You know, starting this blog and then disappearing for a week was NOT my plan. Unfortunately, about a week ago, I broke the charger for my laptop, which is my only computer, and that promptly put me out of internet commission. I WAS VERY SAD.
Though, I have to admit, the break has done wonders for my RSI issues. *grin*
I want to thank the people (hi, Stephanie!) who left tips and helpful suggestions. I am totally going to try them out. I have braces with immobilizing splints and am still trying to get used to sleeping in them.
Not having my computer has been SUPER frustrating, though, because we just got edits back on the book! See, Kate and I produced a complete first draft, which we sent in to our editor. I figured, from talking to other editor types and from my own experience, we had at least two weeks to recover. But 9 business days later, we are back in the business of working on this book!
It’s really an amazing process.
I want to write about our collaborative strategy (great question, Arwen!), so look for that tomorrow. Also, I have more to say about my novel project!
RSI, repetitive stress injury.
Three words no writer, in our computer age, wants to seriously consider. But the pains in my fingers/hands, wrists, and elbows that I experienced yesterday don’t seem like the sort of thing one should ignore. As of last night, as a result, I’ve acquired some supportive wrist braces, have started taking B vitamins, and make sure to stretch and relax my hands every half hour or so.
It’s easy to take typing for granted. I learned touch typing in the 6th grade - I thought it was later than that but reexamined memory proves otherwise. I was already pretty keyboard savvy, but proper technique increased both my speed and accuracy; I have barely stopped typing since.
It would be easy to ignore this sort of temporary pain. After all, it goes away if I stop typing for a while. But every time I have been tempted to pretend I don’t need the oh, so stylish wrist braces (these things are SO getting Bedazzled), I imagine not being able to type at all. And that has me taking a typing break with a quickness!
I’ve started another project, the novel rewrite I think I mentioned in my previous post. I’m considering some voice recognition software to use as I progress with that. I’d much rather talk to y’all about stories.
In the meantime, learn from my pain! Take frequent breaks when typing - this seems to be the best preventative. Also, make sure you are sitting with good posture and, if at all possible, use an ergonomic keyboard.
