Writing has always been a kind of therapy for me. The stories and characters keep me company when life is too much to withstand; they keep me sane when I've had enough. I've finally decided to share the people and places that keep me going. Maybe they'll keep you going too.
I've lived with chronic illness for over 25 years. It was managed well enough, for a while, until it wasn't. Relegated to my bed and left in excruciating pain for weeks—months really—I was left in darkness, in tears. No light, no sound. No books or television to distract me. They would have added to my intense discomfort. I had only my mind to keep me busy during the hours, the days, the weeks.
I invented characters. People. Places. Events. I ran them through over and over in my mind. What if? Maybe?
It became something.
When I finally recovered enough, I wrote it down.
It was good. No, it was worth publishing. The characters hadn't just gotten me through a dark time; other people fell in love with them. Not just the friends and family who wanted to know what happened next. Professionals got attached to side characters and secondary plot lines, the quirks and little bits I'd hidden beneath the surface, things intended just for me.
My rescue was a boon for others.
Book 1 is ready for release. I'm currently preparing Book 2 to send to my editor. Books 3 & 4 are fully outlined and almost halfway written. The series arc is formed and complete. All because of chronic illness and pain. Beauty from darkness.
Since the start of this series, I have been diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder. I thought I might have to give up on writing. I've spent more time in the hospital than I'd like to recall and far more time reconciling medical bills. My nervous system isn't functioning properly. It sends pain signals it shouldn't and does not send messages it should, including motor signals. I have had to turn in my license this year and acquire a walker and wheelchair. I am 45 years old.
I've decided that this means I should spend more time writing and not less. Every minute I spend with my family is a treasure. Every moment with my pages is a miracle. I will write as much as I can, to the highest quality I am able, for as long as I am physically able. And terrorize the sleep of all who dare to read.
Thank you for reading my story.
- Tori
I've lived with chronic illness for over 25 years. It was managed well enough, for a while, until it wasn't. Relegated to my bed and left in excruciating pain for weeks—months really—I was left in darkness, in tears. No light, no sound. No books or television to distract me. They would have added to my intense discomfort. I had only my mind to keep me busy during the hours, the days, the weeks.
I invented characters. People. Places. Events. I ran them through over and over in my mind. What if? Maybe?
It became something.
When I finally recovered enough, I wrote it down.
It was good. No, it was worth publishing. The characters hadn't just gotten me through a dark time; other people fell in love with them. Not just the friends and family who wanted to know what happened next. Professionals got attached to side characters and secondary plot lines, the quirks and little bits I'd hidden beneath the surface, things intended just for me.
My rescue was a boon for others.
Book 1 is ready for release. I'm currently preparing Book 2 to send to my editor. Books 3 & 4 are fully outlined and almost halfway written. The series arc is formed and complete. All because of chronic illness and pain. Beauty from darkness.
Since the start of this series, I have been diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder. I thought I might have to give up on writing. I've spent more time in the hospital than I'd like to recall and far more time reconciling medical bills. My nervous system isn't functioning properly. It sends pain signals it shouldn't and does not send messages it should, including motor signals. I have had to turn in my license this year and acquire a walker and wheelchair. I am 45 years old.
I've decided that this means I should spend more time writing and not less. Every minute I spend with my family is a treasure. Every moment with my pages is a miracle. I will write as much as I can, to the highest quality I am able, for as long as I am physically able. And terrorize the sleep of all who dare to read.
Thank you for reading my story.
- Tori
PS.
A note about the world around us.
You will note that my website and social media feeds are absent of politics and divisive opinions. I am here to entertain and distract from this world that can be very difficult to endure. I also do not get involved in wars or raising funds on social media. I do many things IRL that you won't see online. Don't take that to mean that I don't care. Take it to mean that this is a place for books, for escape, for things that exist only on the page.
A note about the world around us.
You will note that my website and social media feeds are absent of politics and divisive opinions. I am here to entertain and distract from this world that can be very difficult to endure. I also do not get involved in wars or raising funds on social media. I do many things IRL that you won't see online. Don't take that to mean that I don't care. Take it to mean that this is a place for books, for escape, for things that exist only on the page.