Enough from me - over to Cate.
The Author and CFS
Eleni and
I both have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and there are quite a few RWA
members who have it too.
The
symptoms are exactly the name - fatigue after doing things, that never goes
away. 'Doing things' can be as simple as getting out of bed for some people.
Unless we're really bad Eleni and I are both better off than that - thank
goodness!
My CFS
came about after I had Glandular Fever and Ross River Fever in 2005. I've never
picked up. In hindsight, I ran myself into the ground for the eighteen months
prior to getting sick - actually I was always running myself into the ground. Just
this time it was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Prior to
CFS I was too busy to be creative. I was focused on my agricultural science
career. All my creativity went into experiments and getting out messages about
what was found.
Once I was
sick, I lost myself. My identity was my science career, I didn't know who I was
without it. I no longer had that, I had to find me.
I'd always
written. When I was seven I was going to take over from Enid Blyton and penned
me first story, Ebi The Wishing Dog.
My dog was Ebi, and I'd just read The Wishing Chair and I hadn't heard of
plagiarism! Somewhere in between uni and working, all my creative writing morphed
into science writing. I'd written some erotic stories but never shared them
with the world.
In 2005, a
friend also wasn't well. She's a journalist by trade and also had a yen to
write a book. So in one of our brainstorming discussions (we had hundreds of
these discussions) she challenged me to write a book. We settled on a category
romance because they we short, had a plan (meet, fall in love after some
troubles, live happily ever after), and had to be easy. Famous last words!
So I wrote
my story - of course I thought it was brilliant, I had not yet joined RWA - and
I sent it away to be published after much encouragement from Helen. It was
rejected. I was dejected but not deterred. The writing bug had bitten hard.
Having CFS
has allowed me to find my creative side. It's made me learn to be patient,
which is something a writer needs in bucketloads, and has allowed me to find a
different path in life.
Creativity
seems to be something a lot of people with CFS get involved with. I've been a
part of two projects with other CFS sufferers, called Creative For A Second.
The first project resulted a print book to showcase the talents of CFS
sufferers and included things like poetry, pictures, photos. (I proofread it
because I had no creativity at that stage.) The second project was journals
that travelled around the world, to a dozen people per journal, and were made
into electronic books.
I can't
say I'm happy to have CFS because it's an awful thing to live with but it has
allowed me to find new things, make new friends and explore another part of
myself.
~~~
Thanks for sharing, Cate.
I agree with you - I may not like that I have CFS but I've learned a lot from it.
You can find Cate on her blog.
16 comments:
Great blog, Cath. CFS is a poorly understood condition. Thanks for shedding some light. It's nice to know that something good came out of it, namely your writing. I would never have guessed you had it from the hard work you do on HeartsTalk.
Hi Eleni and Cate
This is my first visit to your Taverna, Eleni. Now I have to start my read through your fascinating site!
Isn't it funny that so often, it takes an illness to make people take stock of their life and choose a new path. (Well it isn't funny exactly, but you know what I mean).
I'm sorry to hear about your battle with CFS (both ladies); but I'm glad you've found these creative outlets also.
Thanks for sharing,
Lily M.
Hi Cate and Eleni, such a lovely interview! Hugs to you both - your zest for living and the endless things you do for RWA is a credit to both of you.
Hi Joan,
Thanks for coming by and learning a bit about CFS.
Cath xo
I knew that Eleni had CFS but I never knew you did Cate! Am so glad you are both making the most of a bad situation and are writing great books. You are inspiration with all the energy you put towards RWA!! x RAch!
Hi Lily,
The Taverna is a happening space :) Glad you dropped by! Now you'll have more things to read!
I'm glad I found a creative outlet too :)
Cate xo
Hi Alissa,
Thank you.
Hugs to you too,
Cate xo
Hi Rach!
I try to ignore that I have it (very bad of me)... but since Eleni asked me here, I thought it was a good place to "out" myself :)
Thanks for coming by.
Cate xo
Thanks to everyone for popping and saying hi to Cate.
Joan - I agree with you- Cate does so much on Hearts Talk.
Lily - welcome! I'm glad you've found the Taverna. Usually it is something like illness that makes you stop and look around. And the creative outlets do help in the ongoing fight. :)
Alissa - awww, thanks. That is lovely. And I'll take that hug, I'm sure Cate will as well. :)
Rach! - hey there. Thanks.
Cate - thanks for using my blog as the forum to talk about this subject. It's really hard to first admit to the outside world - mainly I think because once people hear CFS they think you can't do something.
And yes, we tend to still push ourselves - though as we both know we need to rest.
Take care.
Hi Cate,
Like most of the others, I had no idea that you have CFS. I've always applauded the fact that Eleni (Hi!!) talks about her CFS and helps us understand what sufferers have to go through. It's great that you have now outed yourself as well. I agree with the others that I would never have guessed it of either of you. You both work so hard a long.
And now I find out that Cate has a book out? I don't remember you mentioning it, Cate? All the best with the sales. I'm heading over to buy my copy now :)
Great blog.
Hello Serena,
Yes, I'm a CFS sufferer with Eleni, and I try to hide it! For me I still have that "yuppie flu" feeling from years ago, when they thought CFS was fake. Stupid I know.
Gosh, I thought those Hot Down Under books got flogged to death... guess not! LOL. Gee I'm useless at promo if you didn't know, Serena!
Thanks for stopping by.
Cate xo
Hi Cate and Eleni
It it surely true then. One door closes another opens.
I contracted Chronic Fatigue many years back after a bout of Glandular fever. It was labelled Yupie flu where they didn't have much understanding or knowledge of the disease. I was lucky it lasted about a year. During that time I pushed myself so much to keep going. I could only vacuum a few rooms at a time and had to take a break. Gradually I got better. I'm glad to learn you have found alternate life goals and wish you both all the best. I know what you're experience and it's a credit to you both to keep doing what you are doing.
I can vouch for you both being steadfast. And I bet you probably push yourself to the max. Take care :)
Thanks, Suzanne. It is true about those doors.
I'm glad you recovered from CFS. It's not a fun thing.
Thanks for visiting,
Cate xox
Hi Kate, Hi Eleni,
My goodness, I had no idea you both suffered from CFS and nor would I have guessed in view of what you've achieved.
What an interesting interview. Thank you, both of you, for shedding some light on what I know so little about, through sharing your story.
And if you haven't read Cate's book, then you absolutely have to get a copy of 'A Real Online Fantasy'. It's fabulous!
Hi Beverley,
Thanks for stopping by and I'm glad it was interesting.
Thanks for the book plug too. I'm glad you liked it. Your Saving Grace Hot Down Under story is beautiful.
Cate xo
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