Thursday, May 6, 2010
Famous Writers with Epilepsy
I was put onto this interesting link by my friend and fellow writer Doug Sharp. Essentially, the article talks about the relationship between epilepsy (also depression and bipolar disorder) and great writers. One of the sources cited there is a book I've recommended before, but am happy to recommend again, Alice Flaherty's inspirational book The Midnight Disease. If you want to see my own previous blog discussions of insanity and creativity, they're here and here.
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Epilepsy is not insanity, no matter how broadly or narrowly you define the latter. Both arise from brain wiring but have completely different symptoms and outcomes. As for writing, epileptics have visions as part of their condition -- if they remember them, they can be the springboard of writing just as they once were of prophecy.
ReplyDeleteOh, Athena, thanks for calling me on that inadvertent association. Of course, epilepsy and insanity are not at all the same, and I didn't mean to imply so. Alice Flaherty's discussion does cover a lot more topics than just epilepsy, and some of the mental conditions she discusses are more extreme.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great topic! Have you read Kay Redfield Jamison's _Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament_ and _An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness_? Both really great books.
ReplyDeleteOh, sorry to come out of the blue! I meant to mention, I'm Eva, and I found your blog via your e-mail to FOGcon. :)
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, Eva! It's a pleasure to see you comment. No, I haven't read those books, but they seem like they might be interesting to pursue. Thanks for the suggestion!
ReplyDeleteI saw this link to your blog on Twitter and had to see what it said. I have a personal interest in this because I'm a writer with epilepsy (there, I've said it), along with depression, but all is under control. For years, I've felt that people just do not understand epilepsy and seizure disorder, thinking of it as some or defective malady. It's a malady, but a defect? What with so many creative minds having it? Anyway, thank you for talking about this. Nice to meet you! Marina Richards
ReplyDeleteMarina,
ReplyDeleteI'm touched that you decided to come by. If you haven't read Alice Flaherty's book, I encourage you to do so. I have found it an incredible inspiration for stories and for respect for others.