I was a kid who ate quickly and went to the library from middle school on. I did homework from my morning classes and carried fewer books. (I was a walker.) I read. I wish this had been possible in elementary school for me.

It sucks when it's a bad year. Sometimes, we have to just do those things we need to do (whether that's writing or getting through life from day to day). I remind myself the books will be there. Meanwhile, do what you can and try to remember you're only human too.

You get to decide.

That depends on how you define success. For me, right now, it's having a book traditionally published or the goal that competes for my time, earning more as a freelancer this year than I did last year.

Thank you for holding the line. Creators need to actually create their own creations.

Set a time of day to read them and work on something else with notifications turned off, otherwise, you may make yourself crazy. Been there. Can you tell? Also, happy sales to you.

OMG, this is my main character. If the book pubs and then becomes a movie, my note to the actor will be he is on the verge of tears all the time. Good luck with your version.

To me, reading is decoding plus comprehending. (Teacher turned writer here) Listening/auditory comprehension is a different skillset. A story can be enjoyed both ways, but the skills needed aren't the same.

I should have paid attention to the image background you used. That does sound like a hard task.

I hope you have no more nightmares. Only happy sales and successful treatments.

There are plenty of picture books with older characters. Grandparents buy books, so grandparents are in books. I'm currently reading Agatha Christie, so I must shout out Jane Marple.

Write what you know. Instead write what intrigues you. Write from a place of truth and authenticity. Write to explore (yourself and others and other things and places, etc).

When someone says aks instead of ask.