From the Fiction Desk

Non-writers are often unaware of the physical, mental and emotional strains that writers put themselves through. To the unfamiliar, writing may not look at the stressful on the body or the mind. All writers do all day is just sit in a chair and write (or keyboard), right? They neglect to take in to account what sitting for 10 or more hours can do, nor the stresses of deadlines, the prayers that the work you sent out a month or more ago will be accepted, where the next pay check is coming from, or what you are pouring into your current work. Sadly, I have not even scratched the surface. If you ever read fantasy, often the mage or wizard grows tired and needs rest after casting his spell because of the taxing experience it has on them. This is the perfect analogy for a writer.

While the strain on the body while writing burns calories, many writers tend to be nibblers. While we are sitting at our desks there may be some food (healthy or not so much) that we will munch on as we go. Meals, when left to our own devises, may last all day—assuming we take time to make or get something to eat—as we sit and nibble on it as we write. Sadly most writers are not people with the healthiest lifestyles.

Despite our hectic schedules and our balancing act that would make Atlas envious, we cannot—must not neglect our greatest asset, our bodies. Without our bodies being functional our minds and imagination are worthless. Or to paraphrase a saying “You can’t write when you’re dead.” We have to schedule at least 30 minutes to an hour away from our writing where we work in exercise. This is either going to the gym, walking, riding your bicycle, or becoming involved in a sport or other function (like martial arts, fencing, swimming and so on).

Our art comes from living and to live, we must be able to move and enjoy our lives. We have to tear ourselves away from our work and exercise. Maybe you don’t want to work out at the gym and maybe the weather is horrible—find something to do. If you do not go to the gym or for a long walk or run, just think about all the possible characters you are missing out on. Furthermore, think of all the work you may have had written instead of being sick or dead had you taken better care of your body.

Thank you for reading and please visit www.davidalanlucas.com for information on the stories and blogs I write.