I’m Not Dead…Yet shares your journey through the adversities of cancer, addiction, mental health struggles, and time in prison, ultimately leading to self-acceptance and redemption. Why was this an important book for you to write?

For several years, I’ve had a few different thoughts and ideas for writing manuscripts, but the one story I felt would be the most difficult to write was the story of my own life. I say this because, it is obviously so close to my heart and so raw, that a potential rejection of the book itself could easily be construed as a rejection of myself. For this and several other reasons, I had to make sure that I was removed from these past atrocities of my life just enough to ensure I wasn’t re-traumatizing myself and could bear the possibility of being judged. I made the “mistake” of trying to write this memoir a few years ago. I would start writing and soon after start weeping so badly I couldn’t see the page in front of me. This happened a few times, and I refused to relent because in my heart I knew there would be other people out there who could benefit from my story. This is the main reason why I knew it had to be written. Also, I wanted to get my “toughest” story out into the universe so that I could begin the process of writing those other stories I’ve wanted to complete. In my mind, I thought, if I can make it through this memoir, I can make it through anything else I decide to write.

I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?

I wish I could whittle it down to just one thing. The truth is, there are a few different scenarios that were very difficult to write about. It’s one thing to generally talk about hard times with people I know during a conversation. It’s much harder to reveal the details of these situations to complete strangers, most of whom I will never meet. This is especially so for the most intimate details that have scarred my soul, yet make me the person I am today. In the end, the potential reward of helping others have hope weighed more heavily than the potential for embarrassment and rejection.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

Outside of the litany of situations that contributed to a deleterious cycle in my life, I felt it was just as important to imbue some humor when appropriate — at least my hope is that it comes across as appropriate. Also, I felt it was important to show that transformational betterment is possible, no matter how bad things get for us. It’s not easy to change for the better, but it is absolutely necessary and crucial for us to survive and flourish. I also feel very strongly that people need as many chances as possible to make things “right” for themselves and those they may have hurt. For this reason, I don’t believe in “second” chances; but instead, take every failure as an opportunity to become closer to the change I want and need, no matter how many times it takes to make the change stick in the long term.

What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?

Everyone has a past. Everyone must endure hardships, no matter who we are. While I’ve likely experienced more difficulties than the typical person out there, that doesn’t make me better than anyone else. No matter what we must endure in life, there is always hope and opportunity for betterment, and I am living proof of that. Bottom line: don’t ever give up on yourself.

Author Links: GoodReads | X(Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon