Me, My Health, and My Novel
Where I've Been and Where I'll Be
As I sit here, I struggle just to get these words out.
It's been a rough few weeks.
And I'm fed up with it.
To make a long, rollercoaster of a story short, I've been sick.
With what? I couldn't even tell you, and I won't know for another few weeks. This has derailed all forward momentum and progress on my novel, and any ongoing work for Vocal.
Last week I received some changes to my medication to help keep me from being bed-ridden and in pain until my next appointment. It's brought back some of my energy, and I'm taking this chance to get back to my writing with some serious overhauls to my daily habits.
Now, here is where you might be saying, but why? If you're sick, just rest! Take it easy on yourself!
And to you I say, if not now, when? If not today, then why tomorrow?
I've become too much of a slave to my health, and I'm just done with waiting for it to get better.
So, starting tomorrow on Monday, April 14th, I will begin a two month long writing sprint that will decide for myself if I can realistically be a full-time author, or if it's simply too much for me.
If it doesn't work out, novel writing will be relegated to a hobby or part-time gig.
The goal is 50,000 words by the end of the two months. Essentially NaNoWriMo with twice as much time to write.
I have a writing calendar with daily word counts I need to meet, and a weekly work schedule drafted up that I plan to follow.
And yes, don't worry, I've allowed myself days off and multiple breaks during the day so I don't burn out.
So, what does this all mean for my activity here?
Well, hopefully, this will be the last you will be hearing from me for the next two months. Anything sooner might be another update, or maybe some short poetry to get my writing muscles going for the day.
But realistically, it will be mainly silence, and for that I apologize.
An End of Gods & Dust will be going on hiatus until I return, but rest assured I've outlined the entire story while I've been away, so be prepared for six more acts to come!
Give me strength, friends. I'm going to need all that you can give.
With much love,
Your Author.
About the Creator
Amanda Starks
Fantasy writer, poet, and hopefully soon-to-be novelist who wants to create safe spaces to talk about mental health. Subscribe to my free newsletter at www.amandastarks.com for updates!
RE:SURGENCE now available for download!
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Comments (24)
very nice😍
"Very insightful."
Let the body rest not the mind, there is no prison for the mind. Rise up stronger and shall your writing thrive at least in the sky, not the glittering stars but burning in flames. All the best.
good write
I hope you feel better soon! Feeling sick is no fun. I don't even try to write anymore during it, as I do a fair amount of staring at the blank screen!
Hope you find the strength and inspiration to pursue and continue your writing! Best wishes to you!
Nice work
I wasn't there for your journey but I'm so glad you're doing this for yourself. Good luck!
I’m so sorry you’ve been so sick! Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery! Best of luck with your writing sprints!! You’re a wonderful writer!!!
I believe you and I know you can and you will get what you are working on , good luck
wooow
Congrats on getting Top Story
Best of luck.
🎉 Congrats on getting Top Story!!! 🥳 Well deserved and super proud of you! 🙌✨👏
best of luck.
wish you best of luck
So proud of you!! It doesn't matter how often you fall but that you get back up again!! Praying for health issues to get solved. I'll always be here to encourage you on!! All my love!!!
What a challenge! You’re a strong person, Amanda, no matter what you do or how often you end up doing it. You’ll always be a writer, and an awesome one.
Sending good thoughts to you to overcome your health challenges. I know only too well how hard it is to overcome. Keep writing and I am subscribing to you. Congratulations on Top Story.
Sending best wishes to you ♦️♦️♦️🙏
Best of luck! (In all things) if you need writing inspiration we’re all a discord message away
Blessings, prayers & best wishes, Amanda.
Good luck, Amanda. Good on you for not being defeated too. Setting tangible goals is a great way to get that momentum going. I reckon you'll do it and I can't wait for two months' time to hear how you've got on.
Amanda! Sorry to hear about your latest health crapola...sounds shit as anything, pal, so for that I hope you get answers and solutions to it! I would also say, be easy on yourself and kind on yourself, but you know that anyway and I'm not about to Paultronize you (like what I did there?) I am glad you have a goal in mind and think it's a brave next move to make given the implications etc...but you know you better than anyone else does and you're doing things geared towards the best for you as a writer, but ultimately as a person. Your absence will be sad, obviously, but I will be gunning for you! That you get solutions to the health shit and that you smash, carefully, your novel writing goals!