It's been almost twelve years to the day since I first published this book, and to say I have mixed feelings about it would be an understatement. Like any first creative effort, it makes me mortified to look back. The writing, especially the early descriptions but really throughout, carries all the hallmarks of youthful intensity: big emotions, dramatic turns, and the kind of grand declarations that only a teenager could make with a straight face.
In that sense, this book isn't particularly instructive or insightful. There are no great revelations to be found here. What you'll find instead is a carefully edited primal scream; a raw record of a kid who experienced too much, too soon, and had no other way to process it but by turning inward. If you've ever wondered what that looks or feels like, you might find an echo of it in these pages. And if that's useful to you in any way, I invite you to read on.
My name is Marshall Short. When I was a teenager, I struggled with drug addiction, suicide attempts, abuse, and bipolar disorder. Today, I'm a counselor who works with people facing similar battles. If you're in the midst of your own struggle, I hope the words in these pages can stand as testament to the truth that things can get better.
Best,
Marshall