Thursday, February 7, 2019

Sometimes our will....


With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I’ve been thinking about a lot of things lately. Probably not the things you think I’m thinking about. Not love or hearts or flowers. I’m thinking about brain lesions. And hands that won’t work properly. And the tingling and weird pain that runs down my legs and arms. On Valentine’s Day 2014, I was thinking about all that then, too, and a lot more.
That was the day I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  
If you’ve been with me for a while, then you know that I’ve had health issues for a minute. I told you guys about the tumor on my pituitary, about my Trigeminal Neuralgia, a broken neck from years ago. You know that I’ve had sucky things. I didn’t tell you about the MS for many reasons, the most important because I think I was still in denial. The less people knew, the less real it was. The more I could pretend that I was still “normal” and do whatever I wanted. My author group at the time was a Godsend through this, but even they didn’t know everything that was going on with my health. And I’ve come to learn that MS doesn’t care if people know or not :) I kept having exacerbations and started running out of excuses. 
So.
My name is Shelly and I have Multiple Sclerosis. And it sucks. And it’s scary to think about the future. And it’s not fair to my family. And there are days when I just. Can’t. Even. Anything. And it’s painful and frustrating and freaking inconvenient. I’m a wife, a mom to two teenage boys, a writer who uses her hands for her job, and a thousand other things. I don’t have time to have MS! :) Why can’t my body understand this and get it together. 
We travel with my husband’s job and move around a lot, at least four or five times a year. We sold our house in Florida last year so we could travel full-time and it has been a-maz-ing. We’re in Montana at the moment and hope to stay for a long time. We LOVE it here. Just moved from Pennsylvania and before that was Maryland. Florida was brutally hot and I was pretty miserable there. Moving has helped with my MS a little, I think. When we lived in Florida full-time, I was having more exacerbations than I was not having them.
I had to cancel so many book signings and events, and missed release dates, because of MS. It’s hard for me to plan anything. I wake up and that’s how I know how I’ll feel. I felt so awful for letting people down and not keeping my promises. So, I had to stop making them. For my own sanity and dignity. I know you guys hate that I don’t do release dates anymore, and I’m sorry, I get it, but it’s just not in the cards for me any longer. I know myself, I know my symptoms, I know my family and our schedule, and sometimes writing is absolutely impossible. Just typing that sentence makes me sad. But I wanted you to know, I’m not NOT writing. :) Since we should be here in Montana for a while, I’m going to try to get myself on a more set writing schedule and make sure to let you know what’s going on. I still think about my characters every day and write down notes for later. I’m constantly thinking about them and their stories, so that was never the problem. But Trouble says something in Undeniably Fated that fits with me pretty perfectly. Sometimes our will is stronger than our might. I am working, slowly, but I’m working and I PROMISE these books (the books listed on my website that you’re waiting on) are coming. I PROMISE. I PROMISE.
Will you have Undeniably Fated tomorrow. No. Will you have it next month. Absolutely not. Will it have it by the end of the year? I will try my hardest, but this is NOT a release date. I do have to have surgery on my neck in the next couple months, non-MS related, so there’s that, too. 
So, that’s where I’ve been and where I’m at. Every day is its own struggle of some kind, but I’m chugging along. And most days, I’m okay. The main point of all this is to reassure you that books are coming! I may take a little hiatus here or there, but when I’m able, I’ll come back and get to it. I just hope you’ll stick with me, guys. I know it’s not ideal, but we’ll make it work! :) 
I adore you all as much as I did the first time someone picked up my book. I know that reading time is precious and I appreciate that you took the time on me, each time. I’m sorry that you can’t get your story the way you should, but you’ll get it. I promise. Thanks for always, always, always being awesome, always being there, always being ready and willing to dive into your next story. I’d love the honor. One day soon. :)

Best wishes and happy endings,
Shelly Crane

29 comments:

  1. Your comfort, health, and happiness should always be your #1 concern. And maybe also paying a small bit of attention to your family 😉. As one of your big fans I am here to say that we will wait FOREVER for the next book. They are always well worth the wait. If George R.R. Martin fans can wait, we can wait even longer lol. Nobody wants to read a book that physically caused its creator pain or stress. Wishing you the best with your surgery and sending happy vibes your way!

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  2. Wishing you the best. I'll just keep re-reading your books until the next one is out ;)

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  3. I am so sorry you are going through such a hard time! You are one of my favorite authors and I want you to know that even though you are going through struggles where you feel weak, the rest of us are seeing an incredibly strong person who is doing her best. Thank you for telling your loyal fans about this difficult time. I know it must have been incredibly hard for you to do that. I hope things get better for you as time goes on, and always remember you have people who love your writing. And as a writer myself, I understand an author's writing is an extension of themselves. We love your writing, so by extension, we love some part of you. Thank you, Shelly!

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  4. You are one of my favorite authors. Life sucks sometimes, but don't give up. We will wait for this book for as long as we have to because it is going to be amazing.

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  5. Your books are worth waiting for. I will be praying for you and your family, as I'm sure many of us will.

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  6. Thank you! I appreciate that so much. :)

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  7. I'm sorry to hear about your MS. My mom has advanced MS so I totally understand what you are dealing with day to day. That being said I'm always trying to find ways to make life easier for her. A habit that jumped in place and leads me to suggesting verbally writing your books with a dictation program. I don't know if this is an option for you as I know MS affects everyone differently. I will pray for you to slip into remission and if remission occurs to hopefully stay in remission for a long long time.

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  8. I enjoyed your books so much can't wait to read one at oneone. But your health and your family should come first. Keeping you in my prayers

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  9. I check back every now and then to see what's happening with Undeniably Fated so I've just seen your update. Interestingly enough, my awareness of MS grew through a novel I recently read. We certainly appreciate you providing an update. I'll keep you & your family in my prayers and I look forward to reading Undeniably Fated when it is released :)

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  11. love is the best traetment, just be sure you are surrounded with it. I wish you the best, you made my life better with your books i´m currenly waiting for my children to group up so they can read them too. Do not worry about us, your fans will wait, we will wait, just make sure you are taking car of yourself. Lots of Love. Bea from spain

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  12. I loved the significant series and I can't wait to read undeniably fated.
    When is it due to release???

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  20. Ive been waiting since UC came out for UF to be released. I have all the series and am a collector of lots of books. Last year I read over 380 books. Yes thats right...because I too suffer chronic pain, not due to MS but various other factors. My life at this point revolves around reading and as saddened as I was each time to see that UF wasn't released yet I tptally understand now. I am very sorry you have to suffer and I really appreciate all your effort to still writting UF. Till the day we all can read it take care of yourself. You have to take care of you before you can take care of us with your wonderful books. Thank you again for the explanation and many prayers for you and your family. ❤❤

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  25. Hi, I am wondering if this blog is still current and up to date? I was looking for “Undeniably Fated” and I suppose it is not out yet. I totally get the health issues getting in the way. What I wanted to say though is that I LOVE that you chose Landon!!!! When I read “Undeniably Chosen” I was hoping so much that Landon would come back... then I read the synopsis and he does!!

    Well done Shelly! I am trying to navigate this page and see if there are more recent posts?

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    1. That's what I was wondering too! I know with MS every day is hard, but it's been over 2 years and just want a more recent update. I love these books! Will Undeniably Fated be coming out by the end of this year (2021) or next year?

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