Frequently Asked Questions
Why is your website hosted with a free Weebly account? |
I used Weebly to build my website because of its many features, and its easy to use. I also wanted to save money on making my website, and this was the best way to do that. It doesn't take away from the quality of the website, nor the work I have done in writing the book. It is simply a cost-effective solution.
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Why should I donate any money to your book? |
Well you certainly don't have to. However, by donating any amount, you are helping a dream become reality. Also, you are supporting an everyday person, and it shows that you not only care about the work, but about the struggles of people who suffer with mental health issues.
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What does Carpe Diem Scroto Mean? |
Simply translated it means "Seize your day by the balls" I chose this title, because it is what you need to do daily. No matter what you are feeling that day, always make the best of it. Some day's it's doing something as simple as brushing your hair, other's it's walking 5 miles.
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What inspired you to write this book? |
Suffering with mental health issues myself, I understand what it's like to have a lack of motivation each day. Sometimes all I could do was get out of bed and brush my hair. Other times I would be able to clean my whole house. I read several self-help books and found them to always be so sterile and impersonal. So when writing this book, I wanted to keep the language simple, and down-to-earth.
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Who is the target audience for your book? |
My target audience is anyone who just needs a word of encouragement. I wrote it from a view point of someone who struggles with their own mental health. However, I think that the daily affirmations are really helpful for everyone.
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What sets your book apart from others in the same genre? |
I think that it is the language and tone of the book that really set's it apart from others like it. I wrote it to be like you were having a conversation with your best friend, rather than some therapist or professional sitting across from you. Having gone through the traditional counseling methods, I always felt like I was being judged by those who were employed to help me deal with the problems that I had. So, I tried to keep that in mind. To be more personable vs clinical.
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Can you give us an overview of the main themes or topics covered in your book? |
The main theme of the book is "doing the best you can with what you have available to you." This is something that I repeat throughout the book. Some of the topics that are covered in the book are mental health prompts like "think of a time when you really needed support and felt like you were not getting it. What did you do to support yourself, and how have you used those lessons for future situations that may have arised." Each and every page has some type of reflective, or mental health related writing prompt, to help you grow from, heal, or put to rest those issues that may be holding you back.
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How do you hope your book will impact readers? |
My hope is that my readers are able to find the strength within themselves to overcome the obstacles in their lives. I hope that they will be able to find the value as well as the necessary tools needed to heal from those things that they cannot talk about.
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Do you have any personal experiences or anecdotes related to the content of your book that you'd like to share? |
During the writing process, I suffered with a lot of depression, and at times suicidal thoughts. Sometimes it was only a day or two, other times it was a month-long battle. Most of the daily entries were the culmination of dealing with those issues, and the clarity that came after the 'break down'. So this is how the book was written, from a place of hope, and just pushing through to the next minute, hour, day, week, and month.
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How long did it take you to write your book? |
It has taken me about three and a half years to write. I started the basic outline of the book around April 2020 right as the pandemic hit. I did not begin fleshing it out until August 2021. Part of the reason it has taken me so long to complete is because I made it a rule not to write when I was feeling depressed or having a bipolar moment. I did not want that energy to translate into the work, as I felt that the affirmation may have reflected my negative mindset at the time, and I wanted the work to be "pure".
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Can you share any insights into your writing process or the journey of creating your book? |
For much of the writing process, I just did one entry a day. As soon as I woke up, I would write the very first thoughts and feelings that came to my mind and used that as the inspiration for my day that day. As I went through the day, I would reread my daily affirmation that I wrote to reassure that I was trying to stay on track with that morning's inspiration. On the days that I didn't write, either due to not feeling well or dealing with my mental health, I would do my best to rest, or just reframe my current state of mind. After a while, I started compiling the daily entries into a notebook, and then decided that I was going to put those into a book format and publish them after I reached 365 days.
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Are there any particular challenges or obstacles you faced while writing your book, and how did you overcome them? |
Oh there were plenty of challenges and obstacles. One of the biggest ones was my mental health itself. The second being forgetting to hit the save button and losing several entries (thankfully I posted some of them on social media, so it wasn't entirely lost.) Another large obstacle was the nay sayers and the self-doubt. And the biggest lesson I learned if anything was, REMEMBER TO ALWAYS SAVE YOUR WORK!
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Do you have any plans for future projects or books? |
Currently, I have several short stories that I have thought about getting published. However, right now my main focus is just getting this one published and out into the world. Though there is talks about creating a follow up to Carpe Diem Scroto, however, like I said, I'm really just trying to focus on this work at the moment.
In regard to mental health books, I have been working on a draft for a new book about growing up in a toxic environment and its impacts on adult life. However, like I said above, my main focus is on Carpe Diem Scroto. |
Can you tell us about any upcoming events or promotions related to your book? |
Currently there are no upcoming events to speak of. However, closer to publication I will be announcing my book launch party, and other such events. You can see the calendar on the main page that will outline the events as they come up. I also post a lot of information on the Facebook page and Instagram account, so I would suggest following them.
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How can readers connect with you or stay updated on your work? |
Reader's and people interested in the book can always come back to the main page www.cdsthebook.com or by following the Facebook page or Instagram account, or by filling out the contact form on the main page.
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Are there any specific messages or lessons you want readers to take away from your book? |
I want the main lesson and takeaway from the book to be this: "You are doing the best you can, with what you have available to you. Do not compare your accomplishments to those of others. Remember that we are all living life the best we know how to. And though our journeys may not be the same, we are all working on just living life to the fullest. When you feel like giving up, just keep pushing forward. Make yourself make it to the next minute, hour, day, week, month. It's not ok to quit. It's ok to ask for help, and by all means find help if you need it, you are not weak for asking for, or seeking help! It is never ok to quit. Regardless of how it feels right now, you are someone's inspiration. You are loved. And you are not alone. Those voices in your head can get loud, but remember, you are stronger, braver, and more, than what they ever will be. Just keep going, it does get better!"
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I made a donation. What happens if you do not meet your donation needs? |
I want to express my sincere gratitude for your generous donation. Your support means a great deal to me and is instrumental in bringing "Carpe Diem Scroto" to life.
I understand that circumstances can change, and I want to assure you that every donation received is allocated towards the publication of the book. In the event that I am unable to meet the donation requirements as outlined, I regret to inform you that refunds will not be possible. However, please rest assured that your contribution will still be utilized to further the publication process, albeit with potential adjustments to the timeline. My utmost priority is to ensure that "Carpe Diem Scroto" is published in a timely manner and that all Donor Tier incentives, as stated on the Support Page, are fulfilled as promised. Your trust and support are invaluable, and I am committed to honoring that commitment to the best of my ability. |
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What are ISBN numbers and why do you need them?
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Why I need to buy an ISBN?There are many reasons that I need to purchase an ISBN for my book title, including:
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