5 Success Strategies for Writers with Health Challenges

Working through chronic illness can be a beast.

How many times have you intended to write, but you’re just so tired! Or you have brain fog, or your fingers simply refuse to do the typing or writing? I wish I had a magic potion for you to make it all go away, but I can’t say I’ve found one yet.

The two things I’ve found that help are

1) to listen to your body and

2) to take care of yourself.

Easier said than done!

However, I know of a number of authors who are able to manage a career while living with Crohn’s Disease, various forms of arthritis, IBS and other illnesses.

5 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Success:

Build a realistic schedule.

Our industry values quick turnarounds and high output. And while it is considered better in today’s market to publish a few times a year, if you can only manage one book or maybe two a year, do that. Pushing harder will only lead to burnout and a flare of your disease. If you’re having particularly great weeks, try to work ahead—pace yourself and plan for times when you may have to limit work.

Rest.

We really seem to hate that word but, speaking from experience, I can tell you that rest is possibly the best thing you can do for your body. Take some time every day to disconnect, sit and read or close your eyes—ten to twenty minutes can be vastly improving! Take time every week and every month to wholly remove yourself from work for a day or a weekend. Build it into your schedule. (p.s.–scrolling on your phone doesn’t count as rest.)

Move your body.

Motion is lotion, good for your joints and muscles as well as your mind. You don’t have to go all-out with the weights or the running or the yoga. Unless you want to and your body can handle it! But a little movement every day will have both healing and invigorating results. Some of the things I love: nature walks, pottering in the garden during spring and summer, and stretchy Pilates or light weight training (beginner level on YouTube). Favorites shared on request—email me for those anytime.

Find good workarounds.

• Carpal tunnel or arthritis killing your typing skills? Try dictation—apps have come a long way in the past few years, and can record you with remarkable accuracy. And it’s something you can do while away from your desk. Try a split keyboard. You may love it, once you get used to it.
• Vary your work space. Perhaps move from your office to the living room. Maybe find a coffee shop if you’re used to working from home. Or choose a different coffee shop if you are a social writer. This one might be difficult, depending on your life stage, but do what you can.
• Switching up whether I sit or stand helps me work longer. I’m lucky to have a standing desk so I can change its height easily whether I’m in a chair or on my feet. Side-note: apparently standing in one place for long stretches is no better for you than sitting all day, but I think there’s definitely an advantage to being able to move from one to the other and to fidget while doing both!
• You might also try one of those fancy multi-level swivel chairs that allow you to change positions throughout the day. And if you have one, let me know if they’re worth it!

Build a great team.

A good team understands your goals as well as what you’re working around/dealing with. You don’t have to tell everyone in the world you’re sick if you don’t want to. I totally support being private about some things. But your author support team—editors, cover designers, critique partners and alpha readers—might benefit from knowing, especially if you’re running behind schedule or having a flare-up.

I assure you most people are gracious when they know you’re doing your best and not just flaking on them. In addition to graciously responding when you’re running behind, it’s good to have accountability and trusted friends/teammates who will encourage you when life is hard.

You can do the things!

Have questions or need a sounding board as you’re figuring things out? Let me know how I can help.

As an editor with a chronic illness (Psoriatic Disease), I allow plenty of room into my schedule for delays, flares and rest, all while optimistically planning for my best weeks ever. I’m happy to work with your scheduling needs, give you gentle but firm encouragement when you need it, and be your favorite copyeditor/proofreader for all things cozy and romantic!