Physically, I’ve worked hard for the last year and shed twenty pounds I gained while writing my first two novels. These days, I set my laptop on the kitchen breakfast counter so as to stand, having been told I burn calories that way, but the truth is I do haveContinue Reading
It’s not your imagination—your computer is hurting your eyes. If you’ve been using more eye drops lately or wondering if you may have dry eye syndrome, it may have nothing to do with aging. According to a recent study, it could be that you’re just staring at the computer forContinue Reading
In my own struggle to do the work I’m compelled to do, I’m often reminded of the idea that we must “battle our own demons.” American novelist and screenwriter William Goldman once said, “…the haunting Demon never leaves you, that Demon being the knowledge of your own terrible limitations, yourContinue Reading
I have to sit in place for hours on end. I don’t mind sitting, but I have spondolothesis category 5, and my L4 to L5 lumber region of my spine is over 80% off track. Most people with my condition elect surgery, but there is a 25% chance of paralysis.Continue Reading
Over the last few weeks, I’ve felt a nagging and persistent pain in my elbow, right between those two little bones on the underside (if you hold your arm slightly bent). “Tennis elbow” was the first thing that came to mind, but I haven’t played in years. I type, though.Continue Reading
I think the toughest battle for me is balancing writing with other healthy actions. There are only so many free hours in the day, so if I’m dedicating a couple hours a day to writing, it can be easy for exercise to fall by the wayside. Avoidance of the actualContinue Reading
Have you seen the Robert Duvall movie, Get Low? I’ll leave the discussion of the movie itself to the critics, but one thing struck me as applicable to the idea of listening to your own inner voice. In one scene, Duvall’s character—an old hermit—is catching up with an ex sweetheart.Continue Reading
Guest post by Steve Mitchell and Carol Roan The experiences we draw upon in order to write exist in every part of our selves. When our writing is not going well, when we’re blocked, lots of thoughts are running around in our heads (all of which we discard), and that’sContinue Reading
I enjoyed Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Great fun! But that’s not what inspired this post. It was actually a PBS special entitled, “The Ape Who Went to College.” In case you haven’t seen it, it told the story of Chantek, a baby orangutan raised as a humanContinue Reading
My biggest challenge with writing is being fatigued. I work full time and my job is physically demanding, and then I come home to three children. Time isn’t on my side, and when I’m able to sneak in some writing my brain is on the fritz. What helps me isContinue Reading
You sense a glimmer of an idea, something new you want to do with your life. You mention it to your spouse, your colleague, or your best buddy. Instead of the supportive response you hoped for, you get: “What? Why would you want to do that?” Maybe the person laughs.Continue Reading
The biggest physical challenge for me as a writer is staying physically active. I have diabetes and it’s important to get at least thirty minutes of exercise every day. If I don’t do it first thing in the morning, I can’t manage to work it in. I am a walkerContinue Reading