When I was in fifth grade, someone came around to my class to demonstrate different musical

instruments to see if any of us wanted to learn to play any. The oboe was the prettiest

sounding instrument, but I was also informed that it was the hardest to play. So that was out.

French horn also sounded great, so I chose that. And try as I might. Oh, I was not good at it. I was not good at the French horn. Could never make it beautiful. Quit, ultimately. Eventually, later, I started to write, which I took too much better. I had a knack for it, but more importantly, I loved it. I discovered

that flow state very early where it's just happening. It's pouring out of your fingers. You can't

type fast enough to keep up. It's wonderful. I've written a lot over the years. Feel free to buy my

books. And I don't want to get too spiritual

here, but it puts me in touch with a higher state of being, much like the oboe and French horn

couldn't quite. It also makes me understand myself better to know the tools and obstacles

I'm dealing with. I became a writing instructor,

also not long ago, because I want to get other people in touch with all of this.

Today, here on the show, we're going to talk about mental health and writing and how they

coexist, how one aids and hampers the other, and how you might find it really useful.

Book deal or not, whether you ever show it to anyone else or not.

It's depression mode. I'm John Moe. I'm glad you're here.

Imagine this music played on the oboe or the French horn if you can't handle the oboe.

Jonathan Edward Durham is a writer, a novelist.

His book, Winterset Hollow, was self-published in 2021 and was really successful,

which is a hard thing to pull off. It's set for a new edition to come out this fall.

Winterset Hollow is about three friends who visit the home of a late beloved author,

and then there are surprises and peril. Jonathan also writes online, which is a newer pursuit for him and one that is going great.

He has a newsletter he updates regularly where he talks about his life, his mental health, his struggles with depression and anxiety and ADHD.

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