The negative health effects of constant sitting are now well-established, and we freelance publishing folks have a lot of computer time in our days. And given the findings from some NASA studies that the effects of gravity and lower body movement are important in counteracting the effects of sitting disease, standing desks have become popular. […]
Alternative seated positions
While the upright seated position (90-degree) seems to be the most commonly recommended (and used) position, it may not be the most healthy. Some very sophisticated studies using MRI imaging and stress measurement in the spine suggest that 135-degree thigh/torso position may be optimal for circulation, joint comfort, and weight distribution. In the declined position the […]
Tracking Process, not Just Progress
John Steinbeck famously kept a diary of his writing process, a practice familiar to many writers, including novelist Sue Grafton and memoirist Louise deSalvo. These diaries, which deSalvo calls “process journals” serve to chronicle only the process of writing, not the rest of life, and often one single writing project at a time. Grafton opened […]
Working Positions: Upright Seated
Just because we work freelance from home does not mean that we should ignore ergonomics. Admittedly if you are working at the kitchen table it may be a bit more difficult to achieve, but it’s likely possible. You need not cringe and immediately respond that you can’t afford it—there are lots of simple, inexpensive […]
Occupational Hazards
Most of us who spend lots of hours at the computer as a way of earning our living likely don’t think of our jobs as having occupational hazards, but we really do have them. They may not be as blatantly obvious as in other occupations—e.g. construction, or farming. If you are not aware of hazards, […]
Publishing Client Schedule Uncertainties
In the almost-thirty years I’ve been indexing and editing, many changes have occurred in the publishing industry, but the one that affects me the most on a weekly basis is the floating calendar. In spite of (or perhaps because of) fancy book design software and instant emailing of manuscript copy, the timeline for publishing books […]