Spoonie Reads discussion

Hey guys, early this year I published my first book and it just so happens to be about the realities of daily life with chronic illness. I've been ill since 2010 and my goal through this book was really to bridge the gap of misunderstanding when it comes to chronic illness and to promote communication. I'd love to have you check it out! You can get it on Amazon or through my website, rachelallisonartist.com

Have any of you written about your illness?

Good luck with your book, Rachel!

Janelle wrote: "Good luck with your book, Rachel!"

Thank you, Janelle!

Congratulations on publishing your first book, Rachel! That is such a huge accomplishment! It looks stunning and I really commend your courage in sharing your story so openly. There's something to be said about being so transparent. It is so evident that the Lord is doing beautiful things through your heart and I'm sure so many people will find a solace in your story, knowing that they are not alone in theirs.

Keep up the lovely work!
With love,
(another) Rachel

Rachel wrote: "Congratulations on publishing your first book, Rachel! That is such a huge accomplishment! It looks stunning and I really commend your courage in sharing your story so openly. There's something to ..."

What a sweet response, Rachel! Thank you so much! Your words mean a lot and your name is pretty cool. ;)Looking back I'm still unsure of how I was able to do this whole book thing in the midst of my illness. It was terrifying. But every time I was tempted to give up God sent along a reminder to keep going. And He continues to do so.

I can only imagine how challenging it was for you to accomplish this, but so touched by your faith and determination. I have no doubt that the Lord upheld and encouraged you throughout this process and will continue to work through your beautiful heart. :) While I haven't yet completed a book, I do understand how difficult it is to write while chronically ill. It's always nice to meet others who are in the same boat. You're welcome to pop by my blog anytime to have a read or say hello, my url is peaceinthepain.wordpress.com. I'll be sure to stop by yours as well. God bless :)

P.S. Just ordered your book!

Rachel wrote: "I can only imagine how challenging it was for you to accomplish this, but so touched by your faith and determination. I have no doubt that the Lord upheld and encouraged you throughout this process..."

So glad to have connected with you, Rachel! And thank you so much for ordering! I look forward to following your blog and reading more from you heart. :)

Congrats on your book Rachel - that is a huge accomplishment and I'm sure it will help many people!

Betsy wrote: "Congrats on your book Rachel - that is a huge accomplishment and I'm sure it will help many people!"

Thanks so much, Betsy! :)

Good luck, Rachel! I published my first book in January as well :)
If you'd like to read it, I'm giving away FREE KINDLES ALL WEEK LONG :)

Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/Luna-Tree-Proj...

Congrats on the book Maya and thanks for the free download however I don't think it's working.

I just checked and all seems to be working....

Got it now . Your book looks very interesting and I see has wonderful reviews. :-). I noticed you're from Croatia - some family members flew there yesterday on a tour which includes those pretty lakes.

Thanks for the compliments :)
Yes, they probably went to Plitvice lakes national park!

Rachel wrote: "Have any of you written about your illness?

Yes, though indirectly. I've had CFS since 1989, and a small part of the novel I just published, Pride's Children (first part of a mainstream trilogy) has a main character who has CFS.

First of all - and most importantly - the novel is not really about CFS, it is about the characters. But the same way as gender affects everything you do and have happen to you in life, so does illness, or ethnicity, or education - and so does illness.

Fiction humanizes illness in a way that can't be done by non-fiction. People don't want to read about illness. They often don't even want to read about injustice to subsections of the population. But they always want to be entertained.

It took me a long time to write, and the story won't be complete until I get the other two books out, but I think it works very well, and I have received many wonderful reviews so far.


PRIDE'S CHILDREN: PURGATORY
(the first few chapters are there for you to preview)
Available on Amazon, and I still have review copies - message me here at GR if interested.

Hi Alicia, are you working on book 2 yet? I'm amazed at all the good writers in the CFIDS community. Not only books but blogs, articles etc. Why the government hasn't put mucho dinero into this malady to get such smart people back in the workforce is beyond me. As for fiction humanizing illness in a way non fiction can't, I understand what you're saying but am reminded of Roger King's autobiographical book "Love and Fatigue in America." Somehow he was able to pull it off.

Betsy wrote: "Hi Alicia, are you working on book 2 yet? I'm amazed at all the good writers in the CFIDS community. Not only books but blogs, articles etc. Why the government hasn't put mucho dinero into this mal..."

I am - as of the minute I got the first one up. It took me a goodly bit of time and energy (rare commodities) to review the structure and the rough draft, but I started actually writing Book 2 on April 14th. Mostly because I decided to create a new beginning scene, it has taken longer for this first one; the rest should be easier.

I read part of King's book, but the 'autobiographical' part wasn't me.

Fiction gives you a lot of power; I'm deliberately using that power. I hope it works, though it's been a slow start. PC is on the literary end of mainstream commercial fiction, and it takes extra time to make writing really sing - but I think it gives the fiction lasting value, so it's worth it.

Why the government...? is the biggest question in our book, and why diseases with far fewer victims get money (answer: good PR) should not happen in this country. Of course, they've been telling us it's all in our heads for so long...as if I'd wanted to give up research physics after getting the darned credentials.

Water under the bridge, but I'm hoping these books will make a real difference. And fighting the energy it takes to make it so.

I'm naturally interested in them selling well - this is the ONLY thing I've found that I could do as work with any possibility of remuneration - but I'm far more interested in getting readers and reviewers. If you know of anyone who'd like a Review Copy and consider writing a review, please have them contact me here.