For The Love Of…Challenging Yourself!

by Artemis Crow

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As we continue to shelter-in-place in many cities and towns across the country, you may be aimlessly wandering around your home bereft of things to do. There’s work for those who are able to work from home, but what to do the rest of the time, especially if you’ve finished your to-be-read pile (which I doubt I’ll do in my lifetime), and all your old craft project supplies have expiration dates from back in the 1990’s?

There are scads of things you can do! Really! I found that out this past week as I contemplated by current book covers and decided to make a change. But it would require me learning more about Photoshop than I already knew (which wasn’t extensive and still isn’t extensive while I’m writing this, but it is a bit improved). So I set about scouring the internet for instructions, written and filmed. I wanted more color, and since the series is about the zodiac, I wanted to incorporate the planets and the element for each sign.

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My brilliant cover designer, Derek Murphy, had some features that I loved, especially the layout of the first cover, the fonts and a couple different zodiac wheels, so I used those again to help tie the books together. After much work, and rework, I’m happy to say I have the first six novel covers done and I’m happy enough with them that I plan to change out my current covers for these in the near future. Why do that? As great as the covers are, I’ve had trouble with the printer making the covers too dark, and when I tried lightening the cover image, the contrast became too obvious.

Why am I telling you all of this? Well, first, because I’m proud of the work I did, and second, because I hope my effort at challenging myself will inspire you to find something you want to try while you’re stuck at home, especially those projects you have put off starting.

That bag of knitting supplies sitting forlornly in the back of the closet? Open it up and give it a go! Need instructions? No doubt YouTube has numerous instructional videos, and I bet you can find knitting PDFs all over the internet, too.

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Have you always wanted to visit museums like the Louvre? You can find virtual tours of several major museums online! And concerts and tours of castles and gardens, so many organizations that have stepped up to give us wonder through our computer screens and televisions.

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How about fitness at home? There too, YouTube has been a great source of inspiration and instruction! Try yoga, or pilates, or weight lifting, or explore trails while on your treadmill. Your gym may have virtual classes…check it out!

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Whatever you choose to try, give yourself permission to find wonder in trying something new or exploring a deeper skill. Allow yourself to fail over and over, yet not give up until you’ve mastered that pose or that stitch or that graphic design or have seen the entire Louvre (or as much as is offered virtually).

With all of the fear and despair and grief swamping the country, please take the time to challenge yourself. Because your success will be a triumph, and we certainly need as much positivity as we can get to make it through each day.

So go forth, challenge yourself, and conquer!!!

 

May your words flow freely,

Artemis

 

Artemis Crow

www.artemiscrow.com

The Zodiac Assassins series

Available on Amazon Kindle and Print, Nook and Kobo

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Lyon’s Roar – https://amzn.to/2IB




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Leona’s Descent – https://amzn.to/2yaDfjW




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Libra’s Limbo – https://amzn.to/2q3VkNg




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Leona’s Cage – https://amzn.to/2QTbVyp

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Gemini Asunder  – https://amzn.to/2PyNUig