A new year means another step closer to embracing my flaws, my dreams, and my inner fangirl obsessions: in short, being brave enough to embrace everything that makes me, me. Thus, it seems apt to update this post to reflect how I’ve grown in the past year and admit the truths I am now brave enough to say.
So, to all my blogging friends, my readers, and the whole wide world, are you listening? Can you see me? I’m re-introducing myself.
Who is Jade M. Wong?
Jade M. Wong is a combination of my Real Name (Mei Wong) and “jade” — an important gemstone in the Chinese culture. Jade M. Wong is a reminder of where I came from and where I hope to go, a reminder of who I am and who I strive to be.
Jade is a proud Ravenclaw (and according to Pottermore, also a Horned Serpent), has fond memories of traveling in the TARDIS with Nine, regularly meets for tea and mysteries at 221B Baker Street, rides in the Impala with Sam and Dean, is firmly of the belief that she is related to Agent Melinda May, and looks forward to the day Gandalf knocks on her door to take her on an adventure. Jade also prides herself on her ability to marathon whole seasons of TV shows in mere days (it’s a legitimate skill!).
From The Past…
When I first started sharing my stories and poetry, I was afraid to acknowledge my writing, to put up neon signs that said, “This is me. These are my words. We are one and the same.” Only two years ago, I finally replaced my anime-girl-picture-from-Google with a (very outdated) photo of myself. Still, that new profile photo was my version of a neon sign, the first time I shared my face.
To Now
An updated profile photo (see above) and an update on my first poetry book.
Do you remember when I mentioned that I had finished my first manuscript and sent it to my beta readers? Well, my beta readers all gave invaluable feedback, my manuscript was revised multiple times, and now…it’s done. As in, Final Draft Done. My first poetry collection is now ready to leave the safe confines of my laptop.
The Poetry Book: Glow Stick by Jade M. Wong
A little unusual, perhaps, but yes, I titled my book Glow Stick. The title was inspired by this quote:
“It’s okay to be a glow stick—sometimes we need to break before we shine.”
~Unknown
Which leads me to the hardest thing I will have shared with you all thus far on this blog.
Glow Stick is a collection that explores mental illness, specifically depression on a spectrum, the ups and the downs, the good days and the bad days, the suicidal thoughts and the fight for survival. In addition, Glow Stick examines self-love, asks exactly what it means to be brave, and guides the reader on a rollercoaster journey of the fight against darkness into a place of hope and light.
As I’m sure you’ve all guessed by now, Glow Stick is the result of my own struggle, spanning many years, with my depression and anxiety. It consists of familiar poems I’ve already shared here on my blog as well as many poems never shared with anyone before. There are poems written years ago when writing was the only thing tethering me to life, and there are poems written just a few months ago when the world didn’t seem quite so dark. In a way, Glow Stick is a book I could not have written until now, because I needed to learn how to accept all of myself, mental illnesses included, before I could share my story with anyone else.
Wanted: Agent and/or Publisher!
After doing my research, I’ve decided I want to attempt the traditional publishing route as opposed to self-publishing, so my next step is looking for indie publishing agencies, which research says will be the more likely way I get published. However, I’ll also be on the lookout for agents willing to represent me to submit to the bigger publishing houses, because what’s life without a little risk? (Also, what’s life without a high likelihood of heartbreaking rejection, sigh.)
Anyway, this blog will be my safe zone as I trek into the unfamiliar terrain of publishing and writing professionally. I’ll keep you all updated on my journey, and I’m hoping this blog, along with myself, will grow into something more.
Congrats on your new book. Enjoyed reading this. I think many can relate to your book’s thoughts, including me. Hadn’t stopped by here in awhile. Didn’t recognize your changed Gravatar pic. Glad I swung by and can see your writing is getting betta and betta all the time! God bless 💟.
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