Health Update-Update & Shameless Writing Musings

[xerinmichellex]

Health Update: So after the endoscopy and more blood tests, it seems that I have a combination of gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) and a hiatal hernia. I've been given something similar to the medication my internist originally subscribed for the gastritis. But the hiatal hernia is going to be a life-long thing of taking anti-acids for the inevitable heartburn (which I'm not experiencing). Or, if the pain increases, I'll have to have surgery to strengthen my diaphragm. So far, the meds have helped with the "hollow" feeling in my stomach. No word on what caused the gastritis; but hopefully the meds will give my stomach time to recover and this will be it of the abdominal pain. (The most pain-in-the-ass thing about the meds is that I have to take them 30 minutes before my meals, three times a day. As someone who usually skips lunch, I've had to get create about my lunches, since I don't really like sandwiches.)

Writing Nonsense: I'm thisclose to starting. I've notecard-ed out the first three chapters and am mentally preparing myself (and bribing myself) to start in the next couple of days. (Eek!) I had a sudden boost of "okay, I can do this" after a talk with one of my mom's friends. Now, here's the thing: I hardly ever talk about my writing in my real life. Whenever someone asks what I'm up to, I mumble about "hanging out" or "reading" or "watching TV". I say nothing about "oh, I'm writing." So, it was a complete shock, in the middle of talking with one of my mom's friends that she asked if I was still writing. Which (*dons my Sherlock deerstalker*) means that my mom told her that I was writing, which. . .I was touched by it.

You see, the thing about my mom and whenever I've tried explaining the publishing business, I don't think she gets it. She (and my dad) is a professional: she's a Registered Nurse. She went to college and got a nursing degree. So, whenever I brought up how long it takes to get into the writing profession, her immediate response is to say "Go to college and get a degree for your writing." Like a "writing degree" is this magical thing that'll open up doors and SUDDENLY no matter what I write, it's going to get published. (Her other thing is that maybe if I went to college for writing "doors would open for me and I'd meet people". Which. . .those kinds of "doors" and "people" are probably not the ones who will help a writer who wants to write commercial fiction or, gasp!, YA novels.) It's conversations like that that've kept me from divulging to anyone in real life that I'm writing a novel because, as any writer would know, it's extremely frustrating to hear "Well, why don't you do this" or "Why don't you write about [inset newest trend here] because it's really popular" or "Aren't you too young to be a writer?", etc.

But with my mom's friend asking if I was still writing, it didn't feel. . .invasive. It felt like support. It felt like I should sit my butt at the computer and continuing writing. Because I had been writing pretty steadily from 2006 - 2010; but then for various reasons I stopped. That "if" bolstered my confidence that I have done this before. That I can do it again.

(My mom's friend also asked if I was going to get something published and I laughed and said, "Well first I have to write something in order to publish something.")

Though, apparently, if it's late at night I let my guard down and talk about The Book much easier. Because a post came on ohnotheydidnt about a major YA deal and we were all commiserating on our own manuscripts that are taking a lifetime to complete, and. . .I got some nice responses when I explained (painfully) what mine was. (My thread is here, where I give a bit more detail on what it is.) Not-so shamelessly I've mem'd the post so when I am feeling down or feeling OMG I'M NEVER GOING TO GET THIS FINISHED, I can pull it up and bask in the positive feedback.

(Also: I may or may not trout it out if I sell the thing and a similar post of UGH THAT SOUNDS TERRIBLE shows up on ONTD. Because then I can say, "You bitches were all rooting for me 5 years ago!")

Now, time to snuggle with a nice cup of hot cocoa and Gaslight.

Comments

[rhoda-rants.livejournal.com]

Yick! I do not envy you the heartburn. :( I had it on and off for a solid year in college. It's not fun. If you want, though, I'm sure I could help you track down some interesting/easy recipes for lunch stuff. Hummus is super-easy to make, and rather filling, if you're into that sort of thing.

YAY for finally starting The Book! It sounds extremely cool. Since you're actively researching the history and the area, you're already like ten steps ahead of most YA world-building. Hee! I'm excited to see it. :)

Her other thing is that maybe if I went to college for writing "doors would open for me and I'd meet people". Which. . .those kinds of "doors" and "people" are probably not the ones who will help a writer who wants to write commercial fiction or, gasp!, YA novels.
Mm, yeah, I get that too. The thing is, sometimes you can meet people. The Literary Festival that happens at the university down here has played host to the likes of MT Anderson and Dennis Lehane. Then there are the cons, of which there are many, and just the SF and horror ones I've personally attended have hosted Jim Hines, David Weber and Jack Ketchum.

BUT! That doesn't mean they'll get you signed and make you published and earn you monies. You still have to submit. That sort of thing happens at conferences. You're still expected to do your own legwork. Which we do, by actually, y'know, writing. I think that's what non-writers just don't get--connections can help, but with this particular pursuit, there really aren't any tricks or shortcuts. You just have to do the work.

[xerinmichellex.livejournal.com]

Re: Lunch - Usually I just have leftovers from dinner (if there are any) or a salad or something "quick". (Today it was hotdogs.) But I probably should track down some "lunch" recipes instead of relying on salad. (I'm trying to stick to gluten-free stuff on top of all this because gluten irritates the stomach lining.)

connections can help, but with this particular pursuit, there really aren't any tricks or shortcuts

Yeah, I'm not denying that I could meet people if I went to college like my mom's suggests. But I think she thinks that if I meet the "right person" it leads to stuff being published RIGHT THEN AND THERE. That's not how it works. I still have to write a manuscript and have something to show when/if I do meet these people. And that won't happen if I have to write other stuff for my writing classes.

(Incidentally, if I did go to college, I probably wouldn't even major in English. Most likely I'd major in a history sub-group.)

[rhoda-rants.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to stick to gluten-free stuff on top of all this because gluten irritates the stomach lining.
Ooh--no fun. I feel bad for all you people that can't do gluten. It's in like EVERYTHING.

And that won't happen if I have to write other stuff for my writing classes.
There is that as well. My overall output dropped EXPONENTIALLY when I was doing my creative fiction class. That wasn't something I foresaw--I learned a lot, and I'm glad I did it, but yeah, did not get a whole lot of *my* writing done.

[xerinmichellex.livejournal.com]

I have a cousin who's got Celiac's Disease so she cannot have gluten at all, and I feel so bad for her. (Initially I thought I may have it, too, since a lot of my symptoms lined up. But the endoscopy ruled that out.)

It actually isn't that bad to go gluten-free; you just have to be careful and read labels. (My bag of baby carrots is GLUTEN FREE!) I hardly eat fast food and have found breads and pastas that are gluten-free and taste very similar to the real stuff. It's all the baked goods that suck because they're always dry and crumbly. Not to mention that all the gluten-free stuff is expensive.

That wasn't something I foresaw

Oh, I know *my* writing would get pushed aside for whatever I need to do for school. And I know I could always work on my technique and skills, and that'd be the only reason I'd take a college writing class. It's just not something I'm interested in at the moment.

[gothrockrulz.livejournal.com]

Hernia? Yikes. Annoying though the constant med doses will be, I hope they do help. Pain is one of the few things that can stop even the best writing mood right in its tracks.

It's so refreshing when someone expresses interest in your work, but is gentle and understanding about it. Too many people have a mindset that makes it impossible to open up.

Awesome that you got positive feedback on that comm (and pleasantly surprising, too, considering how negative things can get over there sometimes). Insta-motivation, indeed.

[xerinmichellex.livejournal.com]

Awesome that you got positive feedback on that comm (and pleasantly surprising, too, considering how negative things can get over there sometimes).

LOL I know. It probably helps that my novel doesn't focus on a love triangle/a LI in any form and/or people being sorted into nonsensical groups, which is what a lot of people who frequent those posts are sick of.

(Though, NGL sometimes the negativity is funny to watch.)

[gothrockrulz.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, I agree. Once a while, people getting upset for the darnedest reasons can be a hoot!