I spend big chunks of my time crafting my novels. Then I paid the piper. Last Christmas, I winced at my sore, stiff neck caused by spasmed muscles. It ached enough to keep me awake in bed. So, I googled until I found an exercise regimen I like. Now I do the stretching exercises (http://tiny.cc/2gow0) three times a day, and I've had no further neck pains. Knock on wood.

Getting away from my laptop has become more difficult and challenging than when I used a stationary desktop PC. A portable laptop can go with you anywhere -- yes, in there, to. So, what's an author to do?

I constantly tinker with my schedule and vary my activities. I walk a half-hour daily. The bottom line is I don't like to sit for long bouts. Sedentary sucks in my book, if you'll excuse the pun.

Sundays find me loafing, and I don't touch anything at all to do with my novels. This one-day break recharges my batteries. In 2005 major league baseball returned to Washington, D.C., offering me the chance to rekindle my boyhood love of the pastime. We train downtown to the home games, and I listen to them broadcast on the radio.

My approach is I want to bring my A-game each day to my writing, and I take the idea of scheduling my downtime seriously.

By Ed Lynskey
@edlynskey
Author of Lake Charles
"Satisfying."
The Rap Sheet/Kirkus Reviews