A new year means another step closer to embracing my flaws, my dreams, and my inner fangirl obsessions: in short, being brave enough to embrace everything that makes me, me.
To all my blogging friends, my readers, and the whole wide world, are you listening? Can you see me? I’m re-introducing myself.
Who is Jade M. Wong?
Jade M. Wong is a combination of my Real Name (Mei Wong) and “jade” — an important gemstone in the Chinese culture. Jade M. Wong is a reminder of where I came from and where I hope to go, a reminder of who I am and who I strive to be.
From The Past…
When I first started sharing my stories and poetry, I was afraid to acknowledge my writing, to put up neon signs that said, “This is me. These are my words. We are one and the same.” Two years ago, I finally shared a (very outdated) photo of myself. That new profile photo was my version of a neon sign, the first time I shared my face.
To Now
An updated profile photo (see above) and my first completed manuscript, a poetry collection, that is now ready to leave the safe confines of my laptop.
The Poetry Book: Glow Stick by Jade M. Wong
A little unusual, perhaps, but yes, I titled my book Glow Stick. The title was inspired by this quote:
“It’s okay to be a glow stick—sometimes we need to break before we shine.”
~Unknown
Which leads me to the hardest thing I will have shared with you all thus far on this blog.
Glow Stick is a collection that explores mental illness, specifically depression on a spectrum, the ups and the downs, the good days and the bad days, the suicidal thoughts and the fight for survival. In addition, Glow Stick examines self-love, asks exactly what it means to be brave, and guides the reader on a rollercoaster journey of the fight against darkness into a place of hope and light.
As I’m sure you’ve all guessed by now, Glow Stick is the result of my own struggle, spanning many years, with my depression and anxiety. It consists of familiar poems I’ve already shared here on my blog as well as many poems never shared with anyone before. There are poems written years ago when writing was the only thing tethering me to life, and there are poems written just a few months ago when the world didn’t seem quite so dark. In a way, Glow Stick is a book I could not have written until now, because I needed to learn how to accept all of myself, mental illnesses included, before I could share my story with anyone else.
Wanted: Agent and/or Publisher!
After doing my research, I’ve decided I want to attempt the traditional publishing route as opposed to self-publishing, so my next step is looking for indie publishing agencies, which research says will be the more likely way I get published. However, I’ll also be on the lookout for agents willing to represent me to submit to the bigger publishing houses, because what’s life without a little risk? (Also, what’s life without a high likelihood of heartbreaking rejection, sigh.)
Anyway, this blog will be my safe zone as I trek into the unfamiliar terrain of publishing and writing professionally. I’ll keep you all updated on my journey, and I’m hoping this blog, along with myself, will grow into something more.
[…] Writing in the raw for Al’s Sunday Photo Fiction April 16, 2017. Photo © Jade M Wong […]
I am not yet ready to show my face.
Therefore, I respect you.
And you should never feel pressured to do anything you’re not ready to do. I’m flattered at your respect and hope I don’t disappoint 🙂
This is absolutely amazing!
Thanks Abby! Appreciate the words of encouragement ^_^
Congratulations – good for you! – I get it, I’m still not there yet – that and I take a lousy photo. You do not. ~ Linda
Aww you’re so sweet, Linda! Thank you, and hey, to each her own time 🙂 I look forward to the day you reveal your face too!
I’ve always loved jade, both the stone and the name. I didn’t know it was symbolizing wisdom, clarity, and balance. Now I like it even more!
This post is strong, I love it!
I’m glad you like the name ^_^ Thank you for visiting!
[…] © Jade Wong […]
[…] inspired by what you see in the picture (below). This week’s prompt comes from the delightful Jade Wong. I confess that all I saw was the bow tie. Click on this link to enter your tale, and to see what […]
[…] Photo credit: Jade Wong […]
[…] <Photo courtesy of Jade Wong> […]
[…] write a short story (200 word max) inspired by a photograph. This week’s photo is provided by Jade M Wong and was inspired by my real-life cat, Siggy, who really does seem to see things no one else […]
[…] © Jade Wong […]
My daughter’s name is Jade.
I chose right.
Hello Jade, Pleased to meet you, Im Jade’s Mom,
Kavita in Sunshiny South Africa
Hi Kavita, it’s lovely to meet you! You definitely choose a great name for your daughter 😉
Yes, I did, Im wearing a big smile!
Congratulations and I completely understand how scary it is to put your face out there… So good for you. Hope to read more of your blog posts soon. Glad to have connected. Thanks for following me… I wouldn’t have discovered your lovely blog otherwise.
Thank you for your warm words Kalpana. I hope you’ll enjoy what you read here, and I look forward to reading more of your blog posts as well! Have a wonderful day 🙂
I am sure i will. Thank you. Glad to have connected with you.
you know, I was the the EXACT same way. I started this blog wanting anonymity. I didn’t have my name anywhere, I didn’t want any of my social media accounts attached to it, I posted my own pictures but I tried blurring them or pixilating them. But I started realizing my pictures weren’t very anonymous no matter how much I tried to blur them or filter them. I also wanted to share some of my writing with people I knew. But I would be afraid of what people would think. I was afraid that the people I knew would start to judge me. I started by sharing my blog with certain people. My mom, my close friends. I remember having so much anxiety before I sent them the link to my blog. I would ask them to be easy on me, but to let me know what they thought. Eventually, I started sharing my posts on my social media. I still have anxiety and fears about what some people might think. I get nervous about some poems that might bare a little too much, or my posts that might be about anxiety. I hate taking pictures also, but I have heard so much about needing good pictures on your blog to be aesthetically pleasing lol. I’m still learning, I’m trying. But your blog is beautiful and I didn’t know your blog before your picture was on there, but it is really nice having a face to your words. Lovely post <3 and its a BEAUTIFUL thing to own who you are and say … take me as I am world….
Sincerely,
An introverted dreamer that doesn’t want her madness to be silenced 💋
I know EXACTLY what you mean, NSTM. Even to this day, I’m still hesitant about telling people I know in real life about my blog or my poetry because I’m afraid they’ll think I suck (lol) or that they’ll look at me differently once they realize I write about my own struggles with mental health. I remember when I first shared my poetry and my blog with my best friends, how nervous I was, and how it meant the world to me that they were so supportive.
We all have our journey, and baby steps are still steps forward. Trying also means you’re not giving up, and that’s what’s important. Thank you for sharing more of your story, and I hope you know you are always welcome here. You have a new friend in me, if you’d like one 🙂
P.S. I use Unsplash . com for 90% of the photos on my blog. The site is free to use, no copyright infringement or licensing issues. Maybe you’ll find photos you like there too!
nice 🙂 Thanks for the recommendation <3 and of course! I would love to make a friend in this community! DITTO all the way. <3
It seems so easy to stay in the dark and not have anyone know you, but I think being in the open, while sometimes nerve wracking, is also rewarding too! <3 🙂
I agree, thank you for visiting! 💜
You are beautiful!
Aww thank you so much Dawn! Happy to see you visiting my little blog here ^_^
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you for reading 🙂
Nice to know you, Jade M Wong. You’re a brave person to share your struggles for the benefits of others. Bravo!
It’s lovely to meet you too, Sadje! Thank you so much for your kind comment and your support. 💜
My pleasure dear
Hello, again! Good luck with your book 🙂
Hello Desiree! Thank you so much! 🙂
yes I can see you and can hear you loud and clear! and you are an inspiration in every sense of the word. I know how much of your heart must have gone into getting that book out, and i love the title – Glowstick! sticks in my head and it glows! your thoughts and writing will be very beneficial to others who struggle with anxiety and depression, because even in your darkest you moments you shine, you put others above yourself, you see goodness and know that you are a part of it. i don’t know it I want to laugh or cry now, so happy and excited for you but most of all so amazingly proud of who have become.
Oh Gina! 💜 You just made me smile so wide and my heart feel so warm. Thank you for your boundless support and friendship. I’m glad you like the title! I experimented with many other title options but once Glow Stick popped into my head, nothing else felt right. I’m simultaneously laughing and crying too LOL I’m both excited and terrified at the thought of trying to get my book published. I hope to have good news for you soon. Take care, my dear!
Happy New Year, Jade!!! And you look beautiful!!😊
Happy New Year Deepika! Thank you so much 💜!
What a beautiful re-introduction, Jade…congratulations on finishing your book of poetry, I love the quote and your stunning title…I have your back here on the West Coast, you go, girl (you’re awesome!)!
Thank you so much Kim! I’m grateful for your support and friendship! ^_^ Glad you like the title. Hopefully, I’ll have good news to share with you soon.
P.S. Hope 2019 is treating you well so far! 💜
So far, so good…I’ll be posting a small piece of writing tomorrow…I’m posting a picture that Terry took that will remind you of a powerful Harry Potter scene…I thought of you when we came upon the spot on a favourite hidden trail in the park!
Oooh! You got me with Harry Potter. I’ll definitely check out your post tomorrow! 😂
Thank you, Jade!
Hello again. Congrats on finishing your draft and for being brave! Sending a virtual hug.
Hello again, Tina. Thank you for the kind words and the virtual hug! Both are felt and appreciated 💜 Hope you’re having a great 2019 so far!!
😊
[…] concept, and yet, it can be one of the hardest things to execute. After sharing the news that my first poetry book now has a title and is ready for publication, I decided to revisit one of my favorite poems on being a writer for […]
Congrats and love your blog!
Thanks! Happy to have you visit and thank you for the comment! 🙂
Congrats on your new book. Enjoyed reading this. I think many can relate to your book’s thoughts, including me. Hadn’t stopped by here in awhile. Didn’t recognize your changed Gravatar pic. Glad I swung by and can see your writing is getting betta and betta all the time! God bless 💟.
Thank you so much! I appreciate the visit and the warm thoughts. Happy New Year to you & I hope this new year is kind to us all 🙂
Hey
I love your post so much.. It’s inspiring
Hello! Thank you 🙂 I’m glad to have you visit my blog & hope to see you return!
Your welcome and I definitely will visit
I love your re-introduction! I too am a ravenclaw/horned serpent and we already have Doctor Who in common! I just want to say that it takes a lot of courage to put ourselves out here on the internet, so I’m glad you made that step. I have really enjoyed your writing so far and can’t wait to see where you go. <3
Thank you so much for the encouragement and the kind comment, Megan! I really appreciate you taking the time 🙂 I’m glad we found each other’s blogs in this blog-o-sphere!
P.S. Always happy to meet fellow Ravenclaws/Horned Serpents!!
Sometimes to get to where u want to go u ve to b somebody else for awhile
[…] my re-introduction post earlier this year, I revealed my struggle with my depression and anxiety, a struggle that has been […]
its been many months since this was posted. anything new???
It’s been a while, it seems. I hope you’ll be back to posting regularly.
Thank you, I’ve been writing and posting a little more recently and hopefully will be able to return to blogging the way I used to. Thank you for stopping by 🙂
[…] and I’ve run out of excuses. I’ve been procrastinating on this post because after last year’s Re-Introduction post, I hoped I would be further in my writing career instead of…in exactly the same place. At […]