Writing might be simple, but it's not easy and if you want longevity as a creative, you have to look after yourself. In today's show, I discuss self-care for authors with Ellen Bard. In the intro, I talk about the importance of considering your genre from the perspective of readers (article and graph I mentioned here). Plus, how the indie-published, hardback Freedom Journal made $450,000 on launch – check out the interview here. Thanks to all show listeners as we've ticked over 1 million downloads which is awesome! I also mention my own mindset changes and the documentary on Tony Robbins: I am not your guru, available on Netflix. Ellen Bard is a work psychologist, business consultant, paranormal romance author, travel writer and digital nomad. You can listen above or on iTunes or Stitcher or watch the video here, read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below. * How Ellen manages her creative life while living the life of a digital nomad. * The balance between structure and flexibility. * The use of the Pomodoro method to keep production on track. * The different ways “Morning Pages” can benefit writers, and different ways to do them. * On self-care, what it means, and how writing aids well-being. * How health issue can be a wake-up call for writers. * Ways that indie authors can show themselves compassion, including suggestions for taking care of our physical, emotional and mental well-being. * Reframing the negative voice in our heads. * Reviewing our journal writing and different lessons that come from this. * How backing up computer systems works for this digital nomad. * The personality characteristics required to be a digital nomad You can find Ellen at www.EllenBard.com/penn, a special landing page with extra resources for listeners to the show. Ellen's also on Twitter @ellenbard Transcript of Interview with Ellen Bard Joanna Penn: Hi everyone. I'm Joanna Penn, from thecreativepenn.com, and today I'm here with Ellen Bard. Hi Ellen. Ellen Bard: Hi Joanna. Lovely to be here. Joanna: Great to have you on the show. Just a little introduction. Ellen is a work psychologist, a business consultant, paranormal romance author, travel writer, and digital nomad which is very exciting. Now Ellen, you seem to have all these things going on. Tell us just a bit more about your life and how it all works together. And, where are you in the world? Ellen: Right now, I'm talking to you from Chiang Mai, Thailand. And yeah, it's a bit of an unusual lifestyle I think. So about four or five years ago, I lived in the UK. I did my 60 hour weeks, and it was soul-sucking. I didn't have very much of a life. For various reasons, I decided to take a sabbatical, take a break. Went traveling for a few months, did the “Artist's Way”, and basically changed my life. I came out to Thailand,