As those of you who’ve been following my Twitter feed know, a few weeks ago Sam got sick. Like, really sick–two rounds of antibiotics nasty sick. And, being a sharing kind of person, he gave me a lighter case of the same thing. Thanks lots.

Before it got really bad, I did manage to make it to Coastal Magic, in which I met amazing people (you know who you are – but if you don’t many pictures here, thanks to the incredible Lucienne Diver). I had a blast talking books and participating in the infamous Flash Fiction panel (there are rumored to be videos out there somewhere), and came back exhausted, happy, and with songs of Mermaid Ninja Turtle Cats on Broadway in my head.

Then the real sickness hit. There’s nothing quite like being a matter of weeks from deadline and your upcoming blog tour that makes being sick particularly tortuous. My To-Do List grew into a hulking monster with feet that followed me around the house as I was collapsed into momentary sick huddles (or fetching tea and meds for Sam, who was the same but much worse). The To-Do List stood over me as I attempted to sleep. It stood over me as I stared at the keyboard and slowly got words done. And then it brought its brother, No Energy Man, to the party.

After more than a week I vanquished the monsters–or at least fought them to a standstill–and wrote a new synopsis for Book Four. This is the one, I can feel it–at least, I can when I’m awake and feeling decently. The new round of antibiotics seems to be working for Sam, and I’m getting better at about the same rate. (Turns out I heal quickly when he’s not reinfecting my air.) Today is the first day where I felt like a full human being. And if I want a nap at the moment, I will fight it off. Stupid No Energy Man, you are a liar.

Unfortunately, the Yoga Challenge has died a sad death, slayed by No Energy Man, sickness, and deadlines. It will resurrect from its ashes another day. In the meantime, I sit down at my keyboard and fight the good fight and drink coffee like mad against the auspices of No Energy Man. He will die.

Today I get serious. Today I begin the Big Battle. Today I slay the monster that is The Next Book On Deadline, and do the amazing thing that is the Next Blog Tour. (You will likely hear very little from me in the next two months if it’s not a part of the tour. This is normal. This means I am sweating out beautiful words you will get to read in December.)

And today–today I wish you strength and fine weapons to slay your own personal monsters and get your own Shit Done. Who’s with me?