Freelance Writing Tip: 2/2/2008
Don’t get hurt! If you are a freelance writer in today’s day and age, you spend most of your time typing. What would happen if you broke a wrist, damaged a nerve, or cut a finger in the kitchen? The fact of the matter is that my freelance writing career would be pretty much non-existent if I could not type at a high rate of speed.
Last week, I began to experience some extreme pain in my left wrist. This always seems to happen when I ramp up my production, and work longer hours. Although it goes away after a couple hours of rest, it is still worrisome nonetheless. Is this pain going to become worse as I get older? I have no idea of knowing, but it is definitely something that I worry about.
All in all, make sure that you are keeping your hands, wrists, and arms safe. If you get injured and cannot type, you will have one heck of a time turning out a lot of work. Can you imagine trying to work with only one hand? This is nothing that I want to try anytime in the near future.
This may sound like a silly tip, but it is very important to say the least. Many people who type all day everyday begin to suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This is not joke, and is a quick way to set your career back. Do not let this injury or any other jeopardize your freelance writing career.
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
This is pretty sound advice for anyone using a computer full time. A few years back I had hurt my fingers playing baseball with friends, and for the next two weeks my right-hand’s typing speed was half of normal … suffice to say this resulted in a severe drop in productivity, not to mention a pretty extreme spike in typo’s
In this ultra-competitive world, we need to keep our most important assets safe from harm.
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:01 am
This is definitely something writers, secretaries and anyone who types for a living should keep in mind… but I would like to add to your freelance writing tip: If you start to struggle with a temporary or permanent injury or disability that will interfere with your typing, you might want to consider investing in PC software that writes for you. You speak to it and it does the writing. You will also need a microphone, but this could be the answer.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Hi Chris - I’d like to pose some advice:
Soak your wrists in cool/cold water often on those strenuous days. Get yourself a good stretching book and do all of the upper body (arms, shoulders, necks, hands) stretches they offer. (Stretching, by Bob & Jean Anderson offers desk stretches).
I’m a massage therapist as well and I know all too well the importance of keeping the hands and wrists safe and strong. If you have persistent pain, consider seeing a massage therapist for regular work on your arms/elbows/wrists/hands; you might want to consider seeing a DO as well (doctor of osteopathic medicine) who might be able to help you by using alternative methods (chiropractic/mixed with other methods).
Hope your pain has gone away!
February 4th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Thanks for all the help, guys and gals! Deborah - your tips will definitely come in handy; thanks for the professional advice!