Short Story Collection Tackling Mental Health

An indie writer with bipolar disorder, Rosen Trevithick, has just launched a short story collection called Seesaw, which contains two stories tackling mental health, as well as eight other tales on a variety of themes.

In the preface she states that she writes to help herself understand the world, which can be confusing for even the healthiest mind. She tells of her delight at making money from writing, after being unable to earn a living for many years, due to her mental health problems.

In order to promote the anthology, Rosen is giving away free copies of one of her short stories, a black comedy called, London, the Doggy and Me. However, it is only on promotion until Thursday, so if you're interested, grab a copy now.

The books are available for Kindle but you don't need an eReader to enjoy them. You can also get Kindle software for PCs and many smartphones.

Dear JJ (AKA "What Crazy Looks Like")

Yesterday I listened to an audio clip of Fletch and Vaughan reading some text messages allegedly send from a girl called JJ, to a man she had a one night stand with. The girl was clearly suffering from a severe anxiety episode, yet people all over the globe seem to view this as entertainment.

Since when has a girl having a mental breakdown been funny? Screen shots of the texts have propagated all over the web under the title "This is What Crazy Looks Like Via Text Messaging" and there are literally thousands of comments from people laughing at her.

I really hope that the texts are a hoax. If not, there is a girl out there, who will no doubt be deeply distressed by this mass, disgusting example of digital bullying.

What JJ appears to have experienced, is the involuntary surge of chemicals that follows sex. She felt attached to Kevin, whether she wanted to or not, and any sign that he did not feel the same way, caused her great anxiety. In order to alleviate this anxiety, she texted him again and again. Every time he failed to respond, she felt more anxiety and the urge to text him again increased. She got caught up in a self-defeating loop. Later texts suggest that she loathed the way she was behaving, yet was powerless to stop.

Most of the comments about this appear to see things from the man's point of views. Yes, I understand why her texts may have annoyed him, but that seems negligible given the pain she must have been in to send so many, deeply troubled texts.

So JJ, if you're reading this, the people who are laughing about this are the ones you should feel sorry for. They are obviously to shallow to appreciate that somebody in your position deserves compassion, not public humiliation and mockery. For many people, the emotions that follow sex with a new partner, or overpowering and confusing. You are not the only girl who has behaved in this way, and you won't be the last.

Opportunity for writers of lesbian/bi fiction

I stumbled upon Freya Publications, who specialise in offering a diverse range of lesbian fiction.

They are currently looking for submissions for two short story collections. The themes are:

- Sunkissed - short love stories with a summer theme.

- She Bites - short stories with a gothic theme.

They also accept novel submissions.

See submission guidelines.

The Selfish Act - A Portrait of Suicide

Following our post about Jeremy Clarkson' comments on suicide, Rosen Trevithick has written a short story depicting a suicidal mind.

On her blog, Rosen posted,

"Clarkson likes saying things for shock value, but the fact remains that an astonishing number of people genuinely believe that this method of suicide, or indeed suicide on general, is selfish."

About the story,

"Morwenna has a very satisfying life, but she's plagued by an undiagnosed mental health problem that she refers to as, 'Too many thoughts.'

When she wakes up the morning after her engagement party, feeling disconnected from the world, her despair drives her to a railway bridge. She finds herself trapped between the reality of phone calls from loved ones and the alternative universe painted by desperate depression."

Rosen added,

"It's not very cheery reading, but it is honest."

Read The Selfish Act.