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Does reading newspapers/news websites count as reading more fiction?  :icon_think:


I'm not sure it counts as "reading" at all.   :confused:

(Disclaimer: I "read" news sites, so I'm not the best role model about this.)


I was just thinking the same thing. Lol. I really have to stop. It's getting in the way of my actual fiction reading. Too much news will rot your brain. :D


It'll wear on your soul, too.  We should all take Choi's advice from time to time.



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I figure I can run the five free days consecutively and 1. If I publish the paperback in time, I can add the paperback to the back of the first book. or 2. If not #1, then add the photo of the sequel cover and blurb and say "Coming soon!"
You can, but you're gonna get the most series sales by linking it during the sale. You can also revise the 1st ebook later when the links appear. Amazon will sometimes revise books that were sold in the past. But you really should promote the 1st book when you have the 2nd on sale.

Why are you concerned with losing your 5 days? Don't free days get renewed for another 3months on the KU plan (it's been a while that I've been in KU)? Or are you leaving KU?
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You could just get the preorder out if you have the cover. All you need is a cover with Amazon for preorder. You won't get as many sales, but if you're pressed for time, you can gather co-sales that way.

Thanks A.L. I guess I don't know what I'm doing. I have to publish the paperback. Should be in the next day or two. Then announce to my ARC reviewers they can review it. Then wait for enough reviews until I publish the ebook and then get some promos. The five free days just kind of complicate things.

I figure I can run the five free days consecutively and 1. If I publish the paperback in time, I can add the paperback to the back of the first book. or 2. If not #1, then add the photo of the sequel cover and blurb and say "Coming soon!"
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...I'm pretty sure that writing fiction must also be good brain stimulation.

As it happens, my wife sent me to the doc as I can be forgetful.  Doc's first question, What do you do?  I write novels.  Doc said, If you can do that, you're brain's fine.  Lots of other reasons for forgetfulness.  Next!
Actually, there are many things that can lead to memory issues, including but not limited to the following:
insufficient sleep
stress
breathing issues (oxygen deprivation)

At one point, I thought my father was in the early stages of dementia. What he actually had were pulmonary issues that prevented his brain from oxygenating properly. With supplemental oxygen, he was back to his old self in a week.

I've seen even high school students have memory lapses when they were under a lot of stress. Most extreme case: a student who forgot all about US history a day or so before the AP US History exam. He wanted to panic-study, but I kept saying, "Go home and take a nap!" Eventually, the advice penetrated, he went home, caught up on his sleep, and was fine the next day. Somewhat less extreme: I've had colleagues completely forget a conversation that we've had the day before.

In other words, there are many causes of memory loss aside from things like Alzheimer's. In much the same way that a headache doesn't necessarily indicate a brain tumor, memory loss doesn't necessarily indicate dementia. It's important not to jump t the worst case scenario without ruling out less serious possibilities (many of which are much more easily treatable).
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Quill and Feather Pub [Public] / Re: "Read more fiction," says the doc
« Last post by Lynn on Today at 05:11:50 AM »
I was just thinking the same thing. Lol. I really have to stop. It's getting in the way of my actual fiction reading. Too much news will rot your brain. :D
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Does reading newspapers/news websites count as reading more fiction?  :icon_think:
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Quill and Feather Pub [Public] / Re: "Read more fiction," says the doc
« Last post by Hopscotch on Today at 04:07:58 AM »
...I'm pretty sure that writing fiction must also be good brain stimulation.

As it happens, my wife sent me to the doc as I can be forgetful.  Doc's first question, What do you do?  I write novels.  Doc said, If you can do that, you're brain's fine.  Lots of other reasons for forgetfulness.  Next!
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Quill and Feather Pub [Public] / Re: "Read more fiction," says the doc
« Last post by Vijaya on Today at 02:17:29 AM »
Bill, definitely agree about the benefits of walking, esp. solo walking to mull ideas. Since our 16-yr-old golden died last summer, I've been riding my bike more, but walking is far more conducive for thinking.
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Quill and Feather Pub [Public] / Re: "Read more fiction," says the doc
« Last post by Bill Hiatt on February 14, 2025, 11:51:32 PM »
I would think complex nonfiction would have some memory benefits.

I'm not sure if there is a formal study on this, but I'm pretty sure that writing fiction must also be good brain stimulation.

On a slightly less literary note, some herbal supplements may be helpful. I'm currently using one I got from Amazon that includes "Ginkgo biloba, Bacopa monnieri, Turmeric, Phosphatidylserine, Gotu kola, Sage, Ashwagandha."

Because I wasn't having pronounced memory issues to begin with, it's hard to tell how much effect this particular combination has, but I do have no definite difference to report. My first cataract surgery occurred before I started taking it. My second occurred afterwards. In both cases, I was sedated for the operation. Memories tend to be more ephemeral under sedation (a little like dream memories in that regard). After the first one, shortly after the procedure ended, I remembered that I'd had the procedure, but I retained no details at all. The second time, I remembered every single detail. They did fade pretty quickly after that, but I held on to a lot more initially. So I figure that has to mean something.

Physical activity is good, too. Reading and writing are both sedentary activities, so it's good to mix in some physical stuff. I take an early morning walk every day for an hour (except in the rain) or when my schedule is really pressed. I have different routes, so it doesn't get boring. It's also possible to listen to audio books on a walk or throw writing ideas around in your head, depending on where you are. (In some settings, you might need to be a little more vigilant.) I'm in a suburb of Los Angeles, but we now have wildlife because the original habitats were destroyed. The wild rabbits I don't have to worry about. Wild skunks I have to be able to dodge. The coyotes don't seem interested in attacking a full-grown human, but I don't get too close, anyway.  (Mostly, the people who need to worry about coyotes are people walking their dogs, particularly small ones. Coyotes will follow people a long way if they think they can get a canine snack out of it.)
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Quill and Feather Pub [Public] / Re: "Read more fiction," says the doc
« Last post by TimothyEllis on February 14, 2025, 03:27:13 PM »
One early indicator of memory issues...is giving up on fiction. 'People, when they begin to have memory difficulties, tend to switch to reading nonfiction'.

So once again I'm an outlier.

Memory issues are raising a concern now, but I still read fiction, and don't recall the last non-fiction book I actually read.  :icon_rofl:
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