When a writer takes a tumble, we do our best to chant the mantra ‘tuck-and-roll’ then pop up and figure out a way to replay that scene in our next piece. Or is that just me? I admit that I’m easily distracted by the next task or flitting butterfly, resulting in a few bumps, bruises, scrapes, and stumbles. Until a few weeks ago, five to be exact, that is all they were.

Five weeks ago, I made the fateful decision to water a few ferns that I had recently planted before heading to my office to work on my manuscript, Duncan Graham’s Fallen Angel.

And then, Contact Gardening. Face. Head. Right elbow. On a collision course with the stone steps.

The main results? Concussion. Fractured right orbital shelf. And, per the wisdom of several of the hospital medical staff, they felt the need to advise me that I did a really good job of destroying my elbow. I’ll save the gory details for another day. Two days later, I have a partial elbow replacement.

Five weeks. Five weeks! This post is the first thing I’ve written since The Fall. Is it the concussion or pain meds slowing my brain down, or both?

Five weeks, and we’re thrilled that I bent my thumb. Because, hey, there are nerves, tendons, muscles, skin, and several broken bones that have to heal. My pen is forced to grow silent while I recuperate. Hunting and pecking the keys with my left hand is a slow and tedious job. PT hopefully can start next week. Holding onto a toothbrush or fork has now become a goal.

For now, my latest WIP will have to wait unless I learn how to write from voice to text. Any recommendations on how to get through this hump in the road?