Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. My name is Carly Reed and I am an all-around artist. I have struggled with addiction, mental health, and body dysmorphia since a teenager and these topics are what I write about. I am currently sober and picked up pursuing many creative hobbies during recovery, such as writing, as a way to express and process many feelings that I buried for so long. On this healing journey, I’ve turned a lot of pain into beauty by connecting with others through my poetry.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Human: Behind the Mask”?
A2. Fear of vulnerability, opening up and sharing on deep topics (mental health, addiction, body dysmorphia). But self expression is so liberating.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. Julia Fox’s “Down the Drain” because her writing and narration was so raw and authentic. And Rick Rubin’s “The Creative Act” because he encourages artists to create.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. Naples, FL because it’s subtropical and sun shine enhances my creativity.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Human: Behind the Mask’?
A5. Being in recovery and discovering writing was a way to fight cravings and prevent relapses.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Human: Behind the Mask’?
A6. About 8 months during my first year of recovery from drug/alcohol addiction. I had to fight to stay sober, and a lot of my poetry and writings were born during those hard times.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. Amazon and Barnes and Noble
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Human: Behind the Mask’?
A8. The photograph, by photographer Angelina, is meant to express rawness; it’s myself in the photograph and I am sitting on the edge of the ocean as the waves roll up, I am hugging/holding myself as a mask floats next to me. This is to show the mask I’ve been wearing is coming off (in my writing) and I am scared and only human beneath. The graphic art company, Genuine Creative Art, added sunflower graphics blooming in the sand on the sides of the centered image because sun sunflowers are tall and reach for the light— it represents growth through authenticity.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. Being open and honest about hard topics. I think my writing is confronting, but a breath of fresh air to unleash deep thoughts on vulnerable topics.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10. Rick Rubin’s quote about artist’s work, “they’re simply different snap shots of who we are and who we were. They’re all our best works in the moment they were created.” This quote took pressure off during times of writing, because I realized as an artist, I was doing my best work in each moment.
Buy Human: Behind the Mask by Amazon
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