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I'm not going to lie—being paid to edit romance novels for a living is very much a dream come true. But while I love my job, it isn't without its issues. Mainly, the ways it interacts with my chronic pain.
Whether it's fatigue, a joint pain flare, or a surprise doctor's appointment, chronic pain can throw a wrench into even the most carefully planned editing schedule. Thankfully, I've have tips and tools to help me meet deadlines and support clients as a romance editor no matter how I feel. Below are a few of my favourites:
Extended deadlines
When I set deadlines for projects, I always include wiggle room in case flares or a sudden trip to the hospital come up. This time cushion allows me to avoid pushing my body too hard for the sake of a deadline and causing even more flares, while also delivering work that still fits with my clients' schedules and expectations. Win-win.
A special clause in my romance editor contract
Even though I create those time cushions for every deadline, sometimes, the worst happens, and that surprise flare requires tests, follow-up appointments, and the occasional trip to the hospital. Which is why I have a clause in my contract that says that, should I have a medical emergency, I'll tell my client as soon as possible so we can find a new deadline that works for both of us.
I won't lie; it was really scary putting this in a contract for the first time. I was convinced it would make me seem unreliable, that clients would read it and immediately cancel, but not a single client has had an issue with it. I think this is partly because the world is full of understanding people, and partly because while I respect and adhere to deadlines like any good editor, most of my work isn't done against a firm, release or pre-order deadline. Which is why . . .
I don't offer proofreading
Proofreading is typically the final stage of editing a manuscript goes through before publishing, and is often done against a firm release or pre-order deadline that can't be broken without a serious headache and repercussions for the author. I don't want to cause that headache or those repercussions because my body's thrown me a curveball, so to be safe, I don't offer proofreading through my website.
A standing desk
Anyone with chronic pain knows that sitting still for long periods of time often makes pain worse, which is why I have a small, four-piece wooden set that folds away and gets tucked under a table at the end of the day. It was about £40/$30, and is my preferred place to answer emails, read through manuscripts, and do market research.
A separate keyboard and mouse
I edit on a MacBook Air, but my wrists didn't appreciate the angle I held them at when I just used my laptop’s keyboard and mousepad. Now, If I’m working from home and not at a cafe, I use a small, portable Bluetooth keyboard and ergonomic mouse instead, and it's made such a difference. And when I am at a cafe, I make sure to do wrist stretches and take regular breaks to keep my wrists happy.
Noise-cancelling headphones
What do headphones have to do with chronic pain? Some chronic pain conditions also cause sensory issues, making it easier to get overstimulated. I’m in that camp, and my giant pair of old-school, over-the-ear headphones has saved me many times when I’ve been working at a noisy local library or cafe.
An audiobook subscription service
I know what you’re thinking. What the heck does this have to do with editing? But because I work in a genre that’s very trend-dependent, I have to stay up to date with at least some of the latest releases and the "hot books" of the week. However, when the joints in my hands or wrists really hurt, holding even a Kindle or iPad, let alone a mass market paperback, is hard. That’s where audiobooks come in. I can listen while I walk around the neighborhood or do chores, get in some market research reading time, and give my joints the rest they need to tackle the next day’s manuscript. I'm a multiple audio platform user, though my current favourite is XigXag. Great selection, affordable prices.
Have your own tips and tricks for editing with chronic illness? I'm all ears! Share in the comments below, or shoot me an email—emily@theromancegenrespecialist.com
Until next blog post, happy reading and writing!