I'm poor because I was "treated" to a long illness that ended with a transplant surgery. Over 11 long years. My trajectory was never to "rich" or anything close to that. I knew I was from the middle class - and that was fine with me. But when you're struck down by dire health issues, you are pretty much DONE. I don't fit in anywhere now. I read newsletters by smart people so I can feel "in conversation" with them. I'm a survivor and sometimes I don't even know why. But I'm still here, and alive and well-educated. And actually very healthy. I read books, too - something most people don't do anymore - I miss those book discussions and working in academic settings.
I appreciate you reading this newsletter, Dana. So sorry about your illness. No one should be made poor from medical bills in our country— maybe someday soon we will move beyond this for-profit system…
Joan, I found your newsletter from reading Annabel Ascher’s newsletter AND found hers through my friend Li Bendet who lives in NYC. And so glad I discovered you both! There’s a whole group on FB of people who still have the same liver disease I had - so in similar situations I was, awaiting transplant. And the strange thing is that it’s a RARE disease! That just means there’s very little funding for research on it. It was NO fun! But I had plenty of time to write, so I started a blog - then rather magically I started writing fiction one morning when I was journaling! Two characters telling me their story. I hesitated but they kept returning day after day. So I wrote an entire novel. Best fun I’d ever had! Fiction writing is the most fun I’d ever had. So I wrote 2 more novels and in the middle of another one. But I am thinking of possibly starting a Substack newsletter. You and Annabel (and many others) have inspired me!
Thank you, Dana! Oh, I am so glad you told me your story—what a journey you have been through and will continue on!! You could serialize your novels on a Substack newsletter which might be interesting for you, and certainly interesting for those who read your newsletter.
I think Substack is a marvelous, very generous and welcoming platform for writers of all ages and genres and skill levels. You could join our online Substack conversations on Thursday's at 1:00 EST. You'll have to contact Substack so you can get on the list and they'll send you a link by email.
Annabel is a fantastic writer and I really enjoy her newsletter. I'm going to be doubling down on my newsletter work, because the upcoming topics I want to address will involve extensive research. Thanks again for your support!
I'm poor because I was "treated" to a long illness that ended with a transplant surgery. Over 11 long years. My trajectory was never to "rich" or anything close to that. I knew I was from the middle class - and that was fine with me. But when you're struck down by dire health issues, you are pretty much DONE. I don't fit in anywhere now. I read newsletters by smart people so I can feel "in conversation" with them. I'm a survivor and sometimes I don't even know why. But I'm still here, and alive and well-educated. And actually very healthy. I read books, too - something most people don't do anymore - I miss those book discussions and working in academic settings.
I appreciate you reading this newsletter, Dana. So sorry about your illness. No one should be made poor from medical bills in our country— maybe someday soon we will move beyond this for-profit system…
Joan, I found your newsletter from reading Annabel Ascher’s newsletter AND found hers through my friend Li Bendet who lives in NYC. And so glad I discovered you both! There’s a whole group on FB of people who still have the same liver disease I had - so in similar situations I was, awaiting transplant. And the strange thing is that it’s a RARE disease! That just means there’s very little funding for research on it. It was NO fun! But I had plenty of time to write, so I started a blog - then rather magically I started writing fiction one morning when I was journaling! Two characters telling me their story. I hesitated but they kept returning day after day. So I wrote an entire novel. Best fun I’d ever had! Fiction writing is the most fun I’d ever had. So I wrote 2 more novels and in the middle of another one. But I am thinking of possibly starting a Substack newsletter. You and Annabel (and many others) have inspired me!
Thank you, Dana! Oh, I am so glad you told me your story—what a journey you have been through and will continue on!! You could serialize your novels on a Substack newsletter which might be interesting for you, and certainly interesting for those who read your newsletter.
I think Substack is a marvelous, very generous and welcoming platform for writers of all ages and genres and skill levels. You could join our online Substack conversations on Thursday's at 1:00 EST. You'll have to contact Substack so you can get on the list and they'll send you a link by email.
Annabel is a fantastic writer and I really enjoy her newsletter. I'm going to be doubling down on my newsletter work, because the upcoming topics I want to address will involve extensive research. Thanks again for your support!