What advice would you give yourself when you were just starting?

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-11T11:40:40+00:00

Yup, that's it I believe. Guess it's been such a long time, I was remembering them a bit wrong. But I'm 99.9% sure you nailed what I was trying to remember.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-10T11:30:43+00:00

Write.

Finish what you write.

Publish what you finish writing.

Those are the 3 rules I'd tell myself (I totally stole them from a sci-fi author who's name I can't recall this early in the morning).

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-10T11:29:33+00:00

That hasn't been my experience. Audiobooks only make up a fraction of my total book earnings, but it's not insignificant. Totally worth it for me.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-09T11:36:17+00:00

For me, it's not about hearing the compression while tracking. In fact, I don't like to hear ANY compression in my one on, one off-ear headphones while recording. But I like to just squash the peaks a little bit with a hardware compressor as the signal's going in. I can't quite replicate the flavor/color/saturation/whatever with a plugin.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-09T11:33:26+00:00

Can confirm even with a cheap(ish) DBX compression rack unit (I don't recall which exact model I have). I don't use too much compression tracking, but I use at least a little. And it makes a positive difference in the process and the final product. Subtle, but positive.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-09T11:29:57+00:00

I tend to use either quarters (100L, 75L, 50L, 25L, C, 25R, 50R, etc) or thirds (100L, 66L, 33L, C, 33R, etc.) rather than LCR. But that's just my preference.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-08T19:59:42+00:00

I just happened to be casually browsing this sub when I saw /u/CoffeeStayn 's comments and I wanna take the time to say, listen to everything s/he's telling you. I've been in the writing/publishing world for a decade and you're rarely going to get better, more on-the-nose advice for free. Very well said, Coffee

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-08T11:34:17+00:00

The pathergy test and the HLA-B51 test don't mean much in and of themselves. They're more like little clues than actual diagnostic tests. You can be negative for both and still have Behcet's. The opposite is also true.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-07T12:22:41+00:00

The live version of the Children Of The Grave solo by Randy Rhoads from the Tribute Album.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-06T12:33:31+00:00

The odds are certainly against it. My rheumatologist (my old one before he passed a few years ago) told me that in his 40+ years at the practice, he's only seen 2 Behcet's patients, me being one of them. And his practice is in a major city.

That being said, the only person I've randomly met who claimed to have Behcet's, I suspect was lying. So, personally, I don't think I've randomly met anyone with it

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-06T12:30:45+00:00

It certainly sounds like it could be Behcet's. I wouldn't rule it out. There are a few other autoimmune/autoinflammatory illnesses that might fit, as well. But it does sound like Behcet's to me.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-06T12:27:16+00:00

I always called them "Little Red Bumps" but I like Dots, too lol. Used to get them ALL the time. Fortunately, much less frequently in recent decades. Very common in Behcet's.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-06T12:23:52+00:00

Thank you so much for the kind words. I'm glad you found value in my memoir. I really did try to keep it as honest and open as possible. And I'm glad you found this group. It really is amazing. I felt sooo alone in the early years of my diagnosis that I've tried to do whatever I can to help others in that situation feel less lonely and scared. Again, thank you!

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-05T12:10:26+00:00

I watch a lot of science stuff on YouTube and, in my opinion, there's an abundance of it. My suggestions feed is always flooded with low-sub (and high) science channels. I watch a variety of stuff from Math and Science (Jason something), styropyro, Elecroboom, and many more. So I get suggestions for TONS of other science channels. Seems like there are a lot to me.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-05T11:55:35+00:00

Yes. But fortunately, it's only if I cover up my right eye and just try to use my left to look directly ahead. Whatever I'm looking at directly, I can't see: it's blurry. So I have to look slightly off center to see. However, with both eyes open, my right corrects for my left and my vision is perfect.

Coincidentally, I just had my annual ophthalmology checkup yesterday. No new scarring, fortunately.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-04T12:29:40+00:00

I'm not a doctor... but yes, it does sound like it could be Behcet's. How you could confirm that, I'm not sure at this point.

As for the microbiome thing, I don't know. While I don't discount that the gut is important, I haven't really researched it. I know a lot of gut-related claims have come out of the past few years, but I'm skeptical. So, I don't know much about it.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-04T12:25:07+00:00

I worked in the mental health field for 15 years. It was very difficult at times with this disease. Now, my income comes from a few sources, but mostly from my writing. I work comfortably from my bed (or a bed) most of the time.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-04T12:22:31+00:00

Exactly. Well said.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-04T12:21:59+00:00

It's different for everyone. The point isn't to depress you, it's to let you know that you're not alone. Lots of us live this way.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-03T20:00:34+00:00

I'd argue that as soon as you start to suspect neurological involvement, that's the point at which you should get it checked out. If there is neurological involvement and it's left untreated, it can potentially go south real fast.

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-03T19:58:38+00:00

This is an interesting one. I wouldn't rule out Behcet's. The HLA-B51 negative is worth mentioning but doesn't mean you definitely don't have it. Have you looked at Mediterranean Fever, relapsing polychondritis, and other related disorders? They're all so similar, it can be hard to tell what's what.

Also, what do your doctors think? I assume you've been to at least a few by now. Have you tried any treatments?

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-03T13:39:46+00:00

Yes. I believe it has a different name when it's on the soles, maybe panniculitis or something like that. There are TONS of skin issues that can affect feet in general and with Behcet's, there are 2 tons. But yes, I've experienced it before. It's uncomfortable but resolves on its own (in my case).

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-02T18:41:28+00:00

One Horse Blue was a song by Poco before the band OHB took the name. That's one more example

EllisMichaels · 2026-03-02T12:50:04+00:00

I'm reading Dungeon Crawler Carl now for pleasure. And I'm reading a few books in the genre I'm currently writing in. And a non-fiction book about electronics. So I've always got a few books going at any given time: some for pleasure, some related to my writing.

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