The Quest for a Standing Desk

If you’re trying to minimize the time you spend sitting, you’ve probably looked into a standing desk. Me too, and after investigating my options, I’ve reached two conclusions.

#1) If you use notes, books, etc. while working, your desk needs are different from people who don’t use reference materials.

I’m a note taker, and I edit my work on printed drafts. For me, a desk has to be big enough to accommodate my piles of paper, my coffee, and possibly a sandwich.

Last year I ordered the Oristand, a cardboard device you can set on top of your workstation to create a standing desk. I was attracted by its low price and ease of storage, but I soon discovered a major drawback for me: no space to put anything next to the keyboard.

You can see my marooned notes to the right of the Oristand

On days when I was working on a rough draft and not using notes, the Oristand functioned just fine. It accommodates the computer and nothing else, which I’m sure many people would find totally acceptable. Unfortunately for me, this severely limited its usefulness. 

And while it was easy to fold and put away, I found it to be too large when fully extended to set atop my regular desk, so I wound up using it on my dining room table. This wasn’t an issue on days when everyone else was out of the house, but the rest of the time the area tends to be noisy and interruption-filled. (I’m a writer. My hubby is a woodworker. Oh, what fun it is when he’s sanding.)

Sad to say, my Oristand has been collecting dust for quite a while now. Even sadder, their website says they closed forever on December 15, 2017, however, they are selling Oristands for $20 while supplies last. 

That experience led me to my second and most important conclusion:

#2) If you’re serious about using a standing desk, replacing your whole desk is probably your best bet.

I’ve tried replacing almost everything in my office, all in an attempt to avoid spending $500+ on a new desk. Since I still have issues with my neck, arm, and back, a new desk is the logical next step.

I know a few people who have adjustable height desks--an important distinction from a standing desk at a fixed height. Just as sitting all the time is bad for you, standing all the time comes with issues, too. Ask any hairdresser or bartender.

I’ve looked at other options for desktop add-ons, but haven’t seen anything that would work with my small desk, or that provides sufficient space for notes.

Trying to narrow down the best options can be challenging. Google “standing desk” and take a look at the plethora of results. I considered going to the office supply store and buying one, but I wanted to have more information before shelling out such a substantial sum of money. 

If you’re looking for a reliable and thorough reference, Reviews.com has done some serious homework on adjustable height desks. They started out with 71 desks and narrowed the list down to the top 13--and they explain their entire evaluation criteria, from ease of assembly to the motor's noisiness. If you’ve been searching for an adjustable height desk, chances are these folks have taken a look at whichever model you’re considering. Bookmark that page, because you’ll come back to it.

In my case, I have an ace up my sleeve, so to speak, with the aforementioned woodworking hubby. I know at least one person who purchased the hardware and made his own adjustable height desk (something the Reviews.com piece also mentions as an option). This should come in at a much lower cost than buying a pre-made desk, and I can customize it so I have plenty of desk space for my many piles of papers. Not sure how long it will take before I have a new desk (spouses of handy people everywhere are laughing right now), but I'll be sure to post an update when I do. 

Are you using a standing desk, or do you have plans to buy (or make) one? 

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Photo of Ikea standing desk courtesy of Mack Male at Flickr

The Oristand Standing Desk

Sitting is the bane of my professional life. I sit all day at work, then come home to sit while I write at night. It adds up to a lot of sitting every day. All that sitting is a health risk, and sometimes it's simply physically uncomfortable. I decided a while ago that a standing desk was the obvious answer, but they're expensive. 

When I read about the Oristand on LinkedIn ("The Everyday Habit That's Killing You: Here's a $25 Fix"), I realized I'm not the only one on a budget who's tired of sitting. Instead of having to buy a whole new (and did I mention expensive?) desk, the Oristand is a collapsible cardboard stand that sits on top of your desk (or in my case, on top of my dining room table). Brilliant.

At $25, this was a price point I could afford, plus I loved its portability since I work at different places around my house. I scanned their website and wondered, “Can I use it with just my laptop, no wireless keyboard?” I suspected the answer was no, but I wasn't certain. I went ahead and ordered the Oristand anyway, figuring I'd sort it all out later.

Does this work on your Oristand? For me, nope.

When it arrived, I was thrilled to find it was easy to assemble and store, plus its sturdy cardboard is at least as durable as many assemble-yourself pieces of furniture I've owned. It folds into a step-shaped configuration that can hold a computer and withstands being leaned upon without bowing.

As far as to whether or not you can use it without a secondary keyboard, the answer is no, at least not for me. I tried it and it was a terrible fit in terms of my neck being at an odd angle and my wrists and shoulders in a bad position, no matter which little ledge I put it on. On the other hand, for my teenaged son (a person who regularly contorts himself into the oddest positions while using a computer), the lack of a secondary keyboard was no problem.

Who needs ergonomics when you're 18? Yeah, not my kid.

I immediately went on Amazon and ordered a wireless keyboard--but neglected to thoroughly check the dimensions and wound up with a teeny-tiny keyboard that is far too small for my fingers. Actually, it's far too small for anyone over five, but it's adorable. We decided it would be perfect as the living room TV keyboard. Also, it was hard not to say “awwww” when holding it.

I went back to Amazon, armed with a tape measure and the Oristand. I wanted enough room for a keyboard and a mouse. Voila, I checked the dimensions of several keyboards and found one that was 15 inches wide. Or so I thought.

“Mom, that's the dimensions of the box,” my kid told me (complete with eye rolling), after I ordered it. Great. And I thought shopping online would save me time! At that point, I'd been itching to take the Oristand on a full test drive, but without a workable secondary keyboard, there was no way I could evaluate it. When the keyboard arrived, I found I'd still gotten the dimensions wrong. It's about 11” wide, but fits the space perfectly and leaves plenty of room for the mouse.

I used the new setup to write most of this post, and am incredibly pleased with the functionality. 

Aside from the obvious health concerns associated with sitting too much, I like having the option to stand while I write. I tend to write and ponder and wander around, and standing for part of the time is definitely preferable for me. 

The design of the Oristand lends itself to leaning your elbows on the lower ledge while resting your chin in your hands to look at the computer screen, which is probably seriously ergonomically incorrect, but at least I'm not sitting.

I think the Oristand is going to work really well, especially for the big project I just started working on. I've been excited about the project, but was dreading the additional hours spent sitting.

I like the design and wish I'd been more attentive to the need for a keyboard so I wouldn't have had to wait the whole week to give it a true test.

The real result, of course, will be how I feel (and how the stand endures) after the next couple of months, when I expect to log a lot of hours on it. Also, my wood-worker hubby is determined to make a wooden version, which I insist will be too heavy (he disagrees). Stay tuned for updates.  

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Do you like to stand or sit while writing? Some well-known authors liked to stand while writing--Hemingway, for instance.

Summer and Other Writing Prompts

It’s almost time for the traditional start of summer, Memorial Day. The Summer Solstice in June may mark the official arrival of the season, but as far as most of us are concerned, the last weekend in May is the start of BBQing and swimming. Think of long, sunny, warm days and see if you can come up with a story from one of the prompts below.

• It wasn't Memorial Day yet, but the heat.... 
• The last thing she remembered was saying, "Isn't it time to get in the pool!" before....
• What's your favorite summertime memory?
• Did you go on summer vacations as a child? To Where?

My summer vacations as a child were road trips to Texas. How about you?

_________

Photo courtesy of Holly Salzman at flickr

The Typewriter & Other Writing Prompts

Typed up on my trusty Sharp typewriter. I've got an even older Brother in the garage. Sure wish I had an old IBM Selectric!

Fun But Fake -- Internet Memes and Quotes

I found my old typewriter in my office closet the other day, and the first thing I thought was, “Memes!” followed by “Etsy!”

Although I’ve been writing for most of my life, I officially became a freelance writer just as this wacky Internet thing took off.  

There are things I miss about the pre-Internet days. Longer attention spans. Letters in the mail.

But I have to admit that I love ebooks. And social media. And the profusion of all those chipper and funny and inspiring sayings that I’ve plastered all over my Pinterest page.

Here’s the thing about all those pithy sayings: a lot of them are fake.

At one time, I diligently checked every quote I came across in social media, and then I realized I didn’t have enough time for that. It’s entertainment, not a research paper. And problems with misattributions have been going on for quite some time—since before the Internet.

With all that said, I’m still thinking of unearthing my Bartlett’s and whipping up something creative. #GenuineQuotes #QuotesForReal 

Hmmm. I’ll have to think about that.

The Feather on the Wall and Other Writing Prompts

In our first prompt today, we have an odd accessory pinned to the wall. What room do you think they’re in—whoever “they” turn out to be? Grab a pen (quill optional) and see what kind of story you can weave from one of the prompts below. 

• “Why is that feather pinned on the wall?” asked….
• What’s your favorite kind of bird?
• Jane was shocked when she heard the parrot say….
• An ostrich wanders into your backyard. What happens next?

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Personally, I think ostriches are scary.

Comments and stories welcome below!

Photo courtesy of Marie Hale at flickr

A Shaky Situation and Other Writing Prompts

What is that person standing on in the first prompt, and why is it a bad idea to stand on it? If you don’t get any sparks from that prompt, keep reading until you find something that inspires you. 

• “I wouldn’t stand on that,” she said, right before ….
• A lot of people thought it was a mistake when I….
• Linda realized that she’d turned the wrong way when…
• What do you think of the idea that nothing’s a mistake if you learn a lesson from it?

Common writing advice is to “start with the day that’s different,” and the day something goes wrong is always “different,” isn’t it? Comments (or good stories) welcome below!

__________________

Picture courtesy of Newsome Antiques on flickr

Thoughts of Summer and Other Writing Prompts

Pick one of the prompts below and cook up (or would that be "barbecue"?) a story about summer. 

• Summer makes me think of....
• Ellen said, "Camping always sounds like a good idea until...."
• Define "summer beach read." 
• What was summer vacation like when you were a kid?

_______________
Photo courtesy of Klearchos Kapoutsis at flickr

The Book Collection and Other Writing Prompts

"If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot." ~Stephen King 

Where is “she” in prompt number one: a massive library, or in a room with just a few books? And who’s she talking to: an adult or a child? All the details are up to you if you tackle prompt #1, but you can also browse the other prompts. Try them all, if you’re feeling bibliophilic.

1. "How many books do you own?" she asked...

2. Describe three books that have influenced you greatly.

3. "I found your little black book," said...

4. Combine a book, a loaf of bread, and a cactus in a story or poem.

Pick a prompt and get to work! Leave a comment to tell me about the results.

______________________

Photo courtesy of Tom Mascardo at flickr

Tattoos and Other Writing Prompts

Body art is the theme of today’s batch of writing prompts. We’ll start our potential reflections on personal ornamentation with a glimpse into that all-important moment of decision: who is that guy in the first prompt, and why does he want something put on his body permanently?

• He decided to get a tattoo because….
• Have you had anything pierced?
• “Your hair looks like….”
• What’s your favorite article of clothing? Where did you get it? 

Personally, I’d love to get a tattoo. Do you have one? 

___________

Photo courtesy of by Micael Tattoo Faccio at flickr

The Desert in Spring & Other Writing Prompts

The desert can be spectacular in spring... but what are those flowers hiding, there in the first prompt?

• The patch of yellow desert flowers covered...
• Have you ever had an unpleasant encounter with a cactus thorn(s)?
• The dirt road led into the Joshua Tree forest...
• What's your favorite thing about the Mojave Desert?

For bonus ideas: 
Are you familiar with the story of the Mojave Phone Booth?

Photo courtesy of Michael Dorausch at flickr.

New Writing Group at Derfelt Senior Center

A new writing group is starting up in Las Vegas at Derfelt Senior Center! The group is open to writers of all genres. Come prepared to write something and contribute to a writing-related discussion.

Details:
Group meets every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. 
Derfelt Senior Center
3343 W. Washington Ave.
(In Lorenzi Park)

If you have questions or need more info, just leave a comment below.

Introversion vs. Extroversion & Other Writing Prompts

Did you know “introvert” is not synonymous with “shy”? Generalizations and stereotypes abound about both extroverts and introverts. Today’s writing prompts will lead you to consider the differences between the party animals and wall flowers among us:

--Would you describe yourself as an extrovert or an introvert? Why?  

--Jennifer hated going to parties because….

--After Ben volunteered to deliver the eulogy, he remembered that….

--What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever done in a public place?

______________

On the subject of introverts, I recommend: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. (Yes, I’m introverted.)

Picture by Eddy Van 3000

5 Reasons to Write Every Day

“I made a startling discovery. Time spent writing = output of work. Amazing.” – Ann Pachett

One of the most common pieces of writing advice is simple:  Write every day.

Like many simple things, it’s not easy.

Life is full of distractions. Errands. Dinner. Chores. Pinterest.

I’d always regarded the advice to write every day as an ideal, something that only saintly writers did. I tried to corral my writing neatly, while still leaving time for all of the distractions I like so much. I wrote schedules and created plans for certain days of the week to be set aside for specific projects. Invariably, something came up in those time slots. I had to work late, or I had a sick pet, or unexpected visitors showed up.

I decided the least complicated solution was to write daily, and in the process I discovered five important reasons to write every day:

1.) Writing is mental exercise. Think of it as crunches for the brain. Whether you’re writing in a journal or working on a novel, the act of writing will make you use your noggin. This is a good thing.

2.) Small bits add up to big things. Books are written one word at a time, and if you write every day—even just a few words, if that’s all you can manage—you’re creating a word change jar. Over time, it adds up to something.

3.) You can take chances. Take this as an opportunity to test drive new styles, formats, genres. I vowed to write every day, but I placed no limits or constraints on my writing. I consider any number of words, any style acceptable. On days when I really don't want to write much, I can manage a poem.

4.) Writing every day keeps the passion alive. Have you ever been caught up in the passion of a new story? You can’t wait to find time to work on your project. Writing every day feeds the fire. Otherwise, lack of contact can cause you to fall out of love with a story (in much the way as you do with people).

5.) You get a great sense of accomplishment. When you strive to do something positive every day, whether it’s writing or running or doing actual crunches, you feel like you’ve done something good. I’m all for more things that feel good, aren’t you?

What about you? Do you write every day?

________

Picture, "Miss A Writes a Song," courtesy of Denise Krebs/mrsdkrebs at flickr

Lola the Lost Lizard & Other Writing Prompts

“Not all those who wander are lost.”   --J. R. R. Tolkien

Have you ever been lost—literally or figuratively? Today’s writing prompts have two things in common: each has something to do with the word “lost,” and each prompt is a picture.

We’ll start with the story of Lola, the lost lizard:

 Photo by squant at flickr

Who lost this bear?

Photo by By Kevin Saff at flickr 

Emotionally lost can feel even worse than physically so, don’t you think?

Photo by By S.³ at flickr  

What happened when the man arrived at his vehicle… without these?

Photo by paul-simpson.org at flickr

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The opening quote comes from Tolkien's poem that begins with, “All that is gold does not glitter,” which could inspire several writing prompts itself. 

Climbing Mount Everest & Other Writing Prompts

What’s your favorite form of exercise?  This batch of writing prompts uses physical activity to inspire a mental workout. Get at the starting line and see where one of these takes you:

~Ellen decided to climb Mount Everest because….
~He watched Willy throw the golf clubs, one by one, into….
~“I think we should play tennis,” she said, inspiring him to reply….
~He told his wife the bowling league met on Thursdays, but the truth was….

What’s the most challenging physical thing you’ve ever done? Marathon, back packing, sky diving?

Photo courtesy of PeterGene

The Lessons of a Writer’s Journal

“To gain your own voice, you have to forget about having it heard.”
—Allen Ginsberg

For a long time, I journaled like my life depended on it. And when I say “a long time,” I mean over ten years. (Prior to my years of excessive journaling, I was merely a frequent journal writer. I’ve kept a diary/journal of some sort since I was nine.)

I never regarded journal writing as important. I thought of it as free therapy. Writing helped me sort through my thoughts. It gave me a place to vent without getting fired or arrested. Bad fiction and sappy poetry lived in my journals, right next to the written temper tantrums and to-do lists. It was word gumbo.

At some point, perhaps after the point at which I was buying my favorite style of journal in bulk, I started reading my old journals.

The first thing I noticed was that the sheer volume of writing practice had sharpened my voice and style. Practice may not make you perfect, but it will make you better.

The second thing I noticed was that I complained a lot. I had journal upon journal filled with ranting, anger, and a core set of constantly repeated gripes (let’s call them Standard Operating Gripes—just because SOG is such a great acronym for what I found). This discovery was enlightening and disturbing.

The last thing I discovered was that there was some good stuff in there. I read descriptions of taking my son to the beach when he was a toddler, of caring for my mother when she died, of lazy afternoons under the plum tree in my beloved old backyard—all of it unedited, honest, and deeply personal. It was like panning for gold. I sorted through the dirt of complaints, marveling when I uncovered the nuggets.

It took me days to read through my old journals, and at the end I realized I had a priceless resource. I had a record of my life, a clear picture of my improvements and failings (as both a writer and a person), and some inspired pieces of work.

Keeping a journal gives you a place for unrestrained, raw writing not intended for an audience. It's where you build the foundation for the article, or the novel, or the breakthrough that will come later.

What have you learned from journal writing?

For more great writing quotes, visit Writer's Digest.

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Photo courtesy of TheCreativePen

Gold Hunting & Other Writing Prompts

I was cruising around Outside’swebsite when several headlines caught my eye, inspiring me to post another installment of Prompts with Links. Certainly, one of these headlines (or articles) will inspire you to take an adventure of the written kind (a ten minute adventure, in which you write without stopping or crossing out or questioning the direction you’re going—judge your results after the buzzer goes off).

--Woman Twice Rescued Hunting for Gold 

--Super Mosquitoes to Invade Florida

--Man Says Bear Stopped Lion Attack

--Four Confirmed Dead in Two Days on Everest

Which prompt inspires you?

Photo courtesy of D'oh Boy (Mark Holloway)

The Wardrobe Malfunction & Other Writing Prompts

Have you ever had an article of clothing rip open, fall off, or otherwise fail you? I’ve had to find creative solutions to the unexpected failure of everything from shoes to bikini tops. Those embarrassing sartorial moments are the inspiration for this week’s writing prompts. Try on one of these prompts, and see if you can stitch together a story:

~Sam heard the fabric rip and realized....  

“~Give me your shirt,” she demanded, “because….”

~The elastic wasn’t strong enough to withstand….

~Have you ever used duct tape, paper clips, or staples for an emergency clothing repair?

_________________

What's your most memorable wardrobe malfunction?

My picture of a pair of jeans that failed my hubby at a most inopportune time.

The Traveling Companions and Other Writing Prompts

Over dinner with friends last weekend, I wound up talking (too much) about vacations I’ve taken—in particular, some of my trips that went awry (to use that term loosely). Those trips inspired this week’s writing prompts. Grab a prompt and jet away, figuratively, into a story… 

• Hawaii was beautiful, but her traveling companions were….
• “I’m going to Boston with or without you,” he said, “so you can stay at home or….”
• I found the graveyard charming, until….
• The night before her flight home, she found out she was allergic to….

________________

What about you? Do you have a trip-gone-awry story?

Photo Info:

My photo of  Ka Lae/South Point (the southernmost point in the United States), on the Big Island of Hawaii, 1995.