Christiane Wells's Biography
Member Info
Highlands Ranch, CO
I've been with my husband, Jason, for over ten years.
Aug 2010
Originally from Milford, Connecticut, I’m currently living in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, a quiet Denver suburb. I’m here with my husband, Jason, and son, Jack. I spend my days writing, reading, cooking, and learning. I’m in school full-time pursuing my Ph.D in Psychology, with a specialization in education and social issues. My area of research is North Korean refugees and their experience with trauma both before and after their defection. How do refugees from North Korea handle the trauma they experienced through their journey of defection in a new culture? Social work and sociology are my other academic fields. I love school and it’s probably the thing I do best. I’m hoping to write, teach, and conduct research once I’ve completed my doctoral degree.
My first book, No Guarantees: A Young Woman’s Struggle to Overcome Drug and Alcohol Addiction, was published two days after my 20th birthday (a long time ago) and describes my teenage struggle with drugs and depression. I had just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder when the book came out, and the next several years were a blur of heavy drug use, rehab/sobriety attempts, mental hospitals, and insanity. Magical Shrinking: Stumbling Through Bipolar Disorder is the book that covers my life after the insanity and into marriage, school, work, and motherhood.
Following Magical Shrinking, I’ve been writing about wellness and how I’ve managed to stabilize myself as best as someone with bipolar disorder can.
Influences
I've always been heavily influenced by writers who tackle major social issues, such as Upton Sinclair and Alex Kotlowitz. Kotlowitz's book, "There Are No Children Here" changed my life and led me to work with kids from some of the poorest and most marginalized areas in Los Angeles. I've always wanted to write about the issues that matter most to me - mental illness, poverty, addiction, child welfare, and social justice. While working on my sociology degree I became fascinated with the work of Peter Berger, Eric Hoffer, Erving Goffman, and Howard Becker.
Upcoming Works
My most recent work is Magical Shrinking: Stumbling Through Bipolar Disorder, which was published in July 2010. Right now I'm only writing blog posts and articles because I'm starting my dissertation work. For more information, please visit my website: http://www.christianewells.com
Agents
Past agent: Glenn Cheney of Cheney & Associates, Hanover, CT. Currently looking for a new agent to represent me with Magical Shrinking.
Recommended Links
Publishers
No Guarantees - New Discovery Press, division of Macmillan. Magical Shrinking - Lulu Press.
Interests & Hobbies
I love reading, writing, basketball, sailing/boating, traveling, and cooking. Lately I've been really into the food movement, meaning local and sustainable food, slow food, grass-fed/pasture-raised animals, gardening, and more. I find I'm getting healthier (physically and mentally) all the time.
My research interests include North Korea, child welfare, corrections, bipolar disorder, poverty, and addiction. Right now I'm beginning my dissertation research, which means that much of my free time is spent reading about North Korea. I gravitate toward qualitative research, it's the methodology that pairs best with my interests and skills.
Wells' writing has both a lyrical intensity...and a deadpan humor that dispels bathos. She manages to convey a whirlwind of narcotized craziness with remarkable clarity and insight. An entrancing journey through the lower depths.”
—Kirkus Reviews
About Christiane
Originally from Milford, Connecticut, I’m currently living in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, a quiet Denver suburb. I’m here with my husband, Jason, and son, Jack. I spend my days writing, reading, cooking, and learning. I’m in school full-time pursuing my Ph.D...
Connections
Causes Christiane Wells Supports
Christiane’s Favorite Books
In Dubious Battle, Grapes of Wrath, The Omnivore's Dilemma, What To Eat, The Jungle, Magical Thinking, Naked, To Kill a Mockingbird, With These Hands,...