It took me a long time to realize that all my aches and pains were from leaning over my laptop. Hunching forward like that, the chest tightens in a subtle way that strains the neck and shoulders. I had a tailbone injury years ago that also made sitting painful. IContinue Reading
by Tracy Shawn A while back I ran into my first writing teacher and made sure to thank him for his help in sparking my career as an author. In reply, he shook his head and gave me a wry smile. “I’m so sorry,” he said. I nodded, knowing exactlyContinue Reading
When I think of physically challenging jobs, I imagine professional athletes, construction workers, or firefighters. Writers…not so much. But when back pain sidelined my writing, my gardening and even my ability to sit comfortably, I revised my thinking. So, though writing may not fit into an expected definition of physicallyContinue Reading
For me the biggest physical challenges are lack of exercise and the tension that develops in my neck and shoulders. I have definitely gained weight since I launched my writing career. Sitting at a computer is horrible for anyone’s system. We’re not meant to sit all day! And somehow exerciseContinue Reading
by Trisha Faye When my step-father got cancer many years ago, I scurried to the health food store. I took all the classes I could on healthy eating. A few years later, a precancerous diagnosis sent me running to my favorite spot—a mountain stream in southern California. I sat byContinue Reading
[The biggest physical challenge of being a writer is] definitely the discomfort that comes with sitting in a chair all day, performing repetitive motions. I get hand cramps and stiffness. Shooting pains up my neck. Headaches on long days. The neck pains I find I can get rid of wellContinue Reading
The sun’s rays gleam through the picturesque window as her fingers click the keys. A steaming cup of coffee sits within arm’s reach, and her calico cat sleeps on her lap. She languidly types on, the story flowing from her mind onto the screen. She smiles to herself. Her masterpieceContinue Reading
While there are many physical challenges we writers face, it took me a while to find the time (and determination) to schedule physical exercise. My motivation, frankly, came from seeing my parents age and noticing what a difference physical health makes in a person’s quality of life. I realized ifContinue Reading
Biggest physical challenge of being a writer? Sitting for long periods of time. If I sit for too long my lower back hurts, then my legs and so on. It’s so unhealthy. I now have a stand-up desk where I spend my afternoons instead of seated all day. Afternoon walksContinue Reading
For me, the biggest challenges have been aches from sitting too long and issues with my right hand and right wrist weakness. (I am right-handed.) To address the pain from long hours of sitting, I switched from a desktop computer to a laptop. Using a lap desk, I am ableContinue Reading
If you want to keep writing during the holidays, we have 10 tips to help you out on another post. But what if you just want to rest and recharge? Will that help or hurt your writing when you do return to it? Guest author Lorrie Thomson shares her thoughtsContinue Reading
I started writing seriously around age 40, so I can’t really blame all my aches, pains, and blurry eyes on the books. Some of those things were going to happen whether I wrote or not. Circle of life, middle-age spread, slow and steady pull of gravity on our bodies untilContinue Reading