Tobias S. Buckell (co-wrote: The Runes of Engagement): I'm in the second half of a story I owe that's... I can't even describe how overdue. But now that I've gotten some summer rest, I am slowly putting down words. 50-100/day last month, now hitting 200. I'm trying not to view it like a battle with Long Covid, that's negative language. But... yeah.

I'm in the second half of a story I owe that's... I can't even describe how overdue. But now that I've gotten some summer rest, I am slowly putting down words. 50-100/day last month, now hitting 200. I'm trying not to view it like a battle with Long Covid, that's negative language. But... yeah.

Last year, the utter fury and rage at just being... too exhausted to do the thing I love more than most things in life... that wasn't fun. But, focusing on daily practice. I can no longer sprint like I used to, so it's focusing on the long game now. Daily practice.

My big goal this summer is to learn a new trick: small words, in a sustainable practice, every day. I don't believe you have to write every day, in the past I only did that on a deadline. Otherwise, some days nothing, some days 4,000 words.

That worked for me, a whole career even! But now, if I want the career I had, I have to learn to play a different game. And that's what this summer is all about. Build my external brain so I can write non-linearly, keep my thoughts around, and write a little every day. 365 X 250/day = 90,000 words

The plan is to pull back to writing 60-70k novels until Long Covid is figured out, so that's 4-5 short stories and one short, short novel if I can figure out the 250/day technique

That sounds like a great plans. I'm sorry Long Covid has taken so much from you, and super impressed by all your strategies. I feel like Long Covid is always hanging us now, and we've all got to be ready for it.

Getting on guanfacine has helped cut some of the brain fog, so I'm trying to think my way out of the problem now that I'm on summer break

Sorry to hear this. Anything I can do to support or cheer on or whatever, let me know.

Thanks Tade, you're a good person. I'm muddling through lol. Tomorrow I meet my doc to talk about Mounjaro or Naltrexone to help with the fatigue. Fingers crossed

Long Covid as someone who relies on the brain is brutal. Wishing you luck in the new routine.

take care and good luck, man

🤞 Fingers crossed that you find a new writing rhythm that fits. And I'm always looking forward to more short stories from you. The ones I read so far were brilliant and I keep recommending them to people.

Oh thank you so much 🙏

This is what I'm trying to figure out too. Fistbump.

Solidarity

Managing Long Covid as a writer is just brutal. Solidarity and good thoughts.

Thank you!

I write a lot for my job and LC really forced me to restructure how I do it. I'm maybe 8 months ahead of where you are in that process? It's been hard, but between treatment and practice, I have new ways that work. Hope you find that as well

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