"You should have heard me this week, I was crying to my hubby "My career is over!!"
I am currently having an IM conversation with a new writer who is suffering from wrist and neck problems. We've all been there. Many writers do not understand. They can write novels for years without problems, work in an office on the computer, or even spending hours on the computer at home, but when they try to write for a living, their wrists and neck act up.
The girl I am talking to is really scared. I will post some of her words, with her permission:
Majik Rose says:
Please let people know the symptoms, like burning of the scalp and fingertips, too, so that they don't worry so much. I was really afraid of the new symptoms. So...I have avoided the computer like it was death.
...
Majik Rose says:
I know you have mentioned it to me before, but I instead, moved around with my laptop thinking it would ease the pain. Now I have burning sensations in my scalp!
...
Majik Rose says:
I kept wondering how everyone is writing without a problem, so I got on some scare kick about having a rare disease from the Congo or something.
...
Majik did not have a disease or was suffering symptoms of a stroke. Instead, her muscles were reacting from stress. Freelance writing is not like novel writing, or even blogging. There are deadlines. The freelance writer must type at an average of 50wpm if they want to generate a respectable level of income ie $20 000 yr plus. They are forced to write 10 articles in a day - even if they are typing for 10 hours.
Working for an employer and Work at Home are two entirely different things. Many writers start a work at home freelance writing career as their first business - and then realize that it is very different than working for an employer.
a) you work a lot harder,
b) there are no mandatory breaks,
c) there is no water cooler to hang out at,
d) most writers do not set up adequate lighting, heating, ventilation in their work space, increasing their stress levels,
e) work ends after 8 hours - even if you are not finished,
f) failure is someone else's responsibility,
p) paychecks are assured whether you give 80% or 110%.
At an office, you never do the same thing for eight hours.
The 'armature how to write' tutorials are full of information about back posture and changing position. These self proclaimed gurus talk about ergo-chairs and keyboards - bla bla bla - it is all a waste of your time.
About 2 years ago I wrecked my wrist. I blogged about it and learned that this problem hit many writers. That is when we came up with the real Freelance Writer's Survival Guide Several bloggers from communati helped with the original list including wahmwriter and Trick Falls, FF&F, let me know if I forgot your name.
#1
Majik Rose says:
I have an office chair, but it is microfiber. You know for a head honcho to lounge in for a few minutes. It is not a computer chair at all.
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You must have a real office chair - or dining room chair. You must have something that lets you sit with the keyboard at 'exactly' elbow level. Your wrists must be laying on something. I use a long gel pack. It keeps my wrist level with the key surface on my keyboard. The gel pack is vital. Without it, you are using your shoulder/neck/forearm muscles to keep your hands at the proper angle.
A good chair will also keep your shoulders back. I slouch. Many writers do, that is not good - but it is not bad...not unless your shoulders curve forward too. This stretches the back muscles and drops the base of the skull to an unnatural angle.
#2
Majik Rose says:
I think a lot of people need to know about it.
Majik Rose says:
I know it is called RSI.
Majik Rose says:
Repetitive Injury syndrome, I mean RIS
Majik Rose says:
I knew I had it, but didn't think it was going to get this bad.
Majik Rose says:
I think people should know how bad it CAN get if they are not careful.
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No matter what your doctor calls it, there are things that work and things that don't. Muscle relaxant pills and chiropractors do not work. Changing your position, moving from computer to laptop, desk to couch, will help.
Also, use a heating pad. When I work a long time, I will sit comfortable on the couch with a heating pad behind my shoulders and type. The heat keeps my shoulders relaxed and loosens any knots.
When I am having trouble with my wrist I rub 'sore muscle cream' on my forearm. The 'ice' gel works best for me.
The gel will not quickly eliminate the pain, but when used every 4 - 6 hours, daily, until you are symptom free, it will keep the problem from becoming chronic.
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