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This post was written for my rejigged newsletter which features original content, first-to-know news, and unique promos. Of course I would also share the news with the rest of you, but later and not accompanied by the rest of this story. Want to be part of the Tribe? Subscribe to the newsletter!

I have super exciting news for you!

But first, a sidetrack which will lead right back to the main track. (??)

Chronic illness has given me more fatigue, more pain, a frequent flyer account with several doctors’ offices, more medications, and… Well, also more friends. Like you. That last part, I really like.

I don’t like this one, though. I have an overactive guilt gland (haven’t yet found someone who’s willing to surgically remove it). It goes to town whenever I can’t do something because of my RA. It makes me feel like I’m not measuring up. I’m pretty sure you know exactly what I mean. That’s one of the great things about this tribe of ours — we get it.

One of the things I feel really bad about is notwriting the second book in the Your Life with RA series. Because the hospital thing, because massive energy issues, because… And it’s messing with my ability to actually getting off my butt and writing. I recently discovered that I finished the first draft three years ago. THREE YEARS! Holy typewriter ribbon, Batman! Was there a time machine?

This made me feel even worse about not attacking that draft. Which has a significant problem I’m not sure how to fix. Avoiding this for an extended Three! Years! time has just made it even scarier, so now I’m not even trying.

I finally remembered that guilt is a sign that you are doing something wrong. It is not wrong to not be able to do something because there is too much pain or not enough energy or you’re stuck. In fact, trying to fight through and do it anyway uses up whatever precious energy you have, leaving none for anything else. Which partly explains the three years

So here’s the news: I’m writing a different book.

I Am Writing A Book! I am really excited about this one. It’s on a topic I’m passionate about and it has the potential to be super helpful, both for the people reading it and for me, as well. Yes, I know that’s cryptic. I get very superstitious when I’m writing and don’t want to jinx it.

Unless you have actually done something terrible, guilt is useless. In the movie The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda said, “Do. Or do not.” Personally, I believe that trying is crucially important, especially with a chronic illness, so I’m going to leave the last part of that quote out (the “there is no try”). Instead of wasting my energy on flailing about beating myself up because I’m not delivering, I will do. Or rather: Do.

I am writing a book!