Debi Graham-Leard

It was bound to happen. Several weeks ago, my back started aching like you wouldn’t believe, so I began spending a lot of time walking around moaning, or resting on the couch with a heated pad. I have since been diagnosed with arthritis and a partially herniated disk… oh, joy. But I’ve got some painkillers that take the edge off so I can sleep, and will begin physical therapy tomorrow morning.

Needless to say, working on my novel has been the last thing I’ve felt like doing since mid-June. But the other day, I was ready to jump back in. To get myself back in the mood and the story, I began to read from page one until I reached the most recent section for revising. Amazingly enough, I am still changing a word here, a word there, adding or deleting sentences… even after all the revisions!

I’ll continue working with both writing groups to keep the critiques flowing, but will handle this via email rather than driving to the physical meetings until my back pain is under control.

I’ve read in several of my writing craft texts that it’s not a bad thing to take a break from your novel, although I believe that advice is meant for AFTER it is completed. Oh, well, I never was one to follow the rules exactly!