1.
What inspired you to write your book?
On July 2, 1998, my beautiful,
brilliant daughter, Pam, plunged to her death from her father’s 15th
story window. The shock and grief gave
way to a muse that compelled me to journal my feelings and thoughts. I served as a catharsis. I had no idea it would be a book. Grievers are nocturnal. My pain morphed into a purpose and seven
years later, I recognized I had something to share with others who had
experienced every parent’s worst nightmare.
2. What is it about?
It is
about my journey from shock and denial through all the stages of grief with
bargaining being the only exception. It
was my personal experience that I shared unwittingly as a way of coping with my
grief. It begins at her funeral and
takes you back through the trajectory of her fate from before diagnosis and
treatment to her death. I never believed
that Pam would commit suicide. It was
her disease, Bipolar I that was her executioner and pushed her out the window.
3. What do you hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers who finish your book?
Death
of a loved one is inevitable, certain and an unavoidable and inexorable part of
the human experience. No one
escapes. The purpose of this book is to share “how to” find life after loss. I learned to accept my daughter’s death and move on with life. It
is a story of tragedy. It is my mission and how my pain morphed into purpose.
I, like many others made the choice to not just survive but chose to
emulate The Phoenix, the mythological bird who rises from the ashes to grow
stronger than before. If I did this, so
could others. By
sharing my story of hope and courage with others who are suffering the loss of a loved one, I am
also hopeful to wipe away the shame and stigma of mental illness.
4. What advice do you have for writers?
Write
what you know about and have experienced.
If it’s fiction, write it as if it’s not. Be authentic.
5. Where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?
I am
not sure of how to answer this question.
It is nearly impossible to get published without a literary agent unless
you are a known author. Books are not
unlike music or art. They are food for
the soul and with the advancement of technology, there are many ways to enjoy
reading.
6. What challenges did you have in writing your book?
I had
none. I let my heart write the
words. They spoke my truth and carried
my message without conscious awareness. I never once thought that this would
become a book. It happened as a
manifestation of my grief. It is now
being made into a movie.
7. If people can only buy one book this month, why should it be yours?
My
book is an existential, personal journey.
People who have suffered the loss of a child or loved one would find my
story healing. It would take courage to
read it, but the challenge would be rewarding.
For more information, please see: www.joanechilds.com
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