Staying Active with Juanita Kees

As writer’s we spend a lot of time at the keyboard, on our seats, tapping away. We get so engrossed that the hours fly by without us noticing, and we might skip lunch or breakfast or that walk we should be taking with the dog. Some of us have cats and well, cats aren’t normally willing to be taken for walks. Unlike my heroine, Trinity, in Fast Lane, the most exercise I get is walking to the pantry to restock my chocolate supplies or refresh my coffee cup. Not good! And, although I do have a day job that keeps me on my feet and moving, it is mostly data input in front of a screen.

Around the lake

Staying active is important for a few things—heart, digestion, circulation, posture and muscle tension. Some authors I know write on their treadmill or exercise bicycle. I’m not sure I can do that. I’ve heard others suggest the use of a vibration platform, but the outcome is yet to be determined on that one. As much as I hate exercise, that sounds like a viable option for me. It’s better than doing nothing at all, right?

While the jury is out on the vibration platform, I take the occasional stroll around the lake. I am very lucky to live in an estate where the lakes and gardens are beautifully maintained. We also have a bird sanctuary in the middle of the lake, which makes the walk even more pleasant. Sometimes I forget the real world exists outside of my writing space, so it’s nice to take in the view, smell and sounds of nature.

Kookaburra

Not only is the walk good for me but being outside in the fresh air and sunshine is uplifting. I feel better, happier, more alive and inspired after a good, brisk walk. And there’s the added bonus of finding inspiration along the way. You never know who or what you’ll come across out there. People, animals, situations, events. So much to see. So much inspiration for a new story.

Stretching is another good exercise to remember as you put your characters through the wringer on the screen. Set a timer to go off every ten minutes and the do a couple of arm, neck and leg stretches. Yoga is also great for stretching out those kinks. Find half an hour in your day to follow some online yoga moves. Check your television too. Sometimes they have yoga sessions early in the morning.

The most important piece of advice I can give is to look after YOU. Mentally and physically. In whichever form you choose. Because without authors there would be no books to read, and that would be a tragedy.

Juanita escapes the real world by reading and writing Australian Rural Romance novels with elements of suspense, Australian Fantasy Paranormal and Small-Town USA stories. Her romance novels star spirited heroines who give the hero a run for his money before giving in. She creates emotionally engaging worlds steeped in romance, suspense, mystery and intrigue, set in dusty, rural outback Australia and on the NASCAR racetracks of America. When she’s not writing, Juanita is mother to three boys and has a passion for fast cars and country living.

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Fast Lane (Calhoun Customs Garage Book 2)

Trinity Calhoun is a name everyone knows on the race circuit, but her days in the hot seat are numbered. She’s tired of the limelight, meaningless relationships and long hours behind the wheel. When her father calls her and her sister home, she’s ready. She slips right back into the family business, finishing off the custom car projects her father has lined up. But racing is in her blood and she’s lured back to risking her life on the hot rod drag strips outside of town. It’s there she meets paramedic and volunteer firefighter, Reece Balmain, who has her re-thinking the road her life is taking.

Reece Balmain arrives in Big Fork a broken man. He’s lived and breathed through horror accidents, haunted by the faces of the people he’s cut from vehicles. He knows one thing–speed kills. He’s hoping not to see too much of it in small town Montana, until he hears about the drag races taking place outside of town. He knows Trinity Calhoun. He’s watched her race, seen her win, held his breath when her car somersaulted into barriers in Daytona Beach. He doesn’t like what she does, but he can’t stay away from the woman who’s claiming his heart.

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OVERDRIVE (Calhoun Customs Garage Book 1)

Chase Calhoun has worked hard at making Calhoun Customs a world-wide sensation and keeping his father’s dream alive. He hasn’t had time to think about settling down, so he’s not expecting to find love or new life hiding in the attic of their garage among the ghosts of his family’s past.

Charlotte Jackson is on the run from a rebellious past, determined to prove she can be a good mom to three-month-old baby, Zoe. Tired of being delegated to the back office of the racing team her famous NASCAR family owns, she sets out to establish herself as a custom design artist. But she’s out of money, luck and time, and she can’t hide in the attic at Calhoun Customs forever.

While Chase slowly loses his heart to his refrigerator thief and the baby bundle asleep in his laundry basket, Charlotte learns that sometimes family is more than just blood and DNA.

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