I hope to encourage writers who struggle to write because of an underlying condition. 

Because that's what I am.

Most days I have to fight against physical pain, headaches and brain fog just to function at the most basic level. Some days I lose. But if I can do even one small thing to keep my writer life moving forward, I count that as an accomplishment.

My brain never stops writing, coming up with stories and characters or developing ones that I'm actively working on. I can't always get these things on "the page" because looking at a computer screen is exhausting (also my handwriting has become illegible). I'm happy if I'm able to jot ideas in my notebook (I always have one next to me!) or go into my Word file long enough to move a work-in-progress forward a few inches.

Here's what keeps me going: I know God is with me at all times. During a period of years when this illness (Lyme disease) was at its worst and I was in so much pain I could barely move, I learned to hold on to God and let him calm me. He made the most difficult time of my life not only bearable, but deeply inspirational.

I'm better now. I still get angry or frustrated or depressed about how hard some days are, but when I remember life at its most challenging I also remember how close I felt to God. And that gives me hope to persevere. 

Love,
Lillian