A friend of mind got a rejection the other day. She’d worked really hard on the story, putting it through numerous edits. The journal was one she’d read and admired for years. It was a big blow. I tried to console her, but she wouldn’t really allow it. “Nah, I’mContinue Reading
If you’re going to be a writer, you gotta toughen up. People are going to criticize your work. Agents and editors are going to reject you. Readers will impale you with bad reviews. Publishers will turn their backs if your sales are lackluster. Rejection awaits at every turn, so youContinue Reading
I began writing after a career in teaching— a profession that puts more physical demands on you than you might imagine. You are on your feet all day, teaching and trying to keep up with active children. I often came home exhausted. Writing has had a different set of challenges.Continue Reading
For my entire writing career, I have lived with the dual roles of writer and student. These are two roles that are difficult to juggle, as both demand a lot of attention. Writing is my passion, but unfortunately, it often takes a backseat to my education. The busy life of aContinue Reading
[The biggest physical challenge of being a writer is] definitely the discomfort that comes with sitting in a chair all day, performing repetitive motions. I get hand cramps and stiffness. Shooting pains up my neck. Headaches on long days. The neck pains I find I can get rid of wellContinue Reading
Funny thing happened to me this past weekend. I had planned a 10-day writing retreat by the ocean to pound out the edits for my literary novel that’s coming out next April. (Read more about Loreena’s Gift here.) The plans had been in the works for months. To accomplish theContinue Reading
If only writing burned calories. It sure would be nice to look in the mirror and say, “Wow, look at these abs . . . those daily writing sessions are really paying off!” *Sigh* Like a lot of writers and artists, my biggest physical problem is sitting on my buttContinue Reading
One of my biggest physical challenges to writing, and many other things, was neck pain and headaches. Like most everyone else who stares at a computer as part of their job, I hold my tension in my neck and shoulders. There were plenty of times I couldn’t write because ofContinue Reading
I have a few physical issues—occasional back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome—but for me the biggest concern right now is too much sitting. I keep up with health news, and there’s been quite a lot of discussion lately about the negative impact of being sedentary, even if you exercise regularly (whichContinue Reading