My trip to Sweden made me realize just how much the computer was contributing to my chronic neck pain. The only time I experienced any significant pain during the entire trip was at the Stockholm airport (return flight) when I got online to check my email.
I’m addicted to the internet, so now that I’m back home I’m making a conscious effort to stay away. I’m not reading blogs – not because I don’t want to read blogs, but because I’m forcing myself to stop. But it’s hard. I’m also trying to stay away from forums for the same health reason. Sorry, Daniel! I thought about shutting down my blog completely, but I’m going to try posting once a week – I’m thinking Sundays – and see how that goes. But anyway, just wanted people to know I haven’t been sucked into a black hole and I’m not depressed and I’m not pissed off and I miss you.
WRITING STUFF
Getting some reader/reviewer feedback on Garden of Darkness. Some of you might recall that I agonized over point of view in that book, finally deciding to take the riskier path and write one new character in first person – something that was quite possibly a self-indulgent experiment. So far one reviewer (Word Nerd) didn’t care for it, and I think it impacted her enjoyment of the book. Another reviewer (Armchair Interviews) loved it, and it enhanced her read. I’m guessing it might alienate quite a few people, so it probably wasn’t the thing to do. I should have written all characters in third person. On the other hand, I think this very kind of thinking is what is contributing to the sameness of books – so it’s a tough call. I hope to have a better handle on it as more reviews come in.
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21 comments:
Sometimes I think a similar choice might help my chronic anxiety.
Don't go saying sorry if downloading the internets all day is causing you pain. Pain is bad.
Stay away from us! STAY AWAY! :)
I think any book that isn't stuck right in the middle of the bell curve is bound to alienate some readers, but it will also satisfy those of us who prefer living on the slippery side of that same curve.
I'm with Daniel--please make yourself feel better. Neck and back pain makes the whole rest of your life one big bag of misery (as you already know). May the new plan give you instant relief!!!
My writing stalled from severe back/hip pain for several months until I discovered magnet therapy. I can't sit to write without my magnet jewely on.
I've worn bracelets to help with wrist pain from typing, although I would not suggest getting them to close to a laptop. Mine are loose and I can scoot them up my arm. I wear two necklaces attached to each other as a belt around my waist, and I also have a powerful necklace that helps with neck pain and sinus headaches.
Just an FYI. :)
Take care of yourself. I'll tune in whenever you can post.
jewely would be jewelRy btw...
But I did like it! I actually liked it alot, just not the POV switches, but that's a personal reader pet-peeve, and not enough to not recommend the book!
patti, we went from almost no information to information overload. it can cause stress, that's for sure.
daniel, thanks. lol!
mary louisa, i think staying away will definitely help.
heather, i kind of like jewely. hah! very interesting about the magnets. i've never known anyone who used them, but have always wondered if they actually helped. hmmm.... wonder if you have to believe they'll work. i've always been rather skeptical, but have come close to buying a necklace a couple of times.
word nerd, you aren't the only person to say she had a problem with the POV, and I tend to think anything that annoys even slightly isn't good. i hate gimmicky writing, and worry that i may have ventured into that.
Well, I don't know if I'd classify it as a gimmicky. And I have to say, the creep-out-factor more than makes up for it if it was a gimmick. I was reading the book in the waiting room of the car place and was totally weirded out.
For: Anne Frasier
One blog b.i.d. prn, not to exceed 14 blogs/week.
Unlimited refills
May substitute for generic.
Dr. J. Neale
Blogologist
You lie. I know it's me. It's always me.
Yeah, okay, maybe not. But you're really screwing with my sense that I run the universe, you know.
Stay away from the computer.
As to the POV switch, how do you know if something's going to work if you don't try it?
It's like sex in the back of a VW bug. It might work, it might not. But it will at least be memorable.
word nerd: lol! that's good to hear. i really didn't know if that stuff would come across as scary or just plain ridiculous. :D
Dear Dr. Neale: that is adorable.
stephen, i used to sleep in my VW. it had a flat surface that folded down, but it was still uncomfortable as hell because it required a fetal position. ugh. i'm trying to figure out the sex, thinking it would be a good way to break something. :O
me too...addicted. only it makes my hand hurt like hell! i have been so busy with work lately though, i only have time to look at my very favorites. looking forward to reading the new book. when my siblings were here, i gave my sisters all your books. (now i'll have to buy more...i read books more than once...or twice!)
Y'know, it's okay to admit that it's all Stephen's fault. 'Cause we know the truth...
I have the same problem. Back troubles because I'm writing all the time. Now I've got to get physical therapy. Me no likey that.
I was way leery of the magnets, but I bought two cheap bracelets at Walmart because they matched my watch. My step f-i-l is a nut about the magnets and he has degenerative disk disease. I thought giving them a try after hearing his umpteenth lecture was the least I could do.
Put both of them on the car. Got home in about five minutes and hopped in my recliner and got to work on my laptop asap. Within 30 minutes, the chronic, debilitating pain in my right hip that I'd suffered with for five months was gone. (My wrists rest very close to my hips when I type.)
If I do not use the magnets, the pain returns. (Nerve damage from a steroid shot.) But I can sit for long peroids of time now with the magnets.
Email me if you have any questions. I could go on and on and bore everyone to death about this. (If I have not already.)
cinderelly, i would imagine sewing is hard on the hands too. and the back. i can remember feeling pretty crippled after sitting at a sewing machine all day.
angie, yesterday i stubbed my toe and blamed it on stephen blackmoore. seemed the right thing to do. :D
tanya, who woulda though sitting on our asses all day would be so bad.
heather, i'm going to try some cheapt magnets. if somebody asks what the hell i'm doing, i'll refer them to you. hehe!
Pumping up demand by reducing supply? Very astute of you. We'll pounce on your Sunday posts like piranha (there's no way I could spell that without looking it up).
Hope your neck feels better. If only our heads weren't so damn heavy.... Evolution might have fouled that one up.
jason, lol! yeah, this bowling ball on my neck makes no sense at all!
i've already missed a sunday, but my life is pretty boring at the moment -- although i might have some news soon.
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