.com 

— Tracy Shawn, M.A., lives and writes on the Central Coast of California. Her award-winning debut novel, The Grace of Crows, is about how an anxiety-ridden woman finds happiness through the most unexpected of ways — and characters.

]]>http://www.tracyshawn.com/blog/very-inspiring-blogger-award/feed/ 0 http://www.tracyshawn.com/written-articles-for-noozhawk/why-invite-an-author-to-your-book-club/ http://www.tracyshawn.com/written-articles-for-noozhawk/why-invite-an-author-to-your-book-club/#respond Sun, 22 Feb 2015 22:16:03 +0000 http://www.tracyshawn.com/?p=744

Photo by Tracy Shawn

By Tracy Shawn, M.A., Noozhawk Columnist | First Published on 02.06.2015 3:41 p.m. in Noozhawk.com

If you are in a book club, you’re definitely not alone. According to a New York Times article by James Atlas (March), an estimated 5 million Americans meet every few weeks to share impressions from their latest read.

Atlas notes that book clubs allow readers to share the emotional experience of entering a book’s story. When you read a book, you perceive it in your own way — but when you share the difference of perceptions, it raises your understanding even more. And when you invite a guest author, your book club can engage on an even deeper level.

Amy Goetsch, one of the organizers of the Thousand Oaks Book Club (which has 11 book groups, with 244 members), states that they are anticipating their first local author visit in July. She feels that the benefits of hosting a guest author include “Inside information concerning character development, plot, and why an author chooses to go in a certain direction.” Goetsch wants to support local authors, and feels that inviting them helps further embrace the spirit of the book club community.

Santa Barbara novelist, songwriter and teacher (an instructor at Santa Barbara Writers Conference since 2001) Monte Schulz (published novels include Naughty, The Big Town, The Last Rose of Summer, This Side of Jordan and Down By the River — with an upcoming novel that will be published in three parts by Fantagraphics based on his previous writings on the Jazz Age), feels that book clubs can gain significant insight into how books are conceived by asking guest authors why they chose a particular subject matter.

Schulz’s favorite questions include which authors influenced his own style, as well as why he chose a certain setting and historical period. The answers, Schulz feels, helps readers dive further into the story by providing them with an author’s explanation of how he or she renders fictional family history within the storyline.

If you decide to invite a local author as a guest speaker, Goetsch suggests that the organizer should read the book before setting up the author talk to make sure it’s a good fit for the group.

“Not everyone likes every book,” she said, “but I wouldn’t want the author to be bombarded by negative comments. I would want some supportive, encouraging remarks and general interest in the book.”

Once the date is set, Goetsch states that members should, of course, read the book before the meeting and come up with some discussion questions before they attend.

Schulz is in agreement. As an author who was invited to one book club that actually had quite a passionate disagreement with two members who hadn’t even read his book — but who felt the need to criticize it — Schulz notes that book clubs should choose novels everyone will agree to read, and that it helps when members come in with prepared questions.

Whether a book club decides to invite a local author, who can visit in person, or enjoy either a phone or Skype appearance with a writer (you can usually find the contact information on an author’s website or check out sites such as Reader’s Circle or Galley Cat for info on authors available for guest/phone/Skype visits), a more spirited and enriching meeting is likely to occur.

As Goetsch stated in her interview: “I always feel an author wants to leave us with something … a thought or even a feeling that will change us in some way.”

— Tracy Shawn, M.A., lives and writes on the Central Coast of California. Her award-winning debut novel, The Grace of Crows, is about how an anxiety-ridden woman finds happiness through the most unexpected of ways — and characters. Dubbed a “stunning debut novel” by top 50 Hall of Fame reviewer Grady Harp, The Grace of Crows has also been hailed as an accurate portrayal of generalized anxiety disorder and a healing opportunity to the readers. Click here for more information about Shawn, or click here to visit her author page on Facebook. Follow her on Twitter: @TracyShawn. The opinions expressed are her own.

]]>http://www.tracyshawn.com/written-articles-for-noozhawk/why-invite-an-author-to-your-book-club/feed/ 0 http://www.tracyshawn.com/reading/shorty-award-nominee-speech-for-author-category-by-tracyshawn/ http://www.tracyshawn.com/reading/shorty-award-nominee-speech-for-author-category-by-tracyshawn/#respond Thu, 05 Feb 2015 23:08:08 +0000 http://www.tracyshawn.com/?p=738 Why Fiction is Important

By

Tracy Shawn, M.A.

PLEASE CONSIDER VOTING FOR ME IN THE #AUTHOR CATEGORY WITH THE SHORTY AWARDS BY SIMPLY TWEETING: I nominate @TracyShawn for a Shorty Award in #author because…(and put the rest of the tweet in your own words!). Or see below for the link. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

Why is fiction important? The great mythologist Joseph Campbell explains that stories give us relevance and meaning to our every day lives. A recent study at Emory university also concluded that reading a novel creates neural changes, which helps readers transport into the body of the protagonist, encouraging personal growth, compassion, and even courage.

As a storyteller, I take this responsibility very seriously. This is why I hope to be considered for a social media award for author category with the Shorty Awards. I am passionate about my craft. I write 365 days a year and am proud that my debut novel, “The Grace of Crows,” about a woman’s journey from anxiety after reconnecting with a childhood friend who has become homeless, has won three different literary awards.

Since “The Grace of Crows” was traditionally published by a small press, I was told to use social media to reach out to potential readers who would not otherwise hear about it. I have to admit that I was reluctant. Yet, interestingly, I have found that social media—especially Twitter—helps me in ways that go beyond mere self-promotion. I am able to connect with people on a global scale who face similar struggles, fears, and hopes.

These connections inspire me to keep writing. Whether I’m working on a novel, short story, or article, my intent is to produce work that will not only entertain, but to also help readers realize that they are not alone.

To quote the great American author James Baldwin, “You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive.”

If I am lucky enough to win in the category of author with Shorty Awards, I believe it’ll help me to connect with even more readers, who I hope will enjoy my stories and embark further into the inner-world of their own hero journeys.

Tracy Shawn, M.A. lives and writes on the Central Coast of California. Her award-winning novel, The Grace of Crows, is about how an anxiety-ridden woman finds happiness through the most unexpected of ways—and characters. If you’d like to vote for Tracy in the #author category with the Shorty Awards, please visit: http://shortyawards.com/TracyShawn

]]>http://www.tracyshawn.com/reading/shorty-award-nominee-speech-for-author-category-by-tracyshawn/feed/ 0 http://www.tracyshawn.com/written-articles-for-noozhawk/what-should-aging-gracefully-really-mean/ http://www.tracyshawn.com/written-articles-for-noozhawk/what-should-aging-gracefully-really-mean/#respond Wed, 28 Jan 2015 20:48:47 +0000 http://www.tracyshawn.com/?p=731

By Tracy Shawn, M.A., Noozhawk Columnist |

@TracyShawn

|First Published on 01.15.2015 5:25 p.m. on Noozhawk.com

When I was growing up, I often overheard my mother debating with her friends about if certain movie stars were aging gracefully. These discussions were solely focused on if these famous women’s looks were holding up or not. Never once did these verbal dissections connect the aging gracefully phrase to a woman’s accomplishments, goals or happiness.

Now that I am in the middle-age woman zone, I look back and wonder if things have changed that much — or have they gotten worse?

Yes, of course, us women mentor each other in all kinds of wonderful ways and we respect famous women and our own female family, friends and neighbors who have worked hard to achieve their goals, and more importantly, are great examples of kind, thoughtful people.

Yet — and this is a big YET — the pressure for women to stay as young looking as possible seems to be even greater now than ever before. Back in my mother’s day, facelifts were merely the stuff of movie star lore (or the rare old lady in Beverly Hills who braved a nip and tuck). More importantly, the aging process for the average woman was not only expected, but OK. Getting a bit softer and wrinkly after a certain age was never considered to be some kind of social transgression. But now! Now, it seems as if women left and right of me are getting injected, lifted and liposuctioned as if it were their civic duties.

I realize that women in certain careers — especially ones in the entertainment industry — have always had a lot more pressure than the rest of us. I also understand that if a woman thinks that it’ll make her feel better about herself to invest in some “work,” it’s her prerogative. I say more power to her if that’s really what she wants. Hell, I wouldn’t mind snapping my fingers to magically erase some of my deeper worry lines and lift my sagging neck!

The question, though, is when do we stop buying into this cultural obsession that continually shames us into thinking how staying youthful looking should be a priority?

Whatever the emotional and physical effects these anti-aging procedures have on both the individual and for all of us collectively, this is what I want to say: Aging gracefully shouldn’t be about signing up to be a warrior in the battle to stay looking young. If we live a certain number of years, we will get old. (Except, of course, Jane Fonda, but the rest of us mortals definitely will!)

So what should aging gracefully really mean? In a word: wisdom. This is the kind of wisdom that tells us not to buy into the dysfunctional cultural system that tells us to look a certain way. And, yes, we still know it’s OK to keep healthy — and happy — by employing a sane exercise routine and a generally healthy (but still enjoyable) diet. If there’s some — or a lot of — saggy, bulgy, wrinkly parts we wish were as pert and firm as when we were in our 20s, our grace is being able to hone our humor and acceptance skills like never before. There are far more important things for us to contend with and concentrate on than to fuss so much about looking younger.

And what is important in the long run? Definitely not our looks. Rather it’s recognizing what we’ve learned so far from living a life of both triumph and regret and how we can share that deeper knowledge, empathy and love with others.

— Tracy Shawn, M.A., lives and writes on the Central Coast of California. Her award-winning debut novel, The Grace of Crows, is about how an anxiety-ridden woman finds happiness through the most unexpected of ways — and characters. Dubbed a “stunning debut novel” by top 50 Hall of Fame reviewer Grady Harp, The Grace of Crows has also been hailed as an accurate portrayal of generalized anxiety disorder and a healing opportunity to the readers. Click here for more information about Shawn, or click here to visit her author page on Facebook. Follow her on Twitter: @TracyShawn. The opinions expressed are her own.

]]>http://www.tracyshawn.com/written-articles-for-noozhawk/what-should-aging-gracefully-really-mean/feed/ 0 http://www.tracyshawn.com/blog/personal-development/holiday-survival-when-anxious-or-depressed/ http://www.tracyshawn.com/blog/personal-development/holiday-survival-when-anxious-or-depressed/#respond Wed, 10 Dec 2014 16:43:15 +0000 http://www.tracyshawn.com/?p=710

Photo by Tracy Shawn

By  TRACY SHAWN, MA (This article was first published in PsychCentral.com)

For those of us who suffer from anxiety or depression, the holiday season can prove especially challenging. The juxtaposition of unhappy thoughts alongside the cheery Christmas music, nostalgic movies dripping with holiday sentimentality, and advertisements displaying jubilant people celebrating the season can make us feel even worse.

The American Psychological Association lists financial concerns, unrealistic expectations, and the inability to be with certain family members and friends as contributing factors to holiday anxiety. Mix in the stressors of shopping, family reunions, travel, office parties, and dealing with houseguests, and no wonder this seasonal “cheer” can be a land mine.

Below are five tips on how to navigate the holiday season when you are also dealing with ongoing anxiety and depression:

1. Acknowledge your feelings. According to the Mayo Clinic article on stress management, one of the first steps in dealing with holiday stress is to express your true feelings. If you need to, take time out to cry or share your feelings with a trusted family member or friend. Remember that you cannot force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season. It’s okay to feel and express what is going on inside of you.

2. Keep your schedule sane. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America suggests that it’s a helpful idea not to overschedule during the holidays. Remember that you can control the seasonal overload instead of letting it control you. You do not have to attend every function, and when you do, it may help to arrive late and leave early. And if some traditions cause you more stress and unhappiness than joy, consider changing them or even letting them go altogether.

3. Maintain realistic expectations. Remember that no one has the perfect family, so toss out the unrealistic wishes and expectations that whatever family function you attend will be as pumpkin-pie sweet as that Hallmark movie you’ve just watched. Instead, realize that, yes, you will probably have to deal with some of the same old family dynamics that push your buttons. Remember that this isn’t the time to air past resentments. Stay calm, change the subject, and then steer clear. You can always wait to sort through your feelings over the phone with an understanding friend after you get home, or even to the blissfully nonjudgmental ear of your dog or cat.

4. Focus on healthy habits. Although the holiday season can throw us off schedule, it’s important to maintain healthy habits. Engaging in regular physical and mental wellness routines such as jogging, yoga, spiritual practices and long walks can calm one’s mind and provide a better prospective on what’s really important. Also, think twice about overindulging in alcohol. Overdrinking has been shown to exacerbate both depression and anxiety.

5. Create a comfort zone. This one is a personal favorite that I have practiced for many years. I have discovered that if I consciously plan a calming activity after a stressful social event, it helps me feel a lot less anxious both during and after that event. So, think about something soothing that you can look forward to immediately after coming back from social functions that may leave you feeling drained. It helps that much more to know that when your in-laws guilt-trip you about not visiting enough, you can picture yourself in just an hour or two lounging on your couch and watching a comedy or snuggling under the covers and reading a great book.

Tracy Shawn, M.A. lives and writes on the Central Coast of California. Her award-winning novel “The Grace of Crows” is about how an anxiety-ridden woman finds happiness through the most unexpected of ways—and characters. Dubbed a “stunning debut novel” by top 50 Hall of Fame reviewer, Grady Harp, The Grace of Crows has won the Jack Eadon Award for the Best Book in Contemporary Drama, Second Place for General Fiction for the Readers Choice Awards, and Runner-Up for 2014 General Fiction with the Great Northwest Book Festival.

]]>http://www.tracyshawn.com/blog/personal-development/holiday-survival-when-anxious-or-depressed/feed/ 0 http://www.tracyshawn.com/blog/personal-development/3-ways-to-increase-hope-and-motivation/ http://www.tracyshawn.com/blog/personal-development/3-ways-to-increase-hope-and-motivation/#respond Thu, 06 Nov 2014 16:44:03 +0000 http://www.tracyshawn.com/?p=667

Photo by Tracy Shawn

 by

Tracy Shawn, M.A.

First Published in ExpertClick.com under title: “Three Ways to Keep Your Hope Alive (And Your Work Productivity High)

“If we were logical, the future would be bleak indeed. But we are more than logical. We are human beings, and we have faith, and we have hope and we can work.” ~~Jacques Cousteau

Have you ever experienced a period in your life where your concentration and productivity dipped well below the usual flow? Where most of your mental energy went into worrying about what is going to go wrong instead of right?

Then you get some good news and all of a sudden your vitality is restored and so too is your work output. Research has shown that hope is a powerful motivator. In fact one study (as noted by Patricia A. Dunavold in her analysis, “Happiness, Hope, and Optimism” for California State University, Northridge) has shown that hope was a better predictor of first trimester grades than student’s SAT scores.

The question is: How does one continue to keep his or her hope up?

Given both the external realities of our world, plus the very real struggles we all have to face in our personal lives, it can be quite easy for hope to dry up. Factor in the emotional and physiological components of depression and anxiety that many of us also experience, and hope starts to look as lifeless as the dead grass in an ongoing drought.

The good news, though, is that you can create your own nourishment to renew both hope and inspiration. Below are three easy—and positive—steps to keep your hope alive:

1. Practice Humor

According to an article in Science Daily, research at Texas A&M University shows that humor can positively influence a person’s state of hopefulness. As part of the study, participants who viewed a 15-minute comedy video experienced statistically significant increases in their hopefulness scores after watching it as compared to those who did not. Psychologist David H. Rosen concludes that humor is a positive emotion that helps people pursue more creative paths of thought and action, and therefore helps people feel as if they can more easily overcome obstacles—which, of course, is a large component of hope.

2. Create a Game Plan

Another aspect of hope, according to Rosen, is tied to a person’s ability in developing a “plan of attack.” So when you are facing a specific problem, you can increase your hope levels by creating a game plan. By writing down all the steps you can take, as well as preparing a “plan B” (and perhaps even a “plan C” as well!), you are consciously taking control of your life, and at the same time helping to increase your hope.

3. Call Upon Your Cognitive Skills

Dunavold states that many studies have demonstrated that the right cognitive strategies can help restore and maintain hope. Practicing such cognitive behaviors as positive self-talk, envisioning hopeful outcomes, reading uplifting books, and listening to upbeat music are all practices that help people to keep their hope up through adverse life events. In conclusion, hope is a large component to not only our happiness, but also our motivation. Focus on nourishing it—and it will nourish you back!

“You are not alone…please know that hope can fly in on the most unexpected of wings.” ~~quote from novel “The Grace of Crows”

Tracy Shawn, M.A. lives and writes on the Central Coast of California. Her award-winning novel, The Grace of Crows, is about how an anxiety-ridden woman finds happiness through the most unexpected of ways—and characters. Dubbed a “stunning debut novel” by top 50 Hall of Fame reviewer, Grady Harp, The Grace of Crows has won the Jack Eadon Award for the Best Book in Contemporary Drama, Second Place for General Fiction for the Readers Choice Awards, and Runner-Up for 2014 General Fiction with the Great Northwest Book Festival.  

]]>http://www.tracyshawn.com/blog/personal-development/3-ways-to-increase-hope-and-motivation/feed/ 0 http://www.tracyshawn.com/reading/a-simple-guideline-on-how-to-write-an-amazon-book-review-and-why-it-matters/ http://www.tracyshawn.com/reading/a-simple-guideline-on-how-to-write-an-amazon-book-review-and-why-it-matters/#respond Mon, 13 Oct 2014 15:38:33 +0000 http://www.tracyshawn.com/?p=655

by

Tracy Shawn, M.A.

If you’d like to help your favorite authors get the word out for their books, writing a positive review on Amazon is a wonderful—and fun—way to help. The more reviews a book receives, the more likelihood that it may be recommended to other potential readers.

Oftentimes, well-established authors receive hundreds of reader reviews on their books, whereas unknown—or should we say—little-known authors oftentimes receive less than a handful of scattered reader recommendations.

Regardless if an author’s work has made it the best-seller list or is languishing on the sidelines, if there are any books—especially ones that may not have a large marketing plan through a major publisher—that you have enjoyed reading, and feel deserve the recognition, please consider writing a review on Amazon.

If you’ve never written one, it’s quite easy. Here’s how:

1. Log into your Amazon account.

2. Search the book you’d like to review and then click onto that book’s title.

3. Scroll all the way down until you see: “Write a Customer Review” (it’s the grey rectangle you’ll click on, which is near the bottom of the first page—past product, editorial, and the most helpful customer reviews).

4. Click on the stars (clicking four stars means you like a book and five stars means you loved it).

5. Enter the title for your review in the title bar.

6. Type your review in the space provided.

7. Submit!

(this article was first published in ExpertClick.com)

This author thanks you for taking the time to read this and hopes your reading journey takes you on many thought-provoking adventures!

With Warm Wishes,

Tracy Shawn

Tracy Shawn, M.A. lives and writes on the Central Coast of California. Her award-winning novel, The Grace of Crows, is about how an anxiety-ridden woman finds happiness through the most unexpected of ways—and characters. Dubbed a “stunning debut novel” by top 50 Hall of Fame reviewer, Grady Harp, The Grace of Crows has won the Jack Eadon Award for the Best Book in Contemporary Drama, Second Place for General Fiction for the Readers Choice Awards, and Runner-Up for 2014 General Fiction with the Great Northwest Book Festival.  

]]>http://www.tracyshawn.com/reading/a-simple-guideline-on-how-to-write-an-amazon-book-review-and-why-it-matters/feed/ 0 http://www.tracyshawn.com/reading/why-should-you-ever-buy-a-book/ http://www.tracyshawn.com/reading/why-should-you-ever-buy-a-book/#respond Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:31:49 +0000 http://www.tracyshawn.com/?p=646

by

Tracy Shawn, M.A. Author of award-winning novel “The Grace of Crows”

Have you ever bought a movie ticket? Paid to see a concert or play? Handed over cash for entrance fee to a fair? Chances are you have. And, for the most part, it’s more than worth it. It takes an enormous amount of time, effort, funds, and innovation to produce all these venues. But what about books? Why should you ever buy a book when there are libraries, friends to borrow from, and free book giveaways?

The answers are the same exact reasons why you pay to see a movie, concert, or buy tickets for any other form of entertainment: Your “fee” to read a thought-provoking story and be taken away to another world is a small price to pay for all the work, creativity, sacrifice, and, yes, funds, that went into producing that work of fiction.

Writing a book is a herculean effort, which can take authors years to finish (in fact, I know one author who took over 30 years to produce his debut novel). Writers make a lot of sacrifices in order to produce a manuscript, often skipping vacations, weekend outings, even pounding away on the keyboard during holidays. This arduous process isn’t just about writing either. There’s an ungodly amount of research, editing, rewriting, and of course—lots of self-doubt—along the way.

Then, whether self or traditionally published, most authors have to fork over money for publicity, which runs into thousands of dollars. Indie authors have to pay for editing, formatting, narrators for audio books, and cover art (and don’t forget that both small and large publishers also have to pay for these services as well).

When you buy books, you are helping authors squeak out a living (yes, most authors—unless they’re on the top of the heap—are either losing money or probably making far less than minimum wage). And whether you purchase from a brick and mortar bookstore or online, you are also helping authors’ sales numbers, which can mean much more than individual dollar signs—authors usually only make about a dollar per book—because enough sales can increase the likelihood that sites such as Amazon will recommend the book to others, especially if you like it enough to give a positive review.

So be supportive of authors—and to the dedicated people who believe in the power of books—including editors, agents, designers, narrators, publicists, booksellers, and publishers. Please think twice about asking to buy a book directly from your local author friend or requesting a free copy (chances are, she had to pay for the few ones she has in stock for reviewers). Instead, be a patron of the arts and take some breaks from your library and friend borrowing, go to your local bookstore or log onto your favorite online book source, then plunk down a similar amount that would get you a café latte and muffin—which may cost you even less if you buy an EBook version—and purchase your own magical source of lifetime entertainment.

(This article was first published in ExpertClick under the title: “Why Should You Buy a Book?”)

Tracy Shawn, MA lives and writes on the Central Coast of California. Her award-winning novel, The Grace of Crows, is about how an anxiety-ridden woman finds happiness through the most unexpected of ways—and characters. Dubbed a “stunning debut novel” by top 50 Hall of Fame reviewer, Grady Harp, The Grace of Crows has won the 2013 Jack Eadon Award for the Best Book in Contemporary Drama, Second Place for General Fiction for the 2013 Readers Choice Awards, and Runner-Up for 2014 General Fiction with the Great Northwest Book Festival.  

]]>http://www.tracyshawn.com/reading/why-should-you-ever-buy-a-book/feed/ 0 http://www.tracyshawn.com/blog/personal-development/3-creative-ways-to-combat-the-blues/ http://www.tracyshawn.com/blog/personal-development/3-creative-ways-to-combat-the-blues/#respond Tue, 16 Sep 2014 00:32:10 +0000 http://www.tracyshawn.com/?p=642
By TRACY SHAWN, MA

(This article was first published in Psychcentral.com)

Often, stress, disappointments, and mundane realities of everyday life plague our inner worlds so much that it’s difficult to experience positive emotions such as joy, peace, and spontaneity. Unfortunately, it becomes a vicious cycle.

The negative emotions build up even more, sapping our mental and physical energies to the point where it’s a challenge just to get through our daily routines. Our bodies become just as blunted as our spirits. Happily, though, there are three easy and inspiring activities that can help us beat the blues and increase our general well-being.

View art. Professor Semir Zeki, a neurobiologist at the University College London, conducted a series of experiments about what happens to the pleasure centers of the brain when people view works of art. After scanning volunteers’ brains while they gazed at a variety of masterpieces, Prof. Zeki noted that there was a definite increase of activity in the pleasure reward centers of the brain.According to science correspondent Richard Alleyne’s May 2011 article in Telegraph.co.uk, viewing art “…triggers a surge of the feel-good chemical, dopamine, into the orbito-frontal cortex of the brain, resulting in feelings of intense pleasure.” Alleyne, who had quoted Prof. Zeki on his studies, also stated that this current research suggests that viewing art can increase general mental health.

Listen to music. There are countless references from centuries past about how music mends our souls. Now science has proven these sentiments to be true. Research conducted at the University of Missouri found that listening to music does lead to more positive feelings. Yuna Ferguson, the study’s lead author, states that participants markedly improved their moods after listening to upbeat music. In a June 2013 Psychology Today article, pharmacist Catherine Ulbricht states that all forms of music may have therapeutic effects. “There is strong scientific evidence supporting the use of music therapy for mood enhancement and anxiety/stress relief, according to Natural Standard research,” Ulbricht said.

Hit the dance floor. Exercise is an overall feel-good remedy. The benefits of physical activity include the reduction of stress, depression, and anxiety. Combine exercise with mood-enhancement music and the brain-stimulating steps of dances such as salsa, merengue, and swing, and you’ve got an uplifting activity. According to Jeannette Thornton, M.D., dancing “…releases pleasurable brain chemicals that fight against depression and help build self-confidence and improves self-esteem.” Also, dancing can be a lot more fun and socially engaging than other forms of exercise, which encourages the joy of spontaneity and decreases feelings of isolation and depression.

Yes, when you are feeling anxious, depressed, or stressed, it can be challenging to not only make the time, but also gather up enough energy to engage in art, music, and dance. Yet it can be done. And in so doing, you may be rewarded with a surprisingly wonderful boost to your emotional health. So next time you’re down, take a peaceful stroll through a museum or gaze at the pages of an art book to boost the feel-good chemicals in your brain.

For another healthy and positive mood-enhancement activity, go to a concert or simply crank up your favorite music while driving or cleaning house. And to help release even more of your pleasurable brain chemicals, boogie on down to the dance floor. In fact, why not reward yourself with a whole “mental-health” Saturday to take in some art, listen to your favorite music, and then swing dance your way out of the blues? By Sunday morning, you may be that much happier for it.

Tracy Shawn lives and writes on the Central Coast of California. Her award-winning novel, The Grace of Crows, is about how an anxiety-ridden woman finds happiness through the most unexpected of ways—and characters. Dubbed a “stunning debut novel” by top 50 Hall of Fame reviewer, Grady Harp, The Grace of Crows has also been hailed as an accurate portrayal of generalized anxiety disorder and a healing opportunity to the reader.

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The Grace of Crows by Tracy Shawn (Cherokee McGhee, October 2013) has won the 2013 Jack Eadon Award for the Best Book in Contemporary Drama, Second Place for General Fiction for the 2013 Readers Choice Awards, and Runner-Up for 2013 General Fiction with the Great Northwest Book Festival.

Dubbed a “stunning debut novel” by top 50 Hall of Fame reviewer Grady Harp.

The Grace of Crows has been hailed as a novel that “…offers empathy and respect to a cast of compelling characters through a fascinating story of family complexities, pain and love,” by award-winning author Janet Lucy.

Reviewer Kerry Methner, PhD with CASA magazine says: “It is written with a sophisticated understanding of psychological dynamics and personalities–and an understanding of a California lifestyle.”

“This is a simple, beautiful story, and if you suffer from anxiety, love someone who does, or just like to be inspired by the human spirit, I suggest you pick up a copy soon.” Sarah Widdup for Savannah Mae Book Review.

Author Tracy Shawn has been invited to a number of book clubs and enjoys connecting with readers. Please feel free to contact her through her website: www.tracyshawn.com if you’d like to invite her to discuss The Grace of Crows with your book club (or if you’re out of town, invite her to Skype about her novel during one of your book club meetings). 

Paperback, ebook, and audio book editions may be purchased through Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/author/tracyshawn) and other online outlets. 

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