Tomorrow Seemed Impossible
Self-help - Memoirs
Date Published: 10-25-2022
Publisher: Rope Swing Publishing
From childhood well into her adult life, Keeley Brooks struggled quietly with trauma and the very dangerous effects it took on her physical, mental, and emotional health. In her late teens, Keeley was diagnosed with four mental health challenges and an eating disorder after suffering extreme panic and anxiety at a young age.
Struggling with crippling feelings of isolation, unworthiness, desperation, and fear, as well as the inherent urge to heal, she turned to writing. Now offering her human truths and personal experiences on how she navigated them, survived them, then healed and has grown from them, Keeley shares in graphic detail her deeply personal perspective on trauma, mental health, and side effects while bravely giving readers an intimate peek behind the curtain at the functioning of a mind rooted in trauma and riddled with fear, anxiety, panic, depression, shame, and silence.
Interview with Keeley Brooks, “I’ll Never See It”
What is your schedule like when you’re writing a book?
When I’m writing a book, I’m pretty much into it all day long until it’s done but only after I’ve indulged in my morning self-care routine. I’ll take breaks to eat and get outside and things of that nature, but for the most part, I’m writing anywhere from 6-7 hours a day, or as long as my fingers and eyeballs and brain allow me to write.
Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
Not really, no. Not for non-fiction and especially not for this creative non-fiction book. I did have a split second after I submitted to the publisher where I wondered if I should’ve used a pseudonym since I revealed so much sensitive information in my story. I thought maybe I should mask who I was, but then I realized that would defeat the purpose of sharing my truth in the first place. And I wanted people to know I was not and am not ashamed to have walked the path I have. I’m very proud to have survived what I did, to come as far as I have, and to hold the insight I do where certain topics are concerned.
Have you ever gotten reader’s block?
Yes! All the time! Reader’s block, writer’s block, listener’s block, watcher’s block—all of it! I have anxiety brain, so my mind never shuts down. When that happens, I stop what I’m doing and engage in things that reconnect my focus (i.e., breathing exercises, taking a walk, yoga, meditating, listening to music, cooking, hanging out with my plants and animals). I return to the work when I feel compelled to return. I don’t force it.
Does your family support your career as a writer?
They do! My husband is very, very supportive and encouraging, and my family and friends have all said it’s about time I focus on writing full time. It feels awesome to know that I have that kind of support, and I’m beyond grateful for it.
How many hours a day do you write?
I’m also an entertainment journalist, so between that and writing creatively, I’d say I usually write anywhere from 6-5 hours a day, give or take, during the week. But again, I don’t force anything. If my body and spirit are saying take a break, I take a break.
If you could invite any three people for dinner, whom would you invite?
Jonah Hill (to talk about anxiety), Ben Folds, and a publishing agent.
Would you share something about yourself that your readers don’t know (yet)?
I always have candy in my pockets everywhere I go. At the moment, I might have a mild obsession with Lemonheads.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I try to be more original, authentic. I’m sharing a deeply personal perspective and try to present that the way I intend as opposed to worrying about what everyone else wants. Of course, in fiction, it’s easier to play around with working to deliver pieces of that, but for this specific book, complete authenticity is the only way it would work.
How do you celebrate when you finish your book?
I think when I sent this book to the publisher, I sat in disbelief for a little while trying to convince myself I had just written a book that was good enough to be published. I did feel a huge sense of accomplishment. Then, I cried a little. I always get excited after completing a project, so I make sure to reward myself in whichever ways I am wanting or needing.
If you could be mentored by a famous author, who would it be?
Gillian Flynn, Stephen King, or Edgar Allen Poe.
Keeley Brooks is an author, writer, poet, and editor. She's a contributing author to the #1 bestseller My Labor Pains Were Worse Than Yours and in May 2022 released her first poetry collection Poetry from an Isolated Soul. With a decade's experience in entertainment journalism, she currently writes health & lifestyle articles for Modern Grace Magazine and is an arts & entertainment writer and managing editor at Mixed Alternative Magazine.
Keeley has just published her first creative nonfiction book, which details her deeply personal struggle with trauma and mental illness, as well as their effects on her mind, body, and spirit. She also offers an intimate peek behind the curtain at the functioning of a mind riddled with fear, anxiety, panic, and depression, then she shares how she has healed and grown from it all and has found the balance needed to reclaim her life.
Keeley is currently focused on several literary projects, including a collaborative fiction novel with three additional authors and a women's self-care book with her integrative health practitioner.
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2 comments:
Thank you very much for the recommendation!
Great interview
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