Join us via Zoom, Tuesday, September 28th, 7 pm with guest author, Tyler Wittkofsky as we discuss writing honestly about mental health and creating characters with mental illness. Tyler Wittkofsky is an award winning multi-genre author, poet, and mental health advocate from Leland, North Carolina. He graduated from South Brunswick High School and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Author of (Not) Alone and Seeds Of Love. (Not) Alone is the story of Henry Hovishky, a recent college graduate who is exploring life one step at a time. Already in his young career, he is the winner of multiple awards and recognitions. He is soon to be married to the girl of his dreams. His best friends are more than friends, they’re family. His family supports him and raises him up. And yet, he can’t help but to feel alone. How can someone who seemingly has everything be so alone? Everything seems to be great in his life on the outside, but this story shows the truth of Henry’s life. He struggles with depression, anger issues, severe anxiety, and bipolar disorder. With so many successes in his life, he still fights an uphill battle every day. Seeds of Love, Clay Dabrowski is a recent college graduate who has his life planned out. He knows what he wants to do in life and embarks on those goals with the support of his family and friends. But when he meets the fiery red-haired Bailey Childe, she suddenly shifts all of his priorities. She gives him the strength and courage to do and be more. While he battles his insecurities and mental illness, Clay and Bailey forge a path through life’s ebbs and flows as a new, young couple. Their journey seems to be all but perfect. But is everything as it seems?
- Why is talking and writing about mental health and mental illness so important to you and to the world in general?
- What do you feel is the most common mistake people/writers have when portraying someone with mental illness?
- Why have you given your main characters mental illnesses in your stories? What do you hope a reader will gain from reading about these characters?
- Many misdiagnosed and undiagnosed cases of mental illness still suffer in this decade, what can we do to help ourselves and our loved ones get the help we/they need?
- What is the key to accepting those with mental illness?
- What are some good practices to ensure good mental health?
- What is the difference between mental illness and just being depressed or anxious?
- How do we recognize the signs in ourselves or our loved ones?
- Suicides and drug overdoses in eastern North Carolina are on the rise. Self medicating and distrust of doctors as well as the difficulties in finding good mental health advocates, where can we go for help and information?
What questions do you have for Tyler?
If you wish to join this meeting, please contact Sherri Hollister pwgcritique.group@gmail.com
