Working on trilogy was so healing
A Stirling-born author is hoping her new autobiographical trilogy of books sharing her experiences of living with anxiety will help others suffering from the condition.
Melanie Hume recently saw the publication of her third title ‘Healing Is a Homecoming’.
The book marks the end of her trilogy of books - which includes Fly Me to the Dunes and Let Me Play Among The Sand - which document her life from childhood to present day, with a focus on how she developed, experienced, and has learned to cope with anxiety.
The 38-year-old currently lives in the Middle East where she works in communications within the financial services sector.
She started writing seven years ago as a way of discovering if it would allow her to work through trauma (which included high school bullying) and support her in building coping mechanisms to deal with anxiety.
Melanie said: “Originally it was only ever going to be one book - ‘Fly Me To The Dunes’ - which spanned my childhood to my 30s, when I worked on fulfilling my dreams and ambitions which led to an opportunity to live and work abroad in 2013.
“The growth, evolving and refreshing benefits of writing that book really catapulted by mind, body and soul. It was important for me to write honestly and authentically about my experiences of being an expat which contrasts with the common cliché stereotype that when you move abroad and live in the sunshine you can’t possibly have bad days.”
Melanie hopes her honest appraisal of a life lived with anxiety will help others experiencing the condition. However despite discussing her mental health challenges in her books they are not all sombre as some tough moments are contrasted with hilarious laugh outloud tales.
Raised by comedian Iain Hume, who brought Mel and her sister up as a single parent, the author praises her father for influencing her ability to be able to see the humour in dark moments, ensuring the books will have you both laughing and following the emotional rollercoaster in equal measures on each page.
Melanie added: “I can be very sarcastic and that comes across in my writing so readers will get a laugh at me poking fun at myself. Humour can be a good coping mechanism – I think that is a very Scottish thing to do.
“Anxiety defined me for so long but over time I learned to break habits, really look within. It was the overbearing adrenalin rush of said anxiety that prompted me to write Let Me Play Among The Sand.
“In that particular book I took a deep dive into my behaviour and healing needs. The writing process really called for me to be kinder to myself.”
As Melanie started penning her third novel, coronavirus swept across the globe and she was placed in lockdown for a number of weeks in her flat in Abu Dhabi where she had to use a number of her coping mechanisms and techniques to keep her anxiety under control.
As lockdown restrictions eased she took the opportunity to travel back to Scotland to see family and friends for a few months where she managed to complete her book.
She said: “My third book is a symbolic end to the trilogy. I write about the ups and downs of life and I hope I will inspire others to also believe there are better times ahead and that they will ultimately be able to break down barriers and building boundaries that are fundamental for mental wellness and a happy life.”
Healing Is a Homecoming is available from Amazon as a download or paperback.