Writing and Your Hands

I've been writing like a maniac for nearly two years. Yes, picture me, Krystal Wade, sitting at a keyboard, hair a matted mess atop my head, bloodshot eyes, pencil in mouth, skin pale—nice image, huh?

Anyway, within these two years, I've written three novels, a bunch of ideas for future novels, half a future novel, a ton of blog posts, interviews, and I constantly communicate online with other writers, publishers, etc.

So tell me why my hand hurts?!

I feel like an idiot for even questioning this intense pain. But admitting the stabbing, popping, pinching sensations—yes, the feelings change depending on how I'm using my hand—exist means I have to admit that writing may be bad for my health.

Say it isn't so.

Alas, it's true. Just google "Repetitive Motion Injuries" and you'll find a bunch of stomach-turning information.

Can this be prevented?

Why, yes. Yes it can.

Did I do what I was supposed to?

Apparently not.

So, to protect you guys from this soul-crushing injury, I've listed 10 Steps to Prevent Repetitive Motion Injuries in your hands. While you're reading, I'll be contemplating a trip to the doctor.

Blah!

1. TAKE BREAKS! when using your computer. Every hour or so, get up and walk around, get a drink of water, stretch whatever muscles are tight, and look out the window at a far off object (to rest your eyes).


2. Good posture. If you can't hold good posture, it probably means it's time for you to take a break from typing. If you are perpetually struggling to maintain good posture, you probably need to adjust your workstation or chair, or develop some of the support muscles necessary for good posture.


3. Use an ergonomically optimized workstation to reduce strain on your body.


4. Exercise regularly. Include strengthening, stretching, and aerobic exercises. I find yoga and Pilates especially helpful.


5. Only use the computer as much as you have to. Don't email people when you could walk down the hall or pick up the phone and talk to them. It's not only better for your hands - it's friendlier. Think before you type to avoid unnecessary editing.


6. Don't stretch for the hard-to-reach keys, e.g. BACKSPACE, ENTER, SHIFT, CONTROL... basically everything but the letters. Instead, move your entire hand so that you may press the desired key with ease.


7. Let your hands float above the keyboard when you type, and move your entire arm when moving your mouse or typing hard-to-reach keys, keeping the wrist joint straight at all times. This lets the big muscles in your arm, shoulder, and back do most of the work, instead of the smaller, weaker, and more vulnerable muscles in your hand and wrist. If you find it difficult to do this, then your shoulder and back muscles are probably too weak. It is OK, and in fact a good idea, to rest your elbows/wrists when you are not typing.


8. Use two hands to type combination key strokes, such as those involving the SHIFT and CONTROL keys.


9. When writing, avoid gripping the writing utensil tightly. Someone should be able to easily pull the writing utensil out of your hand when you are writing. If your pen or pencil requires you to press too hard, get a new one (my favorite is Dr. Grip Gel Ink)


10. Realize that you are not invincible. RSI can happen to you. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

(Thank you to http://web.eecs.umich.edu/~cscott/rsi.html##ten for providing these tips!)

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The Vampire Diaries-Marathon

I just finished watching the season three finale of The Vampire Diaries.

How I'm feeling right now: Depressed, like I need to stalk every season four teaser site, a little in love, tired, and elated that someone is a vampire.

When I began watching this show, I had no idea what it was about—other than vampires, duh! I thought it would turn into a teenage, lovey-dovey drama, focused solely around love.

In a lot of ways, the show does focus on the thumping of hearts—mmm, those tasty hearts!

BUT

There is so much action, so much history, so much magic and superstition and evolution. Every secondary character becomes a main character at some point. Every villain turns good guy, turns bad guy, turns I don't know.

This speaks volumes for the show's writers, for the author as well.

The Vampire Diaries made me feel so many things. The show sparked my imagination, forced me to think about my books and characters and their back history, and where they're going.

* Do you guys sense a lecture coming on? I'll try to keep it brief! *

So many times when we write, we're in such a hurry to get a book out there. We don't stop and think about every character; we don't write from their POV to figure out who they are and what they want. But we should. So, my vow is to know everyone in my book, to be connected with them, to connect them with my reader, to give them purpose.

Granted, I had outlines of my secondary characters for my Darkness Falls novels, but I didn't write from every character's POV.

Now, because I don't want to give anything away to potential fans of The Vampire Diaries, I'll end this by saying, "Watch TVD. Take your time when you write. Explore. Never stop using your imagination. Love life."

How I'm feeling now: Creative, still depressed, still want to stalk spoiler sites, hopeful, like I need to write.

How I rate seasons 1 – 3?

Totally obsessed-worthy!

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You've Been Hijacked

Hey guys and dolls, how's it going?

Don't look so startled - I don't bite.

My name's Frankie. And I'm just a regular guy.
Well, except for the whole ghost thing, I guess.

You’re probably wondering what I'm doing here. Well, it’s pretty simple actually. Something is coming for my best friend Ever - something I alone cannot protect her from. Regardless of how much I love her how hard I try.

So I have to spread the word.

And I need your help to do it.

I've been a bystander for far too long, trapped in this ghostly shell for the past two years. I've decided it’s time to make myself known and set some things into motion. See, I've hijacked Amazon, Curiosity Quills Press, and blogs all over the internet to make my move.

You're probably wondering why, right?

Well allow me to be a bit more specific. Something isn't just coming for Ever; her actual soul is in danger. So I've decided to stay silent no longer. Word needs to spread. People need to know.

Evil lurks in the shadows.

To give Ever more time to figure things out and try to protect herself from the trouble that awaits her, I'm upping the publication date of our story.

I'm sure you can understand. I mean, souls are on the line here.

So, with that said, EVER IS NOW AVAILABLE. Yes, you read that right. NOW. I couldn't wait any longer, so I did what I had to do to protect that stubborn girl I love my best friend, Ever.

I had to do it. Some things are too important to wait for, and Ever is one of those things for me.

Now as you’re spreading the word about this new development, take heed this one warning:

Evil lurks in the shadows. And not just any evil.

It’s disguised as that slick talking, good-looking bastard, Toby James ... the new kid next door.

Amazon - Goodreads

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Unexplained Pains

Listen to this =====>  Explanation <==== or lack thereof.

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Haunted Writing Clinic and Contest

There is nothing SCARIER than rejection, so this Halloween face your fears by entering a spooky writing clinic and contest by Curiosity Quills. Not only will you get help crafting your submission package, you'll have an opportunity to win a request from Curiosity Quills. And it's all FREE!

We will have two types of bloggers involved:

Minions: Writers with query ready manuscripts.

All fiction genres are eligible for entry, however manuscripts that fall into our "favored genres" list will be more likely to win requests. Check the submission guidelines for this list.

Super villains: Published and pre-published authors from Curiosity Quills.

So far, I have six authors signed up as super villains and I'll publish their names when it's final. Super villains will enlist teams of minions to mentor. Each team will have a spooky name and theme. The super villain whose minions get the most requests will win bragging rights as villain supreme.

Blogfest schedule:

Week of 10/8: Query Week - Super villains will post tips on how to craft a successful query and their own successful queries (if applicable). Minions will post their query and super villains and other minions will stop by and provide critique.

Week of 10/15: First Page Week - Super villains will post tips on writing a great first page and their own successful first page. Minions will post their first pages and super villains and other minions will stop by and provide critique.

Week of 10/22: Mentoring Week - Super villains will pick teams of minions. Super villains will provide personalized critique on their team members' submission package. Minions from the same team are also encouraged to help and support each other.

10/31 - It's fright night! Minions ready to face their fears will submit their query and first page to our criminal mastermind judges (three submissions editors from CQ). If they like what they see they'll make requests and hopefully graduate some minions to super villains.

P.S. If you entered the Wilde's Fire Editor Judged Contest you ARE eligible to enter this contest too. Your work will be seen by fresh eyes.

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Bittersweet Love #wildesmeadow #sixsunda

Welcome back, guys!

Last week me and the family were off at the ball park, National's Park to be exact. We had a fantastic time. Today we're rooting on my sister-in-law as she runs a marathon here in DC!

Least someone is doing good for themselves.

This week's six comes from the soon-to-be-released Wilde's Meadow. Kate and Arland are back in their room, a little bothered by the gift Mom gave them, and tomorrow is the day they leave for battle.

This is kind of a bittersweet moment.

Enjoy!

~"Are you afraid?" He asks the question as though he already knows the answer.

"Yes." I think that's why I didn't want to dance, didn't want anyone to see us, and didn't want to celebrate, because this war has only just begun. Everything I hold dear, everything I love more passionately than I imagined possible could be lost.

"If we die, we die fighting."~

So sad.

To read other Six Sunday greatness, please visit the official site. *DISCLAIMER: Not all sites are appropriate for children under 18!*

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Vampires!

Last week I reached out and asked for tv show tips, and a few of you responded.

What was my choice? Well, I'm glad you asked.

The Vampire Diaries!

Who can resist a 35 year old man playing a 150 year old vampire trapped in a 17 year old's body? Wow. That was a mouthful. Seriously though, I had to google Mr. Hotty Pants, Ian Somerholder, and when I did, not only was a I greeted with a plethora of amazing pictures, I also learned he's a few years older than I am.

Odd.

Why does Hollywood choose actors who are so much older than the characters they're portraying?

I'm not complaining.

The fact Hollywood chose this man makes me feel a little less creepy when I think, "he's hot!"

And while I am watching back-to-back episodes of Season 1, my problem with the show comes from the fact that every single character is GORGEOUS.

Even the druggie chick.

Why can't they have some flaws? Why can't they be "ugly" on the outside and beautiful on the inside?

Sigh.

Anyway, I do have lots of questions about the series, and I'm sure I'll be back to post more about the show soon.

For now, I must sleep.

Who knew humans needed to close their eyes and rest their brain in order to function?

Night!

<3 Krystal

MY BOOKS 

Wilde's Fire: B&N, Amazon, Kobo, & iTunes.

Wilde's Army: Amazon, B&N, Kobo

Wilde's Meadow: Goodreads

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Opinions are like A--

I didn't need to finish that thought, did I?

Today I've done something a little different with my blog. I always think of these things I want to say or post, things I just want to get off my chest, but then once I get to a computer, I never have the time to say or post them.

So, I recorded my voice. I know, I know, it's screechy and awful. Just have a listen to my little Public Service Announcement and then move on with your day. :-)

Oh and unrelated to my post but trying to kill two birds with one stone, if you're Courtney Worth Young--or anyone who has trouble pronouncing Draíochtan--stick around through the whole recording. I'm finally giving you the information you asked for. I'm a slacker. I know. You'll forgive me, right?

Public Service Announcement 101

MY BOOKS 

Wilde's Fire: B&N, Amazon, Kobo, & iTunes.

Wilde's Army: Amazon, B&N, Kobo

Wilde's Meadow: Goodreads

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Strange Gifts #wildesmeadow #sixsunday

Did you see the cover for Wilde's Meadow? Wow. I love my artist. He's absolutely amazing!

November 5th can't come fast enough!



So, if you've read the blurb for Wilde's Meadow, you'll know that Kate's mother gives her a strange gift. I'm here to "show" that gift to you.

Enjoy!

~ Mom returns holding a silver tin about the size of a sandwich, appropriately contained in a sandwich bag. She takes a deep breath. "When you are at a loss, when no other options present themselves, when you have no direction and are not sure where to turn, you may open this. Do not peek, do not rush to see what this tin contains, for if you do, you will disrupt order and stray from the path of Light."
I swallow hard, reaching out to take the odd gift from her. "How will I know?"~

Wow. With directives that stern, how would she know?

To read other Six Sunday greatness, visit the official site! *DISCLAIMER: Not all sites are appropriate for children under 18!*

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Wilde's Fire: B&N, Amazon, Kobo, & iTunes.

Wilde's Army: Amazon, B&N

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Shared Quirks

Join me in welcoming Ayden Morgen, author of Fade. Ayden is a dear friend of mine, someone I've been through a lot with in our publishing careers. I also had the pleasure of editing her novel, and I hope you all enjoy Fade as much as I did.

I asked Ayden what character traits she shares with her main character Arionna, and this was her response.

Shared Quirks

Conventional wisdom says that a first novel is a bit autobiographical. If that's the case, Arionna Jacobs, Fade's heroine, is probably thanking her lucky stars that Fade is the first novel I've published, and not the first I've written. Those I've buried beneath old textbooks, in a pile labeled "what was I thinking?" It's for the best, trust me!

I have to admit though, Arionna and I do have a few things in common. We're both college students in love with gorgeous, mystery men . . . Oh wait. That's my dream world, isn't it?

In reality, I married my not-so-mysterious mystery man when I was Arionna's age, and finished graduate school this year, leaving her behind to wrangle Dace Matthews on her own. The man is a menace, but Arionna holds her own. I'd have tied him to a chair and left him long ago, but that's just me. ;)

You can find little pieces of me in Arionna's quirks and passions though. We both firmly believe that patience is for the birds. For the birds, I tell you! We both over think things far too often, and lack anything remotely resembling a verbal filter. She shares my love of the outdoors, especially the woods. And I may have also shared my love of history and fear of metal sinks with our stubborn heroine.

Yes, you read that right. Fear of metal sinks. More specifically, the area where the rim of the sink overlaps onto the cabinet. That area is lethal! Especially when it's not settled quite right. *shudders*

But I digress. Despite sharing a few quirks with me, Arionna is very much her own person. Her world is falling apart, but that doesn't stop her from going after the things she wants. She's a little bit broken, but meets each new challenge and loss with her head held high. She's courageous, intelligent, and has no intention of letting her mystery man make choices for her. And no matter how much she hurts, nothing keeps her down for long.

Not even the fact that her boyfriend is part wolf and can access her mind in the blink of an eye.

Me? Well, you're more likely to find me hiding under the bed with a shot of vodka and a shoe, speed-dialing the husband to come save me from anything that creeps, crawls, or goes bump in the night. Arionna? She prefers to save herself, no matter how scary things get or how much life hurts.

With a possible apocalypse hanging over her head, that's probably a good thing.

xoxo,
A.K. Morgen

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Curious Covers

You've waited forever for this moment, haven't you?

I know I have!

Wilde's Meadow is set to release November 5th--have you put that date on a calendar yet?--and I'm here to show you the pretty cover, as well as mention a couple other upcoming Curiosity Quills releases!



BLURB: Happy endings are hard to find, and even though Katriona is in the middle of a war with someone who’s already stolen more than she can replace, she aches for a positive future with her Draíochtans.

Armed with hope, confidence in her abilities, and a strange new gift from her mother, Kate ventures into the Darkness to defeat a fallen god.

Losses add up, and new obstacles rise to stand in the way. Is the one determined to bring Encardia light strong enough to keep fighting, or will all the sacrifices to stop those who seek domination be for nothing?

Pretty, right? I happen to like this one more than the others. I know the cover for Wilde's Fire is awesome, but this one . . . wow!

Add to your Goodreads TBR list NOW!

Wilde's Fire: B&N, Amazon, Kobo, & iTunes

Wilde's Army: Amazon, B&N

And if that wasn't enough to please your sense of sight, how about this cover?

 

BLURB: Seventeen-year-old Ever’s love life has been on hold for the past two years. She’s secretly in love with her best friend Frankie, and he’s completely oblivious.

Of course, it doesn't help that he’s dead, and waking up to his ghost every day has made moving on nearly impossible.

Frustrated and desperate for something real, Ever finds herself falling for her hot new neighbor Toby. His relaxed confidence is irresistible, and not just Ever knows it. But falling for Toby comes with a price that throws Ever’s life into a whirlwind of chaos and drama. More than hearts are on the line, and more than Ever will suffer.

Some girls lose their hearts to love.

Some girls lose their minds.

Ever Van Ruysdael could lose her soul.

Add to your Goodreads TBR List!

 

Oh wait. There's more! (Anyone else hearing one of those infomercial guys when you read this?)

 

BLURB: What do you do when you realize nothing in your life is what you’ve believed it to be?

When Arionna Jacobs loses her mother in a tragic accident, her world is turned upside down. She’s forced to leave her old life behind and move in with her father. Dace Matthews, a teaching assistant at her new college, is torn in two, unable to communicate with the feral wolf caged inside him.

When they meet, everything they thought they knew about life unravels. Dace has intimate access to Arionna’s mind, and something deep within her fights to rise to the surface. They don't understand what's happening to them or why, and they're running out of time to sort out the strange occurrences around them.

Their meeting sets an ancient Norse prophesy of destruction in motion, and what destiny has in store for them is bigger than either could have ever imagined. Unless they learn to trust themselves and one another, they may never resolve the mystery surrounding who they are to one another, and what that means for the world.

Add to Goodreads TBR List.

 

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Help My Brain!

I need a new tv show to watch. True Blood is over until next June. Once Upon A Time doesn't start until the end of this month.

I'm without something to anticipate. Eep!

My brain craves something action-packed, full of fantasy, paranormal, or sci-fi, including a hint of romance and maybe some young adult type problems.

My brain doesn't want for much, does it?

The problem is: I don't channel surf, so I have no idea what cool shows are out there.

Please, tell me what to watch (nothing disgusting!) in the comments below!

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Wilde's Fire: B&N, Amazon, Kobo, & iTunes

Wilde's Army: Amazon, B&N

Wilde's Meadow: Goodreads

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Honor Life #wildesmeadow #sixsunday

Wilde's Meadow Cover Reveal hits the web this Wednesday! Be on the lookout!

Last week one of you precious readers questioned why Kate and Arland were at a party BEFORE a war. This week, I'm here to share that reasoning with you.

Enjoy!

~The tables and chairs have been pushed closer to the walls, opening up the great room for dancers. Arland and I have sat in the back left corner all evening, away from everyone I'm supposed to enjoy our last night here with, away from the music, the eyes, the forced happiness.

Pre-war celebrations are disturbing. Everyone in here knows we may fail and that some of us may die, yet our people smile.

"They are here to honor life, Kate. Now, are you going to honor ours and dance with me?"~

To read other Six Sunday greatness, visit the official site! *DISCLAIMER: Not all sites are appropriate for children under 18!*

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Wilde's Fire: B&N, Amazon, Kobo, & iTunes

Wilde's Army: Amazon, B&N

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