I have written several books in the last year, a few of them very dark. One of the books, 100 Unfortunate Days, was called by a dear friend "a sure sign that you are a lunatic".
I laughed this off at first because the book is certainly not about me, but the voice kept returning, and I wondered if my writing did indeed prove that I was at least partly nuts.
After looking up articles from authors including J.K.Rowling, I not only felt better about my mental health, but about my writing in general. It made me think we all have a story to tell, and we writers choose to tell ours in words. There are endless ways to be ourselves, and if we have a dark side that needs to be talked about, incorporating it in a story can be a wonderful thing.
I suddenly have more respect for people who have different passions: mountain climbing, sky-diving, singing, cooking, or any one of the millions of ways we experience our own lives. We're going through our #%@ in our own ways. Good for us. Find your thing and do it...as soon as you can. :)
Article on J.K.Rowling and how she began writing.
http://theinnerwriter.com/39/jk-rowling-on-writing-and-depression/
100 Unfortunate Days -------------->
God I hope not, or else my loved ones are in for a hard life
ReplyDeleteJealous people say hurtful things when you experience success, or seems about to attain your goals. My writing friends who I have faithfully supported for YEARS are showing their true colors. Some are kind, some are not.
ReplyDeleteNo one who knows me can honestly proclaim me a lunatic. Silly, goofy, opinionated, sure. But there is not a mean bone in my body, let alone a crazy, cruel, murderous one.
Your friend was projecting.
Red-
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing to me how certain people like you better when you are down--you hit the nail on the head.
Penelope
Wow, funny how we read things differently. I think I would've been flattered if someone called me a lunatic. I always chuckle a little when I tell people about my night terrors (or some other part of my mania) and they get nervous for me. Personally, I believe that all genius has a hint of insanity (not saying I'm a genius, but you know what I mean). Of course, I understand that your 100 Unfortunate Days is a little closer to you personally. I would ask your friend if he/she meant it honestly or was just saying it off the cuff.
ReplyDeletePaul D. Dail
www.pauldail.com- A horror writer's not necessarily horrific blog
Paul-
ReplyDeleteAnother friend told me she had to stop reading 100 Unfortunate Days because it freaked her out. She could not sleep. I felt bad for her and did not want her to feel bad, but at the same time I was thrilled that anything I had to say could have an effect on someone. So I know what you mean Paul. :)
Penelope