Greetings all,
Well, I am very happy to say I wrote the final words of my new book “How Shrinks Think” yesterday (editors
changes pending). The last word I wrote was ‘psychiatry’. The last topic I
wrote about was psychiatry and social media. Who would have thought that this Facebook
avoidee and Twitter ignorant person a year ago would now be embracing this
great means of global communication!
It is timely for me to reflect on this change in my learning
and outlook. That’s because I don’t think I would have ever finished my book (editors
changes pending) if I didn’t receive all the help, support, encouragement and
opportunity I have been fortunate to experience in the Twitterverse this year.
Some of my friends and colleagues in my life know I have been
writing a book since August 2013. Many don’t. It does feel embarrassing I
suppose to announce where ever you go that you will be an author someday. So,
in the main I didn’t. But on the rare occasion that I did, people seemed
generally interested. They were interested to know what I had written about and
incredulous that I could be relatively easy in this era of self-publishing. But
largely, I have written the book just for me. I don’t know how it’s going to be
received, but regardless, I will continue to remember that.
In all sorts of ways the interrelationship between my experiences
on social media and my writing journey have been closer than I would have
imagined. I began to ‘play’ with the concept of writing about modern day
psychiatry from the ‘inside’ on January 1 2014. I started my blog “How Shrinks Think” to sort out my own thoughts as well as gauge others
impressions of what I had to say. I was scary at first but then a whole lot of
fun. Then I gained the courage to use my voice as blogger and writer of “How Shrinks Think” in order to enter
the world of campaign building. I was very involved in @AHPRAaction in May, and
then wrote about the federal government proposed Medicare Co-payment and the
effect it would have on those with severe mental illness. This propelled me
into re-connecting with colleagues from the past, particularly from my AMA
days, including Mukesh Haikerwal, and Amit Vohra. Opportunities arose from this
including the privilege of being a speaker at the inaugural AMA(Vic) DiT
conference.
I also discovered the talent and experience other doctors in
Australia had when it came to writing. Although we have never met face to face,
I consider Edwin Kruys in Queensland and Jacquie Garton-Smith in Western
Australia to have really inspired me to keep writing and ultimately ending the
journey that is the first draft of a book. I was fortunate enough to have some
blog posts picked up by Croakey, and managed to connect with psychiatrists in
Australia and around the world.
It is no coincidence that I will launch my book at @SoMebythesea
on November 15th 2014. I am organising this workshop amongst
incredible people, many I would never
have met were it not for Twitter. It is amazing that virtually all of the
organisation and promotion for @SoMebythesea has occurred via the amazing
network opportunities of social media. Now I have Dionne Kasian-Lew, Marie
Bismark, Mary Freer and Jen Morris coming along to speak at @Somebythesea. All people I
have met via networking.
Of course, I have not forgotten my friends from the beginning
and pre SoMe. Some are also growing and expanding their social media presence,
like the sleep guru David Cunnington. Brad Mckay has been a great mate all
along and a wonderful mentor for me in this new foray. My journey did begin
with Andrew Griffiths and Kylie Bartlett, and I will always be grateful for
their teachings and guidance. And all my friends who have been there, offering
advice and encouragement.
So, the next 6 weeks are now in the hands of my editor, Roy
Mazucco, and designer, Carly Goodwin. Incredible to believe but if all goes to
plan, I will have my book in my hand in 6 weeks. May need to see a psychiatrist
to process it all.