I can’t be the only one who finds draft one, even with extended plot notes, the bane of life. It’s trying to get those first words on paper without them being entirely terrible right?

Wrong.

It doesn’t have to be perfect it just needs to exist.

That’s what I have to keep telling myself.

But that doesn’t seem to stop my brain from desiring the finished result, all polished and beautiful from being right in front of me.

But why skip the creation? Why allow the passion to be smothered by impatience. There is no shame in slowing down to enjoy the creation of something that comes from your mind and heart.

Art must be created, felt, enjoyed, chased, pursued at every possible moment.

I write because it heals my soul. It helps me feel in a way that is safe. I owe it to my writing, to the characters to take the time, to slow down, enjoy ever chapter I can.

I suppose in a way it’s like having kids, if you’re always looking at where you are going you miss where you are at. I don’t want to do that. Not with any first draft. Even if it is word vomit. It is still there to work with. You can’t edit a blank page, you can’t let that story live in your head alone forever either.

For me I loved reading Fourth Wing, Iron Flame and Onyx storm not because of the “shaddow daddy” Xaden, but because of the representation.

I have hypermobility myself, seeing that represented means so much to me.

Violet still pursued something that everyone said was “physically impossible” despite the warnings, their fears.

So often as someone with a chronic illness “over doing it” is a fine line. We see the repercussions, and so does Violet. We have people in our lives who fear us pushing ourselves too much or too hard (Dain). Occasionally this does damage our relationships. Being in the position of someone telling you to not do the thing, or choose something easier, it builds resentment. It builds the desire to fight against whatever we are being told.

When I mention to one particular family member of mine that I am finding something hard they tell me to stop or give up or try something different. I always find myself arguing back. In my head, just because something is hard, doesn’t mean much, we don’t learn or grow within stagnancy. If it is something I really want (Cough cough writing books) I am more inclined to push through it.

There is a massive fear within me that if I do not push myself, I am not learning, growing or evolving. I don’t like a lack of momentum.

Seeing the disabled experience represented in such a popular book gives me hope.

To keep this short, Haymitch deserves a hug.

He did so well, fought so hard. He was absolutely Snow’s target.

This book does a great job at reminding us who the enemy is.

In this political landscape it begs the reader to use their intelligence and think critically about the media we consume.

As much as everyone is begging for more, Susan Collins writes absolutely so exquisitely that therapy is required for the rollercoasters she puts us through. But I can understand her books are very much a message. She has an incredible, powerful platform. I trust that if she does release more, the meaning behind it will be as crystal clear as this book. Throughout all of The Hunger Games she has asked us to think critically.

I hope somewhere, out there, this is happening.

Finally a chance to sit and read.

Spoilers