I’m a big believer that the quality of my work is directly related to how my body feels, so I try to be good to myself. Exercise makes me a better writer, so I typically fit something in every day. A good workout is like a mind cleanse; it resetsContinue Reading
My biggest physical challenge since I’ve begun writing full time is being indoors for so much of the day. I’ve tried working outside in nice weather, but I can’t seem to do any meaningful writing, just light, daydreamy work, though it’s a good place to edit. Deeper work eludes meContinue Reading
I think stiffness is the biggest physical challenge of being a writer. We sit for hours at a time, hunched over a desk. I write all of my first drafts and take research notes with pen and paper, which alleviates the eye strain from looking at a screen. Still, IContinue Reading
I told my friend Kelly I was working on a piece about writing and wellness and she said, “Fiction, right?” If there’s anything physically healthy in the act of writing, I haven’t found it. I live too much in my mind. I suffer from “cerebral congestion”—an occupational hazard of bothContinue Reading
I’ve enjoyed subscribing to C. Hope Clark’s “Funds for Writers” for over a decade. This mystery writer’s stories of how she’s dealt with the challenges of the writing life are always inspiring, plus I learn of several new contests, freelance markets, and publishers through her listings. Along the way, HopeContinue Reading
Some people may find this difficult to fathom, but being a full-time writer can put quite a strain on the body. When I’m really into my work, time ceases to exist. I can go hours without moving, and that’s not healthy. It’s bad for circulation and creates all kinds ofContinue Reading
I’ve always been a sugar lover, so I can’t really blame writing for that addiction. However, I do find that I am less motivated to exercise and eat healthy because of time constraints. I Love to Walk with Friends I am not a morning person, so getting up early toContinue Reading
I am fortunate these days to have retired from my “day job.” Now I don’t have to choose between writing and exercise, but I sure can remember doing so. I developed a routine of getting up around 5:00 a.m. and writing for maybe 1 – 1 ½ hours before gettingContinue Reading
Spending large amounts of time looking down—be it at the computer screen or if I’m writing freehand—is very hard on my neck. I was in a riding accident several years ago which resulted in a pretty severe neck injury, including damage to a nerve cluster called the “brachial plexus” onContinue Reading
You know, I’ve found a lot of physical challenges in writing, but perhaps not along the lines of what you might envisage. I know there are all sorts of carpal issues and back issues, and lord only knows that a bloody good seat is absolutely essential, but I find thatContinue Reading
I would have to say that the biggest challenge has been to try to stay active, both at my desk and away. I suffer from back pain, so strenuous exercise is difficult. Like most people, I have gained a few pounds over the years, especially when the weather turns cold.Continue Reading
[My biggest challenge is] probably avoiding a repetitive strain injury, although I try to minimize that as much as I can through exercises; not sitting still for too long. Although when I’m completely wrapped up in a project, that can be difficult. I go to the gym as often asContinue Reading