So I had a bit of a breakdown…

Or maybe it was actually a major breakdown. After spending the entire Summer of 2022 on disability and then finding out later that year that I actually had a lifelong neurological disease, I guess you could say that I was more than a little traumatized from it all.

Fortunately, my job provided me with access to therapists for free the entire time I was down. And during that time, they noticed that my mind kept trying to process it all through the wildest vivid dreams while I slept and anything from simple daydreams to full blown hallucinations while I was awake.

They’ve asked me to write them down when they happen. And this “semi-fictional” work is my best attempt at me trying to string them all together in a way that makes the most sense to someone who is awake. (Because that’s how dreams work. They make sense while you’re asleep and no sense when your logical brain takes over.)

There will be a lot that may or may not make sense to you. Take it for whatever it means to you. Fact is, the therapists are really looking forward to these writings so we can continue to help me process exactly what happened. I’m using NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writer’s Month) to push me to get these writings out. NaNoWriMo is the novel writer’s equivalent of a marathon where we attempt to write 50,000 words by the end of November. The writings are often “rough” as we are really just attempting to hit the word limit, but it’s often the push that writers need to get into the habit of writing daily and regularly.

Even though the 50,000 word limit seems daunting for many, it’s really only around 3.5 pages daily of single spaced words on your favorite word processor. To help keep myself accountable to this, I’m dedicating a special portion of my site to allow the public to see a book in the making. Unedited and raw.

Here’s where you can help. If you see anything that needs editing, by all means, correct me. If there’s anything you have questions about, by all means, ask me to clarify. If I miss a day to post, BY ALL MEANS, CALL ME OUT! I’m serious! Y’all get to hold me accountable, and I’m here for it. This is really just a matter of writing to get it done, but if it’s good work, tell me where you’d like me to take it. I may actually publish it. Don’t even know, but I appreciate the love, support and accountability.

Want to join me and attempt NaNoWriMo? Register for it on their site: nanowrimo.org. Email me or comment below with your handle and I’ll follow your work!

Keep moving forward!

-Just Brittany

Words: 480