So, some of you will know what fibromyalgia is, and some may have heard of it but don’t know anything about it, and some few might not have heard of it at all. If you haven’t, you can google it and find tons of info.
This post is not about fibromyalgia, but it’s a part of it, as it affects every area of a person’s life, which in my case, includes writing.
I started working on a novel during Nanowrimo (another thing not everyone knows about–look it up if you’re curious) 2015, and I’m still working on it. It’s a historical thriller, set in 1890’s NYC, and I am enthusiastic about it. I’m not stuck, I’m not procrastinating. It’s just, my fibro is not always enthusiastic about my writing projects.
Some days I have the energy to get some good work done, which for me is 5 pages or more, and other days, I can push myself and just get around 2 or 3 pages (handwritten–I always handwrite my projects before I type them up), and some days I can’t get any work at all done, as much as I want to. And I really do want to.
I’m participating in “Camp Nanowrimo”, which is a spring and summer version of Nanowrimo (which occurs in April and in July each year), where you have “cabins” and can set any goal you want, not necessarily the standard 50,000 that “wins” the original Nanowrimo. I set my goal for this month at 10,000 words, and so far I’ve got a little over 3,000 written. So yes, I’m behind on my goal, but I don’t rule out being able to catch up. And all I can do is try my best. And hey, sometimes, after a good rest, I find I have the energy to get some writing done when before I wouldn’t have.
Are any of you writers out there participating in Camp Nano? Any of you writers with chronic illness? Would love for you to share your story/what projects you’re working on, and/or tips in the comments. And never give up, no matter how far behind you are or if you think you’ll never be able to finish your project. You just have to keep trying, and eventually you’ll get there. And so will I.
July 23rd Edit: As you can see from the attacked photo, I’m still far behind on my 10,000 word goal for this month. But I’m not giving up on catching up still. And even if I don’t get 10,000, at least I’ll have gotten some writing done, and that is the point. Even if you can’t write much, don’t give up. You will get there, slowly but surely.
Joy in the Embers 