Baring My Soul

A powerfully written story of the effects mental illness and child abuse can have on a family. A tale of survival when the fates conspire to spend years beating you down.

There are several triggers present in this story and as noted below, it is worth reading.

This is an amazing piece of writing.

But I advise caution when reading it.

This is a hard hitting story that deals with child abuse, suicide and severe mental illness.

It's well worth reading but I would advise having a box of tissues because you will be in tears when you have read it.

This story is not for the faint of heart. With that in mind, this piece is beautifully written. Do not be daunted by the 14k word count. Very worth reading. 

A powerful, riveting, and well-written story that explores the highs and lows of marriage and raising a dysfunctional family.  I found it heart-warming at times, as well as upsetting and terrifying at other times, and yet I couldn't stop reading.  Kudos to the author and I recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind going through an emotional roller coaster ride.  I know you'll quickly discover what I mean when you read it. 

Baring My Soul is a hard hitting story dealing with difficult topics that often affects the lives of many of us.  Mental health, child abuse and attempted suicides.  The story is a realistic portrayal  of these issues and their impact on family and friends.  There is a hopeful element of courage and survival of a family that faces these problems together.

Have tissues ready, and please heed the warning about triggers if you are susceptible.  This well written story may be difficult to read, but also should be read. 

This is a triumph, frankly.  It grabbed me at the first sentence .. 'I've got a secret' that's due to my own mental health issues, suicidal ideation and the secrets i've kept. 

But i digress, i knew from the start this would be a rollercoaster of emotional pain and upheaval. I was right. You handled this so well, it was beautifully written. A triumph.

You mention in one review that there was no choice but to write it. i hope doing so brought you some relief and perhaps some perspective.  xo

This story is incredibly heart wrenching in its realism. The world puts kids and family on a pedestal, “the American dream”, but the journey @kbois takes us on is a peek at the harsh reality of life when it’s not all roses. Mental health is a serious issue, and we can talk about u til we’re blue in the face. It is HARD. Love is not always enough. If you’re not family with that heartbreak, this story will help you feel what so many go through.

Well written and great attention to detail.

I love the fact that you wrote the story, compelling as it is and yet I could not say I loved it. It is real to me closely in family and former friends that are mirrored in the fullness of the events and feelings within the story.

Thank you for the telling!

As many others have noted, this is challenging because it is raw and realistic, but it is also excellently written and engaging. It has lived rent free in my mind since I read it. 

However, I feel I need to add a word of warning that isn't covered by the trigger warnings:

to my fellow developmentally disabled, mentally ill former-troubled-child readers, this story is parental POV. If you find yourself frequently hurt by opinions shared in support groups that mix us in with our parents (and other loved ones) then you shouldn't read this, either. If you can handle the opinions in mixed support groups then it is a worthwhile read. 

This story held me in a vise-grip from the first word to the last. It's one of the most impactful stories I've ever read. It has a trigger warning for a reason. Very few authors can make me cry. I bawled. Please don't pass this up. It's worth every tear. 

You know what I think of this story. 

It's very well done and rips out the hearts of those of us who live this reality. There's a lot of pain, guilt and worry with no clear time lines and no real answers. We live with our ill and suffering loved ones as they go through this and drag us with them. 

Is it worth it? Right now, yes. Every clear moment, every smile, hug and kiss tells me it is. Will this last? I don't know but it shows me what is possible. 

I hope this story helps people understand. It is well written, honest, gritty and real. It's hard to read and it should be. 

I'm sure the winning story deserved it but this one deserves it as well. 

Congratulations.