Throughout my experiences, I didn’t have access to any books or literature that was similar to my idea, and I felt that it would be helpful to others to write what I had in my mind.
Joshua Winkler – 20 December 2024
The Back Flap
Don’t Do It is true story about one individual’s life adventure along with their mental health journey and recovery thereafter, it is in no way intended to advocate for suicide, but to advocate for mental health awareness. Especially among our veterans. Accompanied with a self-help guide to therapy for the reader.I have had several plights throughout my life, including suicide, which I thankfully survived, and have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia. While there are challenges throughout my daily life that I must conquer everyday, I do not seek for pity, only awareness for others that are going through similar challenges within their own life. So please read this book with an open mind, as it is intended to force the reader into thought experiments of their own. Delving into the corners of your own mind, finding that while many have different stories, we can all reach the same conclusion in life. We are all human.
I hope that this book can help anyone out there that is like me. While we may find it hard to talk openly about our experiences or our feelings, writing them down comes easy.
About the book
What is the book about?
It is a short story about my life, and mental health journey, designed to be a guide to self-help.
When did you start writing the book?
Shortly after surviving an attempted suicide in October of 2023.
How long did it take you to write it?
8 months.
Where did you get the idea from?
Since serving in the military, I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and been in several mental health facilities. Throughout my experiences, I didn’t have access to any books or literature that was similar to my idea, and I felt that it would be helpful to others to write what I had in my mind.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
The entirety of the book was difficult for me to write, navigating through memories that I would rather not on most days, left me exhausted after 8 months of writing.
What came easily?
Writing about my wife and children, has always been easy to me.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
The book is non-fiction, designed to be a self help guide to therapy for the reader, everyone will take it in their own way. Some may be inspired by it, others will laugh at it, some may even get mad.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Orson Scott Card, and Christopher Paolini have always inspired me, their stories are far different, and far more intricate than my own. But I have always been inspired by their association of mental health with their writings.
Do you have a target reader?
Individuals struggling with their mental health, or anyone who is hoping to gain insight into a person’s mental health who has schizophrenia.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I typically will start writing several pages to get an idea of where I want to go with the story, and then expand from there.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
No I do not typically outline, however with my book, I did use headings as inspirations for each chapter, and keeping the flow that I intended for my book.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I will edit as I go, trying to finish an entire chapter prior to editing.
Did you hire a professional editor?
No
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Yes most of the time I do listen to music, and it is sad, rap music that really gets my fingers moving, getting into that free flowing thought of times that were either nostalgic or anger you. I feel as though music has a natural way of bringing you into that writers trance.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No
Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I felt that it is important to the inspiration of being able to do it all yourself, no matter what your labeled as in the real world.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I designed it myself.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Just winging it
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
After completely writing your book, take several months prior to publishing it to submit it for reviews prior to your release, that way when you post it to social media or are marketing it, it already has a decent amount of reviews.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Small town Eustis, FL.
Where do you live now?
Nashville
What would you like readers to know about you?
I am an Army Veteran, diagnosed with schizophrenia, who has survived a suicide attempt, and would like to get my story out to others that may be like me.
What are you working on now?
A follow up book, that is more sophisticated and designed to express deeper the intricacies of schizophrenia and dealing with it as a part of your life on a daily basis.
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