Writers Need A Support System (for our backs)

By Bruce Brady @BDBrady007

I’ve spent the better part of two months nursing a painful back injury. One that’s kept me from doing just about everything. Including writing.

Looking past the pain, this malady has taught me some valuable lessons about life and writing.

Let’s face it, our writing is dependent upon our physical health. When sitting, standing, and lying down are excruciatingly painful, it’s difficult to write.

Research shows there are similar steps we can take to improve our backs, and our writing.

First, we can educate ourselves on the use of specific exercises designed to strengthen our backs. We can also read books, attend conferences, and take classes to learn how to strengthen our writing skills.

Second, we can only strengthen our backs if we actually perform those exercises on a regular basis. Accordingly, we can only strengthen our prose and poetry by practicing what we’ve learned in the course of our education.

Third, we often don’t do what we know we should, especially when we don’t see the progress we desire. Unless we have someone holding us responsible for sticking to a routine, we may give up. We need accountability partners.

Fourth, we should have someone checking to ensure we are performing our exercises correctly. For physical exercise, these people can be medical doctors, chiropractors, or physical therapists. For writers, this means having our work checked by editors or critique partners.

Fifth, our success is ultimately measured by our obtaining or exceeding our desired results. We experience the joy of performing our daily routines with perhaps some muscle soreness, but not ongoing back pain. When presenting our manuscripts to our critique partners, we may receive some slightly painful suggestions for improvement, but not outright rejection. And when our books are read by our readers, they shower us with praise and entreaties for more.

Our backs perform best when our abdominal muscles are in top shape. Physically fit stomach muscles take the stress off our back muscles. They support our backs. Similarly, a well selected group of friends and professionals can help improve our writing by supporting our efforts through honest feedback and encouragement.

Like our backs need other muscles to help them perform optimally, we need strong support systems to aide us in producing our best works. In the words of John Donne, “No man (or woman) is an island.” It takes a community; a support system.

What is the makeup of your support system? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s keep the conversation going.
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Writers Need a Support System (for our backs) to be able to #write well - via @BDBrady007 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Tips to help keep your back healthy so you can write without pain - via @BDBrady007 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Bruce Brady is an author, writer and playwright. His work has appeared in Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family, www.ChristianDevotions.us, and on stage. Currently, Bruce is working on a Young Adult Novel about a boy who must deal with the death of his dad, being bullied, and helping his mom through her grief. His first five pages took third place in the ACFW South Carolina Chapter’s “First Five Pages” contest.

When he’s not writing, Bruce spends time learning from and helping other writers. He serves as Mentor of Word Weavers International’s Online Chapter, and as a member of Cross ‘N’ Pens, The Writer’s Plot, ACFW’s National and South Carolina Chapters.

“My dream is to entertain my readers and give them hope as they travel the rocky road of life.”