Tonya Kuper
Young Adult Author
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Today is World Sjogren's Day! [I'm in what some call "remission"! More below.] Sjogren's Syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease that attacks moisture producing glands, especially in eyes, mouth, and digestive system. Some people, like me, experience extraglandular symptoms such as debilitating fatigue, joint pain similar to Rheumatoid Arthritis, lymphomas, nueropathies, major organ complications, GI issues, and more. 💙
I'm ecstatic to say that after a grueling 2 years, I'M IN REMISSION & medication free!!! That doesn't mean that I still don't have some harder days or need to plan my energy output, but my inflammatory markers, blood work, and symptoms are the best they have been in over two years. However, I will have this disease for the rest of my life. I don't know when I will flare again (knock on wood & say a prayer) but I am living life to the fullest in the meantime and regard each pain/symptom-free day as a GIFT. I could not have survived these last 2 years without this man, my husband and best friend. I will never be able to thank him in the way nor amount he deserves. 💙
2 years of battling this disease has included: being on steroids (22 months straight) & self-injecting drugs often used to treat cancer, angry at my circumstances, tired of being tired, frustrated with family & friends for not understanding, having to cancel plans, understanding my limitations, wanting to move but not having the energy, planning according to my energy levels, becoming a more empathetic person, understanding myself better, growing as a person through pain, flourishing as a mother, shifting priorities, momming and teaching despite pain, discovering my creative side again (thank God), restoring my faith, letting lessons in pain/anger/grief/surrender teach and inform me, forgiving others, learning to stand up for myself and others, etc. I am, without a doubt, a better and stronger person than I was before flaring/ being diagnosed.
10 years ago this week I started writing my first novel length project. ✨
I had no previous writing experience, but I was a passionate lifelong reader with a background in reading education. It took me almost a year to complete my first (young adult) novel. I tried to secure an agent for traditional publishing. My rationale: If I finished a full length novel, I might as well shoot for the moon. I got no after no after no. My husband had the book printed and bound as a Christmas gift to me, a gift that meant the world then. Now, it is a reminder of how far I have come and what I am capable of achieving. ✨
My path to (traditional, commercial) publication has not been easy - in fact, at times it has been downright horrible - but I wouldn't do it any other way. I'm the person and writer I am now due to my experiences, good and bad. ✨
10 years ago, I dreamed of my book being on a shelf, making a difference in at least one person's life. Today, I... •have two published novels, a YA duology that has led me to meet some rad people including @katmcnamara. •I teach Writer's Workshop as adjunct faculty at a local university! •I have had the honor of speaking to countless book clubs, students, librarians, teachers, etc. •I have learned how to battle autoimmune disease/get healthy while also teaching, being mom, and trying to write. #warrior •My (second) agent, who has been a patient saint, has found fun opportunities for me like writing proposals for a graphic novel and comic based novel for a big-name comic publisher. (Dream come true for this comic/sff nerd, even if nothing comes of it!) •I am on faculty for a low residency MFA writing program! •I am writing a YA fantasy novel that is 100% me and I am loving it! ✨
I'm doing things now that I had not dared to think of 10 years ago. I am forever grateful to my husband and boys, agent, writing friends, and readers. Here's to the next 10 years. Who knows what I will be doing? I certainly won't stop writing or dreaming!
[My first novel was about a girl who fell in love with the son of Satan. It was my "demon phase."]
Bookhaul!
Reading YA literature for my classes/lectures and nonfiction for personal growth -education/eating to heal autoimmune disease. 📚
(How have I not already read some of these YA books? I know, I know. Don't @ me.) 📚
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#yaliterature #youngadultlit #yalit #epicreads #teenfiction #literature #summerreading #booknerdigans #bookrecommendations #bookish #books #bookstagram #bookhaul #aippaleo #eatingforhealth #science #autoimmunewarrior #healingfoods
Wimbledon Men's Singles Championship at the Kuper house. Go Fed! 🎾
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#rogerfederer #wimbledon2019 #tennis #pimms #tennisfamily
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Tonya Kuper
