Something new is coming tomorrow today.
The only ache should be in your soul
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.
That’ll teach her
Tad Friend examines female characters in comedies and finds an [unsettling pattern](http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/04/11/110411fa_fact_friend):
> Funny women in movies must not only be gorgeous; they must fall down and then sob, knowing it’s all their fault.
Nerve has a super-cut to demonstrate:
Friend’s article — a lengthy piece on Anna Faris — looks at a lot of the issues surrounding female roles in comedy. It’s easy to point fingers at screenwriters (“Write better parts!”) or studios (“Make better movies!”), but the real obstacle is of course the audience, voting with dollars.
The more money female-driven comedies make, the more female-driven comedies will get made. In the short term, the success of Bridesmaids should make studios less gun-shy about spending money to produce and market these movies.
But will they be any good? I worry we’ll learn the wrong lessons and just make more comedies about women in wedding dresses.
Okay to use bold for scene headers?
Sounds trivial, but I’ve been seeing a lot of scripts recently with sluglines (or scene headers) in bold formatting. Is this a trend? I kind of like it, but is it appropriate to use bold sluglines in a spec as a first-time writer?
— Shane
It’s simply a matter of personal preference. As long as you’re consistent through the script, either bold or normal weight is fine.
KYLE’S DAD
Half-done is half-assed, Kyle.
KYLE
So you want full ass, you’re saying.
KYLE’S DAD
I want less lip and more hustle. Now.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOUSE – DAY
Kyle drags the giant spider’s carcass from the garage to the curb. It’s too big to fit in the garbage can -- he couldn’t lift it anyway -- so he tucks the legs underneath the body.
or…
INT. BENNIGAN’S – NIGHT
Aspiring mixologist JIMMY WAKE (24) strains his latest creation into a chilled martini glass. The liquid has an unsettling yellow-green hue with streaks of blood. He garnishes it with a pickled crow’s foot.
Either is fine.