Frida and Me: Art, and One Woman’s Triumph Over PTSD was the winner in the Psychology/Mental Health category of the 2020 IndieReader Discovery Awards, where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.
Following find an interview with author Eli N. Weintraub.
What is the name of your book and when was it published?
Frida and Me: Art, and One Woman’s Triumph Over PTSD; published September 19, 2019
What is the first line?
“Like many people, I had a vision for my life’s journey.”
What is the book about?
In 1976 Nancy Weintraub was a rebellious teen, a child of the 60s, a free spirit. She and a friend set out, against her parents’ wishes, to spend a year in San Miguel de Allende attending art school and perfecting their Spanish. Nancy was in heaven as she experienced international travel and the art scene, but a horrific accident in a lonely Mexican desert took away her life as she knew it. As her family, friends, many doctors, and complete strangers made heroic efforts to save her life, many of her hopes were dashed forever.
Frida and Me takes the reader through this remarkable woman’s journey, from the giddy days of her once-in-a-lifetime adventure, through the darkest abyss imaginable, putting her on a new path toward helping others recognize art as a tool to heal. Her inspiring presentations have helped trauma victims and clinicians alike, and readers of her story cannot help but be affected by her courage and determination.
As stated in the Prologue, “This book is about that journey and my proven experience in the use of art as a tool to help overcome the overwhelming patterns of PTSD. I literally have art and art therapy to thank for saving my life.”
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
My mentor, Frida Kahlo is the only other person I know who was in a bus wreck in Mexico so when I was introduced to her, my path changed. She gave me permission to portray my uglies and taught me how to make my pain beautiful. We had so much in common: a near fatal bus wreck in Mexico at the age of 19, multiple surgeries, infections that hampered healing, complications that led to the inability to have children, bare bones medical facilities (Mexico), mental and physical anguish haunted us both and our art expressed that which has no words.
PTSD stole my life for many years afterward, and it was very difficult to find anyone I could relate to. As much as I tried to explain and share, no one seemed to understand my experience. As my art process unraveled and I found the courage to share my work, for the first time others were able to relate to me through image. That acknowledgement provided the missing connection and a sense of belonging necessary for me to reconnect in the world. Before my brother Howard passed away, he encouraged me to share my art and story to demonstrate how art is a tool for healing, so my mission was birthed! Family, friends, strangers, medical and mental health professionals, caregivers and community need to know my story to demonstrate how the arts are so accessible and important in healing broken psyches within broken systems.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who real or fictional would you say the character reminds you of?
The main character (myself) actually experienced the PTSD/trauma. This is not a book theorizing or directed from an academic/professional point of view, but from experience. The main character’s struggles were real and portray life’s dilemmas in all their messy glory! Most readers will find themselves in some aspect of this story whether it be from family, relationships, travel, mental health, growing up, life challenges, creativity, addiction or PTSD/trauma.
Frida Kahlo would be the one who reminds me most of the main character. The similarities wove a thread through our lives creating a tapestry of our kindred spirit. We had huge differences but our life force was forged from the same cloth.
What is the main reason someone should really read this book?
I’ve been told by readers and reviewers that it’s an amazing story, one they simply could not put down. I have received many thanks from them for providing hope for a brighter future in their trauma recovery. Not only that, but the artwork and process are fascinating as they unravel and become a force of healing.
Beyond that, Frida and Me shows the reality of the emotional suffering of survivors and families touched by PTSD or trauma. I wrote my memoir to be relatable to real people, using scenes and dialogue so the information wasn’t lost in complex theory.
When, at the age of 19, I became caught up in the horror of my bus accident and the resulting surgeries, I had no idea what a lasting effect these events would have on me. Once I was out of the hospital my friends and family members acted as though everything was magically all better. In my rush to become an independent adult I left home and hid my pain from everyone I encountered. Such is the nature of PTSD. Many times the victim is confused and afraid, and hides it well. The inspiration of Frida Kahlo, and working with an art therapist quite literally saved my life, but it took years for me to discover this path.
Violence, addiction and mental illness are a few outcomes of buried pain. Many in our world today have experienced accidents, war, domestic violence/child abuse, natural disasters, murder and loss (and yes, pandemics), all of which can cause PTSD. If you know someone who has experienced one of these events, you can learn something from Frida and Me that can be of help. I truly do not want anyone else to suffer in silence for years, the way I did.
Who would you like to see play the main character if the book is made into a movie?
I prefer someone who knows the trauma experience, not just reading it in a script.
When did you first decide to become an author?
Shortly after I completed my art therapy work in 1992 I had it on my bucket list to write my story.
Is this the first you’ve written?
Yes.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I advocate for the use of art for healing trauma, market my book, make art.
How much time do you spend on your writing?
Presently, my writing is related to my website, social media and promoting. I haven’t started another book….yet! When I was writing this book I spent 2-3 hours a day.
What’s the best and hardest part of being an indie?
Being an indie comes natural to me because I have always walked a different path apart from the ‘norm’. I enjoy the independence, creativity and unique approach that indie offers. The hardest part is there are many more opportunities within the mainstream to be recognized.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I am very happy with my small publisher and thrive on the personal relationship we have. I worry I would lose that with a traditional big publisher.
Is there something in particular that motivates you? (fame, fortune)
My motivation is rooted in helping others avoid the suffering I, and my family, did from PTSD and showing others the amazing healing tool art is.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Maya Angelou.