Caitlynn Cole is a writer who enjoys everything fantasy. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing through Full Sail University and is part of Full Sail University’s Creative Writing Club. Her flash fiction story ‘Experiment’ is published in Down in the Dirt magazine February 2024 issue ‘Where Icarus Went’. Most of the stories she writes are based off her dreams or nightmares. She lives in a cozy little apartment with her partner, and when she’s not studying for school or writing stories, you can find her cuddling any one of her four cats and/or playing games.
Artwork
Art has been a significant stress relief in her life and has always brought her joy. Abstract art has been her focus as of late, particularly eyes for no specific reason.
Paper Crafting
She will dabble in paper crafting from time to time, when she is feeling inspired.
My journey through important stories.
She has been through many ups and downs. Several highs. And quite a few rock bottoms. But she’s pushed through and come out stronger each time. She still has those days and they suck, but since she has learned how to manage her mental health, with the help of medication and therapy, she can finally pursue what she loves seriously, writing.
My Magical Life
This was her first novel. She started writing it when she was 11. That was around the time her father passed away. She started writing it in a spiral notebook. (Pictured above). It was then that she started to discover that she loved writing. She finished the book, but she’s not sure if it will ever see publication. She loves her book baby.
Story Starts and Writers Block
There was a period of time after she finished My Magical Life that she would start stories but couldn’t finish them. They didn’t sound right. They were forced and it was very discouraging. This caused the dreaded writers block. It sucks and her severe depression, undiagnosed at the time, did not help.
A New Start/Life
After several failed attempts at coming up with a good story, she had all but given up. Until she had a dream. The dream was the perfect idea for a story! After she woke up, she wrote down the specifics and went from there. It’s a beautiful story about change and freedom, but also how change can be dangerous and that life can be unpredictable.
The Aizyn Chronicles
This is a new project, and one that she is excited to pursue. She hopes you all will join her as she embarks on the quest to get this off the ground and take off.
Personal Note from the Author:
To those who are struggling to cope with their mental health. Know that you are not alone. There are many who face the same daily struggles and pain as you do. They may not be exactly the same, since everyone is different.
Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Your safety and well being are just as important as everyone else is, don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. Just because no one can see or understand your health condition does not mean that it is any less important.
Research Your School
And pursue your dreams. Do what you want to do. Don’t let others decide for you what you can and can’t do. But also make sure that what you want to do is something that you can do and support yourself with. And go to a good school. Nothing is more discouraging than completing a program/degree and then not being able use those skills.
That comes from personal experience. I went through 2,000 hours of beauty school only to come out on the other side unable to get a job. I had no connections, went to the wrong school, and booth rent was expensive.
Mental Health
Every day is a constant struggle with my mental health. The meds help but I still have to consciously stop myself when I start to have symptoms of self destructive behaviors.
Procrastination is one of the most difficult self destructive behaviors I struggle with. I will push whole assignments/projects until the last possible minute and then crunch to get it all done in three hours. I know this is a universal struggle and man would it be nice if there was a singular hack that helped everyone.
I have bipolar, major depression, schizoaffective, PTSD, ADHD, and anxiety. It’s hard sometimes. There are days I just do NOT want to get out of bed. And there are days where I feel like I can do anything.
Writing and Energy
This also applies to my writing. I have good days, and I have bad days. There are days when I am in the mood to write so I’ll write a little something, but more often I have meh days. I’m tired from school, I’m exhausted from focusing on school, and my brain is done.
I still want to write, but I’m so done with being in front of the computer by the end of the day that writing what I want for myself feels tedious. Writing takes a lot of energy because your brain is working hard to come up with the words you’re writing.
Keep writing and and try not to let the mental exhaustion wear you down and quit. It helps if you step away for a few hours or a day and then come back with a fresh pair of eyes and clear mind.
Go Get Your Dreams
Let your mental health, life experiences, and interactions with other people help shape your stories and give them life. I will use my life experiences, weird trippy dreams, and/or nightmares to fuel my stories. Helps keep my writing interesting.
Don’t let your health conditions whether they’re physical, mental, or completely invisible get in the way of achieving your dreams.