chi. like in energy.

It's almost been two years since I've written anything on my blog. The truth is, it's been a real struggle writing at all.

Those of you that received my email from Barcelona before I returned to Los Angeles know the mental state I was in back then and how much writing/not-writing had to do with it.

I came back refreshed. Energized. And I actually started working on a new novel. The first chapter went so smooth. So fast. I felt present again. Excited. Focused. Grounded. And then I started the second chapter and...what happened was...

It's become a grind again. Slow. Painful. I know all of you reading, whether you're a writer or not, understand what it's like to not be able to do the thing that you love.

Anyway, a few days ago, I came across an article in the New York Times about cancer patients and writing. It was a bit schmaltzy, but this passage punched me in the face:

"My mother had always been too busy for something she felt was as indulgent as keeping a journal, but in the early days of her cancer diagnosis, she found that writing down her thoughts helped her cope with the prospect of dying."

Or sometimes, helps us cope with the prospect of living.

I'm back. I hope to stay.

Link to article