Waves To Light: Blog Tour
Today I am hosing an awesome blog tour.
Blurb:
M.J. Holman and Queen of Spades return in this highly anticipated follow up to The Sea of Conscience.
When tackling a complex issue such as depression, it is important to see a light that will guide you to a place of functionality, contentment, and hope. However, each journey can transpire in different ways.
Travel with M.J. Holman as her discoveries are painted in “All Shades of Black”. Continue the ride with Queen of Spades while roving along her “Nuances of Color”.
Two unconventional trips, heading toward the Waves to Light.
I asked the authors of Waves To Light, a question, here is their answers.
What does Waves To Light mean to you and what was the purpose of putting it together was?
MJ Holman Replied:
Waves to Light is a progression from The Sea of Conscience. Whereas the first book was about the discovery of mental illness and using creativity to alleviate the symptoms, Waves to Light charts the course of the disorder and focuses on different coping strategies and treatments.
In my section entitled All Shades of Black, I start in the midst of the illness before concentrating on moving to a place where I can find peace and hope. It offers an insight into my thought processes, not only during treatment (Cognitive behavourial therapy), but in finding my own way through the use words and creativity.
The true purpose of the words is to set down a description of an illness which is not easily expressed in language, and to provide a voice for all those who find the task of depicting it onerous. As with The Sea of Conscience, I would like to hope Waves to Light also aids the relatives of sufferers to help them understand the nature of the affliction.
It is important to me, both sufferers and their relatives see that there are two individuals who have negotiated the illness and have found ways to cope. It does not mean we will never suffer again, yes there will be dire episodes, but there is always hope. That’s what Waves to Light does, it offers an enlightened path.
Queen of Spades Replied:
In my opinion, the purpose of putting Waves to Light together was to act as an extremely telling flip side (if you will) to The Sea of Conscience.
The Sea of Conscience is a collection of poetry and prose by MJ Holman that documented the discovery of mental illness. I was asked to contribute a few works to the book. After seeing the final product, I proposed to MJ Holman the prospect of going beyond the “discovery element”: to delve a bit closer into the treatment component after one has been diagnosed. She agreed and asked me to play a bigger role in Waves to Light—an equal participant, since there are similarities and differences in our treatment paths leading to the final destination of survival, functionality, and hope.
For me, Waves to Light represents three things.
(1) A willingness to be transparent as it pertains to mental illness
There is still a huge amount of stigma in regards to mental illness—that it has to have a certain look and have particular mannerisms. Just because one may “appear fine” doesn’t mean that everything is fine. It was very important for me to show others that even a person that is seen as a superwoman (like me) can deal with some Kryptonite from time to time. Through my candidness, perhaps others will dare to be candid.
(2) A true examination from the source about different ways to cope with mental illness
People can (and sometimes do) get in what I call the “medicinal hamster wheel”. When I first got diagnosed, the doctors worked diligently to decrease, if not eliminate, the more prevalent of the symptoms associated with my depression. Then, one can go through trial and error—having to see what medicines work and what doesn’t work, and this whole process can be rather costly (even if one finds a generic for the medicine). However, there were other alternate methods that were available yet they were not promoted as heavily. Waves to Light showcases that there are sources for treatment outside of prescription drug usage.
(3) To leave the reader and others dealing with this illness with the ambiance of inspiration
In my segment “Nuances of Color” I dip into all of the emotional components during my ongoing battle with depression (pre and post diagnosis). Even with awareness, moments arise when one’s disposition is rather cloudy. Yet through it all, there is a light—the knowing that you’re not alone and the lingering desire to keep going.
Now, what are you waiting for?
Go Pre-Order it!
