Hello friends,
Link’s for my writer friends,
Because I’m thinking about it and just found two great links, I can’t wait to share them. Who knows about Kidlit411? It is the one link to go to for kid lit lovers like me. Here it is:
And if you ever want to start a website? On your own? here is the site to go to for that.
Thanks to Flickr creative commons by Len Mathews. 🙂 Smiley refusing to label or throw anybody into a box of stigma.
The reason for the post:
YOU are my friends, right? And because you are, you are not going to judge me or go running in the opposite direction when I tell you the title of my memoir, right? I know there is stigma and I might lose some of you. But I’ve got to come out of the closet so to speak; so I can go on and finish this thing.
I mean, I only have two or three chapters to go on the first rough draft but the thought of having people judge me because of my title is holding me back. So here goes. My working title is this:
“Spiraling, My Journey With Bipolar Disorder”
This memoir deals with my late husbands death in 1991, my decreasing a medication I had been taking since a debilitating depression in 1984 and how these factored in creating a manic episode in 1994. Then the next six years through 2001 of remarrying and becoming stable after a brief hospitalization and finding the right medication cocktail. So, you see? Scary stuff to show and reveal about myself. Stigma. People scared for and of me.
Why I’m scared of stigma and yes, it is prevalent:
Around here there’s been a news story of a schizophrenic mom, or rather a mom who has schizophrenia, missing along with her two toddlers. And her family want her arrested for neglect when they catch her. Now, I’d like to know how this announcement is supposed to make her want to turn herself in. And where did that strike of neglect come from? Because she didn’t want to stay with her husband? Who said, “I just want my f……g kids back?” I mean who is to say she isn’t running away from an abusive husband who is himself violent and neglectful?
Make me smile and comment:
Anyway, Please comment. Tell me if you like my title, “Spiraling, My Journey With Bipolar Disorder,” or if you don’t and why. Or tell me if you have a better title. I’m all ears and open for suggestions.
My Books:
And for a look at a logo my friend Margot Finke made me? Here it is about my two picture books. We are still waiting for the print version of Edmund Pickle Chin. It is in e-version on the publisher’s web site though.
http://www.etreasurespublishing.com/edmund-pickle-chin-by-clara-bowman-jahn-and-susan-april-elwood/
My Picture Books
Clarbojahn's Blog 
I think your title is terrific, Clar, and that you are very brave to share your memoir. Bipolar disorder is more common than you might think, and I’m sure your book will speak to many people who struggle with it, giving them comfort that they are not alone and hope that if you can conquer it they can too. Also, love your logo 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Susanna for your continued support and encouraging words. They mean a lot.
So you won’t be running away? 🙂
LikeLike
No, of course not 🙂
LikeLike
The title is perfect. It needs to be upfront and personal to be effective. Susanna is right, others struggle with Bipolar disorder or have loved ones who do, and need to know there is hope. Best of luck with this book. The logo is great too.
LikeLike
Thanks, Darlene. The logo was given to me by none other than Margot Finke a frequent guest and commenter of this blog. I think it’s great, too. 🙂
Thanks for your opinion of the title as well. I appreciate your input. 🙂
LikeLike
Clar, your title is perfect–I love it! I think you are a brave and courageous woman. Stand tall, and be proud of the way you have dealt with and come out of the darkness, and into the light of a life you have managed to balance. Sure you made mistakes–all of us do. Smart people like you learn from your mistakes, and march on to bigger and better things. Your challenges have been huge, but you have whipped them. YEA!! I think you are a woman of strength. So go get ’em, mate. Don’t let naysayers put you off. You have a powerful story of survival to tell.
LikeLike
Awww, thanks, Margot! This is encouraging indeed. I really feel I can do what I set out to do. 🙂
LikeLike
My mother suffered with bipolar disorder for most of her life. I like your title because it simply says what it is. No sugarcoating. No pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes. I look forward to hearing more about it. Good luck.
LikeLike
HI Rosi!
Were you shy to tell others of your mothers illness due to Stigma? Or how it may reflect on you?
How did it rerlect on you? Did it make life harder for you? Was she stable? Here is my email for answers
cbowmanjahn at Yahoo dot com. I would so much get to know you better. Thanks so much for commenting. 🙂
LikeLike
Clar, I’m so proud of you for sharing your story. I think your title is perfect. I’m certain your memoir will resonate with more people than you could ever imagine. I’m cheering you on. And I can’t wait for Mr. Pickle Chin to appear in hard cover. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Tracy, thanks for giving me your opinion of the title. I am getting a lot of good feedback. Positive feedback.
Mental Illness is in the news lately. I’ll have to work doubly hard to make this happen. to finish my memoir.
As an aside: You and me both would like to see Edmund Pickle Chin in print form. lol.
LikeLike
Your book sounds like it may help people who have this disorder or know people with it. I like your title. Good luck finishing the book!
LikeLike
HI ERIK!
It is so good to see you! Thanks for your feedback on my title and for the encouraging words to finish my book. There are so many distractions in doing so, aren’t there? Maybe now , with my followers behind me, I can work easier and harder.
Thanks so much! 🙂
LikeLike
I don’t think there’s as much of a stigma as you might think… Or perhaps it’s just that I’m not turned off at all by the subject or your title! I’m glad you are continuing with your project, even though it might be difficult to put yourself out there like that.
LikeLike
Hi Janna!
It will be difficult to put myself out there but it seems like Mental Illness is in the news almost daily now so I better hurry and finish this memoir while it hits important stage.
perhaps you are right about stigma not being as harmful as I think it is. This has been a secret of mine for so long I think I may be surprised with people not caring about it about me.
Thanks for giving me your feedback. It is valuable to me. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing your memoir. The more people share their experiences, the more it is less stigmatized. Hope you have a good reception for your book.
LikeLike
Hi Patty,
You have been with me for the long haul. You know me as children’s author. And now it gives me courage to hear you hope there will be good reception. Thanks so much.
I can feel a blog post coming on about switching genres. Thanks for the idea. And encouragement!! 🙂
LikeLike
I think the title is excellent! And I hope that writing the pages has been therapeutic for you. You have a remarkable story to share. Thanks.
LikeLike
Thanks so much, for your support, Rhythm!
It means so much! At times the writing has been therapeuic but mostlly it has been painful. My journey starts with the death of my late husband and it was difficult reliving all that. But then there were healing moments as well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person