When I was younger, I suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Not until my 30s did I finally experience “normal” existence. For me, several months after beginning medication, I began to live life without having to count ("5" was my magic number) and touch away my worries and anxiety-provoking thoughts.
One of the many obsessions I had was the fear of hell and anything demonic. If I didn’t perform my ritual “until it felt right,” then I would be leaving myself open to eternal damnation or to demonic possession. Neither of these sounded like a good time, so I would count and touch, count and touch, count and touch... until the fear subsided. But it always came back. Always.
It’s been almost 20 years since I started medication for my OCD, and I am thrilled to have finally finished my YA paranormal novel, The Sage Chronicles, Book One – Of the Lilin. This story flies in the face of the obsessions I had all those years ago, as it’s a tale about a depressed teen and her demonic bloodline.
For me, I couldn’t have written this book without the therapy and medication that treats my OCD. Of the Lilin is a testament to how someone can find support and treatment for their mental illness and move beyond their fears.
When my book launches Sept 1st of this year, not only will I be a proud indie author, but I'll also be a proud OCD survivor.