Radio Interview - Writing & Living with Mental Illness
Tune into "98.5 Apple FM" (http://www.applefm.com.au/
Topics will include:- The success of my book - How it has affected my life- The writing process- Living with mental illness- Methods to assist recovery
Topics will include:- The success of my book - How it has affected my life- The writing process- Living with mental illness- Methods to assist recovery
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For anyone who may have missed my "Hitting the Airwaves Live: Author Interview on 98.5 FM - Writing & Living with Mental Illness" on 31 January 2013, here's what you missed:
Q. How are book sales going?
A. Extremely well, especially for a first-time author.
I initially had no expectations when it came to book sales. I thought it would be nice to have sold perhaps 20 or 30 books via my publisher, Brolga Publishing, and my distributor, Macmillan (I have sold more books than that from my own stock), but when the recent Sales Report from my Publisher showed hundreds of copies of my book have sold worldwide since publication (which was only July last year), I was very happy :)
At this rate, the first edition will sell out before Christmas.
Q. How many countries is your book now published in?
A. It’s available for purchase worldwide. There are currently over 100 different web-sites selling my book. The Kindle edition was released in November and is available from Amazon.
In Australia: From the major retailers such as Dymocks, Angus & Robertson, Collins Booksellers, QBD, Bookworld, Readings, Pan Macmillan, Booktopia and Co-op. It’s also available for sale from about 30 other book stores, plus some universities such as University of Wollongong. It’s also available for loan from most Australian libraries.
In the UK: Available from Amazon (paperback and Kindle) and about 20 other book stores.
In the US: Available from Amazon (paperback and Kindle) and about 5 other book stores.
In New Zealand: Available from 8 different book stores.
My book is also available for purchase in the following countries: Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Q. Did you ever imagine it would strike such a chord with so many people?
A. No, but I’m glad it has. It has got people talking about their own experience(s) with depression, which is what I was hoping it would achieve. I feel it has helped to raise further awareness around the topic of mental illness and that my book has started making a small difference in the world.
Numerous people have told me they can personally relate to many of the emotions and thought processes described in my book and that my book has touched them emotionally in some way. People have also commented that the style of my book, being a personal diary, is more honest, raw and direct (‘warts and all’) in comparison to other memoirs they have read.
As my book covers my personal experience with depression, readers have been able to personally relate to my experience, unlike many others books on the subject of mental illness which often discuss just the clinical aspects (what I refer to as a ‘text book’ explanation of depression).
It has been astounding the number and the diverse range of people who have confided in me about how their lives have been directly or indirectly affected by depression and how they found something in my book they could relate to. Even people who appear outwardly confident, happy and successful have been affected by depression.
Q. Have you found any changes in your life since writing the book?
A. The biggest change for me was deciding to quit my day job in November. I had been working part-time as a Software Tester for the past few years so I could dedicate time to completing my first book and finding a publisher. When my book was published in July last year I started finding it difficult and time-consuming promoting my book, filling book orders and working part-time. I made the decision to resign and take at least six months away from the traditional working world to dedicate my full attention to book promotions and writing my second book.
Q. What will you next book be about?
A. Many readers have told me they want to know ‘what happens next’. My first book covers the period 1997-99. My next book will be a sequel and cover the period 2000-2001. It will be less about depression and more about moving interstate and starting a new life, although a relapse in my depression does occur.
Q. Would you say it (writing and publishing a book) was mostly a positive experience?
A. It still feels surreal when I refer to myself as a ‘published author’. Writing a book and having it published was nerve wracking but yes, overall it was a positive experience. I have always wanted to publish a book and now I have. I was very nervous about sharing such a personal thing such as a diary for the world to see, but I have no regrets. When someone tells me they got something out of reading my book, it makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Q. What has helped you to handle any negative effects of the popularity of the book?
A. The only negative effect has been the inability to respond to the sheer volume of feedback I have received from readers. I would love to have the time to personally respond to all of the emails and Facebook messages I have received, but it’s very difficult to keep on top of.
I love the feedback, so please keep it coming and please be patient as I plan to respond to all the messages I have received - eventually!
Q. What is your favourite part of the book? And why?
A. The cover, because it’s got my name on it :)
Q. Is the picture on the cover a picture of you?
A. A few people have asked me this question. No, it’s not a picture of me. I don’t think my nose is that small :)
Q. Apart from the cover, what is your favourite part of the book?
A. This is a tricky question because I have lived it; I wrote the book and have read and re-read it many times during the editing and typesetting phases etc. I would have to say the poetry and stream-of-consciousness passages towards the end of my book, especially during September 1999, as they capture the raw emotion I was experiencing, demonstrate just how far my mind had lost touch with reality and also mentions the doubts I started to have about my biological father. Also during this period, I acknowledge that my problems are in my head, need to be dealt with and maybe life is worth living after all.
Q. Would you say writing is therapeutic?
A. Definitely. I wrote the diary entries in my first book at a time when I felt I couldn’t share my abnormal thoughts and feelings with anyone. Pages of written words can’t judge me or give me bad advice but writing out my problems is a form of sharing my problems.
Writing out my thoughts, in the past and present, has helped to free me of the emotional weight I carry around. Writing about my inner life helps me clarify my thoughts and emotions and put them in perspective. I have gained a clearer understanding of what I think and feel, and why, and have also noticed patterns in my behaviour, emotional reactions and thoughts over the years. I have gained an understanding of my inner self.
Writing helps me make sense of what’s going on in my head and in my life, along with my personal emotional reactions to life. It lowers my stress levels.
Q. Are there any pitfalls you’d like to warn other potential authors about?
A. It is very hard work to get published, especially these days, with so many book stores having closed down over the past few years. I spent years trying to get an agent and publisher to represent me. I received many rejection letters. An agent or publisher will not represent you unless they think they can market and make money from selling your book. They are in the business of making money, just like any other company.
You need to dedicate a lot of time and energy to get published. You need a lot of patience, commitment and determination if you’re serious about getting published. Be prepared for many rejection letters, and don’t take these personally.
Don’t expect to get rich! If you want to be rich and famous, maybe learn to sing and join a band, don’t write a book. There is not much money to be paid in royalties once your agent, publisher and book stores have taken their cut.
Write for the right reasons. Write because you’re passionate about it and want to share part of yourself and something meaningful with the world.
Contemplate the consequences of having your work published. Think about the possible implications such as losing close friends as a result of something you wrote about them, litigation from companies and professional implications. If you’re unsure about anything, seek legal advice or talk to your agent or publisher.
Q. You recently moved house. That can be a traumatic experience sometimes, how was it for you?
A. I’ve moved house three times in the past 10 years! It was more of an inconvenience rather than being stressful. As I left work in November and had to move house in December, just when I was ready to get stuck into promotions and writing my next book, it all had to go on hold.
Thankfully, we found a nice place quickly and we moved into the first place we applied for.
Q. Any advice for our listeners re: moving house
A. Hire a removalist and a professional cleaner.
Have a clean out to minimise the amount of stuff you will have to move. I think I ended up taking 23 bags of unwanted goods to my local op shop. Part with items you no longer want or need.
Buy more boxes than you think you’ll need.
Start packing as early as possible.
Q. Any advice for our listeners re: dealing with stress in general
A. Remember to breath; the body and mind need oxygen to function properly.
Find something (or someone) to laugh at.
Make time to have fun.
Learn to say ‘no’. You are a finite resource.
Feeling organised and in control lowers my stress levels. I find keeping a schedule helps with this.
Cut yourself some slack and don’t work too hard. Give yourself a day off or take a well-deserved holiday.
Talk about your life and stressors with trusted friends and family.
Maintain your general health: Ensure your schedule includes regular quality sleep, personal hygiene, eat regular meals (whether you’re feeling hungry or not) and regular exercise.
Q. What form of exercise is your favourite?
A. I go for regular walks. If I’m feeling tired I can walk slowly, if I’m feeling energetic I can up the pace and walk faster. I use walking as a form of meditation. I concentrate on my surroundings, breathe deeply, stand up straight and correct my posture and clear my head of all the to-do’s that have accumulated on my desk.
Q. Any advice for our listeners re: living with mental illness
A. Try not to be too hard on yourself or take on too many responsibilities. Know your limitations. Never blame yourself for having a mental illness.
Your energy levels may be all over the place, one day you might be really productive other days you may feel that you have no energy. Work around your energy levels and don’t try to do too much.
As mentioned above, maintain your general health.
If you’re on medication, ensure you take the prescribed dosage at the same time every day. Never increase, decrease or stop taking your medication unless advised by your doctor.
Ensure you have a reliable and trusted support network you can talk about your difficulties with including friends, family, GP and if required, a specialist such as a counsellor or psychologist.
Try not to stress about being a ‘burden’ on anyone, people who truly care about you will never perceive you as being a ‘burden’.
Q. What has assisted your continued recovery?
A. Finding a supportive and understanding GP.
Ensuring I take my medication regularly.
Having trusted friends I can spend time with, open up to, and who understand me.
Making time for fun and relaxing activities.
Feeling organised and having a routine both helped me to feel in control of my life.
Setting realistic and achievable goals and working towards achieving these life goals.
Maintaining my general health (as mentioned above).
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