4 Tips For Writing Chronically Ill Characters

[@bethanygriggs2669]

I currently have two books going with chronically ill characters. I have an advantage in that I'm giving them my own health struggles, but even so, the one girl is going to have some different experiences from me. That's another thing, as you well know. Two people can have the same health issues, but that doesn't mean their experience will be the same! Thank you for the great video, Sara!

[@sarawilloughby3304]

That is SO true! No two people experience it exactly the same way, and I really appreciate that you're exploring that. How has it been for you, writing about your own health challenges in the form of a character? I'm sure there are unique challenges/maybe even benefits from that.

[@bethanygriggs2669]

​@@sarawilloughby3304 I think it would definitely be different writing about something you have versus something you've never experienced. For me, I like writing about it because I can go into detail about my feelings and experiences. There aren't many people who I talk to specifically or at least very often about how I feel and what my life is really like. So, it's nice to be able to express some of that freely through a character.

[@sarawilloughby3304]

@@bethanygriggs2669 That makes a lot of sense! I've found that too . . . in the little bit of fiction I've written, I feel like I'm able to go into far more detail than I can in nonfiction, which I didn't expect. But there are so many small things that really capture chronic illness, even though those aren't things that you'd use as much to make a point in an article or something.

[@bethanygriggs2669]

@@sarawilloughby3304 Yes! And, I guess in a way, it makes perfect sense. When you are writing fiction, you weave in the little minor aspects of life. That's what makes a story relatable. And, chronic illness affects even the little details in our lives, so it's easy to portray some of that in the little details of your characters. I'm glad that you have been able to pour your feelings and experiences into writing, too, Sara!

[@sarawilloughby3304]

@@bethanygriggs2669 YES! Exactly. Maybe I shoulder interview for a video on this on my channel, I feel like you have some wisdom to share. :)

[@deweystewart8284]

Mr. Fixing says hi. You remind me of cool morning dew on a chickens front leg.

[@sarawilloughby3304]

Why thank you. I liked beaver better 😂

[@Jessinking]

hi there. my name is jessica and i found your page searching for people who talk about being disabled some way. not sure if you knew but march is National Disabilities Awareness Month and i am an alternative disabled content creator on multiple platforms including here on youtube. i didn't know about it until i googled myself. if you are open to having someone to do a collab on your channel/content i'm avaialable and would love to work with you! have a great day.

[@sarawilloughby3304]

Hey Jess! So great to hear from you! What did you have in mind? :)

[@Jessinking]

@@sarawilloughby3304 by the way the insta you list in the description doesn't work and i don't see an email to reach out to you either.

[@sarawilloughby3304]

@@Jessinking That's weird about Instagram. My website has a contact form! :D (I just don't want to put my email on YT for EVERYONE haha)

[@Jessinking]

@@sarawilloughby3304 hell when i put my email out in a comment youtube deletes the comment anyway. haha i feel you..ok i'll try through the website.