The Benefits of Being a Writer

by Marilyn Levinson

Writing mysteries is wonderful for my health. Well, sure, I do a lot of sitting around, but I counter the bad effects of that by getting up periodically and walking downstairs for a glass of water. (Bet you thought I was going to say for a cookie.) The thing is that writing books keeps me on my toes in more ways than one.

Being a mystery writer is good for my mind. I need to figure out a plot involving a murder or two and people my book with several suspects, all of whom have secrets, reasons to hate the victim(s), and the opportunity to have done him or her in without being too obvious.

I get to contact bloggers, Facebook group administrators, and podcasters to ask them to fit me in their schedules where I can talk about my latest book. I’m learning how to podcast, Zoom with book clubs and readers, and take part in a virtual conference, none of which I’d done a year ago.

I try to be up on the latest marketing tools and master them, or at least find someone who can help me set up appealing backgrounds for Instagram and Twitter posts.

I’m constantly doing research because every book requires different knowledge, from knowing how to demolish a building to knowing the latest food fads to knowing unique methods of committing murder.

Every day I hone my social skills via social media. I communicate with readers and fellow writers and help my colleagues promote their latest books.

I write constantly in addition to writing my work in progress: hundreds of emails, my bi-monthly newsletter, Facebook posts, blogs, and comments on blog posts.

Constant work, yes, but aside from finishing a book, all of the activities necessary to my writing life help keep my mind active and me socialized. Health benefits in the Time of COVID.

A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn Levinson writes mysteries, romantic suspense, and novels for kids. Her books have received many accolades. As Allison Brook she writes the Haunted Library series. Death Overdue, the first in the series, was an Agatha nominee for Best Contemporary Novel in 2018. The fifth, Death on the Shelf, will be out in November 2021. Other mysteries include the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series and the Twin Lakes series. Marilyn lives on Long Island, where many of her books take place