On March 5, 2018, I survived a severe hemorrhagic stroke.

I do not recommend this as a productivity hack, yet it actually had that effect with my writing because it stripped away the illusion that I have unlimited time. Every year on this date, I celebrate my survival because statistics don’t get the final word in my story.

When you come face-to-face with your own mortality, you stop waiting for perfect conditions. You write the book, you hug your kids, pet your cats, and tell the people you love how you feel. You understand that fear is loud but temporary. Regret is quieter and sticks around.

Surviving made me braver on the page. I let my characters risk more, love more, lose more. They fight harder. They recognize that they only get this one amazing life and they go for it.

We don’t get infinite drafts in real life. We get today. So if you’re waiting for permission to write the thing living in your head, consider this it. This morning you took a breath and opened your eyes, and there are plenty of people in this world that didn’t share that gift with you today.

You’re still here. Use it. Use every bit of it.