Ask the Author: Diane Solomon
Answered Questions (6)
Diane Solomon
Hi Mary,
First off, thanks for the review! So glad you enjoyed "88 Guys for Coffee." I had so much fun writing it.
To answer your question, I didn't keep up my hope! I felt hopeless most of the time; it was a long, desperate, 7+ years. In the third year I began to consider suicide, since the statistics show that if a CFS sufferer does not recover on her own in two years or so, it is extremely unlikely that recovery will occur at all.
You know how unpleasant memories tend to recede in power over time? And you look back and see the good times clearly? This is not the case with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, at least for me. I look back and remember vividly how horrendous it was. And relentless.
I took it one day at a time. One minute at at time. Somehow, deep inside, figuring there might, just might be a way out of it if I looked long enough and hard enough. And sure enough, in the 8th year, I took a nosode (a homeopathic remedy) of Coxsackie B flu virus, and was 75% better in two weeks. 100% two or three months after that. It was astounding. When people suggest it was placebo I just laugh. I had tried everything, in both the orthodox and alternative black bags of tricks.
We are stronger than we know. Hope for me comes from a lifetime of learning that there is always change. Things always change. Something may happen that you just can't imagine in your present state.
As for your "frightened woman" observation, yes that is true! I was strong, AND I was frightened.
Human beings are just so interesting, don't you think, Mary? Thanks so much for your question.
I have a health blog which is SolomonHealing.wordpress.com, plus a blog about our books which is EloquentRascals.com/blog.
Warmly,
Diane
First off, thanks for the review! So glad you enjoyed "88 Guys for Coffee." I had so much fun writing it.
To answer your question, I didn't keep up my hope! I felt hopeless most of the time; it was a long, desperate, 7+ years. In the third year I began to consider suicide, since the statistics show that if a CFS sufferer does not recover on her own in two years or so, it is extremely unlikely that recovery will occur at all.
You know how unpleasant memories tend to recede in power over time? And you look back and see the good times clearly? This is not the case with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, at least for me. I look back and remember vividly how horrendous it was. And relentless.
I took it one day at a time. One minute at at time. Somehow, deep inside, figuring there might, just might be a way out of it if I looked long enough and hard enough. And sure enough, in the 8th year, I took a nosode (a homeopathic remedy) of Coxsackie B flu virus, and was 75% better in two weeks. 100% two or three months after that. It was astounding. When people suggest it was placebo I just laugh. I had tried everything, in both the orthodox and alternative black bags of tricks.
We are stronger than we know. Hope for me comes from a lifetime of learning that there is always change. Things always change. Something may happen that you just can't imagine in your present state.
As for your "frightened woman" observation, yes that is true! I was strong, AND I was frightened.
Human beings are just so interesting, don't you think, Mary? Thanks so much for your question.
I have a health blog which is SolomonHealing.wordpress.com, plus a blog about our books which is EloquentRascals.com/blog.
Warmly,
Diane
Diane Solomon
I am always inspired to write, I don't feel that I have to find inspiration from somewhere. The joy of creativity, of being creative, drives me. It always has!
As a singer/songwriter, I learned to trust the creative process and dive deeply into it. You have to dare to be criticized, dare to be silly, to be crazy, to be wild. There are moments during writing where you forget yourself entirely. You lose track of time. The writing seems to have taken over. Sometimes you look down and are surprised by what you read, as if you didn't, in fact, write it! I can only describe this experience as somehow verging on transcendent, in that it feels beyond the limits of experience, or independent of this world. It is exciting, inspiring, and rewarding.
As a singer/songwriter, I learned to trust the creative process and dive deeply into it. You have to dare to be criticized, dare to be silly, to be crazy, to be wild. There are moments during writing where you forget yourself entirely. You lose track of time. The writing seems to have taken over. Sometimes you look down and are surprised by what you read, as if you didn't, in fact, write it! I can only describe this experience as somehow verging on transcendent, in that it feels beyond the limits of experience, or independent of this world. It is exciting, inspiring, and rewarding.
Diane Solomon
I have three projects on the go. First is Book Two in "The Ravenstone" series, mystery fantasy adventures for middle-grade readers which I am writing with my husband Mark. Then there is my new women's book which is part novel, part memoir, entitled, "88 Guys for Coffee," a funny yet poignant look at five years of online dating while recovering from a shattered heart. The third is a non-fiction book, again with my husband, entitled, "Conversations with my Wife." It will cover politics, philosophy, nature, God and spirituality, man/woman, creativity, right brain/left brain, and other fun stuff!
Diane Solomon
1) Learn your craft, read books, study and practice to gain the skills required, then ignore it all and write from your heart.
2) Don't second guess yourself (much).
3) Don't listen to criticisms (much).
4) Have fun with it!
2) Don't second guess yourself (much).
3) Don't listen to criticisms (much).
4) Have fun with it!
Diane Solomon
The creative process, the flow, the endorphins and satisfaction to be in the moment of connecting with something greater than myself. When I write something that I later feel is pretty good, I often don't remember writing it.
I fulfill my purpose here in this life when I am creative. Have you read Elizabeth Gilbert's wonderful book on creativity? I couldn't agree more.
I fulfill my purpose here in this life when I am creative. Have you read Elizabeth Gilbert's wonderful book on creativity? I couldn't agree more.
Diane Solomon
I write anyway! Just doing it somehow unlocks any inhibitions or "writer's block" for me.
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