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This episode is the audio version of the YouTube video https://youtu.be/QkEaGqHN_qc.

This episode contains a paid promotion.

A single sharp keyboard edge led to a lasting radial nerve injury—and it changed how I design my writing space forever. Today, I share the practical fixes that keep me creating without pain, centered on two upgrades that punch far above their weight: a height-adjustable laptop stand that restores neutral posture and a smart desk lamp that protects tired eyes while you write, read, and edit.

We start with the story: long days at Princeton, a rushed setup, and the invisible pressure that built into a chronic problem. From there, we break down the posture chain that causes neck hunching, wrist compression, and forearm pain when a laptop sits too high or too low. You’ll hear how a portable, variable-height stand raises and lowers the screen, keeping your wrists neutral, and how standing intervals reduce contact stress. If space or budget rule out a full standing desk, this simple stand still delivers real ergonomic gains at home, in the library, or on the road.

Lighting gets equal attention. We explain why smart desk lamps with presence detection and dimming reduce glare, squinting, and late-night headaches. The right beam spreads light across keys and notebook pages without washing out your screen, helping you focus longer with less strain. Along the way, we walk through the photo of our current setup—laptop on a stand, smart lamp, Kindle Scribe and Fire, travel cases, and a few beloved books—so you can visualize minor tweaks that add up to big comfort.

If you’re hunting Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals, this is your permission slip to skip the random gadget pile and invest in daily-use tools that protect your body and improve your craft. Ready to build a workspace that supports your best work? Follow the show, leave a quick review to help others find us, and share your own ergonomic must-haves—we’d love to hear what’s made the most significant difference for you.

Amazon Affiliate Links: as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nulaxy LS18 Laptop Stand 360 rotating: https://amzn.to/48vNyAy (Black Friday Deal)

Honeywell Smart Eye Protection Desk Lamp: https://amzn.to/49M05BY (on sale)

Amazon Kindle Scribe 64GB bundle: https://amzn.to/49Mjz9K (Black Friday Deal)

Amazon Fire Max 11 64GB: https://amzn.to/48EE3A6 (Black Friday Deal)

#AmazonBlackFriday #BlackFriday #BlackFridayDeals #AmazonDealsForWriters

#KindleDevicesBlackFridayDeals #KindleDevices #HoneywellDeskLamp

#NulaxyLaptopStand

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This episode is also available in video form at https://youtu.be/19zjd1BJIgk

Hunting for real writing upgrades, not just shiny gadgets? We dig into three enduring craft books that earn their shelf space and happen to be steeply discounted for Black Friday. Stephen King’s On Writing blends memoir with practical rules that keep your prose lean and your routine steady. Anne Lamotte’s Bird by Bird tackles the emotional grind—perfectionism, stuck starts, and the fragile search for voice—by breaking the work into doable steps. Noah Lukeman’s The First Five Pages goes straight to the moment agents decide: hook fast, write clean, remove clichés, and make every sentence carry its weight.

Across the conversation, we weigh paperback joy against Kindle convenience and share why the best format is the one that keeps you reading and applying. You’ll get clear, actionable ideas for the next writing session: set small daily targets, give yourself permission for a messy first pass, then revise with ruthless attention to verbs, rhythm, and clarity. We also touch on building a research habit—reading fiction and nonfiction around your topic—to sharpen perspective and match reader expectations without copying anyone’s voice.

If you’re preparing to query, Lukeman’s checklists can pressure-test your opening; if you’re rebuilding momentum, Lamotte’s compassion can get you to the chair; if you’re trimming flab, King’s principles will keep your pages tight. We even share a quick look at the Kindle Fire interface for those considering a reading device upgrade. Ready to turn discounts into better drafts and stronger openings? Follow along, build your craft stack, and tell us which book helps you most. Subscribe, share this episode with a writer friend, and leave a review with your favorite takeaway so we can bring more practical guides your way.

#BooksOnWriting #StephenKing #AnneLamott #NoahLukemon #HowtoWrite #AmazonPrimeDiscounts #AmazonBlackFridayWeek #CraftOfWriting #WritersBlock

Amazon Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Stephen King's On Writing: https://amzn.to/4l5wmXD

Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird: https://amzn.to/4eKM9c5

Noah Lukeman First Five Pages https://amzn.to/3GiYnf5

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A great deal is only great if it fits your life. I break down how the Amazon Fire Max 11 earned a spot in my daily routine alongside the Kindle Scribe, and why it’s more than a budget tablet when you pair it with the right tools. From the 11-inch 2000x1200 display that flatters ebooks and movies, to an octa-core processor that breezes through browsing, email, and light work, this is a practical upgrade that keeps costs sane—especially when Black Friday pricing sits around 33% off.

I share the moments that matter: how the Kindle app pulls in your entire library for instant reading, when a bright LCD beats e‑ink, and why the magnetic keyboard case changes typing from a chore into second nature. We also talk real-world tradeoffs: folio keyboards can be fragile for travel, so a padded case earns its keep. Thinking about markup and notes? The stylus opens quick annotation and PDF edits, though I explain where I expect it to shine and where it won’t replace dedicated note devices.

If you’re weighing an iPad versus the Fire Max 11, I outline who benefits from each. Need color media, long battery life, microSD expansion to 1 TB, Wi‑Fi 6, and a fingerprint sensor in a durable aluminum body? The Fire delivers the 80 percent most people need at a friendlier price, deeply tied to Prime Video, Kindle, and Alexa. I also map a simple deal strategy so you don’t miss moving discounts or overbuy on bundles you won’t use. Ready to make a smart pick while the clock is ticking? Listen now, then subscribe, share with a friend who’s shopping, and leave a quick review to tell me what device setup works best for you.

Amazon Affiliate Links: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualiying purchases.

Amazon Fire Max 11: https://amzn.to/4ijSqwY

Amazon Fire Max 11 keyboard case: https://amzn.to/3LVqJP1

Amazon Fire Stylus: https://amzn.to/4a8XbY6

#AmazonBlackFridayWeek #AmazonDiscounts #KindleFire11

#Kindle #DevicesOnSale #KindleScribe