Health Scan Lifestyle Q&A

Crime writer Ken Bruen

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?

Yes, I eat well, walk for two hours a day and drink a lot of water, I take a tonne of vitamins, get regular check-ups, gave up drinking coffee, and nights out are few and far between. As my series character Jack Taylor is an alcoholic and drug-taker, people sometimes think I’m the same. Recently, I was out with some people who knew me only from the books and they were disappointed I don’t drink spirits, never mind Jameson and Guinness.

How often do you exercise?

Walking is a pure joy, it helps my back injuries and I love the idea of never knowing who I might meet. When you hit your stride, the endorphins are released, it’s a wondrous buzz.

Do you get your five a day?

I’d love to lie but some days I get so busy, I forget, and try to make up for it the next day. As a teacher for many years, I got used to snacks on the move and this has been difficult to break.

Do you worry?

Oh Lord yes, in this crazy world, who wouldn’t? To minimise stress, I stay busy and, as I suffer from clinical depression, I have to be vigilant about that combining with stress. I think I was born worried and it got worse. With a daughter with Down syndrome, worry is part of everyday life but I’m good at acting like I’m fine. It has often been said to me, “You’re very laid back! Very mellow!” It’s an act, the face to meet the world. I no sooner solve some nagging thing and bingo, I’m on to the next.

What do you do to relax?

I watch DVDs and TV shows. I also love feeding swans, I could watch them all day and there is something about reaching my sight too a little beyond them, seeing the ocean, makes me yearn . . . for what, I have no idea, but it’s a comforting kind of yearning.

What’s your unhealthiest habit?

My unhealthiest habit is reading the hate mail I get and the sites dedicated to “Why I hate Bruen!” I can take the criticism but it’s the personal attacks that bother me.

Sleep is a problem due to a racing mind. The odd time I sleep for a full eight hours, I’m so refreshed, I have to re-check I’m myself!

Another bad habit is keeping trouble to myself, believing foolishly, if I can’t solve it on my own, it can’t be solved.