The biggest challenge is definitely getting up and moving! When I’m on a roll, I just want to sit with my laptop for hours on end. At my 9-5 job, I’ll even use my lunch break to write when I’m in the middle of writing a novel! That’s a lotContinue Reading
Stressful environments are a huge challenge for me. Quiet, fragrance-free and allergy-free environments are the only way I can flourish. Fragrance drifting from the neighbor’s laundry will short-circuit my brain. A way to manage “imperfections” in your surroundings is to embrace the annoyances. Observe them as a writer and useContinue Reading
One of my biggest physical challenges to writing, and many other things, was neck pain and headaches. Like most everyone else who stares at a computer as part of their job, I hold my tension in my neck and shoulders. There were plenty of times I couldn’t write because ofContinue Reading
Gosh, these last two years have held so many physical and mental challenges for me that have really messed with my writing ability. I used to sit down at a computer and complete ten, fifteen pages a day with no problems. I knew exactly where I wanted to go withContinue Reading
Whether I like it or not, the dang human body needs sleep, even if I’m on a roll. I tend to stay up way too late writing, much to the chagrin of anyone who has to deal with me during the daylight hours. I work out as often as IContinue Reading
I have a few physical issues—occasional back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome—but for me the biggest concern right now is too much sitting. I keep up with health news, and there’s been quite a lot of discussion lately about the negative impact of being sedentary, even if you exercise regularly (whichContinue Reading
It is difficult to be physically active when writing and this is a challenge for me as I am a very active person. Furthermore, when I write I consume large quantities of gummy bears. I ride intervals on a stationary bicycle five times a week. I walk a lot; thisContinue Reading
I think one of the biggest challenges is setting up a consistent exercise routine. Some of my best writing time is early in the morning, but that’s also my best workout time. When I’m on a writing streak, it’s hard to take a break to exercise, but I’m always gladContinue Reading
Being both writer and artist is a double-whammy in terms of the long-term health consequences of a sedentary lifestyle. I developed severe near-sightedness in my early teens (which made me even less likely to go outside or get active) and I’ve always struggled to maintain a healthy weight. While IContinue Reading
Time is the biggest challenge I face. Oddly enough, I often feel like I have too little and too much time. The reason is this: I need large blocks of time (90 minutes or more) to get into the proper mental space for good writing to happen. But instead, IContinue Reading
Fortunately for me, I paid my dues with unwise behaviors long ago. For years now, I haven’t eaten sugar or drunk alcohol or used drugs. I still drink loads of coffee, though! During my time herding goats in the mountains of France, I learned how good it feels to liveContinue Reading
Since my physical health is not typical, the obvious, typical answer for me would likely not apply to, or benefit, most authors and aspiring authors. So, I will direct attention to another physical “matter,” which is sometimes a challenge and sometimes a blessing: Yes, I speak of the hours weContinue Reading