The writing process to produce this book began the day I entered the psychiatric unit, a few weeks before this picture was taken. I knew I wanted to describe the events and emotions of that harrowing experience, yet I didn’t possess the tools. Many years later, I began formulating a story about a young woman who loses her mind. Getting distracted by the fictional characters I created mired the project in unnecessary details. In 2015, I made the decision to quit hiding behind the novel format and write the book as a memoir.

My efforts produced a rather dismal draft, which I submitted to an editor in September of 2019. Believing I was nearly finished, I celebrated with a trip to New England. The vacation was lovely but the self-congratulations proved premature. Umpteen iterations later, the final version went to the publishers in April of 2021.

Truly a labor of love and long overdue, The Second is my first book. Some people find the title confusing but I had my reasons for the choice. I hope you enjoy it.