One Month as a Full-Time Writer

My last day at the evil day job was January 11th. Since today is February 11th, I thought I'd sit back and see what I've accomplished in the first month of my second career.

I wrote a completely new erotic romance novella from start to finish and submitted it to my EC editor.

I finished and polished an erotic romance novel and submitted it to my Samhain editor.

I tweaked and polished a contemporary romance novel and submitted it to two new-to-me publishers.

I'm two chapters into the first book of what I hope will be a three book contemporary romance series.

Not too bad for 1 month.

BUT my hands hurt. My forearms hurt. My shoulders hurt.

I've realized I can't stay at the keyboard for hours on end. I need to take more breaks. I've ordered a new desk which will not only give me more space, but will have a large enough keyboard slide that the mouse won't have to be up on the desk top. I realized a big part of the problem is reaching for the mouse. I bought some hand therapy squeeze balls and am doing my stretches.

So I'm learning as I go. I was so afraid I wouldn't get anything accomplished that I overdid a little. I'm still thrilled at all I've gotten done in the past month. I just have to find a balance. I can do that.

And who knows what I'll be able to accomplish in the rest of 2013!

Have a great Monday.

Natasha
Silken Canvas - available now
www.natashamoore.com

11 comments:

Unknown said...

After reading that - I need to go have a nap.

Unknown said...

You go bad girl! Very productive but do take a lot of breaks or you'll find that more than just your keyboard slide has gotten wider. You may find you need a bigger chair! Congrats on getting all the new stories finished.

Vonda Sinclair said...

Way to go Natasha! You accomplished a huge amount!

Natasha Moore said...

LOL Victoria.

Wild, forgot to mention I'm making time for exercise too. Not daily - I'm not that good, but I've lost about 5 pounds. I think that's mostly because I don't go out to eat lunch anymore. No soft drinks. Big difference!

Thanks, Vonda. Now I wish this new book would cooperate!

Alison B said...

Wow! Can't wait to read them but don't hurt yourself!

Dalton Diaz said...

So...you didn't sleep that whole month? Hey, more books for us!

Natasha Moore said...

Lost, it only took about 3 weeks for the aches & pains to make themselves known. I'm being more careful now.

LOL, Dalton. If I didn't get sleep, it wasn't because I was writing. It was the night sweats that wake me up at 3am & then not able to get back to sleep...but that's another blog post.

Anonymous said...

Yoga. Seriously. Downward dog cures the hunch ache. It's wrist strengthening. Core muscles support everything. Yoga! Yoga! And...way to go-a, you!

Natasha Moore said...

Actually did downward dog at Pilates last night, Miranda. Thanks for stopping by and recommending yoga.

Hot Ash Romance Novels said...

Oh, honey-bunny, you can't keep up that pace!

I can sympathize with your trying, though. I tried that too, until I realized I was getting stoop shouldered and crippled by repetitive motion syndrome!

Take breaks, yes, but don't forget there's life outside the writing cave. Balance is a good goal.

Natasha Moore said...

Yeah, Ash. I finally figured that out. Balance. Balance. Balance. Thanks for stopping by!