Welcome to the newest post in Writing While Healing, a series where I speak with indie authors who’ve found light through writing during their darkest times.
Today, I’m honored to feature Jessica, a romance author and a mental health advocate. You can learn more about Jessica here.
Please introduce yourself!
Hi, I’m Jessica Salina! I’m a romance author living in the Seattle area with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and fibromyalgia. I grew up on sci fi, fantasy, and fairytales, and to this day my tastes haven’t changed much. When I’m not writing, you can find me and my husband boxing, gaming (both video games and D&D), or enjoying some leisurely hikes.
Please tell us a little about yourself and the kind of stories you write.
I write romance since I love a guaranteed happily-ever-after. I don’t limit myself to one subgenre, though. My latest release, STUCK ON THE SLOPES, is a contemporary romantic comedy. In 2026, my fantasy romance EYES OF MOLTEN SILVER will hit shelves. And my debut, NOT MY TIME, is a superhero romance that is sort of like urban fantasy meets romantic suspense.
Please share a bit about your mental health journey, as much as you are comfortable with :)
I was diagnosed with PTSD when I was in college, and my diagnosis was “upgraded” to CPTSD in my late 20s. My CPTSD got so bad that it likely led to my fibromyalgia (doctors don’t currently know what causes fibromyalgia with 100% certainty, but there does seem to be a link between it and trauma given it’s all related to the nervous system).
When I underwent some traumatic incidents in my life, I didn’t have much of a support system. Part of my CPTSD is due to childhood and family-related trauma, so for the other traumatizing events, it’s not like I had them to emotionally lean on. Not having a support system can make a traumatic incident worse on the brain, so a big part of why I do strive to include (positive) representation in my novels is so folks don’t feel as alone as I did.
CPTSD can be extra tough because there’s no real treatment for it other than talk therapy. Medical marijuana can also help, but both that and therapy aren’t always accessible to everyone, especially depending on where you live or your financial situation. My fibromyalgia treatment happens to be an SSRI, so it’s a nice 2-in-1 to a degree, but it’s not like it completely stops my brain from spiraling when I’m hit with a trigger unexpectedly. I do everything in my power to manage and avoid my triggers, but it’s never foolproof. So as a result, it can be really isolating because it does show behaviorally since you’re always on edge.
How has your mental health influenced your writing process or creativity?
I hate to sound like the tortured artist stereotype, but that really is the case for me. I got into writing as a child, starting with fanfictions of the book series I grew up reading because I was a lonely kid. Emotionally abusive family, bullied at school, so I turned to books. I didn’t have a ton of friends, so I self-inserted myself into my favorite stories. Before the internet, it was in composition notebooks. Thanks to a great therapist, I recognize that what I was doing at the time was a form of escapism, a coping mechanism that’s not uncommon in folks with CPTSD.
But now as an adult writing original fiction, I’m able to take those experiences and feelings and process them on the page. I try to approach it not only from the angle of “how did this feel” but also “what did I need? How can I give my characters the help I wish I had?” That way folks turning to stories for that connection can find it, and it makes it all the more genuine.
Do you find writing to be healing, challenging, or a bit of both?
Writing can be challenging but in a way that is ultimately healing. It’s super cathartic to write through mental health struggles, even if the words never see the light of day. I even wrote a whole book that I ended up scraping in its current state (I’ll likely repurpose it in the future) because it was less of a novel and more of a trauma dump, but it was so freeing to let it all out there. It’s kind of like journaling, but with fiction you have this added element of being able to take charge of the narrative and shape the outcomes.
Has your experience with mental health shaped the themes or characters in your stories?
Yes! My debut novel’s protagonist, Rory in NOT MY TIME, lives with PTSD. I wrote her symptoms to be similar to my own. A large part of that too was wanting to see PTSD represented in a light outside of war vets, since it’s not the most common and it’s a misconception I still see.
Are there any writing routines, boundaries, or self-care habits that help you stay grounded?
Because CPTSD is stress-based, I try to get as relaxed as I can for a writing session. I’ll write anywhere if inspiration strikes, but for dedicated writing sessions, it’s on. Bubble bath, skincare routine, playlist curated for my work in progress, and at least three beverages (plain water, tea, and flavored sparkling water usually). This way, I can really slip into the zone.
What advice would you give to other writers who have similar struggles as you?
Take care of yourself, but remember you aren’t alone. Even if you feel like it now, someone else needs to hear your story.
Have you ever taken breaks from writing to focus on your mental health?
Absolutely! It’s important to rest and recharge. My writing suffers if I don’t give myself a break every now and then. Especially if something happens that results in a PTSD trigger. Even if I only need a day off, it can be just as productive to have a “rot day” sometimes or to get out in nature, depending on how I’m feeling.
What’s something you wish more people understood about being a writer with mental health struggles?
People often assume that if you’re producing anything at all, you must be fine. The truth is, the story you see is only part of the story. What you don’t see are the days I spend frozen, exhausted from simply trying to create. I either write 3,000 words or 30 during a writing session.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with the readers?
Whether you’re writing pages or just surviving the day, you’re doing something brave. Be gentle with yourself.
Where can readers connect with you and your work? (Socials, website, books, etc.)
I’m on most social media networks, primarily
Instagram and TikTok, under the handle @authorjessicasalina - though all of my channels and newsletter are linked on my website.
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Thank you for reading!
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