Catie Nettlingham talks to NZ Booklovers about Her Patient Fight.
Can you tell us a little about your collection.
My book ‘Her Patient Fight’ tells my story of mental hardship through poetry. It starts with my experiences with bipolar disorder and continues on to how I manage and live a happy, positive life despite this awful adversity. Hope is threaded through the sections of this book including the recovery part. The book emphasises the importance of people in our lives.
I am so grateful for loved ones. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be writing this book. This book showcases to the community what it is like to experience depression, anxiety, mania and bipolar which will help people feel less alone whilst also giving that insight so more people can be understood. I am proud of the final product and do wish it is helpful.
All people can enjoy this book and feel inspired, moved, and hopeful.
What inspired you to write this book? What were your main influences?
It was definitely all my experiences being unwell with mental health. I have a very strong natural drive and felt like I needed to put my story out there as that is exactly what I dreamed of reading when I was unwell. It would have helped so much.
What research was involved (if any)?
None - this book is based on real life lessons and all I learnt and was taught in my journey. You would be surprised how much knowledge and facts you soak up as a patient, especially when you do all your own searching online after each doctor’s appointment and in between.
What was your routine or process when writing this book? Do you have a typical writing day?
I like to put all of my thoughts on a blank piece of paper as they come, words, sentences or ideas. Then I link this all together into sentences. I actually don’t always know the ending of a poem before I write it. Sometimes I just write until I stop. If I am honest, when I was in the swing of writing this book I got a bit addicted. Some days I would write three poems a day. I truly was on a roll. I took my journal everywhere. The only regular routine I have is a neat set of fine tip colourful pens that I open up and select a colour depending on the mood I am in or the mood of the poem. The collection started to grow randomly when I realised it had an order then I further parted them into logical sections.
Where do you write? Do you have a special writing place?
Often I simply liked writing on the floor or on a couch or desk.
What was most challenging aspect of writing these poems?
The hardest poems to write where the ones that had the most intense emotions attached to them. I figured these where even more important to let out, process and speak about. I was unsure if being this open would be the best thing to do. Then I followed my gut.
What did you enjoy the most about writing the poems in this collection?
I liked the creative side of it. I also enjoyed the sense of achievement. I love a project and it was so fun and satisfying seeing it evolve.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Seeing family and friends, going to the beach, fitness, outdoors, crafting, drinking coffee, supporting others.
What’s next for you?
I am living the life I fought for. I enjoy the simple pleasures in life and am proud to hold down a job I enjoy. Next I want to study and train up in this area. I do like to take things a step at a time but it is hard as I am a creative dreamer. I do want to continue growing my reach on Instagram so I can touch more people with my messages and story. Later I want to learn and explore more about my writing, maybe tap into a completely different genre or audience.