Okay so it's almost been another year...
May 27, 2022 by Andrew Walbrown
It's been about a year since the last time I did a blog post and I thought I would just go ahead and do one so people know what's going on. I've tried three times to write this blog post and every time I try it gets deleted or I get timed out of my account. So for the love of everything good in this world, please work. I'm so tired of writing the same stuff over and over and over and over...
First, let's start with the happier stuff. I'm close to finishing the first draft of Book #3, even though I still don't have a name for it. I also don't really have an ending either, which is unfortunate, because the title and ending will most likely have something in common (much like I did for The Elder's Curse). I feel like I only have a few chapters left to write, so hopefully in the next month or so I can finish and start the super awesome, hands down, best part of the writing process: editing! (This is a joke, editing is the worst)
Now for things that aren't awesome or a joke, let's talk about mental health. Specifically mine. The last year (let's be honest, last years) haven't been kind to anyone, myself included. It might come as a shock to some people, especially those that know me from childhood, but I have lived with high functioning depression for over a decade now. For the most part, I have been able to manage my depression over the years, but recently it has been a major factor as to why I haven't made much progress in writing, whether it be The Accarian Chronicles or blog posts. I have long struggled from a variety of things in my life- body/image/weight issues, PTSD/trauma from abusive relationships, feelings of hoplessness/loneliness/worthlessness, sleep disorders, eating disorders, etc.- but the last few years have been especially tough.
And it isn't just mental/emotion issues, I also have had a few physical health scares recently. For most of 2020 and 2021 I was practically blind. I could see, sort of, but everything past 5ft was in a blurred fog. I couldn't even read. It was so bad that I eventually went to a doctor, which should let you know it was serious because I'm the kind of person that would rather die than be in medical debt for the rest of my life. But I went to a doctor, and guess what they found? Nothing. Turns out my eyes have no damage on them and they're perfectly fine. No one knows why I couldn't see for 10ish months, but eventually it went away one day. I'm thankful that I have my vision back, but like, what the hell.
So a mixture of being virtually blind and dealing with mental health issues prevented me from writing over the last few years. Some authors are able to harness their depression to write their best work, but I'm not one of them. On the best of days I can write over a 1000 words, but on the worst I struggle to even send a text message. And unfortunately I've had a lot more of the second kind lately, which is why I haven't really been that great at consistently writing.
But to end this on a more positive note, I am in a better place now than I was a year ago (at least mentally). I am writing more often, I'm eating healthier, and I have a somewhat consistent sleep routine. I know it doesn't seem like much, but trust me, it's progress.
Also, just a reminder, try to be kind to people. I know it sounds cliche as hell, but you don't know what they're going through. Sometimes the happiest person you know is secretly struggling to keep it together.
Much love ♥
First, let's start with the happier stuff. I'm close to finishing the first draft of Book #3, even though I still don't have a name for it. I also don't really have an ending either, which is unfortunate, because the title and ending will most likely have something in common (much like I did for The Elder's Curse). I feel like I only have a few chapters left to write, so hopefully in the next month or so I can finish and start the super awesome, hands down, best part of the writing process: editing! (This is a joke, editing is the worst)
Now for things that aren't awesome or a joke, let's talk about mental health. Specifically mine. The last year (let's be honest, last years) haven't been kind to anyone, myself included. It might come as a shock to some people, especially those that know me from childhood, but I have lived with high functioning depression for over a decade now. For the most part, I have been able to manage my depression over the years, but recently it has been a major factor as to why I haven't made much progress in writing, whether it be The Accarian Chronicles or blog posts. I have long struggled from a variety of things in my life- body/image/weight issues, PTSD/trauma from abusive relationships, feelings of hoplessness/loneliness/worthlessness, sleep disorders, eating disorders, etc.- but the last few years have been especially tough.
And it isn't just mental/emotion issues, I also have had a few physical health scares recently. For most of 2020 and 2021 I was practically blind. I could see, sort of, but everything past 5ft was in a blurred fog. I couldn't even read. It was so bad that I eventually went to a doctor, which should let you know it was serious because I'm the kind of person that would rather die than be in medical debt for the rest of my life. But I went to a doctor, and guess what they found? Nothing. Turns out my eyes have no damage on them and they're perfectly fine. No one knows why I couldn't see for 10ish months, but eventually it went away one day. I'm thankful that I have my vision back, but like, what the hell.
So a mixture of being virtually blind and dealing with mental health issues prevented me from writing over the last few years. Some authors are able to harness their depression to write their best work, but I'm not one of them. On the best of days I can write over a 1000 words, but on the worst I struggle to even send a text message. And unfortunately I've had a lot more of the second kind lately, which is why I haven't really been that great at consistently writing.
But to end this on a more positive note, I am in a better place now than I was a year ago (at least mentally). I am writing more often, I'm eating healthier, and I have a somewhat consistent sleep routine. I know it doesn't seem like much, but trust me, it's progress.
Also, just a reminder, try to be kind to people. I know it sounds cliche as hell, but you don't know what they're going through. Sometimes the happiest person you know is secretly struggling to keep it together.
Much love ♥
