Have you ever read a book by an author and been left questioning the author's sanity? Often times you read a novel and the crazy factor is beyond your normal threshold leaving you questioning what is going on in the author's mind. I have gotten that a lot with my new release Jaded. Many have asked how it was possible for me to write so candidly yet be sane in my own mind? There is no cut and dry answer to this question but since I get it a lot, I thought I would take a crack at it.
As many of you now know Jaded was written as a book that carried over a few characters from my freshman novel "Touch," yet can stand alone as it is very detailed and lacks the erotic element. It tells the tale of a woman in her upper 30's who has been committed to a mental institution for the criminally insane as a result of killing numerous people, 16 to be exact! In the book she is having nightmares of a disturbing childhood. One must determine if it is in fact her true roots or one she conjured up in her mind. In order to stay true to the characters mental state I wrote the book in a combination of 1st and third person. The dreams are italicized so there is no confusion about the flashbacks. Her reflections, both past and present, are written in the first person so the reader is able to journey into her mind and feel her emotions. The chapters regarding her therapist, love interest, and all other outside parties is written in third person so the reader is not left questioning the truths in their journey with Jade.
So am I crazy? At first glance when reading "Jaded," I won't lie you may be left to ponder that question. I like to think of it as an out of body experience that was not met without some level of difficulty. At times when writing the novel I had to set it aside and revisit it a few days later. It was not for lack of words, writers block, but instead due to the rollercoaster of emotions these characters took me on. I did research to some degree on mental illness but I had to really wrestle with my take on a warped mind. The result was pouring my all into the character I call Jade and really allowing myself to feel torn. The same holds true with Dr. Deruth and Devine especially. I had to narrate their feelings and actions in a way that let the reader know they too had to struggle with this scenario while dealing with their own lives as many of us are constantly faced with. We must bear the burdens of our loved ones while pushing on with our own self struggles.
When doing a sanity check I would say as a sane person I accomplished writing an insane book. If one is left to question my sanity, I take that as a compliment because it means the book had the impact I was striving for. In writing this book I want to give you a different read that is filled with thought provoking situations that may help you or someone you know who may have found themselves in at least one of the scenarios presented in the book to some degree. Even if one has not had the experience I would hope that they can emphatize and understand its relevance. There are many suffering out here with childhood trauma, mental illness, domestic situations, parenting dilemmas, family drama, and so much more. Jaded embodies and embraces that struggle. It is my contribution to those unheard voices, entertaining yet informative in its own right.
Get Jaded with me! Enjoy!
