Most of you know I’ve got some back problems. For several years I’ve been doing my writing standing at the computer, but that hasn’t been as comfortable as it was.
I was talking with my new chiropractor yesterday and he’s all in favor of the kneeling chair. This makes sense to be for two reasons. A long long time ago I used one and, as I recall, I was quite comfortable. Also, most of my sitting meditation, which is often an hour at a time, is actually done on my knees, and that works.
So I’m off to buy a kneeling chair. …read more

It’s far from the end of the world, but I had just finished printing out some 96 pages of an edit from a ghostwriting client when the phone rang, and sure enough, it was his secretary telling me another version was coming. It’s arrived, and when I get back from buying more paper, I’ll print it out.
Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing – a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision – for those who want to get a book written.

I have a vague memory of hearing long ago that computers would be come like appliances. I suppose that’s like the promise made even longer ago that we’d all have paperless offices.
These thoughts come because the Logictech Trackball I use rather than a mouse started acting strangely today. I couldn’t scroll reliably, nor could I move cards in solitaire. Of course, I wasn’t sure it was the trackball, but everything else seemed fine and since they cost less than $25 it seemed worth a try. Which meant a trip to the store, etc. etc. etc.
Sure enough, that solved the problem, …read more

Now that I’ve got this wonderful new file cabinet, I’ve got two whole drawers to fill up. It was multiple stacks of paper, plus a totally full wire, rolling file box that sparked the purchase and assembly.
Wouldn’t you know it? I started going through the old one and sure enough found a hanging file folder full of chock full of bank records my account tells me I no longer need. With those gone I could have postponed the expansion. Ah well.
Rather than just start stuffing, I’ve been thinking about how I want to file the paper. The first decision is …read more

When writing gig posters don’t want to pay writers, or don’t have the money to pay writers they try to justify the lack of pay by assuring you you’ll at least be building writing credits. The theory, I guess, is that if you’ve got writing credits it will be easier for you to get writing gigs that pay. It’s interesting, because the people who pay low rates make the same argument.
The question is, do you need writing credits to get a paying gig?
I say “no, you don’t.” Here’s why:

Many magazines and even book publishers accept over-the-transom submissions from …read more

Every now and again I start a thread called “What’s on Your Desk?” And I’m always reassured that I’m not the only writer in the world with stacks of paper, weird stuffed animals and various other mysterious items like a small wooden board or two small boxes with printer ink.
Well today, for reasons that are not clear, I decided to clean off at least part of my desk. I shortly found myself muttering:

What is all this stuff?

Where does it come from?

And if I’m not throwing it away, where the heck to I so I might be able …read more

Sheila Livingston, who blogs at Get Shelia! has a nifty post about bookkeeping. It’s called Bookkeeping for Bloggers and aimed at a U.S. audience.
I like it because it’s simple and clear – Shelia sets out a few steps, explains both the how and the way and leaves me feeling like I’m not a total idiot on the subject. Actually, I already do most of what she suggests, but I haven’t yet set up seperate checking for my business and personal lives… she explains why I probably should.
Write well and often,

Subscribe to Abundant Writing News

I live in tiny granny flat. It’s really one room with a bath and a kitchen. But I’ve got my own garden, plenty of light and it’s quiet and private here. But figuring out how to sleep and work was a challenge.
A murphy bed seemed to be the answer at first, but it would have blocked one of my windows, so that was out. I googled around until I found Hidden Bed.
Now I’ve got this great big desk – too big really, but. The desk stays level when I put the bed down… even a cup of coffee doesn’t spill. …read more