What Doesn't Kill Us: My Battle with Anxiety

Dear L.A, its so difficult to draw conclusions on another's sensitive experiences, sometimes its better to hear them form the person, that they happened to. But after reading your book. I could feel you whispering behind me. I know the illness you write of, [ Too well ], but I take heart from one whose bravery is beyond reprehension. No written words can usually deliver; as well, the hidden depths beneath our feelings, but I found your book enlightening, inspiring and most of all. Written by someone who really cares. I couldn't begin to tell you how good this book is, for some it will maybe save them. For others, unfortunately the popularity of prosperity is slowly winning its battle against passion. But lets hope a publisher will recognise your obvious talent, [ HC ], and do what's right. Best wishes and good luck with your book. And please look out for my backing. Take care, Cicuta, [ Carl, Arcane ].

L.A.,

Your writing style is decisive and direct, and continued to draw me further and further into the narrative. I believe your prose provides a needed balance to the the painful and personal nature of the events you document, while at the same time allowing the reader to vividly "watch" the events unfold, as if they were actually present. If your style was any more flowery or embellished, it would have been detrimental to the rawness of both your described experience, and my experience as a reader consuming your story.

The one downside to this directness is that it occasionally feels as though others in the story are suddenly introduced into the narrative. Because there are a multitude of outlying people who come into the text only briefly or occasionally, it becomes hard to keep track of them all and their relationships to you. Nonetheless, it is a small impediment, and it would be foolish to sacrifice the directness of your style for the sake of such a minor inconvenience.

Having not personally suffered from mental illness, the level of detail in the twelve chapters I've just read have begun to transform my understanding. It is easy to relate to someone's physical or emotional pain - we've all felt these ourselves on some level. However, mental pain is not familiar to all of us, and it is therefore no small thing to help an "outsider" like me gain a better understanding of the unrelenting suffering, pain, hopelessness, and trauma you endured.

Thank you for choosing to share your experiences - I'll be looking forward to the final publication of your book. I believe it will prove meaningful for many.

Best,
Teresa

Interesting. Read all 12 Chs. You write well my dear. Thanks for sharing the experiences. I'm certain that somewhere out there looms someone/people who need(s) to read your story. Commercially however, I don't imagine it is going NYT Best Seller. That said, which is more important?

Ironically, the thing that kept coming to me as I read your writing is, "Wow. This lady could write good fiction." I say that because of the plain voice narrative you possess that is inclusive of the everyday cliches and so forth.

Modern day, perhaps woman's fiction. You know the snuggly romance stuff and so forth. Not my genre but you have a clever way with the pen, obviously, are well educated and have a good sense of humor. Indictative of some of your wry humor.

Best to you my dear. I hope whatever you do, serves you well.

Sincerely,

Emmett
(E M Delaney)
-THE VIRUS

Coming Soon:
MIRACLE IN THE SWAMP

This is a testimony that I understand and have complete sympathy with. I think it's good that you can write about it, and not fear that even thinking about it will bring it back! Anyone who has experienced what you have will be right behind you with it. I shall give this a shelf spin as soon as I've given those already in my queue a turn on the shelf.
Cariad
STONES.

I really enjoyed your voice and narrative style. You are obviously an intelligent, serious writer, and unfortunately (for you*smile*) I reserve frank critical feed back for serious writers. Your first couple of chapters are very well done and pull the reader into the story quickly. Well done. Your voice is strong, and you have a well structure narrative—beginning with the phone call is a good starting point to draw the reader in.
My feedback for you is that, in moments when the story is most compelling—
containing potential for a most profound and engaging language—you tend to back off or cop out entirely. Sorry. The emotional content, and the descriptions of the aftermath and reflective clarity are not grounded securely in the text (as they should be).
After reading the first few paragraphs the believability factor waned a bit for me, mainly due to the third paragraph (that’s the one that stands out, as it was first), because the descriptions seemed watered down. Maybe this moment was a hard write with emotional honestly, sense it affected you so deeply—still, resorting to melodrama is less vulnerable emotionally than you need here. You need something more to convey the emotions you felt, and thus support the narrative claim that the moment divided time for you.
Falling to your knees and flinging yourself on the bed may be what you did, and that’s fine--but from a narrative standpoint it is a cold cliché. I think if you dig a little deeper, painful as that may be, you can describe the moment in a more artful and engaging manner that does justice to the rest of the narrative. The best writers take the emotional content and experience from their lives and honestly deal with it in their prose, so as to more effectively transport the reader. Make us believe that this moment divided time for you. When I am wring something very emotional, or painful, I go back to the moment and try to relive it, and write from the heart as honestly as I can. I know this may be hard in this instance, but you are writing this for a reason, it will be worth the effort. Don’t back off your story at the most compelling moments. When you edit your manuscript, consider you more emotional critical scenes, and ask yourself if you have conveyed your inner self effectively and honestly to the reader. If the answer is no, you will have some writing to do.

You have one of the few fluid, well-constructed first person narrative voices I’ve come across on this site. Most people here do not have a firm grasp of first person narrative, so congrats on having the intuition to do it well. And don’t be offended by the feedback. I would have bothered if I did not like you prose style. Please read some of my book when you have time and let me know what you think. feedback is appreciated.





blueboy

A factual account of a life that was lost in the prime of her life. You can't empathize this sitution unless it actually happen to you. The raw feeling run deep through the soul always asking why and the answer never comes. You have layed bare you soul and and not spared you're emotions only explained them carefully. So we the reders could be pulled into your world during the time after your mothers death. Tarrant

Dear Circuta,
Thanks so much. I do hope to reach people suffering from anxiety disorder and stop them from doing what I did. I have had one rejection and am working on my third submission now. If all else fails I will self-publish, but I'd obviously prefer the marketing power behind a publishing co. and to save the money myself! It will get out there, though, one way or another. Best to you, and keep the faith! --L.A.

Dear L.A, its so difficult to draw conclusions on another's sensitive experiences, sometimes its better to hear them form the person, that they happened to. But after reading your book. I could feel you whispering behind me. I know the illness you write of, [ Too well ], but I take heart from one whose bravery is beyond reprehension. No written words can usually deliver; as well, the hidden depths beneath our feelings, but I found your book enlightening, inspiring and most of all. Written by someone who really cares. I couldn't begin to tell you how good this book is, for some it will maybe save them. For others, unfortunately the popularity of prosperity is slowly winning its battle against passion. But lets hope a publisher will recognise your obvious talent, [ HC ], and do what's right. Best wishes and good luck with your book. And please look out for my backing. Take care, Cicuta, [ Carl, Arcane ].

Dear Circuta,
Thanks so much. I do hope to reach people suffering from anxiety disorder and stop them from doing what I did. I have had one rejection and am working on my third submission now. If all else fails I will self-publish, but I'd obviously prefer the marketing power behind a publishing co. and to save the money myself! It will get out there, though, one way or another. Best to you, and keep the faith! --L.A.

Dear L.A, its so difficult to draw conclusions on another's sensitive experiences, sometimes its better to hear them form the person, that they happened to. But after reading your book. I could feel you whispering behind me. I know the illness you write of, [ Too well ], but I take heart from one whose bravery is beyond reprehension. No written words can usually deliver; as well, the hidden depths beneath our feelings, but I found your book enlightening, inspiring and most of all. Written by someone who really cares. I couldn't begin to tell you how good this book is, for some it will maybe save them. For others, unfortunately the popularity of prosperity is slowly winning its battle against passion. But lets hope a publisher will recognise your obvious talent, [ HC ], and do what's right. Best wishes and good luck with your book. And please look out for my backing. Take care, Cicuta, [ Carl, Arcane ].

Dear Circuta,
Thanks so much. I do hope to reach people suffering from anxiety disorder and stop them from doing what I did. I have had one rejection and am working on my third submission now. If all else fails I will self-publish, but I'd obviously prefer the marketing power behind a publishing co. and to save the money myself! It will get out there, though, one way or another. Best to you, and keep the faith! --L.A.

Dear L.A, its so difficult to draw conclusions on another's sensitive experiences, sometimes its better to hear them form the person, that they happened to. But after reading your book. I could feel you whispering behind me. I know the illness you write of, [ Too well ], but I take heart from one whose bravery is beyond reprehension. No written words can usually deliver; as well, the hidden depths beneath our feelings, but I found your book enlightening, inspiring and most of all. Written by someone who really cares. I couldn't begin to tell you how good this book is, for some it will maybe save them. For others, unfortunately the popularity of prosperity is slowly winning its battle against passion. But lets hope a publisher will recognise your obvious talent, [ HC ], and do what's right. Best wishes and good luck with your book. And please look out for my backing. Take care, Cicuta, [ Carl, Arcane ].

Dear L.A, its so difficult to draw conclusions on another's sensitive experiences, sometimes its better to hear them form the person, that they happened to. But after reading your book. I could feel you whispering behind me. I know the illness you write of, [ Too well ], but I take heart from one whose bravery is beyond reprehension. No written words can usually deliver; as well, the hidden depths beneath our feelings, but I found your book enlightening, inspiring and most of all. Written by someone who really cares. I couldn't begin to tell you how good this book is, for some it will maybe save them. For others, unfortunately the popularity of prosperity is slowly winning its battle against passion. But lets hope a publisher will recognise your obvious talent, [ HC ], and do what's right. Best wishes and good luck with your book. And please look out for my backing. Take care, Cicuta, [ Carl, Arcane ].

L.A.,

Your writing style is decisive and direct, and continued to draw me further and further into the narrative. I believe your prose provides a needed balance to the the painful and personal nature of the events you document, while at the same time allowing the reader to vividly "watch" the events unfold, as if they were actually present. If your style was any more flowery or embellished, it would have been detrimental to the rawness of both your described experience, and my experience as a reader consuming your story.

The one downside to this directness is that it occasionally feels as though others in the story are suddenly introduced into the narrative. Because there are a multitude of outlying people who come into the text only briefly or occasionally, it becomes hard to keep track of them all and their relationships to you. Nonetheless, it is a small impediment, and it would be foolish to sacrifice the directness of your style for the sake of such a minor inconvenience.

Having not personally suffered from mental illness, the level of detail in the twelve chapters I've just read have begun to transform my understanding. It is easy to relate to someone's physical or emotional pain - we've all felt these ourselves on some level. However, mental pain is not familiar to all of us, and it is therefore no small thing to help an "outsider" like me gain a better understanding of the unrelenting suffering, pain, hopelessness, and trauma you endured.

Thank you for choosing to share your experiences - I'll be looking forward to the final publication of your book. I believe it will prove meaningful for many.

Best,
Teresa

I really enjoyed your voice and narrative style. You are obviously an intelligent, serious writer, and unfortunately (for you*smile*) I reserve frank critical feed back for serious writers. Your first couple of chapters are very well done and pull the reader into the story quickly. Well done. Your voice is strong, and you have a well structure narrative—beginning with the phone call is a good starting point to draw the reader in.
My feedback for you is that, in moments when the story is most compelling—
containing potential for a most profound and engaging language—you tend to back off or cop out entirely. Sorry. The emotional content, and the descriptions of the aftermath and reflective clarity are not grounded securely in the text (as they should be).
After reading the first few paragraphs the believability factor waned a bit for me, mainly due to the third paragraph (that’s the one that stands out, as it was first), because the descriptions seemed watered down. Maybe this moment was a hard write with emotional honestly, sense it affected you so deeply—still, resorting to melodrama is less vulnerable emotionally than you need here. You need something more to convey the emotions you felt, and thus support the narrative claim that the moment divided time for you.
Falling to your knees and flinging yourself on the bed may be what you did, and that’s fine--but from a narrative standpoint it is a cold cliché. I think if you dig a little deeper, painful as that may be, you can describe the moment in a more artful and engaging manner that does justice to the rest of the narrative. The best writers take the emotional content and experience from their lives and honestly deal with it in their prose, so as to more effectively transport the reader. Make us believe that this moment divided time for you. When I am wring something very emotional, or painful, I go back to the moment and try to relive it, and write from the heart as honestly as I can. I know this may be hard in this instance, but you are writing this for a reason, it will be worth the effort. Don’t back off your story at the most compelling moments. When you edit your manuscript, consider you more emotional critical scenes, and ask yourself if you have conveyed your inner self effectively and honestly to the reader. If the answer is no, you will have some writing to do.

You have one of the few fluid, well-constructed first person narrative voices I’ve come across on this site. Most people here do not have a firm grasp of first person narrative, so congrats on having the intuition to do it well. And don’t be offended by the feedback. I would have bothered if I did not like you prose style. Please read some of my book when you have time and let me know what you think. feedback is appreciated.





blueboy

Hi All,
I'm afraid this site confounds me a bit so far. If I have randomly sent you a message or reply, or NOT, please bear with me as I figure this all out. Also I only have computer access at work, so quite a few interruptions. Thanks for your patience! --L.A.

Interesting. Read all 12 Chs. You write well my dear. Thanks for sharing the experiences. I'm certain that somewhere out there looms someone/people who need(s) to read your story. Commercially however, I don't imagine it is going NYT Best Seller. That said, which is more important?

Ironically, the thing that kept coming to me as I read your writing is, "Wow. This lady could write good fiction." I say that because of the plain voice narrative you possess that is inclusive of the everyday cliches and so forth.

Modern day, perhaps woman's fiction. You know the snuggly romance stuff and so forth. Not my genre but you have a clever way with the pen, obviously, are well educated and have a good sense of humor. Indictative of some of your wry humor.

Best to you my dear. I hope whatever you do, serves you well.

Sincerely,

Emmett
(E M Delaney)
-THE VIRUS

Coming Soon:
MIRACLE IN THE SWAMP

Thank you very much, Emmett! I appreciate the vote of confidence for fiction, but I'm afraid I'm not very creative! I believe this was the only book I had in me. Cheers, LA

Interesting. Read all 12 Chs. You write well my dear. Thanks for sharing the experiences. I'm certain that somewhere out there looms someone/people who need(s) to read your story. Commercially however, I don't imagine it is going NYT Best Seller. That said, which is more important?

Ironically, the thing that kept coming to me as I read your writing is, "Wow. This lady could write good fiction." I say that because of the plain voice narrative you possess that is inclusive of the everyday cliches and so forth.

Modern day, perhaps woman's fiction. You know the snuggly romance stuff and so forth. Not my genre but you have a clever way with the pen, obviously, are well educated and have a good sense of humor. Indictative of some of your wry humor.

Best to you my dear. I hope whatever you do, serves you well.

Sincerely,

Emmett
(E M Delaney)
-THE VIRUS

Coming Soon:
MIRACLE IN THE SWAMP

This is a testimony that I understand and have complete sympathy with. I think it's good that you can write about it, and not fear that even thinking about it will bring it back! Anyone who has experienced what you have will be right behind you with it. I shall give this a shelf spin as soon as I've given those already in my queue a turn on the shelf.
Cariad
STONES.

Dear Laura Anne, I love that you had the heart to share your tragedy about the car accident that killed your Mom - thank you. :) When you said the boy held her in his arms, I started to cry because I held my Mom 3 days until she died, moaning from pain of cancer (I've written it my book in my chapter, "My Precious Mom" - I'm still tearful for you because I can never talk to Mama again, so my heart goes out to you & I pray God will hold your heart. :) I love that they sang "Amazing Grace," because they did at Mama's, too. :) I don't care what anyone thought or said, I wept convulsing during the whole service - my Mom was no longer here & I was sad. ;( I also understand anxiety attacks because my husband of 18 years has genetic (also his brother has) paranoia, obsessive compulsive & schizo controlled by meds in '85 & has been in the hospital twice when he thinks he no longer needs the meds, as has his brother. :) May God richly bless you & surround you with His presence. :) I have read, commented on, & put your book on my watchlist, to read & also at least 24 hour back when space opens on my bookshelf. :) I have also gold ******-rated your book :) - could you please ****** & back my memoirs/testimony book, in return? :) Thank you from the bottom of my heart. :) Love, Susie :) p.s. every ******-ing & back moves our books closer to the editor's desk :) - click on author's name, scroll down & click on their book cover or title :) - & away you go :)
None of this comment is copy/pasted & is written my best from my heart. :)

:) comment to follow after I've read your book - read & commented on 2 hours later :)

What Doesn't Kill Us:

Hi, L.A. I've just had a chance to read the first chapter. Needs a bit of tightening (in my humble opinion) but it held my interest enough to star, and back it for further reading.

You won't need to consider my book but it would be lovely if you had a peek at any (or all) of the books on my shelf.

Cáit. :o)