The written word is a powerful medium.
Books can both influence and educate society and culture. I was listening to
Isabella the other day when she talked about Sapphire books leaving a legacy.
That got me to thinking about what I do with the books I write. It’s no surprise
to anyone that I push the envelope and tackle controversial topics. My goal is
to combine education and entertainment.
In my upcoming book, The Dream
Catcher, I attempt to tackle a serious topic, mental illness, and weave
a bit of education into an entertaining and engaging story. Let me clarify that
I don’t wish to make light of the very real challenges for those who struggle
with illnesses such as bipolar disorder.
I chose this particular disorder for my
main character, Heaven, because I’ve had a front-row seat to the difficulties
and challenges to overcome, especially with close relationships. There is a
member of my immediate family who has had to manage her illness since her early
twenties. At times she is successful and at other times, she is not. Her
relationships with others sometimes suffer for it. I wanted to change the
narrative in my make-believe world and ensure that while Heaven has some real
challenges to overcome, her disorder is seen as a gift, rather than a disability.
In one of the more heart-wrenching scenes, I create a bit of lightness, yet try
to display the deep pain Heaven feels at the effect of bipolar disorder on her
relationships. Here is that scene:
“She’s not what I
expected.” Syl sat in the recliner. Her mouth did that worried thing as one
half of her lip scrunched to the other side.
“Yeah well, me
either. She was refreshingly direct and so beautiful.” I’m sure my dreamy
expression caused Syl more concern. “Did you see how her breast peeked deliciously
out from her shirt? One more button, and I’ll bet I could have seen her
bra—probably some sexy Victoria’s Secret, lace creation. Mmmm, yeah, one more
button.”
“You know, I’m
beginning to re-evaluate a few things. I should just take you to a professional,
so you can get it all out of your system. Maybe then you would be able to think
more clearly. I suppose not having sex for so long has clouded your judgment…”
“Syl, you know that
my…uh…special gift twists my sense of reality with unique perceptions. A romp
in the sack with an escort isn’t going to alter that, but I do have my very
lucid moments. I really think this is one of them. I get a good feeling about
Maya. I believe she can help me.”
“Assist you in what
way, that’s the real question. If it’s to help scratch a long overdue itch,
that’s not solving the problem.” Syl brought the glass of wine to her lips and
took a sip.
“Maybe you’re the one
too focused on sex, because you didn’t get to go home with Darla and your
perception is off. I meant, she could relieve me of my nasty dream apparitions,
not assist me with my long, dry spell of unwanted abstinence.”
“We’ll see. I have a
bad feeling about what is on the horizon for all of us.”
“Maybe it’s just
indigestion from your spaghetti sauce. There was an awful lot of garlic in it,”
I quipped.
Sylt threw a pillow
at me. “I’d like to see you do better. Oh wait, you don’t cook. I have several
charred pots to prove it.”
“I could learn. Do
you think that would impress Maya?”
“You have bigger
issues to tackle. I probably wouldn’t worry about your ineptness in the
kitchen. Please, don’t go falling in love or lust. It only serves to exacerbate
your condition. Need I remind you what happened when Twyla broke up with you
after you’d only been dating for one week?”
“It isn’t fair that
you get to plan for a future with Darla, but all I can hope for is periodic
visits to a professional.” I knew I was pouting, but she wasn’t being
reasonable.
“Life isn’t fair,
Heaven. I’m sorry you got dealt a bad hand.” She looked at me with pity in her
eyes, and I thought she really was sorry.
“Is my disorder so
bad that I don’t deserve love?” I wanted to know the answer.
“It’s not that
simple, Heaven, and you know it. When Spartan injected you with that serum to
enhance your dreams, he made a typical relationship virtually impossible for
you. You know that better than anyone else. I really am sorry, Heaven, for any
part I played in their abominable research. I’d do anything to take it back.”
Syl leaned forward and pushed at her temples with her fingertips for a few
seconds, almost as if she was trying to massage the bad memories away. “Maybe
she can help you enough to lead a relatively normal life, but you can’t get
involved with a Dream Catcher. That would play right into their hands, and they
might double their efforts to capture both of you.”
I nodded, pretending
I was in agreement with her, but in my mind, I was crossing my fingers behind
my back.
My grandmother always said that every pot
has a lid. Sure, sometimes we scrounge around in the cabinets looking for that
lid (unless you’re are OCD and have them neatly together at all times in order
of size, smallest to largest). On other occasions, in a move, the lid is lost
and finding a new one in an unlikely place like the Salvation Army thrift store
is your only option. Sadly, more often than not, people purchase a new pot with
a lid. The lonely pot faces the reality
many with a severe mental illness confront every day…never finding their lid because
they are tossed aside like an unworthy piece of trash.
Since this book is at its core a romance,
Heaven does find her lid and there is a happily ever after for her. I won’t
tell you who her love interest is, but I will reveal that this person brings
out Heaven’s gifts and lets her see herself in a different light. The journey
is filled with intrigue and a new spin on how the government can be evil. I hope you will enter Heaven’s world and see
things through her eyes and gain a new understanding. Empathy is a powerful
tool that drives connection. As my dedication says: To the men and women who struggle
with bipolar disorder, may their special gifts remain intact.
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