My original dream goal was to be a published author; now that I have accomplished that, I guess I really want to be able to inspire others to seek proactive and healthy ways of coping with mental illness.
My work schedule is very chaotic, I guess. It really depends on my emotional well-being. I get inspired throughout the day and will take notes on my feelings and mood to make them into a poem later on. Sometimes, I will write all day long, but other times, I will randomly get inspired to write a whole chapter in the middle of the night.
Growing up, I was alone most of the time. Since I was adopted by my grandparents, I was practically raised as an only child. I read quite a bit. I even tried to write my own short stories on scraps of notebook paper and staple them together. Eventually, in middle school, I discovered the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Langston Hughes, and other poets. I fell in love with the art of poetry and have been writing to cope with my mental illnesses ever since.
Take your time. To rush a good story is to harm it before it gets a chance. Practice meditation and self-care. Not everything you write has to make it into the story. Try writing for yourself. Write whatever comes to mind. Writing should be therapeutic. If you start feeling burnt out, try taking a step back from this project and work on something different for a little while.
