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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