Understanding Suicide Among Men

Understanding Suicide Among Men Depression Suicide Print Understanding Suicide Among Men By Jerry Kennard Jerry Kennard, PhD, is a psychologist and associate fellow of the British Psychological Society. Learn about our editorial policy Jerry Kennard Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD on November 21, 2019 twitter linkedin Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Daniel B. Block, MD Updated on January 31, 2020 MarioGuti / Getty Images More in Depression Suicide Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Types Childhood Depression In This Article Table of Contents Expand Risk Factors Explanations Prevention Getting Help View All Back To Top Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911 immediately. In recent years, there has been a steady increase in the numbers of men who elect to end their own lives prematurely through suicide. While women tend to experience more suicidal thinking, men are far more likely to die by suicide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 47,000 people died by suicide in 2017 in the United States.?? Suicide is the tenth leading  cause of death overall. In 2015, suicide was the seventh leading cause of death for all American men,  according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Suicide is a serious problem in the United States and worldwide, but there is hope.   Here are some important things to understand about suicide among men and what you can do if you or a loved one are having hopeless feelings or having thoughts about suicide. Suicide Statistics In 2017, the suicide rate for men was 3.5 times higher than it was for women.The suicide rate is highest among middle-aged white men, who accounted for almost 70% of all suicides in 2017.Research also suggests that while women attempt suicide more often, men choose more lethal means of suicide.The World Health Organization reports that suicide represents half of all male violent deaths worldwide.Men over the age of 65 are at the greatest risk of suicide. Rates and Statistics for Suicide in the United States Risk Factors Not every attempt at suicide results in completion, although unsuccessful first attempts are often followed by successful second attempts. The most common risk factors for suicide are: Using drugs and/or alcohol to help cope with emotions, relationships, the pressure of work, or other issuesSocial isolation or living aloneNot being able to form or sustain meaningful relationshipsDivorce or relationship breakdownsA history of physical and sexual abuseImprisonmentBeing bullied at school, college, or workUnemploymentLoss of a loved one through trauma or diseaseMental illness, particularly where this is related to depression and painful or debilitating illnesses or conditions In older men, suicide is most strongly associated with depression, physical pain and illness, living alone, and feelings of hopelessness and guilt. Suicide Warning Signs and Risk Factors Explanations In addition to the above risk factors, there are some other theories as to why men are at a greater risk of suicide. Traditional male gender roles discourage emotional expression. Men are told they need to be tough and that they should not need to ask for help. Such rigid gender norms may make it difficult for men to reach out and ask for support when they need it.Depression may be underdiagnosed in men. Men often do not disclose feelings of depression to their doctors. When they do, it is often described in terms of having problems at work or in relationships. Men also tend to describe their feelings as stress rather than sadness or hopelessness.Men are less likely to seek help for emotional problems. Researchers suggest that depression is diagnosed less frequently in men because of the tendency to deny illness, self-monitor symptoms, and self-treat.??Men may be more likely to self-treat symptoms of depression with alcohol and other substances. Men are also more likely to use lethal suicide methods. Gender Differences in Suicide and Suicidal Behaviors Prevention There are strategies that both individuals and communities can utilize to help reduce the risk of male suicide.   Watch for signs of depression. Symptoms of depression in men include irritability, social withdrawal, anxiety, loss of interest or pleasure, physical pains and complaints, engaging in risky behaviors, misusing drugs and alcohol, and being unable to keep up with normal daily tasks.Offer support. If you notice signs of depression, ask what you can do to help, and let him know that you are there to listen and help.Dont ignore the signs. Avoid dismissing or making light of comments that indicate suicidal thoughts or behaviors. If you hear suicidal talk or statements, encourage him to talk to his doctor or therapist. Emotional and practical support is important for helping people to adjust their circumstances in order to restore well-being. The warning signs listed above do not inevitably lead to suicide attempts. However, people who feel suicidal often report a certain kind of tunnel vision, of being unable to see the broader picture and thinking only in terms of black and white. In such circumstances, that individual may not be motivated to seek out help for themselves, and it often falls on others to offer support by listening, offering encouragement, and sometimes even challenging the preconceptions that people hold about themselves such as their abilities and worth to society. Other ways to help reduce male suicide: Identify men who are at risk and offer support.Teach men coping and problem-solving skills to help them manage challenges with work, relationships, and health issues.Make mental health support options readily available.Create opportunities that bring groups of people together so that they can form social connections and find support.Restrict access to lethal means of suicide, such as firearms and prescription drugs. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Mental Health found that receiving support from a trusted and respected friend can be an effective suicide prevention strategy for men. Forming connections with other people who are going through the same thing can also be helpful.   Reframing help-seeking is also important. Men may avoid asking for help because they fear it is a sign of weakness. Finding ways to change this perspective is a critical aspect of reducing male suicide rates. The 2019 study also found that reframing help-seeking as masculine behavior increases the likelihood that men will ask for help when they need it.?? How You Can Help Someone One Is Suicidal Getting Help Getting help for people expressing suicidal intent or showing the warning signs is incredibly important.  Help is available from a number of different sources, including family doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, voluntary organizations, community mental health centers, local hospitals, or social agencies. There are effective treatments for depression. Psychotherapy, antidepressants, and often a combination of both can be effective in reducing symptoms of depression and lowering the risk of suicide. A Word From Verywell Symptoms of depression may manifest differently in men than in women, which may explain why signs are often missed by loved ones and physicians. Cultural expectations can also play a role in why men fail to seek help when they are feeling hopeless or suicidal. Fortunately, there are treatments available that can help men learn to cope, feel better, and get back to their usual selves. Tips for Living With Depression

The Arab American Heritage Month

Arab Americans and Americans of Middle Eastern heritage have a long history in the United States. They are U.S. military heroes, entertainers, politicians and scientists. They are Lebanese, Egyptian, Iraqi and more. Yet the representation of Arab Americans in the mainstream media tends to be quite limited. Arabs are typically featured on the news when Islam, hate crimes or terrorism are the topics at hand. Arab American Heritage Month, observed in April, marks a time to reflect on the contributions Arab Americans have made to the U.S. and the diverse group of people who make up the nation’s Middle Eastern population. Arab Immigration to the U.S. While Arab Americans are often stereotyped as perpetual foreigners in the United States, people of Middle Eastern descent first began to enter the country in significant numbers in the 1800s, a fact thats often revisited during Arab American Heritage Month. The first wave of Middle Eastern immigrants arrived in the U.S. circa 1875, according to America.gov. The second wave of such immigrants arrived after 1940. The Arab American Institute reports that by the 1960s, about 15,000 Middle Eastern immigrants from Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, and Iraq were settling in the U.S. on average each year. By the following decade, the annual number of Arab immigrants increased by several thousand due to the Lebanese civil war. Arab Americans in the 21st Century Today an estimated 4 million Arab Americans live in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated in 2000 that Lebanese Americans constitute the largest group of Arabs in the U.S. About one in four of all Arab Americans is Lebanese. The Lebanese are followed by Egyptians, Syrians, Palestinians, Jordanians, Moroccans, and Iraqis in numbers. Nearly half (46 percent) of the Arab Americans profiled by the Census Bureau in 2000 were born in the U.S. The Census Bureau also found that more men make up the Arab population in the U.S. than women and that most Arab Americans lived in households occupied by married couples. While the first Arab-American immigrants arrived in the 1800s, the Census Bureau found that nearly half of Arab Americans arrived in the U.S. in the 1990s. Regardless of these new arrivals, 75 percent of Arab Americans said that they spoke English very well or exclusively while at home. Arab Americans also tend to be more educated than the general population, with 41 percent having graduated from college compared to 24 percent of the general U.S. population in 2000. The higher levels of education obtained by Arab Americans explains why members of this population were more likely to work in professional jobs and earn more money than Americans generally. On the other hand, more Arab-American men than women were involved in the labor force and a higher number of Arab Americans (17 percent) than Americans generally (12 percent) were likely to live in poverty. Census Representation It’s difficult to get a complete picture of the Arab-American population for Arab American Heritage Month because the U.S. government has classified people of Middle Eastern descent as â€Å"white† since 1970. This has made it challenging to get an accurate count of Arab Americans in the U.S. and to determine how members of this population are faring economically, academically and so forth. The Arab American Institute has reportedly told its members to identify as â€Å"some other race† and then fill in their ethnicity. There’s also a movement to have the Census Bureau give the Middle Eastern population a unique category by the 2020 census. Aref Assaf supported this move in a column for the New Jersey Star-Ledger. â€Å"As Arab-Americans, we have long argued for the need to implement these changes,† he said. â€Å"We have long argued that current racial options available on the Census form produce a severe undercount of Arab Americans. The current Census form is only a ten question form, but the implications for our community are far-reaching†¦Ã¢â‚¬ 

Biography of Dorothy Vaughan, Groundbreaking NASA Mathematician

Dorothy Vaughan (September 20, 1910 – November 10, 2008) was an African American mathematician and computer. In her time working for NASA, she became the first African American woman to hold a supervisory position and helped the institution transition to computer programming. Fast Facts: Dorothy Vaughan Full Name: Dorothy Johnson VaughanOccupation: Mathematician and computer programmerBorn: September 20, 1910 in  Kansas City, MissouriDied: November 10, 2008 in Hampton,  VirginiaParents: Leonard and Annie JohnsonSpouse: Howard Vaughan (m. 1932); they had six childrenEducation: Wilberforce University, B.A. in mathematics Early Life Dorothy Vaughan was born in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Leonard and Annie Johnson. The Johnson family soon moved to Morgantown, West Virginia, where they stayed throughout Dorothy’s childhood. She quickly proved to be a talented student, graduating early from high school at the age of 15 as her graduating class’ valedictorian. At Wilberforce University, a historically black college in Ohio, Vaughan studied mathematics. Her tuition was covered by a full-ride scholarship from the West Virginia Conference of the A.M.E. Sunday School Convention. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 1929, only 19 years old, cum laude. Three years later, she married Howard Vaughan, and the couple moved to Virginia, where they initially lived with Howard’s wealthy and well-respected family. From Teacher to Computer Although Vaughan was encouraged by her professors at Wilberforce to go to graduate school at Howard University, she declined, instead taking a job at Robert Russa Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia, so that she could help support her family during the Great Depression. During this time, she and her husband Howard had six children: two daughters and four sons. Her position and education placed her as an admired leader in her community. Dorothy Vaughan taught high school for 14 years during the era of racially segregated education. In 1943, during World War II, she took a job at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA, the predecessor to NASA) as a computer. NACA and the rest of the federal agencies had technically desegregated in 1941 by executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Vaughan was assigned to the West Area Computing group at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Despite women of color being recruited actively, they were still segregated into groups separate from their white counterparts.   Nasa.gov The computing group consisted of expert female mathematicians who dealt with complex mathematical calculations, nearly all done by hand. During the war, their work was connected to the war effort, since the government firmly believed that the war would be won on the strength of air forces. The scope of activity at NACA expanded considerably after WWII ended and the space program began in earnest. For the most part, their work involved reading data, analyzing it, and plotting it for use by the scientists and engineers. Although the women—both white and black—often held degrees similar to (or even more advanced than) the men who worked at NASA, they were only hired for lower positions and pay. Women could not be hired as engineers. Supervisor and Innovator In 1949, Dorothy Vaughan was assigned to supervise the West Area Computers, but not in an official supervisory role. Instead, she was given the role as acting head of the group (after their previous supervisor, a white woman, died). This meant the job didn’t come with the expected title and pay bump. It took several years and advocating for herself before she was finally given the role of supervisor in an official capacity and the benefits that came with it. Vaughan did not just advocate for herself, but also worked hard to advocate for more opportunities for women. Her intention was not just to help her West Computing colleagues, but women across the organization, including white women. Eventually, her expertise came to be highly valued by the engineers at NASA, who relied heavily on her recommendations to match projects with the computers whose skills aligned best. In 1958, NACA became NASA and segregated facilities were completely and finally abolished. Vaughan worked in the Numerical Techniques division and, in 1961, shifted her focus to the new frontier of electronic computing. She figured out, earlier than many others, that electronic computers were going to be the future, so she set out to make sure she—and the women in her group—were prepared. During her time at NASA, Vaughan also contributed directly to projects on the space program with her work on the Scout Launch Vehicle Program, a particular type of rocket designed to launch small satellites into orbit around the Earth. Vaughan taught herself the programming language FORTRAN that was used for early computing, and from there, she taught it to many of her colleagues so they would be prepared for the inevitable transition away from manual computing and towards electronics. Eventually, she and several of her West Area Computing colleagues joined the newly formed Analysis and Computation Division, a race- and gender-integrated group working to expand the horizons of electronic computing. Although she tried to receive another management position, she was never granted one again. Photographs from Dorothy Vaughans retirement party. Vaughan retired from NASA in 1971.   Courtesy Vaughan Family /  Nasa.gov Later Life and Legacy Dorothy Vaughan worked at Langley for 28 years while raising six children (one of whom followed in her footsteps and worked at NASA’s Langley facility). In 1971, Vaughan finally retired at the age of 71. She continued to be active in her community and her church throughout retirement, but lived a fairly quiet life. Vaughan died on November 10, 2008 at the age of 98, less than a week after the election of America’s first black president, Barack Obama. Vaughan’s story came to public attention in 2016, when Margot Lee Shetterly published her nonfiction book Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win the Space Race. The book was made into a popular feature film, Hidden Figures, which was nominated for Best Picture at the 2017 Academy Awards and won the 2017 Screen Actors Guild Award for best ensemble (the guild’s equivalent of a best picture award). Vaughan is one of the three main characters in the film, along with colleagues Katherine Johnson and Mary Jackson. She’s portrayed by Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer. Sources Dorothy Vaughan. Encyclopaedia Britannica.Shetterly, Margot Lee. Dorothy Vaughan Biography. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.Shetterly, Margot Lee. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win the Space Race. William Morrow Company, 2016.

Independence Day Speech Free Essays

Good morning respected principal, Father John, teachers and all the students present here. I am truly grateful to Father Ajit Kumar Xess for thinking me worthy of addressing this august gathering. Let me begin by congratulating all of you at the golden Jubilee of your school and also wishing each and every one of u a very Happy Independence Day. We will write a custom essay sample on Independence Day Speech or any similar topic only for you Order Now For over half a century our nation has sprung, stumbled, run, followed, rolled over, gotten up and dusted herself. As students, we must always be reminded of this constant perseverance that has always been the backbone of success of our nation today. We live in a country whose faith in success is far greater than her fear of failure. We no longer boycott foreign goods but buy the companies that produce them instead. At this juncture we must also think of our freedom fighters who laid down their lives for our country’s independence. When they began with their struggle, they were young, just like you and me. Their struggle, dedication and unrelenting zeal transformed us into a free nation. They dreamt big, stayed focused, and fought against all odds to achieve their goal. As we stand here, at the threshold of a new phase in our lives, we must take valuable lessons from them and incorporated these into our lives. We must also think of the India today and compare it with the India that the people who fought for our independence, had in their minds. They fought for a free country where everyone would be regarded as equal, every Indian would have equal opportunities. But the India that we see today is not quite as it was imagined to be. We still have a long way to go. Even though, as Indians, we have a lot to be proud of: we are the citizens of a country which has given birth to scholars like Rabindranath Tagore, Amartya Sen, Scientists like Jagdish Chandra Bose, C. V. Raman, visionaries like Mahatma Gandhi and Sportspersons like Kapil Dev, Saina Nehwal, who have represented our country and brought respect to our nation, worldwide. We must draw inspiration from these extraordinary Indians and do something which will not only benefit us, but will also make our fellow Indians proud. In about an years’ time, most of you will be enrolled in engineering colleges, or medical colleges, or might as well go abroad for further studies. Let the thought of the Indian freedom fighters, scholars and scientist make you reach for the stars. At the same time, don’t forget your motherland. We are yet to achieve a â€Å"free† and fair India. We have the third largest pool of doctors, engineers and scientists. Yet, 25 % of our population is illiterate. That is 300,000,000 (a huge chunk of the population) people who cannot read or write. We are ranked the 2nd largest country in the world suffering from mal nutrition. 5 million people are suffering from AIDs. There exists a huge divide between one India and another India. One India says give me a chance and I’ll prove myself, to the other India, we say prove yourself first and then u will have your chance. One India wants, the other India hopes; one India leads and the other India follows. Our responsibi lity as citizens of this country is to converge this divide and forge one India and thereby create a country that our freedom fighters envisaged. Do not let anything stop you from realising your potential. I would to leave you to mull over the following words given by the father of our nation: â€Å"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and yourself melt away. How to cite Independence Day Speech, Papers Independence Day Speech Free Essays â€Å"Filipinos are worth dying for. † this is the famous line of the late senator Noynoy Aquino. Maybe our fellow Filipino who fought for the freedom of the Filipinos from the invaders of our country will also agree with what Noynoy Aquino has said. We will write a custom essay sample on Independence Day Speech or any similar topic only for you Order Now An Independence Day is an annual celebration commemorating the anniversary of a nation’s assumption of independent statehood, usually after ceasing to be a colony or part of another state, more rarely after the end of a military occupation. Most countries honor their respective independence day as a national holiday and some countries or nations’ independence-date honors’ are contested. Independence Day is the day to commemorate all the works of certain people or individuals who contributed much for the liberty of their country. More that celebrating the freedom of the country from slavery, dictatorship and tyrant rule, it is also the day to acknowledge all the sufferings and hardships of these people we called heroes. We recognize their bravery and thank them for all the things they contributed for the freedom of their country and countrymen. June 12, 1898, is a glorious date in the history of the Filipino people. On this day, President Emilio F. Aguinaldo proclaimed the freedom of the Filipino people. The Philippine national flag was hoisted and the country’s national anthem was played. President Aguinaldo’s proclamation of Philippine Independence not only heralded the birth of a new nation. It also brought glad tidings to the colonial subjects of Asia. It inspired the colonial subjects to struggle to be free. May I ask you this, if our heroes who fought for the freedom can see the current status of our country today, do you think they will be happy? Do think they will be glad that they sacrifice they lives for the sake of our country? . But if you have notice, and based on my opinion some Filipinos doesn’t even know the word peace now. Yes it’s true that we are now free from any invaders and free from the colonization of other country but in our own native land there is still war, a war against each Filipinos who doesn’t know how to mingle with other Filipinos.. And as we all see our country is currently facing an extreme poverty. There is a very high rate of unemployed Filipinos. There are many Filipinos who are hardly to eat 3 times a day. The continuous oil price hike which has been affecting the prices of all products in the market and industry that also making our life harder. And the continuous growth of population which is caused of unemployment. People often say that education will be your key to success. But how will you be successful if unemployment is a big problem in our society today. Newly graduates are having a hard time seeking for a job suitable to their taken profession that’s why sometimes they have no choice but to work in a job that is not related to their course only to say that they are employed. We are aware that our native land was blessed with many tourist destination and tourism brought us big contribution in the progression of our country. But what had happened lately at Quirino Grandstand has changed everything. We are having a hard time convincing tourist to visit our country because of that tragedy. And this affected our country so much. And the never ending issue of terrorism in Mindanao that is always been a subject in peace and order in our country. There is so called government in such country to lead the nation. But what’s happening on our country today is a lot far from this. Our government itself is the one who is putting our economy status miserable because of the word corruption. Instead of handling the nations fund wisely, they are putting it on their personal interest that’s why no projects were been successfully founded. Yes we are free, free from the manipulation of other country ,but in our country I can say that we are definitely not free. Because we are chained into these different problems. It seems like we are in a battle towards our country problems for us to be totally called free. If only everyone of us were doing our duties and responsibilities as a responsible citizen of our country, and if everything were all in places, can you imagine how beautiful our country is? And through this everyone of us can proudly say that â€Å"Filipino’s are really worth dying for â€Å" How to cite Independence Day Speech, Papers

World Hummanities an Example of the Topic Psychology Essays by

World Hummanities Henrik Ibsens realistic drama A Dolls House exposes the follies of the Victorian society in general and the false life led by many women in particular. Though considered very revolutionary in his times, Ibsen boldly presents a strong case for womens equality and their right to lead their own life through the character of Nora. Noras self perception as a doll leading a dolls life justifies the title of the drama. However, her final rebellion at the end of the drama to lead an independent life can be traced earlier in her actions and speech in the drama. Need essay sample on "World Hummanities" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed Noras constant lying is a strong indication of her latent desire to lead a free and happy life. As a faithful and loving wife Nora wants to support her husband to come out of the financial difficulties they have been in. But she makes all the attempts in secrecy without the knowledge of her husband. She not only borrows money but also earns it secretly. She earns money working as a copyist by keeping herself in her room for hours. Obviously, the very act of locking herself in and working inside the room do strongly suggest her inherent craving for freedom and happiness. Her greatest help to her husband also comes from her biggest lie which eventually shatters her life. Nora borrows money from Krogstad by forging her fathers signature to support her ailing her husband. She wants to keep it a secret forever and works to pay back the money to Krogstad. This shows not only her strong resolve to protect her husband and family but also her budding independent nature in facing the challenges. Noras promises to Mrs. Linde and Krogstad are suggestive of her growing confidence levels in herself. When Mrs. Linde approaches Nora seeking her recommendation to Mr. Torvald in providing her a small job Nora responds spontaneously and promises her the much needed support. She also tries her best to save Krogstads job by pleading her unwilling husband. She does not like to reveal her secret of borrowing money to her husband even though she feels very nervous about the entire issue. It clearly reflects her strong determination to face the consequences. Noras conversation with Mrs. Linde amply reveals her inner mind. After telling Linde about how she got the money she reveals some more of her latent feelings. She says, My goodness, its delightful to think of, Christine! Free from care! To be able to be free from care, quite free from care; to be able to play and romp with the children; to be able to keep the house beautifully and have everything just as Torvald likes it! And, think of it, soon the spring will come and the big blue sky! (Act I, Part II). Noras liking for freedom from care is a clear indication of her inner mind. She loves leading her life as there is freedom and happiness in it. She is strongly influenced by the doctors words of must live attitude and her husbands ideology of keeping the children away from corrupt influences. Dr. Rank plays an influencing role in shaping the mind of Nora. She has always been treated as a mature adult by Dr. Rank unlike her husband who always treated her like a pet. Dr. Ranks final words leave a strong impact on Noras mind and seem to confirm her thinking of leading her own life. In addition, Torvalds views about bringing up the children by keeping them away from any immoral influence help to awaken her conscience to go for a right and meaningful life. Thus, Noras growing love for freedom and happiness can be observed in several of her actions like lying for the sake of her husband and offering help to people around her. In fact, the experiences of the people around her help to awaken her dormant desire to come out her false life and to lead a happy and free life. References Ibsen Henrik, A Dolls-House

The eNotes Blog 7 Women Writers You Should Read for Women’s HistoryMonth

7 Women Writers You Should Read for Women’s HistoryMonth You may have heard of them, or perhaps you’ve been assigned one of their novels or short stories in English class. Required reading aside, these seven women writers all wrote during the last half of the 20th century and offer unique perspectives on topics and issues that are still top of mind for contemporary audiences. Lets look at the women who should be a the top of your reading-for-pleasure list right now. 1. Octavia Butler Though her work is well-known and respected among avid science fiction readers, Octavia Butler has never been mainstream. She wrote about a black woman transported back in time (and against her will) to save a white ancestor in pre-Civil War North America; a race of aliens who are a third gender; and vampire-like people who are polyamorous and discriminated against. Her work is eye-opening and even more relevant today than it was when she wrote it, mostly in the 70s through the early 2000s. Works to read: Dawn and other novels in the Xenogenesis series, 248 pages Kindred†¨, 287 pages Bloodchild and Other Stories†¨,  214 pages 2. Leonora Carrington Carrington has mostly fallen out of modern-day consciousness, but during her life she was recognized as one of the few female surrealist artists and writers during the male-dominated surrealist movement of the 20s and 30s. Her stories are sharp-minded and darkly humorous, especially â€Å"The Debutante,† which turns a critical eye on upper-class society by having a wealthy young woman switch places with a talking hyena. Carrington published several short story collections from the 30s through the 80s and exhibited her artwork throughout the world. Works to read: The Complete Stories of Leonora Carrington†¨, 215 pages 3. Angela Carter Carter is perhaps most known for her short story collection â€Å"The Bloody Chamber† where she reinterpreted classic fairy tales like Beauty and the Beast and Bluebeard through a feminist lens- one of the first female writers to do so. She wrote prolifically throughout the 60s, 70s, and 80s, publishing many novels, short story collections, books of poetry, and works of nonfiction. Works to read: The Bloody Chamber†¨, 128 pages â€Å"Flesh and the Mirror†,  7 pages Nights at the Circus, 295 pages 4. Patricia Highsmith With the 2015 film Carol, based on her novel The Price of Salt, Patricia Highsmith reentered contemporary culture. A novelist and short story writer who published from the 50s to the 90s, Highsmith is perhaps most known as a masterful writer of thrillers, such as Strangers on a Train, which was adapted into a movie by Alfred Hitchcock. Worth reading, even more, is The Price of Salt: its intimate portrayal of the romance between two women, and thoughtful exploration of the nature of love and attraction regardless of gender, was a rarity for the era it was published in. Works to read: The Price of Salt†¨,  276 pages The Talented Mr. Ripley†¨, 320 pages Strangers on a Train†¨, 256 pages 5. Shirley Jackson Many readers may have encountered Jackson’s shocking short story â€Å"The Lottery† in English class or watched the recent Netflix adaptation of her novel The Haunting of Hill House, but her other short stories and novels are also worth exploring. Jackson was masterful at crafting stories that depict the subtle horrors of everyday life, particularly the sometimes oppressive nature of living as a housewife in the 50s and 60s, which is perhaps best portrayed in her short story â€Å"The Good Wife.† Works to read: The Lottery and Other Stories†¨, 302 pages The Haunting of Hill House†¨, 182 pages We Have Always Lived in the Castle†¨, 146 pages 6. Flannery O’Connor While some of O’Connor’s short stories are staples of English classes focused on postmodern work, she isn’t a household name. Yet, her writing, which is preoccupied with the grotesqueness of everyday life, is well worth reading. She often incorporated disability into her work, such as in her story â€Å"Good Country People,† where the main character, Joy, has a prosthetic leg. O’Connor herself had lupus, which led to her early death. Works to read: The Complete Stories†¨, 555 pages The Violent Bear It Away†¨, 256 pages Wise Blood†¨, 256 pages 7. Jean Rhys Anyone who is left unsatisfied with Bertha Mason’s story after reading Jane Eyre should turn to Rhys’s novella Wide Sargasso Sea, which is a prequel of sorts to its Victorian predecessor. From the British West Indies herself, Rhys wrote Wide Sargasso Sea from Bertha’s perspective, giving a voice to a woman silenced by her husband, her family, and her society. From the 20s through the 70s, Rhys published many novels and short story collections, some also inspired by her upbringing in the Caribbean. Works to read: Wide Sargasso Sea†¨, 171 pages Good Morning, Midnight, 159 pages Sleep It off, Lady†¨, 176 pages

Two Things †Branding and Writers Block

Two Things – Branding and Writers Block Of course youre wondering what these two have to do with each other. Actually its more about what they have in common. For the first time in my career, I see writing income sliding to a new level I feel it will not recover from. What Im trying to say is that the effort you put into your writing business last year isnt enough for this year. To make the same income, you have to work harder and smarter. The competition is fierce. Whether you hate traditional or indie matters not anymore because authors on both sides are hurting. Incomes are down. Its harder than ever to be heard and seen, much less read. Why such a morbid post? Look at the title of this post again. Its like youre in a mob. Ever seen that commercial about the little door that data is trying to run through, only to see people pile atop one another unable to get through? Then the advertiser talks about a bigger door that allows all data to go through? Well, were at that stage where the door (the reader) is tiny. Authors are that mob. Only some will get through. Thats why branding is super critical right now. I listen to long-time, mid-list authors complain these days about how their incomes are way down, but they are doing the same thing theyve always done. Thats the problem. They are doing the same thingmarketing some, maybe posting on FB three times a week, thinking what worked in 2005 still works now. You cannot be seen without being different. You cannot be heard without noise, a dfferent kind of noise, because God knows its noisy out there. You need a brand, and when you figure out what it is, then you need to sling it and work it hard. Daily. Yep, daily. Now, that brings us to the other topic: writers block. In this day where Amazon accepts thousands of books per day to its database, you cannot sit back and profess to have writers block. Like your marketing, you need to write daily. Block NEVER stops you from writing. Somewhere in your head it makes you think you cant write, but guess what? Your brain and hands still work . . . so write. With the sea of writers out there writing daily, youll be soon forgotten otherwise. Sorry for the rant, but Im seeing good writers, long-time writers, being run over