Interview with Young Author Marina Baker

I am so excited to feature an interview today with young author Marina Baker, who I have been honored to know for a few years now. She has participated in Write On's Summer & Winter Writing Camps and she is also a featured author in Dancing With The Pen II. 

Marina is a prolific and talented writer and has already published a collection of poetry titled Sock Drawer. Now, she is celebrating the publication of her novel Escape Reality, which is available on Amazon here. 

Read on for Marina's insights about the writing process, finding inspiration, going after your goals, and publishing your work!

Marina and her brother, Miles, in Colorado.

What would you like readers to know about you as an introduction?

My name is Marina Baker. I am in ninth grade and I live in Ventura, California. Some of my other hobbies, besides writing, are swimming and reading.

How did you get your idea for Escape Reality? Take us through your writing process. 

I got the idea for Escape Reality when my mom said that I had a little inner monster inside me after I got really mad when doing yard work. I thought that this would be really cool if I actually turned into a monster, which happens to the main character of Escape Reality, Lily.

What do you like most about writing? 

What I love most about writing is the fact that I can create a whole new world that can be my own. I also love that I can possibly inspire other people, just like how I was inspired by some of my favorite authors.

Marina, you are quite amazing because at your young age, this is already your second published book! (Your first, Sock Drawer, was a wonderful collection of poems!) How was writing and publishing Escape Reality different from the writing and publishing experience of Sock Drawer? 

I think that when I self-published Sock Drawer I was new to the world of publishing. One big difference was that my parents and I really had to set up the font size and page breaks, everything like that. When publishing Escape Reality I didn't have to worry about that as much, because the book was published as a Kindle eBook. I think that both experiences were very important and memorable. 

Do you have any advice for other writers, or for other young people going after their dreams? 

For other authors, I would say to keep working for your goals. If I had scrapped all of Escape Reality because of the first page, I wouldn't be where I am now. For other young people, I would say the same. Go with your gut and keep pushing because you are going to achieve great things. 

Can you share a few of your favorite books or authors? 

One of my favorite books is the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. I really look up to JK Rowling and think that she is an amazing author. Another one of my favorites is the Selection series by Kiera Cass. I would definitely recommend both of them.

What inspires you? 

I am really inspired by other writers as well as my cat, Chanel. I also really like to write about magic and far off places.

What are you working on now? What’s next? 

Right now I am working on a story about an escaped prisoner. I don't really know how it is going to pan out, but I really like it so far, and I hope that I can stick with the story.

Anything else you’d like to add? 

Some other things about me: I am addicted to Harry Potter books. I just love the story so much!!!


Links:

• Order Marina's book Escape Reality here.
• Learn more about Dancing With The Pen II here.

Guest Post: Boost Your Mood and Creativity with Travel

Boost Your Mood & Creativity With Travel

by Henry Moore

Your job performance requires you to think creatively, but lately, you’ve been finding that harder and harder. It’s not that you cannot do your job, but the stress is sapping your creativity and making things more difficult.

Rather than start searching for a new job, consider planning some travel. Heading out for even just a few days can recharge your spirit, boost your creativity, and improve your mental health. It can even help you stay healthy. Read on to learn why vacations can be so helpful.

(Image Source: Pixabay)

Mental Health Benefits Of Travel

Home is comfortable, and while that’s a great thing, it can also leave you feeling bored uninspired. That’s why people’s mood and creativity can decrease when you haven’t traveled in a long time.

The Chopra Center lists six reasons why travel is good for you:

1.     You tend to get exercise while traveling, and that’s great for your physical health. And when your body is healthy, your mood is better.

2.     Stimulation from traveling somewhere improves memory and concentration.

3.     Engaging new people and cultures boosts your creativity.

4.     A relaxing trip reduces your stress and decreases depression.

5.     Traveling broadens your perspectives, allowing you to find solutions you never thought about before.

6.     You can build relationships with the people that travel with you.

Another reason why taking a trip improves your mood and creativity is that you test your comfort zone. It’s easy to stick with repetitive routines at home. That’s fine, but in the long-run, you get stuck in a rut. Breaking that up by traveling pushes you into new territory (literally and figuratively)

Keeping Your Trip Relaxing

However, not all travel is equally beneficial. You’ve probably been on one that ended up stressful and taxing rather than relaxing and fun. That’s why you need to follow these tips for a good vacation:

●      Instead of saving your vacation days for one big trip, space them out through the year so you have more to look forward to.

●      Don’t create a complex plan. Explore your options, but be sure to schedule some downtime in your itinerary.

●      If you’re traveling with family or friends, talk beforehand about guidelines and expectations so no one gets upset because they expected something different.

●      Pick an underrated destination. Crowds and tourist traps can make your trip stressful, so pick a destination that doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

If you are in addiction recovery, you also need to worry about temptation and relapses when traveling. That said, you can definitely find a relaxing trip. Focus on places not known for alcohol or drugs (avoid spring break towns, for example) and go where there are fun but sober activities to explore.

Improve Your Creativity

A relaxing trip will definitely improve your mental health, but you also need to recharge your creativity on this trip. That’s part of why you’re heading out somewhere new. Inc.com has a great page explaining how you can beat a creative block by traveling, such as:

●      Bring along a few games, as playing can improve your memory and problem-solving abilities.

●      Explore options to create something, even if it’s just sketching some cool place you find on your trip.

●      Talk to people at your destination. You can boost your creativity by learning new perspectives.

●      In those scheduled downtimes, take a moment to just daydream. Creativity can improve when you let your mind wander on its own.

Recharge With A Fun Trip

Traveling can do wonders for both your mood and your creativity. If you feel stuck in a rut, take a few days and travel somewhere new. After meeting new places, activities, and people, you’ll be surprised how you’ll be happier and able to think more creatively.

Henry is the co-creator of FitWellTraveler. The site blends two of his favorite subjects (travel and wellness) to provide readers with information about how to get the most out of both. He believes travel can change you, and good health preserves you.