I write six days a week, four hours a day. I’m putting together a portfolio for when I move out to L.A. next year. I’ve finished a musical comedy, am in the middle of a comedy drama, and have two children’s films outlined and in the queue. (One of which I’ve already written as a 35,000 word children’s novel.) So I’m on a surprisingly strict writing schedule considering I have no “real” deadlines.
My question to you is: Do your hands hurt?
Mine definitely ache. I stretch and ice them and beg for hand massages from friends and loved ones. I take ibuprofen, etc. I’m trying to determine if this is normal or if I should be freaking out?
Athletes live with a certain amount of pain for what they love. Same for professional writers?
Do you do anything special to take care of your hands?
— Asher Noël
Take it seriously. I’ve had problems in the past, and regretted waiting as long as I did to do something about it.
At my worst, not only would my hands hurt, my arms would go dead every night. Beyond pins-and-needles. I’d wake up with zombie appendages attached to my body. I’d have to flop over to get blood flowing into them.
I’m better now.
A Google search on ergonomics or carpal tunnel syndrome will give you a ton of information — too much information, probably — but I can synthesize it down for you thusly:
1. __You need to check your setup.__ Feet on the floor, arms at a comfortable 90-or-so degrees. I strongly believe in arm rests, but different things work for different people. Your typing surface probably needs to be a lot lower than you think. My desk lowers to just two inches above my knees. Everyone has different opinions on chairs. I’ve found the expensive ones aren’t necessarily better. Try a bunch.
2. __You need to change your keyboard.__ I use [this one](https://www.amazon.com/SafeType-Keyboard-Black-Color-V902/dp/B0049PFYWQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8), which rightfully scares people, but I find works great. You may need to try a bunch of different ergonomic keyboards before you find one that works.
3. __You need to take breaks.__ A lot of them. Walk around. You’ll actually get more done if you’re not staring at the screen the whole time.
4. __Like crutches, gloves can help, but they’re not fixing the problem.__ These [Handeze support gloves](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009LI88/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=johnaugustcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B00009LI88) saved my life, but I’m happy not to need them now.
When it was really bad, I considered surgery. I’m glad I didn’t do it. I didn’t need it.
You won’t always be writing as much as you are now. But try to get into good habits now.