NaNoWriMo Writer? Watch Your Back, Neck, Shoulders, Arms, and Hands, Your Most Important Writing Tools

The month of November is many things, among them:  Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, Caregiver Appreciation Month, and Movember. But if you're a writer, it's also something else: NaNoWriMo, otherwise known as National Novel Writing Month.

NaNoWriMo seems to be impossible: a challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. It starts at midnight on November 1 and ends at 11:59 pm November 30. We're smack in the middle of it right now. Sound crazy? It did to me when I first heard about it in 2011, a rather latecomer to the game since it started in 1999. Better late than never. Anyway, since I live with RSIs and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome the concept of NaNoWriMo is well beyond my capabilities, but I'm still seduced by the beauty of it. 

Imagine being able to commit to writing an average of 1,667 words each day for 30 days. At the end, you'll have the first draft of a book, which over the next few months you can polish into something presentable, maybe even publishable. The possibilities astound me, a writer who's been working on the first draft of a novel for four years. I started it as part of a NaNoWriMo challenge, when I was able to produce 4,000 words over the course of a week before succumbing to a flare-up of RSIs and TOS. 

NaNoWriMo is not for writers without the stamina to sit at a keyboard for hours each day. One thousand six hundred and sixty-seven words sound easy - it's the equivalent of six and a half pages - in theory, achievable for most people who are able to keep to their commitment. But if you're someone prone to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, bursitis, headaches, back or neck pain, this challenge will most likely exacerbate your condition and prevent future NaNoWriMo attempts. 

Photo by bertys30 via Dollar Photo Club

Maintaining the postures of keyboarding, mousing, and viewing a computer monitor requires an incredible amount of exertion, muscle control, and energy. I've heard it said that an 8-hour worker at a computer station works his body as hard as a professional athlete, using primarily the smallest and most delicate of muscles and tendons, as well as a multitude of nerves. These micro-tissues, sustaining a static posture over long periods of time, become inflamed, injured, and cause great pain. If ignored, the condition continues. If left untreated, permanent disability can result.

I'm not a killjoy. I simply don't want to see other people end up like me. It's no fun struggling to write 250 words a day and failing. It's hard to complete  a project when you have to avoid the computer for days on end. If you're wrapped up in NaNoWriMo please take care of yourself. Here are some tips:

Prepare your body for a writing session:

• Massage your hands with your favorite lotion.

• Stretch your hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, and neck. 

• Don't forget your back, which can also be overworked. 

Adjust your work space for safety:

• Make sure your monitor is an arm's length away, at a height where your eyes are focused one inch below its upper edge. 

• Use a keyboard tray. 

• Ensure it's at the appropriate height so your elbows are at rest and in a neutral position.

• You should not be reaching for the keyboard.

• Be careful with your mouse. It's the root cause of a lot of disability. I use a keyboard with a built in glide pad. Cured my five-year history of elbow tendinitis. 

• A lap top is not a desk top. Don't use it as one. The ergonomics of it are completely off and will contort your body in painful ways.

• Take the time to set your chair at the appropriate height, making sure your feet are on the floor. Use lumbar support if you have it.

Watch your posture:

• Sit up, don’t slump.  

• Hold your ears over your shoulders and your shoulders over  your hips. 

• Do not lean forward. You'll get turtle head and hurt your back.

Take frequent rest breaks:

• Use a timer. Twenty minutes is as long as you should write before taking a break. 

• While resting, do some desk stretches or stand up and stretch, have a drink of water, rest your eyes. 

• Listen to your body.

After a session:

• Stretch again. 

• Soothe your muscles with gentle massage, especially your hands.

If you have pain:

•  Don't ignore it. Respond and treat.

• Use ice or heat as tolerated on sore areas.

• Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Motrin and Tylenol, can help. 

• Topical remedies such as Topricin, Bio-Freeze, and Capsaicin are easily available and provide relief.

• Thermacare wraps are wonderful.

• Remember to stretch gently every day.

• Limit computer time, or perform multiple short sessions each day.

If the problem continues:

• See your doctor

•  A course of physical and/or occupational therapy can ward off chronic pain issues.

• Your doctor can order prescription strength medicine such as analgesics, muscle relaxants, and topical therapies.

• Surgery is a last resort. Don't let this happen to you.

• Consult a chiropractor.

• Hire a massage therapist.

• Visit an ergonomist.

•  Stay off the computer!

Last year, 325,142 writers participated in NaNoWriMo; 59,817 completed their goal. Avoiding repetitive strain injuries can keep you in the running to someday be one of them.

Interesting fact:  

Over 250 NaNoWriMo novels have been traditionally published. They include Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants, Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, Hugh Howey’s Wool, Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl, Jason Hough’s The Darwin Elevator, and Marissa Meyer’s Cinder.

To learn more about repetitive strain injuries and how they impact a writer's life please visit my blog My TOS Life; Broken, Not Bitter. An Authors Life with Repetitive Strain Injuries, on The Creative Penn blog; and Respect your Limitations - Live Your Dreams on The Balanced Writer.

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My Next Adventure: Middletown Thrall Library's Local Authors & Illustrators Showcase

 

For the second year, I'm working with my public library to put on an exhibit of literary and artistic talent.  On Saturday, September 26th, 34 authors and illustrators from the Hudson Valley will be at Middletown Thrall Library for its second Local Authors and Illustrators Showcase.

The Hudson Valley is rich with talent, especially literary talent. This event is a great way to give these authors and artists exposure and to introduce them to readers who may be looking for something beyond the bestsellers. These authors and artists are publishing in adult fiction, non-fiction, and children's books. This free event promises to be a wonderful opportunity for readers to meet these creatives, to learn about the publishing process, and to view books they may not have seen before. 

“This is Thrall Library's signature event," says library executive director Matt Pfisterer. "We are pleased to provide an opportunity to connect a diverse group of really talented local authors and illustrators with people who regularly come to Middletown Thrall Library in search of great reads and unique literary perspectives.”

The featured authors and illustrators include Barry Adelman, Vince Begley, Michelle Birkenstock, Sandi Bischoff, Jeanne Bogino, Dawn Bonney, Bill Braine, Frances Brown, Christina Cameron, Kevin Christofora, Pari Forood, Marc Fried, Jason Gehlert, Natalie Gehlert, Tammy Gehlert, Amy Gopel and Keryl Pesce, Wes and Barbara Gottlock, Norma Halahan, Dr. Richard Hull, Dr. Charles Isaacs, Eleanor Kuhns, Alan Lewis, Liz Matis, Barbara Neiman, Renee Pearce and Kaylin Ruffino,  Diana Slater, ML Stainer, Justine Williams and Michael Martinez, Michael J. Worden, and myself. For more info please visit the library's webpage.

These authors and illustrators represent a variety of genres including children's and YA, general fiction, romance, paranormal, fantasy, thriller, horror, crime, and memoir.

The first session (11 AM - 1:00 PM) will feature children's and young adult authors and illustrators. The second session (1:30 PM - 4:30 PM) will feature authors writing for adults.

Refreshments will be served. Author-donated items, including books, will be raffled off to attendees throughout the event.

The library is located at 11-19 Depot Street, Middletown, New York. Directions are available on the library's website.

Beyond the Bestsellers:Indie Catholic Authors Ebook Sale

Looking for something beyond the bestsellers? Spiritual reading to enlighten and entertain on a lazy summer day? I belong to a great Google+ group called Indie Catholic Authors, and 15 of us are hosting an ebook sale from June 24-26.  All ebooks are sale priced at $0.99 or less. You can buy a whole new library for less than $15! Participating authors include:

• John C. Connell

• Mary Ann D’Amico

• Jeannie Ewing

• Ellen Gable

• Melanie Jean Juneau

• Jane Lebak

• Tom McDonough

• Gil Michelini

• Larry Peterson

• Connie Rossini

• Michael Seagriff

• Cheryl Ann Wills

• Dawn Witzke

• John Paul Wohlscheid

• and myself  

Among the titles, readers will find spirituality, memoir, fiction, a children’s book, and a collection of short stories. The books are available for Kindle, Nook, and iBooks. Some are also available in paperback and audiobook (although those formats are not discount at this time). See our new blog header for individual titles. On Wednesday, June 24, we’ll post all the details about each book here, including buy links.

This is our first joint sale that focuses exclusively on ebooks. Can you help us spread the word by joining our Thunderclap campaign.? Sign up to have an automatic tweet, Facebook or Tumbler post on the 24th at noon. We need at least 100 participants to blast social media with our message. Click here to help. Thanks!

Join us on Facebook to chat with authors throughout the day. We’ll have giveaways (on both Facebook and here at our blog) from authors Connie Rossini, Ellen Gable, Jeannie Ewing, and myself. We can’t wait to see you there!

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Authors Supporting Our Troops 2015 Puts Books into the Hands of OurTroops Serving in Remote Areas

Last year I wrote about ASOT2014, but it’s such a worthy cause and effort I want  to give it a little more ink as it enters its second year.

Authors Supporting Our Troops is a small but dynamic operation to put author donated/author signed print books into the hands of our troops (all military branches) serving in remote areas (Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait) where days can be long and diversions difficult to find. Books are in such short supply that one single copy can make the rounds throughout the entire base, some soldiers reading it two or three times. ASOT sends boxes of books to individual soldiers to share with his or her comrades, offering a variety of genres and hours of entertainment.

Launched January 1st and continuing through May 1^st, ASOT2015 hopes to exceed the accomplishments of ASOT2014, when authors and publishers donated 2,900 books, all of

which made it to our troops.

“Our goal this time is to put 3,500+ print books into the hands of soldiers in remote areas of the world like Kuwait and Afghanistan,” says event organizer Armand Rosamilia. “If a soldier is stationed in Germany or San Diego, they can easily buy a book or have access to TV, games, e-readers, etc. This event is for the men and women of the military who don’t have easy access to read. It’s something for their downtime between hostile situations.”

What types of books are accepted?

 “Everything but blatant porn,” says Rosamilia. “Nothing taboo or racist, nothing pushing the

envelope. Antimilitary books might not be so popular. Last year many authors didn’t think their romance books would fit, but they did. Soldiers will read anything if it’s the only book around. They like to read a good paranormal romance, you know.”

How do you get the soldier’s addresses?

“From you,” Rosamilia says. “We don’t work with a company or the military. We rely on family and friends of soldiers overseas to get in touch with them to make sure they’re interested in handing out the books. Then we need their COMPLETE address (including their name and APO/FPO) to ship to them. That’s it. The goal is 35 soldiers in 2015 or more.” Right now, the project is short on names, so anyone who knows a soldier serving in these areas is encouraged to contact him at armandrosamilia@gmail.com.

How are the books shipped?

 ASOT2015 relies on the good old United States Postal Service. “No other carrier is as cheap or easy as the USPS,” says Rosamilia. “It costs about 25 dollars to ship a box of books (about 50 books per box.)”

How  can I help?

Authors and small publishers interested in donating books can reach out to Rosamilia via email at armandrosamilia@gmail.com.

Many people have come forward to help with shipping costs, donating money directly to the cause. Email Rosamilia to make a donation, any amount helps.

ASOT2015 also has T-shirts and hoodies available in a variety of colors and styles for purchase via TeeSpring to help defray costs. They’re simple, inexpensive, and available to anyone, author or not.

Also, Rosamilia asks authors to spread the word about this event. “Even though we hit so many authors the last time around (about 325 or so), that is such a small blip of the writers and publishers out there. If you belong to an author’s organization, let them know about it. Ask your publisher to get in touch. Many of them sent us boxes of books last year, which was great.”

For more information please visit and LIKE the ASOT2015 Facebook page.

About event organizer Armand Rosamilia

Armand Rosamilia is a New Jersey boy currently living in sunny Florida, where he writes when he's not sleeping. He's written over 100 stories that are currently available, including a few different series: "Dying Days," extreme zombie series; "Keyport Cthulhu," horror series; "Flagler Beach Fiction Series," contemporary fiction; "Metal Queens," non-fiction music series. He also loves to talk in third person... because he's really that cool. He's a proud Active member of HWA (Horror Writers of America) as well. Visit his website where you can find not only his latest releases but interviews and guest posts with other authors he likes. E-mail him to talk about zombies, baseball and Metal at armandrosamilia@gmail.com

Follow Armand Rosamilia on Facebook, Facebook Fan Page, Twitter

Book links:

Rymfire eBooks

Amazon 

SmashWords
 

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My Next Adventure -Middletown Thrall Library's First Local Authors and Illustrators Showcase

My local library has been so good to me throughout my publishing adventures. Reference librarian Mary Flannery-Climes has offered moral support from the beginning and is always willing to listen to me go on and on about my next project.  Gail Myker, adult program coordinator, hosted a book reading and signing for Blue Hydrangeas and allowed me to present my Adventures in Publishing program "How to Independently Publish Your Own Book" to a wonderful audience. Library director Matt Pfisterer said "Yes!" to my suggestion that the library put on a local authors event. So it is with great pleasure that I take part in my latest adventure - Middletown Thrall Library's first Local Authors and Illustrators Showcase on Saturday, December 6^th. 

The Hudson Valley is rich with talent, especially literary talent. This event is a great way to give these authors and artists exposure and to introduce them to readers who may be looking for something beyond the bestsellers. This free event promises to be a wonderful opportunity for readers to meet local authors, to learn about the publishing process, and to view these authors' books. It's also a great place to shop for holiday gifts.

“We are very pleased to provide an opportunity to connect a diverse group of really talented local authors with people who regularly come to Middletown Thrall Library in search of great reads and unique literary perspectives,” says library executive director Matt Pfisterer.   

The featured authors and illustrators come from all over the Hudson Valley and include Sandi Bischoff,  Maria Blon, Jeanne Bogino, Allie Boniface, Dawn Bonney, Carole Bugge, Bern Cohen, Matthew Field, Sharon Fox, Jason Gehlert,  MJ Hanley-Goff, Lynn Marie Houston, Liz Matis, Susan Beth Pfeffer, Lisa Vaughn, Fred and Barbara Weissman, Justine Williams, and Michael J. Worden. 

These authors represent a variety of genres including general fiction, romance, paranormal, fantasy, thriller, horror,  and crime, as well as poetry, memoir, cookbooks, writing instruction, and self-help.

Workshops with Maria Blon and MJ Hanley-Goff will also be available.

The first session (11 AM - 12:30 PM) will feature children's and young adult authors and illustrators. The second session (1 PM - 4:30 PM) will feature authors writing for adults. 

Refreshments will be served.  Author-donated items, including books, will be raffled off to attendees throughout the event. 

For more information, please contact Gail Myker at (845) 341-5483 or thrall3@warwick.net

If you're in the area, don't miss this event.