In the
last week I’ve had two opportunities to discuss my memoir, Leaving the HallLight On, and most specifically bipolar disorder and surviving suicide at two
book club meetings.
One was in
the San Diego area, about an hour and a half from my home; the other in Palos
Verdes Estates about ten miles south of where I live. Both of the invites came
from long-time friends. Even so, I felt very honored to be asked.
And since
I feel the intimacy and the openness of a book club discussion is a wonderful
way to promote a book and a cause, I don’t mind traveling long distances to
attend.
On Friday
night I met with ten women. Yesterday eighteen women huddled around me firing
questions left and right.
That’s
how I like it. Though I might say a few introductory words, I like the
discussion to be in the form of questions and answers. That way I can discuss
what my audience wants to hear.
And both groups
wanted to discuss the subject matter of my book – bipolar disorder and suicide,
and how I survived my son’s suicide. They also wanted to tell their stories. No
matter how many groups I’ve interacted with, it always turns out that most
people in attendance know someone – a relative or a friend – who has been
through a similar experience as mine. I always hear a story or two that breaks
my heart.
Of the
many people I talked to this week, only one was interested in how I put my book
together and how long it took to get my book published. I found that
interesting. These are groups of readers, not writers. They generally don’t
want to hear about how a book is made, they want to know more about the story
in the book.
For me
that’s a good thing. I want my story to get out. I hope these women will join
me in my mission to erase the stigma of mental illness and help prevent
suicide. And from what I heard I’m confident they will.
Left or Right?
