(writing) ergonomics…
Posted on 31 January 2009 by Freya North
Though there’s nothing quite like the feeling of seeing your books in a shop, of holding finished copies, of coming across complete strangers reading your novels, or receiving correspondence from happy readers – it’s an arduous process to make it there. And not just mentally. Physically, you can do a lot to help – or hinder. Here’s my advice…
Touch type. Seriously! You’ll be able to write so much more – and much more easily.
I did a 3 day course at a “Sight & Sound” centre in Manchester – and what was 18 words per minute then is now at least 90. I can type almost as fast as I think – and because I type correctly, I don’t suffer from RSI or neck ache, nagging back, heavy head, cramping fingers or sore eyes.
Watch your back. There’s a fantastic contraption I swear by – it’s called a ‘back friend‘ and it will convert any chair into a posturpedic haven. You can write for longer…and because you’re comfortable, you’ll write better for it too.
Keep warm. I have these little fingerless mits – completely fingerless. I think the official term is ‘wrist warmers’.
Keep hydrated. Keep a bottle of water to hand. If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrating. Keeping hydrated keeps headaches at bay. Your characters will give you enough headaches – don’t give yourself more!
Tags | Advice
December 9th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Hi Freya,
Thanks so much for this and all your other advice, it’s really valuable, particularly the bit about finding an agent rather than sending direct to a Publisher. I find it comforting to learn that you write organically, chapter after chapter, rather than planning it all out before starting. I’ve always preferred the organic approach because it’s like reading a book – you don’t know exactly what’s coming next! Much more fun to write that way. And then you have the random “Eureka!” moments in the car on the way to work when you think of the next bit or a plot twist and it’s a race to the office to scribble it all down before you forget it.
I’ve recently started writing ideas down for a book, at the moment I’m in that good place where it just keeps coming and I have to write it down before I forget.
Anyway, I’ll stop rambling now
Thanks for the fabulous books and the advice!
Janine xx