You’ve been a storyteller for such a long time, but how did you end up really transferring your stories to the page and what was that like?īASSEY IKPI: Part of the book is about how memories are recreated to fit whatever purpose you need at the moment. GLORY EDIM: I love the text you have in your bio where you call yourself “the reluctant memoirist.” I want to know how you found your path to publishing. Recently, Shondaland had the opportunity to chat with the debut author about race, motherhood, and what motivated her to tell her story, which she admitted is her most liberating feat yet. While books on the topic can often feel hopeless, Ikpi's striking memoir dismantles the falsehoods of mental illness and shares a beautiful, full portrait of her life.Īs someone who has struggled with bouts of depression and anxiety, I’ve found that books can go a long way to offer support and solidarity, and Ipki’s intimate essays helped me feel less isolated and more hopeful. The book is an eye-opening, firsthand account that highlights the intricacies of Ikpi's identity - Nigerian-American immigrant, black woman, ex-poet, mom - while exploring the ways in which the stories we tell ourselves can also be a lie. I wanted people to know I did the best I could.Įventually, Ikpi's thoughts came together in her debut essay collection, I’m Telling the Truth, But I’m Lying, which explores the realities of living with mental illness in a super honest, and sometimes humorous, way.
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