New Book
By admin • Jan 19th, 2009 • Category: Lead Story, News
From real-life Hollywood princess to Princess Leia, Carrie Fisher has lived a life beyond colorful. Daughter of a tabloid-rocked show business marriage, co-star of one of the world’s most beloved blockbuster films at age 19, married and divorced from a pop music icon, and in and out of rehab numerous times; Fisher has survived with odds-defying resilience and no small measure of sharp wit.
Actress, screenwriter, and best-selling novelist, Fisher has long mined the absurdities of her life in her work, but with her SRO one-woman show, Wishful Drinking, she has finally told the unvarnished truth and captivated audiences across the country in the process. Adapted from that “hilariously ennobling” (Los Angeles Times) and “exceedingly clever” (Wall Street Journal) stage show, WISHFUL DRINKING (Simon & Schuster) is a caustic memoir of Fisher’s wild first half-century—a blunt testament of mid-life self-discovery, and a frank account of coming to terms with bi-polar disorder and addiction.
“I am truly a product of Hollywood,” Fisher writes. “I’m a product of Hollywood inbreeding. When two celebrities mate, something like me is the result. I grew up visiting sets, playing on backlots, and watching movies. In consequence, and for a few other reasons, I find that I don’t have a conventional sense of reality. (Not that I’ve ever had much use for reality—having spent much of what I laughingly refer to as my adult life attempting to wave it away with drug use.)”
Those celebrities were, of course, Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, two of America’s sweethearts joined in a storybook marriage—until Eddie ran off with Debbie’s recently widowed best friend, Elizabeth Taylor. Young Carrie’s relationships with her famous parents couldn’t help but shape her destiny, and WISHFUL DRINKING is filled with anecdotes of growing up as the daughter of a glamorous movie star mother with a somewhat unconventional take on life and a sexual rogue of a father whom she rarely saw. Fisher is forthright about her own failed marriages—the first to her soul mate, the brilliant singer songwriter Paul Simon (Mike Nichols called them “two flowers, no gardener”), the second to talent agent Bryan Lourd who, a year after their daughter was born, left Carrie for a man (mother Debbie: “You know dear, we’ve had every sort of man in our family—we’ve had horse thieves, and alcoholics, and one-man bands—but this is our first homosexual.”)
Fisher takes no prisoners when sharing her rueful memories of working with George Lucas, Harrison Ford, and Mark Hamill on Star Wars, dealing with that ridiculous coif and seeing her likeness marketed as, among other things, a PEZ dispenser. Other bits of show biz nostalgia: Working in the chorus line of her mother’s Broadway show as a teenager (“I don’t care what you’ve heard, chorus work is far more valuable to a child than any education could ever be”), when her younger brother, Todd, shot himself in the leg with a blank (“We were suddenly more like a mafia family than a show business one!”). Cary Grant calling at her mother’s behest after being told Carrie was addicted to LSD (“as if such a thing were possible”). And then there was the time Bob Dylan, whom she’d never met, called her from the road to discuss a name for his cologne.
Fisher’s realization that she is an alcoholic and her on and off periods of sobriety and relapse provide a tender through-line in WISHFUL DRINKING, as she comes face to face with her addictions and the reality of her bi-polar disorder, with its incredible, energetic highs and its depths-of-depression lows. It’s not without its compensations: “Having waited my entire life to get an award for something, anything (okay fine, not acting, but what about a tiny award for writing? Nope), I now get awards all the time for being mentally ill. I’m apparently very good at it and am honored for it regularly….[I]t’s better than being bad at being insane, right? How tragic would it be to be runner-up for Bipolar Woman of the Year?”
With the same self-deprecating, bull’s-eye humor that has infused such best-selling novels as Surrender the Pink and Postcards from Edge (as well as the film for which she wrote the screenplay starring Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine), Carrie Fisher now tells the most vital story of her career—her own—“as honestly, sardonically, fetchingly, caustically, and comically as she can” (San Francisco Chronicle). WISHFUL DRINKING is a singular memoir from one of show business’s most singular minds.
I just read Wishful Drinking and I laughed so hard…my co-worker, (Trish) and I both work in the mental health field and we are both persons with mental illness. We believe that Carrie would make a wonderful advocate and spokesperson for NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness).
NAMI would most certainly honor Ms. Fisher for her honesty, wonderful humor and kinship to the millions totally afflicted (like ourselves) with batshit.
Sincerely,
Shannon Jonson, Case Aide and Patricia (Trish) Guterez, Case Aide
CCS Family Learning Center, Tehachapi, CA.
I dont usually write in these things, but, Carrie, I identified with your book so much. It was like you were writing about me…the only differene is I had 2 biploar parents that were not public figures, but they were notorious none the less. I made it through thanks to my wit and sense of humor but it was touch and go for many years. Of course, BP is a heriditary disorder, so I too was blessed with it. Imagine that! Three bipolars under the same roof! I relate so much to what you went through…so flippin sad and yet so damned funny!
I’m not bi-polar. I don’t know how to say this, but maybe I would like it better than where I were. I have no ups. I’m down, down all the the time in spite of many trials of medication. I’m going to accupuncuture hoping to avoid ECT.
I’m going to read you book. Maybe it will help.
Thanks for the book- and take the proposal……why not, it will only keep things interesting!
I guess we can still thank Freud for “mental illness” lables. Personally I do not call my anxiety, panic and depression mental illness. Why can’t these illness just be part of the Physical body and not be seperated as Body and Head. Oh I know, Insurance Companies and the AMA. And of course our regular Physicans do not want to treat us, so, thus the reason Shrinks are still needed on planet earth. When Family Practice and other Doctors decide to step out of their comfort zone, maybe the whole human spirit can be treated as “one body”.
Regardless, I am a huge Carrie Fisher fan. I doubt anyone is as brilliant as she , regarding Playwrights, Authors. And beautiful too, wow! She comes up with some wonderful one-liners. Her humor is brilliant as well. I am heading to Barnes and Nobles on my next day off to buy this book.
Thanks for being on Planet Earth Carrie! Your spirit moves many women!
I read about the book via Rosie O’s blog, then The View, and then heard about it again tonight on tv. Can’t wait to get a copy.
Huge fan here. And it isn’t because of Star Wars. CFisher is brilliant. Great sense of humor. And of course, needless to say, she is beautiful as well! I think most women can relate to Fisher. With or without being bi-polar, with or without having the disease of alcoholism.
Wow. Just finished “Wishful Drinking.” Wow. Thanks for another great book. I have loved them all. And learned something from each of them.
Carrie Fisher is one of the funniest women on the planet. I’ve read all her books and I love her bi-polar skewed version of the world. I am a longtime fan being a a big fan of Star Wars in my youth – I’d like to say I’ve stepped out of geekdom but that is not actually true. A couple of years ago a friend and I waited in line for 3 hours at a Sci-Fi convention to get Carrie’s autograph. At first it was just “oh hey, waiting to get Carrie’s autograph” but by the time we were close I was a 13 year old kid again. For a brief time I was taken back to the wonder and excitement of adolescent geekery. Like a 13 year old I was awed and tongue-tied when I finally reached her. Even so, it was a magical trip through time and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course I would wait in an equally long line to get a book signed so there you go.
Love Carrie Fisher! She feels like someone we know, a good friend w/a great sense of humor. Very few writers make me laugh out loud and Ms. Fisher is at the top of the list.
Nothing but the best to you, your daughter and your mother.
Carrie, I just finished your book, Wishful Drinking. I applaud the bravery it took for you to come to grips with all your demons and then to write about it and perform it, WOW! Sending you all good wishes for all good things always…
PS I vote say no to the Sante Fe proposal…
Great job on the book. I ran across it at the Virgin Megastore here in NY and was sold on the cover alone. I pretty much read it in one sitting and couldn’t get enough when it was done. Very poignant and also laugh-out-loud hilarious where appropriate of course. Your blend of frankness and humor really helped me to see you in a different light. Of course, I had always heard how brilliant and insightful you were as a writer. Also I love the “Star Wars” films. [The original classic trilogy]. What truly made them special was the chemistry between you and Harrison. It was just all action, there were characters (and actors) we liked and cared about. I don’t know WHAT these kids are doing in these new films. BTW – Has anyone else pointed out that your speedbike chase from “Return of the Jedi” was clearly lifted by the Trinity character in the “Matrix” sequel? Leia kicked ass, no doubt about that. Okay, I’ll turn off my geek module now. LOL. Anyway, I’ll definitely have to follow up with your other works. The world needs more funny women to offer their perspective on life with both humor and heart.
Thanks,
Brian
Oh yeah, by the way, that proposal at the end was creepy. I vote no.
Marry me.
Wishfull Drinking was fabulous. Carrie, in being so honest with yourself, you make it so much easier for those of us with similar problems to be honest also. I laughed so hard I almost peed. Your description of addiction and mental illness is just so “SPOT ON”. You tell it like it is and I LOVE you for that. You let those of us that have been down that Freaking road KNOW that you can survive, laugh about it and get on with our lives. I sing your praises. No one has ever described my life like you did. God Bless You Carrie Fisher. Love to You……Carla , addict, recovering, mentally ill and despite all that—Happy (at times). 49
I just got a Princess Leia doll on Ebay. She didn’t come with the forms to make her hair do. Do you think that it would be tacky to use a couple of prozac caps?
I’m trying to read your book, but I am having trouble. Maybe it’s something to do with my bipolar. Listening to an interview I don’t have a problem. I guess I can pick up on vocal hints, I don’t get on the printed page.
As you are saying, maybe you say it later in the book, all this mental illness shit is pretty grim sometimes. As an Alum of a mental health facillity after a sucide attempt (unsuccessful), then a divorce 6 months later, I have an appreciation for a lighter side.
I’ve cried enough.
You definitly sold me on ECT. I read the book three times. I found the book very interesting glimpises and insights, so much angst. I felt like a fly on the wall of a therapy session.
I was talking to a freind tonight who is trying her d@#nest to sober up and remembering 1988. I was 19 and had just read “Postcards from the Edge”. That I could so closely relate to a woman in her 30s in Rehab, shook me and made me laugh at the same time. I kept reading the rehab chapters over; you were my first Big Book. I’ve been sober since early 1989 and your honest, bitingly sarcastic look at sobering up deserves some credit. Just wanted to actually thank you for your honesty and your fearless way with words.
Carrie, I am so thrilled to see you’ve got a blog. I adore your work, and am glad I can read random bits of it on a regular basis.
Very Dear Carrie,
I met your amazing Mother in 1988 when she and Donald were playing the Carousel Dinnner Theatre in Ohio. We were doing one of the first regional productions of SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN. I was the musical director. She was so lovely to the company. Imagine the angst in the that rehearsal hall when THEY walked through the door! She was so lovely and, of course, so was Darlin’ Donald.
Carrie, I have truly enjoyed you recent TV appearances on The View and with Bonnie Hunt. Your onscreen and literary work are extraordinary! When I first saw you in SHAMPOO, I was so very impressed by your naturalistic approach to acting. And, well, the Princess sealed the deal. If anyone can be THAT REAL in STAR WARS, she should win an Oscar! I saw the first 70mm showing in Indianapolis!
I don’t want to sound like a fan (but, obviously, I am,) and would someday love to talk with you. I’m not certain whether I can leave my number with you, but would love to leave you my email at least.
You are an inspiration, Carrie.
I don’t know whether you keep in touch with your Dad, but when TNT showed BUNDLE OF JOY, though your mother must have been crazy with all the sugar-coating, I loved seeing your parents in that innocent time.
Rambling…yes Your work is spectacular!!
With Love and Light,
Always, Ron Lord
congiusto@aol.com
(330) 472-0362
I saw the show in Boston which I loved. My partner and I were at the performance that had to be cancelled because of the sound issues and then again at the final show where we thought the show was going to be cancelled again because of the soundboard issues. It was worth both trips into Boston. I hope somewhere down the line the show gets recorded.
I picked up the book this past week and read it last night. Both the play and the book work perfectly on their own. But I do hope people get to do both.
We all have our issues and mine comes down to an old Liza Minnelli song about the spelling of her name. Ever since hearing her sing the song Liza With a Z I always notice people do spell her name wrong and on page 74 you have it spelled Minelli. and not Minnelli. Odd how all these years that song has stayed in my head and the minute I saw her name I started singing the song.
That should tell you I was Gay even before I saw your show. : )
Kevin
What a joy to read your book. I’m Bipolar too and for the first time I was able to laugh about it. Seeing the humor is something “serious” sure can let the air out of those serious tires. Thank you. Your book was better than any therapy session I’ve ever had.
Hey fisher liked all your movies. but liked you better god” what happened. i guess we all get old i think i saw your mom in every movie she ever made.I saw your dad in Vietnam in 1966 at Ankhe !st cav division . i guess you were about 10years
old. Saw your Moms movie Unsinkable molly brown was great. When i lived in Denver Co. Saw Hayley mills in person int
Play the king @I would like to see ya in person in Seattle but will be Denver going to school for 50 ton Crains See ya some
other time. love ya bob
I wonder… Do any of us really expect Carrie Fisher to answer us. Just a thought…
I love the way you write, and your eye for weird stuff. The story with the hippo is an attention grabber. I’m living in Austria and they didn’t have any copies of your book, so I ordered it and now I have to wait three days before I can read it, it’s killing me. Do you have any influence on who translates it into German? My girlfriend (she’s a translator) would love to do it.
Hi there. Great job.
You are a very smart person!
I bought your book on amazon.com and it came yesterday in the mail. I opened the package started reading and did not stop for four hours! I’ve never read a book clear through like that, but this was fantastic. Your outlook on your life and your wit made me laugh and smile, thank you!
You made me laugh
You touched my heart
Your work is done
i am able to identify with both dx’s. fan of postcards from the edge. thanks for making abnormal more normal.
i love that you know clancy. i have only heard of him on cd leads. i am from the east coast. he was here once a few yrs back but i missed him. he is yoda.
thanks for sharing.
come for a cup of coffee if you are ever in town.
xo
Hi,…Carrie or Mz Fisher. Thank You. Once again a surprise. “Wishful Drinking”. Autobiography and Personals Ad. I had never before encountered that duality but I liked it. I wrote a here and there response to your book;…Page this, page that;… But had to use Post Office. Not enough Library E- Mail time.Simon and Schuster. 1st letter Mailed, January, 26, 2009 . About once a Week Mailing. 3rd letter , Today or soon. Delay today. My 15 years old dog, Milkdud,… with me sense a few Weeks old,…needs a Vet here some where. Again , Thank You for the experience of knowing the life of another. The best of chance and choice to you. Michael.
To Carrie (or whomever) may read this—-
I am an avid reader as well as in the middle of my 6th rehab. Five months sober today!
I am dealing with bipolar as well. I bought your book thinking it might mirror Drinking A Love Story–how wrong i was. I find your sense of humor sad and depressing. Although I have a great sense of humor i do not find a whole lot funny about mental illness or addiction. Your name-dropping is nauseating. Do you ride on the coat tails of others because you have lost your memory of who you are? I dont know how you got this published–oh thats right–as you mentioned many many times in the book, you have connections. Gag. Reading this book is total waste of time.
Would love to interview you about your new audiobook (version).
I loved !
Thank you for sharing. It helps, I know.
Carrie, i just saw you on Conan, like me looks like you have gained weight, sorry, but I am 53 and i appreciate your sick sense of humor,……. hope you don’t mind. i think we could be friends , for real, as my 5 yr old granddaughter tells me. I am a bit tipsy on chardonnay and I have been laid off for 9 months and loving it, sort of. I am poor and my 28 year daughter, which I love dearly, is in rehab, bitch! She is home and we do it one day at a time, thanks to my knowlege of movies, Postcards from the Edge has helped me immensely. Give me a call ###-###-2734.
Lori
luv ya!
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH US!! LOL
February 19, 2009
Dear Carrie,
I just finished reading your latest book “Wishful drinking” and just had to send a note off to you to let you know how much I enjoyed it and wish you much success. I needed a diversion and it was a wonderful, heartwarming, revealing and very, very funny book.
A wonderful diversion in these difficult times.
Someone who has also been diagnosed with bipolar. (There I said it!)
Regards,
Betty from Rhode Island
Hi,… Carrie or Mz Fisher. The only 9 by 12 envelope,…4th letter,… last letter. Post Office, Simon and Schuster. Mailed, February,19, 2009. PS. You remind me of the forever apple in the Garden of Eden. Eat it once,… it`s good forever. Hey, the only invent a forever stamp joke I could think of. Thank You, Carrie. Michael.
I was reading in the STAR WARS INSIDER that you asked George Lucas for a copy of the 1978 Holiday special. for recording commentary on several STAR WARS DVD’s and you said he didn’t provide you a copy. I’m not sure how or where I obtained a very high quality VHS tape of it several years ago. It has the quality picture (in standard def of course) of tapes you could by from the major studios. I was very surprised at how fine the transfer was. Someone had acess to a master tape to record this version. Question. Do you still want a copy? I can make you a high quality DVD from my VHS tape. Are you interested? I know this technically isn’t legal but since George won’t release it would that bother you? There is a book that comes wiith a CD that has you siniging a song from the speciaL. Please let me know either way.
Joe
I just finished your book and first of all I must say…..I SAW THAT PRINCESS LEIA PICTURE IN MY ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY BOOK!!! It’s true, several years ago I took ‘Abnormal Psychology’ as a college class, and there you were as the Princess; I remember staring at it thinking, ‘Carrie Fisher is bipolar???’ This made me happy because, (drum roll please) I’m bipolar also! I’m always happy to find other club members! I was diagnosed with Bipolar when I was 18 or 19 (I say ‘18 or 19′ because I spent my 19th birthday in a State Hospital Psyc Ward…..so at 19 you were Princess Leia, and at 19 I was….completely out of my mind!- we are like twins! LOL) I think it’s great that you have such a sense of humor about mental illness; laughing about bipolar disorder is what has helped me survive for the last 10 years! And I would love to see the ‘Bipolar Parade’…..I’d like to reserve a bed on a float, please! Thank you for honesty in this book, the more understanding people have of mental illness, the more people will…shake their heads and laugh, because that’s all a person can do!
God Bless,
Amber H.
Carrie, I had such a great time reading wishful drinking, thank you so much. Sane and as well adjusted as I’m under the impression that I am, I envy the colorful journey that you have had. Challenges make us interesting. You are blessed to be so interesting.
When I was a kid I thought that Star Wars was by far the best thing that God ever made. A gay kid in rural Mormon Utah it didn’t take much. And my God obviously was on a different page than everybody else’s around me. I still have all of my original action figures tucked away. Now that I’m older it has moved down the list quite a few notches, but still very much on the list. Top of the list now is probably a martini… so when I saw the cover of your book I thought it was so brilliant. We have come full circle my girl and I. If there is any way of purchasing a frame quality poster size of it please please let me know how or where.
And when scheduling your tour dates please know that Palm Springs is oh so full of gay guys and old ladies that love you. (and on some days probably love your mother more than you do.) You could fill one of our theatres and it would be a fun evening for you and us. Hope to see you soon.
I got “Wishful Drinking” this afternoon and inhaled it tonite. I started it while at the doctor’s office for my bi-annual “get my depakote levels checked” visit. I too am bipolar and was diagnosed about 1 1/2 yrs. ago. I just wish for a bit more mania instead of the depression. I do fine when I’m at work, but on my days off I just sink and try to sleep my time away. I laughed outloud in so many parts of your book. I want to let some of my family and friends read it but I’m afraid they won’t understand it like I did. I am the black sheep and the crazy one. Thanks for writing and keep doing what you do.
Patti
I’m in the middle of reading this…and I love it!!
But, one question…..what is the picture on page 46?? The text there talks about your mother’s closet. That isn’t it, is it??
Thanks!
I just finished your book last night and I am still chuckling. I’m your mother’s age and I remember all the fuss and gossip about your mom and dad, I had started my own family by then and thought the whole mess was over reported. Your mom didn’t have any privacy and everyone I knew was on her side. You have been through a lot but you still have a great sense of humor and that will keep you sane!!!!
MS Fisher;
I was passed a copy of your book from my sister who, like me, suffers from BP. Your wit and wisdon perfectly capture the constant struggles, dark realities and outrageous humor of this disorder. Your description of going through this constant pummeling in the public eye is stunning, yet shows a rare strength of character. Most barely survive, IF they survive. You are giving hope to many.
I am not going to bore you with my litany of drink and other forms of self-medication; nobody with BP has a lovely story to tell. But I’m also dry and doing quite well, thank you very much. Now if only I had a bit of talent; that would be sweet…
Oh, and about that world-famous metal bikini: Thank you very much…
I always had a terrible crush on Carrie and seeing and learning of her struggles and still being faithful to her true self only makes me respect her the more. As a Licensed Professional in the M.H. Field, much respect is due her as her BiPolar illness is a most difficult and tough illness to handle even with fidelity to the Psychiatric meds. and regular and consistent checkups and monitoring by a dedicated Psychiatrist. Would love to meet her and affirm and encourage her. Sounds like she’s still got it after all these years, but esp. where it counts now, and still growing it seems.
Wow…I am so excited to read that your show might go to Broadway. I saw the show in Berkeley, CA last year and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!! I have not stopped talking about it since! I really hope you have the opportunity to expand to Broadway and/or other cities!!!
Hope to see you soon on Broadway…or at least Seattle!!!
Jenn and Darek
Seattle, WA
Carrie –
You know, a good portion of the world’s population goes along like a horse with blinders. They get a small portion of what’s ahead, and what’s around. ‘Passionate’ people (bi-polar, if you must) see everything in full blown technicolour-3-D with THX surround sound, and an occasional dose of flying monkeys on our backs for good measure. We tend to live harder, feel more intensely, and over all have the ‘wilder’ experiences in life (when we’re not curled up trying to shut the world out.)
Just finished “Wishful Drinking”. Brilliant!
I would love to have heard more about your experiences while making your many films.
Good luck with Broadway!
All the best,
-Mike
I’ve never done this before, but, I just started your book “Wishful Drinking”. (I’ve read them all.) and I think your head is perfect. God, it’s FUN to laugh out loud! Thank you! P.S. I never saw “Star Wars”. Thought it looked stupid and you all looked dumb dressed up like that. ( and believe me, I was high enough.) Keep on keepin on.
Great book ! Quick read and a hugely entertaining and fun. I read it and keep saying lines from it to my husband ( who by the way was one of those geeky teenage boys ) and as soon as I put it down, he picked it up and read it. We both read it in one evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for the time and effort you put into it , Ms. Carrie Fisher, Queen of Wit
You talk like I think- oddly comforting and sad that those with financial resources can also be bipolar and feel the same disparity. I always thought you could pay it to go away. The Best Awful is my best awful favorite book.
DEAR CARRIE,
WOW!!
AND HERE I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE ON THE PLANET THAT FELT LIKE THAT!
you had me when you said that you had to” like everything you did.” I thought that too, that is the root of all evil, isn’t it. Just remember, you are not alone in your quest for feeling normal ,what is the new norm anyway? Seriously, I would be more worried about all the people who act like they have it all together all the time, something gotta be lacking there, don’t ya think. Just say to yourself, like I do, we just tend to feel everything a little more stronger than everyone else. Has anyone ever told you that everything is going to be ok? Guess what, everything is going to be ok! Thank you for the brilliant book, hurry up and write another one.
Tracy from pgh, pa
Dear Carrie,
After watching your story on Bio.com, I am happy for your ability and strength to overcome. Listening to your story reminds me of my beloved older sister. When I she was 15, and I was 13, because of her need to please people, I asked her, “You want everybody to like you. Don’t you?” and she said, “Yes.” I then told her, “That is the epitome of co-dependency, because even God couldn’t pull it off.” For we have no control over other people’s choices. Allow the truth to set you free,
Thank you for being you. Enjoy you very much. Oh, I share one thing with you. My fiance broke off our engagement for the alternative lifestyle. I mourned the breakup and had to respect her choice.
Have a blessed day,
Sincerely and respectfully yours,
Keith
Hi, Carrie or Mz Fisher. Copy of Retro- letter to be Mailed today. Album/ CD: Middle Cyclone. By, Neko Case. She Sings about events of Nature,…like the tornado that fell in love with her. At one point the Band got six free pianos from Craigs List and play them all at same time in a song. Great Sound. Statement by her in Interview; ” I do my best, but I am made of mistakes.” NPR, March,1, 2009. Sunday morning. Short Tours only. Most of her Band members are Married. Alright;… Finally a modern song writer/ singer with a sense of mountain womaness. Likeness to Greg Brown, I think it is, with song,… Billy From The Hills. Hope you will also like her. PS, Why would I wish for a woman, Carrie;… Whom is not an adventure,… of hope. I know I must look to you like her song,… ” This Tornado Loves You.” Choose Again? But think of me as member of U.M.P. I. R.E. ; Urban Mountain People In Real Environments. Marry to be happy Carrie. Wandering Happiness. Marry to laugh, to learn, to live in the yet endless seeking of self discovery by both. Marry in sickness and in health,… for both of you. Marry whom you decide to love, and hate, and hold. Thank You for your Wish. Michael.
Dear Carrie,
I just finished inhaling Wishful Drinking the book, and I haven’t recovered yet. I suffer from unipolar depression for which I have twice committed myself over the past 23 years and narrowly avoided it on one or two other occasions. I found the torments to be physical as well as mental and emotional. It felt like my skin was on fire. My energy was so low I could barely arise to visit the toilet, much less dress myself. I don’t wish it on my worst enemy. If there is hell that is it. My serotonin was so depleted it took nearly a month for the SSRI’s to kick in. When I was finally able to sleep more than two hours a night, I felt like I had been reborn. My episodes have so far been situationally initiated. Both times it was fall and the days were shortening. The first time I had just lost my job. The second I was under great stress at work, and Dubya had invaded Iraq. I had hung up from complaining to an old friend when I suddenly felt myself go over Niagara Falls on my back. No one who has not experienced this can comprehend it and no one who has can forget it. I have so far avoided ECT, but I won’t if there is a repeat performance.
I am 61. My birthday was October 4, so I am also a Libra. My father died suddenly when I was 17. My mother was nearly 42 when I was born. I was an only child and painfully shy. My friends have been few but faithful and deep. I have had relatively few relationships that lasted. My two closest were to a woman 15 years older and a younger woman who had been sexually abuse by her stepfather when young and had retreated into mostly homosexual relationships until ours. Both women were deeply spiritual in very different ways. I had to watch as both died of recurrent cancer. I have no children, which is a great sadness and regret. I love to sing in community choruses and church choirs, though I’m an agnostic. I have recently migrated from a baritone to a bass thanks to age and alcohol. (I now know the secret of Russian basso profundos!)
I have been an amateur photographer and a private pilot. I have a masters degree in organic chemistry and work for a government natural resource agency, but my favorite subjects in college were English and philosophy. I believe in reincarnation and ufo’s, though I have not been consciously aware of any paranormal experiences myself. My favorite composer is Ralph Vaughn Williams (another libra). I love visual arts, world music, jazz, rhythm and blues, and sixties rock, especially Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. I’m gray and slightly paunchy, but I clean up well. One of my friends has a married daughter in L.A. and the next time I make it out there, I’d like to pay a short visit and shoot the shit with a genius. I’m too old and impotent to be a stalker and too gunshy to ever think of marriage again.
Best wishes,
Joe Fischer
Loved your book- “Wishful Drinking.” Actually have read all your books. Thanks for writing.
I used to wrok for Kenner toys, in their sculpting department. We made the original models for the toys. I was working on a Star Wars play-doh hinge mold of you when George Lucas came to visit our offices in Cinti. He spoke briefly to us, and mentioned to me that you would like it if I gave you cheekbones. I thought that was an odd comment til I read your book.
Cheekbones on on the Playdoh Princess.
Dear Carrie, I have not yet read this book, however, I will look for it at the library. (I don’t think I can afford to buy it, since I am currently unemployed and broke.) I’m clean & sober almost five years now, & still cleaning up the trail of crap that flows out in a wake behind me like, well, a trail of crap. I won’t bore you with my story here, maybe some other time, some other place… I just want to say that I’ve always thought that you are one of the world’s most beautiful women, I remember those movies, wishing I could be Han Solo, guys like him always end up with the prettiest ladies, (meaning you, of course) but alas, I beame a rude, obnoxious drunk instead. Anyway… I’d gladly scrounge up the price of a ticket to see your show, if you ever perform it somewhere reasonably close to wherever I may happen to be living at the time. Did that make sense? I used to do a lot of acid, (a lot of drugs period!) and sometimes my head thinks faster than my fingers, which makes things I type come out strange sometimes. (& the songs I play too) Well, at any rate, I’m hoping that your show, and your life from here on, will be a fantastic success.
All the best to you,
–Crazy Bear
Dear Carrie Fisher, 3/24/2009
You Have to Get Gotta Get Help For yourSelf.Maybe I Can Help you fight this Promlem that your having Very simple,Drug
And alcole will not save you because Drugs And Drinking They will desoy you and your body and it kill you if you started
By Taking to much of them you fall to the floor and to die at your home, and You don’t have to do this yourself try to help
you out this meaner anyway.you Need Me to Taking of you now. and Don’t Have to do this at all you Need to Learn to
relax take it easy Overworking to death Carrie fisher. Please Carrie Fisher Try to go together Like a little our Family like you and me And Daughter billie chratherine for dinner no People to Brother us and Missed Your Sweet Voice of you’re
Carrie fisher. We Can Be Family Carrie Fisher you Have to Learn to me What I am Saying to you now. Please Carrie Fisher Let your Daughter Know i Am Doing To be Little daddy to her. Please Carrie Fisher learn to Me when Taking
Talking To you Drugs and Drinking Kill You Come complete, And Death is Not Place to Be There On Your Own. I Had
There It’s Not Pretty Place Thust me Carrie Fisher. Please Carrie Fisher I Know What your thinking About it’s nothing
Going Work Out On you. Carrie Fisher You Need To Stop Taking Like That you Going Killing yourself infront different
Alots of People,And Wouldn’t Have That Kind of talking own family that’s you,and your daughter billie chratherine,And
around me saying things that. Carrie Fisher You Trust God and I Kristen Shawn Catlin Will Take Care of You my love
And Wouldn’t let’s anything else Between our Family you carrie fisher and me kristen shawn catlin and Your Daughter
carrie Fisher nothing. Please Carrie Fisher Contain About Me I’ll Be fine I Love you With all of Heart it go’s Straight to you
Carrie Fisher And Your Daugter Billie Catherine I Love you Both of You now,and Carrie Fisher your Only Person For
Me I Don’t Want to Die The Next Day, and it’s Not End Of the Would God trusting Us Live on with our lifes We Only
People we Not perect what we do everyday and I Knowing that Everything is different everybody on the face this
earth today.God want us to share earth It’s gets Harder and Harder everyday The Earth it’snt be to easy To live with
thounds and thounds Live with People Very Information They Need a Carrie Fisher Stared by Getting Throwing Bad
Drugs In your Home.And No Drinking If Have Come Down to Your Home Liqurd bottles throwing Them Away In the Trash Can That What i Going to do Drinking prolems are Over Carrie fisher. Carrie Fisher You Need Throwing Away All of
Drugs In the toilet of Bathroom so That I Want I Don’t Get Trouble By Yourself By the Policeofficers Come to Your
Home With No clue’s Carrie Fisher. Carrie Fisher Run Home Get of All Drugs And All Gave up All of Drinking Liquard
Bottles For Good,And I Will Make Sure that To Do Immeduitly.Carrie Fisher All of it Throwing away trash Can and Inside
the toilet it Go’s Carrie Fisher some help From Centers. Here Will Be Reach at:Kristen Shawn Catlin-
24hours 7 days a Week
With Alots of Bottom of my carrie fisher
Heart To you And Daughter Billie
Chatherine
From Real Boyfriend
Kristen Shawn Catlin oxox
still waiting for it in this part of the world! haaay
Still enjoying “Wishful..” Audiobook in my car 3 or 4 times a day. It’ll likely stay in my CD player a long while. I love it, as I knew I would. I was 19 years old when Surrender the Pink came out and I read it a zillion times; It was a mangled ball toward the end of its days when I accidentally left it outside in the rain. It was paperback so it was reduced to mush. I was really upset because it had become a security blanket of sorts and got me through one of a parade of difficult times in my life. So, Thank You Carrie. Yours and Stephen Fry’s books are the only books of the genre I read nowadays and sometimes Amy and/or David Sedaris. But yours have a special place in my heart; feels like going home when re-read. Please never stop writing.
Wow- Billie is extraordinarily beautiful! She looks a great deal like you. When I saw her photo for a minute I thought I was looking at a picture of you on the set of Blues Brothers.
Take Care – and Thank You!
Quit whining. Seriously.
Wow. That was wonderful, fun, and comforting! It was also humbling, hilarious, encouraging, insightful, delicious, grand, and motivating!
“I’m George! George McFly. You are my density”
-From Back To The Future
Jassen
P.S. I’m sending you a fan mail with pictures to Simon and Schuster
i like when she was in the movie star wars and her book. she is my favorite movie star and book writer
I read Wishful Drinking last night– a fast and funny read which I enjoyed very much — I hope I’ll get to see your one-woman show one day. I haven’t read your other books yet, but having read this one I’m sure I’ll be a fan of them as well. I really admire your wit, honesty and tenacity.
Donna
i love your books and movie
Here I am one of your cousins you never met and, maybe, should have. I have followed your career and have a somewhat slanted bias when I think of you. I can’t help but wonder if you hide behind your humor so as not to reveal the real you. After all, it’s better to make everyone laugh at your self flagulation so that you can delude yourself into believing you control the group to gain acceptance and not feel they are laughing behind your back. N’cet pas?
At least you’re not one of the skeletons in our family closet. P.S. Say hello to your old school chum, Fred G. for me. I worked with him on Kimberly.
Hi Carrie,
Well, I’m not your cousin, but I HAVE found my “Five degrees to Carrie Fisher” (a la Kevin Bacon) – there are pictures of you with Angie Dickinson at a 2005 awards show for Dick Van Dyke. Angie Dickinson, of course, starred in “Police Woman” in the 1970’s. My mom’s step-brother was an associate producer on “Police Woman” (among other series). Okay I lost count .. how many degrees was that? From you, to Angie Dickinson, to Uncle George, to my mom, to me. Hey, I really think I did it. Woohoo!!
Love your writing.
donna
Dear Extraordinay Carrie Fisher,
I just discovered you. OMG, where have I been all this time? Don’t ask. You are an such amazing woman, a real inspiration. I read your book Wishful Drinking. LOVE IT!!! I plan on reading your other books too. Your writing style reminds me of Frank McCourt (love his work), in terms of brutal honesty with humor thrown in to soften the blows.
As for the proposal, EEWWW. Don’t do it! It brought back memories of when I was proposed to, twice; but of course not at the same time or night. The first guy said “Let’s get hitched”. I was 24 he was 50. I just wanted to experience that whole older man thing. (yeah) The second guy said “You know you’re not getting any younger”. These are what every girl dreams about how her first marriage proposal should go.
Also, I nominate you for the Mark Twain Prize for 2010… since 09 has already gone to Bill Cosby.
Your newest fan,
Shanda
(long a pronunciation on the first a)
p.s. Please bring your show to pokey Reno, NV
Lovely Carrie (for the Roy side-and it’s true),
I enjoyed your wit and open (really open) life story. I hadn’t realized how well spoken (probably as we’ve never met) and well thought you are. Proves that you can make it through, in spite of the medication. Always have enjoyed your appearances, and I realize that its probably because a liitle of the Carrie in Wishful Thinking shines through…especially Leia….(hopefully that brought a smile).
Thanks for sharing (still not gay or bald yet), so if you ever do your show in Chicago..I’m coming to see if its true…you’re fantastic in real life. If Roy’s about….you can always cook!
Have fun, and seriously, thanks for the fun you provide, often at your own expense. It’s nice to have you out there.
See you in Chicago.
Dan
Aw Carrie, Thanks so much. As a member in good standing of the hypomanic club, I adore your honesty and your humor and the healing power of your words. I’ve had one psychotic break since being diagnosed in 1989 after being sexually harassed on the job. The first 5 days of not sleeping was an incredible amount of fun – for ME anyway, not so much my soon to be ex-husband and my concerned parents. The next 5 days…well, extreme paranoia….and mumblings about gay dinosaurs – don’t ask – I can’t explain it to this day—not so much fun and games. The capper to this Reader’s Digest Condensed Version of what landed me in the loonie bin was that my intended commitment judge was the very same man who sexually harassed me. At least he had the good sense to recuse himself. What I came away with in terms of my 30 days spent at St. Mary’s and everyday after -especially during the Bush Administration- is that the world is mad in and of itself. The world is also beautiful. Perhaps those of us who are diagnosed with a chemical disorder, who have been labeled “mad” are the lucky ones. I can’t speak for all bipolar people but it seems to me that the beauty and the ugliness of our disorder is that we suffer from extreme insight and sensitivity. We take in everything around us like a giant sponge. This is a good thing in terms of empathy towards other…but the ability to empathize and “see through” ourselves and others can sometimes render us debilitated. Humor has been my big savior. Please, please, don’t ever lose your sense of humor and keep writing. You are loved, Mary.
Hi Carrie,
Thank you so very much for bringing your show, “Wishful Drinking” to Seattle. I saw the matinee on Saturday, April 4th, and loved it! It was a treat and a pleasure to see you perform live. I had read your book “Wishful Drinking” before seeing the performance, and look forward to re-reading it now.
Also, please know that, besides being an incredible writer, you are a wonderful actress! Princess Leia survives in the cultural consciousness because of your splendid portrayal — and you remain the only person I’ve ever seen who can pull off that cinnamon-bun hairstyle (even today!).
I wish you all the best for your remaining Seattle performances and look forward to your future books/plays/movies, etc. And do have fun on Broadway — I’m sure “Wishful Drinking” will take you there soon!
Peace and love,
Troy
Miss Fisher,
Thank you so very much for all you do- the world needs more voices like yours, unafraid to speak and tell the truth in a forthright, yet forgiving manner (and so god-damned funny!).
I am yet another of your audience (in Seattle) that identifies very closely with your experience- born in New York to wealthy and bohemian parents, a whirlwind childhood dashing from city to country to countries in the crazy sixties and increasingly crazy antics by parents, later increasing dependence on alcohol and drugs, “nice” psychiatric INVITATIONS followed by rehab stays- and now, five years out of re-hab and slightly medicated, a quiet, settled (for me, EXOTIC) life!
You speak about much more than your life.
You are truly a wonderful human being- an inspiration! and your mother must be so proud.
After reading “Postcards” years ago on my train commute to and from downtown Chicago, I told myself “no more Carrie Fisher books on the train.” Ever try not to laugh out loud (and not wet your pants) with a trainload of strangers? Note to commuters (train or bus): read in the privacy of your home this way you can hoot, holler, and wet your pants all you want.
My whole family has read this book. We all loved it. I laughed so hard reading this book (and I’m not much of a reader), that my husband came to check on me more than once. I’m going to buy a copy for everyone I know.
Hi Carrie
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the book – devoured in one sitting travelling from Miami to Port of Spain. Your determination not to be a “victim” and your dark sense of humour are fabulous. This book must be truly inspirational for those suffering from bi-polarism (is that a word?). I’ve recommended it to a friend who has a couple of family members in that position.
As for the marriage proposal – NO, No, no……
As for Broadway….YES for sure. Have you and your mom ever considered a two-woman show? Don’t know if you can work together, but it sounds like a formula for success.
By the way, before starting the book, I was already a balding gay man, so no transformation came to me!
Hope you find the time to create more books. Keep up the inspirational work, and good luck with attaining whatever makes you happy.
Just wanted to give you kudos for your April 11, 2009 performance of “Wishful Drinking” in Seattle. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, thanks a million. Sorry I don’t have a Lexus convertible.
Excellent read…Im not sure your mind is as singular as the above book description says. LOL…the last blog is once again trying to make you the queen of psychosis…too funny. I was incorrectly diagnosed bipolar…and given the wrong meds which actually created a level of depression Id never known before. I dont have a black dog, I NEVER go down there…but I do have my share of mania only to discover that the messed up Psych industry DOESNT HAVE A DIAGNOSIS FOR JUST MANIA any more, how stupid is that. I found out that the manic things were coming from ADD and that the symptoms for ADD often mimic mania. As one whose undergrad degree is in Psychology I can assure you that that industry is a lost as “geese in a snow storm”. They are only guessing at what they do…have few real answers and only throw chemicals at the problem. Anyway, I find your humor exactly like mine and Id really like to meet you some day. Ive hated Paul Simon ever since he dumped you, but the book helped me understand the dynamics of the relationship better. But I still personally think Paul Simon’s music and lyric sucks…even if some is about you. Thanks for the book, Dave.
Oops, I said “last blog” in fact it was the first one under the book description…I get confused too…lol, Dave.
And…P.S. Ill NEVER be a balding gay man…though I am your age…and the marriage proposal…is a possibility…
Dear Ms Fisher:
After 76 years of just thinking I was “terrible person” for my mood swings, I receive a diagnosis of bi-polar just before my 77th birthday.
Thank you for your beautiful book “Wishiful Drinking.” From the many comments it is obvious you have helped so many.
“It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.”
Blessings on you and you and your loved ones. With Gratitude, Frederica in Maryland
Dear Ms. Fisher:
I was diagnosed with a bi-polar condition just before my 77th birthday. It was a great relief to know the truth
after a quite turbulent life! (It also shed light on the behaviour of my father, from whom I inherited this illness.
He self-medicated with alcohol and died at age 44.)
Thank you for shedding light with your wonderful book, “Wishful Drinking.”
God bless you and your loved ones.
Gratefully,
Frederica
Dear Carrie,
I’m a 52 yo Orthopedic Surgeon, having just finished a rough draft of my own memoir. I was looking at biographies at the Oakland Barnes and Nobles and saw yours “Wishful Drinking.” I too have Bipolar (Type II), losing three years of my career and no longer doing surgery because of it but now I’m stable in a group office practice and not missing a day of work in fifteen years. A study recently shows that only 20% of bipolars work full-time, so it’s astonishing to see how productive you have been over many years! I just wanted to recognize how special that is, one bipolar to another. In my case it took enormous effort and will to get stabilized; I even went to India for two months to investigate my spirituality, before going back to work. I’m inspired by your book (it was easier for me to see the tragedy amidst the comedy) and can hardly wait to get mine ready for an agent or publisher. I live and work in San Francisco, http://www.sfmmg.com. May you always be inspired, finding your balance….Joel W
i read this book for my personality and psychpathology psychology class and i LOVED it. i learned so much and had a great time reading it. i never thought to myself “what happend to princess leai” but i am glad that i did what to read this book. i have seen pics of you with elizbeth taylor but never mad the connection that she’s ur step mom. this book was a page turner and had me on my sit plenty of times.
it is so refreshing to know that someone like you can speak up and be heard by all, showing the world that bp people are real, regular and dealing with life just like anyone else…my mother read your book while i was in and out of the hospital, and it gave her insight which i want to thank you for…i am trying to finish college and hope to one day try to write about my experiences and delusions, maybe i can help someone the way you’ve helped thousands
may the force be with you
lucas
I just read “Wishful Drinking”. You have a real gift for writing engaging books. Your style and sardonic sense of humor reminds me of Kurt Vonnegut Jr’s style. I’ve enjoyed all your movie performances, and I hope you are able to play a major role in another very soon and/or write another book. Speaking of books, I am about to finish reading one I think you’d enjoy: “The 12-Step Buddhist” (Enhance Recovery from Any Addiction) by Darren Littlejohn, Atria Books, 2009.
if i had any motivation during my so called depressive phase, i be stalking you for an autograph or if i could sit still long enough during the up phase i’d be working on a novel of how an imaginary friendship saved a real life.
thank you ever so much for sharing so humorously and so close to the bone… very recently… the day after dropping myself down a flight of stairs when my husband most apologetically, but solemnly (a week before our 12th anniversary) said he couldn’t bear being with me any more (if it wasn’t for our kids). the next day, purple and yellow (easter colors) inside and out, i slunk into the library and slunk out with your, postcards from the edge and weiner-davis’ divorce remedy. (guess which one i read in public) yeah, the same one that made me laugh so hard on the elliptical that i was able to cry to proper catharsis once i made it to the shower. and then, inspired by ms vale i less resentfully started another journal …for self survival…again.
i knew i liked the’ real leia’ after seeing you on 40 rock, but now i am grateful to you and love what i at least perceive to be a beauteous combination of self emolating wit and global empathy. i’ll read more of your books when i can stand to emote more. and when i’ve finished reading the other hopefully useful book in private. did you see the life of reilly show starring charles nelson reilly? i am ever grateful for him as well. now off to put kids to bed and apply some weiner-davis before sleeping, myself. cheers.
Thank you for such a wonderful book. I too have bipolar and have had ECT’s. Thank you for sharing with people that ECT’s are not such a horrible thing.
ok 1 more thing. WISHFUL DRINKING was waaaaay too short.
Book: More Natural “Cures” Revealed. Author: Kevin Trudeau. Page 316, sub-heading: DEPRESSION.
Thanks for the book. My story is probably different from all of the stories above. Around 1950, I traveled with friends from Tempe, AZ to to my nephew’s home in Burbank, CA. We ask him (Richard Tyler) to fix us up with some of his female friends in Burbank High School. He did just that and we all went to beach. Your mother, Debbie, was the girl set for dating me. We went to beach, and had fun. I was drinking heavy on that date, so your Mom did not like me much for that reason. Needless to say, I never saw her again after that date. After a successful career and later in life, I went into treatment for alcoholism. The treatment was sucessful and I have never had a drink of alcohol since then.
Bob Fisher
As I make my long, lonely commute to and from work each day, I listen to audio books most of the time. As I have listened again and again to “Wishful Drinking”, I feel as if a close, witty, and utimately charming friend is riding with me. I can see why Carrie has so many close friends, who wouldn’t want to hang with such a honest, thought proviking, entertaining and ok by me flawed and incredibly interesting person.
Hi Carrie. I feel weird writing this as I don’t normally write someone I don’t know and who does not know me, but I felt compelled to let you know how much my husband and I loved your show in Seattle on April 25. We all have “issues”, but your ability to candidly speak of them and with such hilarity is a gift. Having the ability to see humor in just about everything is the key to a happy life in my mind. I’m sure you have made many people with “issues” feel not so alone. You are pretty awesome. Good luck with your quest for Broadway. Hope you can visit Bainbridge Island before you head home. It’s a nice ferry ride!
I do hope you see this, and apologies if you have already been asked this a thousand times, but what is your response to this phenomena?
http://www.leiasmetalbikini.com/
p.s. How do you stay so beautiful?
I want to thank you for writing Page 159 of your book Wishful Drinking. It summarizes bipolar in a way that no one else could understand.
I enjoyed the rest of the book, also. I don’t have a drug or alcohol problem, but I do have a severe anxiety problem, in addition to the biopolar disorder..
Lynne Warner
I just read “Wishful Drinking”. I have both bipolar and panic disorders. I applaud you for coming out with your disorder. However, I respectfully notice that your explaination of Bipolar I and II might be turned around. Sorry, I am an engineer by profession (or once was) and analyze everything-a little OCD maybe
Have I missed your book signing tour? Did you come to San Francisco? Shit! I hope I didn’t miss you! The last time you were here was a hoot. Peace. JP
Carrie, Madame Fisher, Leia princess of sci-fi!
I’m still laughing. I’ve been reading and laughing all day and I had to come hunt down your website to tell you about it. You are fabulous & I’m quite thrilled with your latest book! My stomach hurts from laughing & my throat hurts from trying to swallow the laughs as I was supposed to be working but couldn’t drag my eyes away from your words.
Of course my husband tells me that if there is a reader’s version of alcoholism I have it, so maybe you were enabling me by writing your enthralling little tome. So far the only ill effects to bibliophilia are lapses in housework & occasionally sitting at green lights still reading while the cars behind me honk in frustration…
Thank you, for writing something that was hysterical & endearing & educational all at once. If more people who’ve been dubbed “mentally ill” could be as wittily forthright about their experiences it could slingshot the general public’s stereotypes into the twentieth century! We’ll have to wait for Lindsay Lohan to learn to write to get the teeny boppers in to the 21st century I suppose–or one of those Olsen twins.
Seriously though Thanks, I haven’t read anything of yours since Postcards & now I realize how deprived that makes me! Also thanks for being the tough babe in Star Wars, you wanted to do girly things & go shopping on Tatooine but you gave us girls someone to be when playing war games in the backyard… If not for your sacrifices (no bras in space!) we would’ve had to fight over who got to be Luke!
Gleefully
Kat
I chuckled out loud all the way through this. Carrie, you are brilliant. Further proof that we women in our 50s don’t just shrivel up and die. (The only other fan letter I’ve ever written was to Liz Taylor, and that’s only because that’s my maiden name.) I am a happily married suburbanite from Columbus, Oh, who now finds herself gay for both you and Rachel Maddow.
just went to may 8th show in seattle…..
carrie is just wonderful!!!!!!!so very funny,witty,quick and i love her sarcasm……..
you are brilliant, carrie………i sat in front row and recvd lots of confetti and glitter………
just to let you know, when star wars came out in 1977, i was 17 and developed a huge crush on princess leia!!!!!!!!!!
I couldn’t put down Wishful Drinking. Would love to see the show! Having Bipolar II myself, and having undergone ECT, I could relate to many experiences in the book minus the narcotic/drug use. However, Carrie, you are mistaken in part of your book. Bipolar I is the more manic-depressive sort of bipolar, with greater swings and mood switches. Bipolar II has more hypomania, and often the person spends more time in the depressed mode. Still, both disorders can affect live(s) of the person, the family, and friends (and strangers too…) Medications, life style changes such as yoga, diet, and relaxation, and ultimately ECT cause me to currently be in remission.
And no don’t accept that weird proposal at the end of the book.
….. The extraordinary life that you continue to lead ( Still continues to lead..) So YEAH, get a little “Topical” with your show, Baby… Why not?.. The times, they are a changin,’ so wear sensible hairspray.
(OKAY- WELL- SO YEAH,the truth be told, I still haven’t seen your show quite yet) So I may be getting “a little head of myself” which (when you really think about it) ISN’T SO BAD.
HOWEVER, When your new show/blog/diary- Piece of “Work in Progress” THEATRICAL SENSATION Finally comes to Good OL’ BROADWAY, You can “make book” that I will be the first one in the student discount line with my NEW fake ID in tow, desperate for the pleasure of your “Company.”
GEE Carrie, Remember the OLD’N days when considering yourself a “Gypsy” meant that you were a Broadway dancer and NOT an odd Character from London? Well me too.
Incidentally, I love ALL of your Responses (on this blog site here) and I’m not even YOU, so I can only Imagine how YOU
must feel..
Dear Carrie Fischer-
I am a NYS Psychologist with varied interests. I currently am writing a unique book on metaphors and heard you interviewed today. You have some vary interesting metaphors in your thoughts. I would like to speak to you about what you possibly could do to improve your mind, and perhaps even find that you do have a soul.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sam Rock
Dear Carrie–
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sam Rock
Just saw Postcards From the Edge for a second time. I laughed, I cried…..you know the cliche. I have bipolar disorder, PTSD from an unbelievably horrific childhood, an adoptee, and am recovering from thinking I was alcoholic. Amazingly enough I am well. I spent enough money on therapy to buy a college education and a house, of which I have neither–yet. My saving grace in life has been a terrific sense of humor and intelligence. They got me here. Carrie’s stories are some of the funniest I’ve ever read–and more truthful. I just wish the show was coming to Denver where I live.
Those of us with bipolar who live successfully still have to keep our mouths shut or people around us think we’re crazy. Now they just think I’m funny. Someday the world will be knocked over at how many people with brain imbalances (otherwise known as mental illness, such hogwash) are doing well, thank you very much. Until then I’ll just spread humor wherever I go.
Best wishes to Carrie. Please keep writing!
Hi Carrie, Just wanted you to know that your flowers were beautiful at Brian’s funeral. Brian always entertained with his stories and I thought you would like to know that he always spoke highly of you. It is such a sad day here in Leechburg. He was such a special person. MJ (he always refered to me as the sister he never had)
Carrie, I read your book a few months back and laughed out loud. I want to thank you for the last bit of the book when you said “if you are living with this illness and functioning at all you should be proud…” I think about that often. Sometimes it is a scary tightrope we walk as bipolar people, mothers, wives, professionals… and it’s reeeaaaaalllly good to have a laugh about it and know we’re not alone, Thank you so much.
Muy querida es grato escribir por esta pagina y saber que te encuentras bien tu y los tuyos,esto es en castellano ,argentino bien en el sur del mundo en fin se que no tendre el gusto de conoserte personalmente, pero se que esto te llegara a ti por medio de esta misiva por email.
Es para mi conoser la mujer que lleno de amor la saga de ESTAR GUARS,y se lo que abras pasado en tu dias intimos de divergensias y penas despues de cada films en el sentido que de que todo es un exito, pero uno como se siente? despues de los aplausos, se acuerdan bien o mal?,en fin esos momentos son los que digo y te felisito por haber salido de ellos y mi sueño es conoserte personalmente,pero soy pobre y se que no te boy a ver,pero tengo la grasia de cuando este mundo termine y estemos en el sielo te vere con mucha alegria y darte un osculo santo y desirte lo buena que eres y grasias por las cosas que hisistes en este mundo y por mi,aunque sea en la pelicula que estubistes genial y hermosa,digna de una PRISESA DEL ESPACIO,chau! Nos vemos y si no en UNA GALAXIA MUY LEJANA,CON LAS ESTRELLAS BAILANDO JUNTO A TODOS .
I CARRIE I READ YOUR BOOK SEVERAL TIMES AND IT ALWAYS PUT’S A SMILE ON MY FACEAND I LAUGH AT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN, I LOOK AT SOME OF YOUR PICTURES IN YOUR BOOK AND I THINK THAT YOU ARE A VERY BEAUTIFUL LOOKING YOUNG LADY! I HAVE LIKED YOU FORM THE VERY 1ST TIME I SAW YOU IN THE STAR WARS MOVIE AND I ALSO THINK THAT YOU WE’RE VERY SEXY IN THAT MOVIE! I AM A RECOVERING ALCOHOLIC AND HAVE BEEN SOBER NOW FOR 26 YRS AND 3 DAYS, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO E-MAIL YOU AGAIN AND MAYBE JUST TALK AND TRY TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AS PEOPLE I AM JUST A ORDANARY GUY THAT IS 51 YRS YOUNG AT HEART AND I AMA VERY FRIENDLY AND VERY OPEN ABOUT MY LIFE! I AM 5 FT 1O AND A HALF INCHES TALL SLENDER MEDIUM BUILT SHORT HAIR AND BLUE EYES, I FEEL THAT I HAVE A GOOD HEART AND A GOOD SPIRIT AND I KNOW HOW TO TREAT WOMEN WITH RESPECT AND I AM A GOOD LISTERNER TOO! SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO STAY IN CONTACT WITH ME HERE IS MY E-MAIL ADDRESS THRIFTSTOREJOE@PEOPLEPC.COM I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO H EAR FROM YOU CARRIE
hi carrie, greetings from germany. hope you feelig fine. must be hard for you to be a living legend. but u are still alive. so live goes on.
hey, wow , im writing to princess Leia Organa, thats great.
o.k. think u don`t want to hear that. but u are my first “love”.at the age of 6.
so , in german “hau rein!”
best wishes
at 9:57 am???
it`s 18:57 (hihi). hope u got your coffe yet;)
hello there.
Im too young to understand lots of things.
Ive never done suicide since i never had the guts to when i thought about it.
Ive always felt bad for the people that love me, that i would leave in tears.
Kept me from going any further but thinking.
I always adored you in star wars.
I dont know a lot about you,
but you influence many great woman and man i see.
Think about buying your book now,
just so i get the real you,
and what it was to become who you are now.
You are a wonderfull and inspiring woman.
Keep up the great work.
Stay healthy and take cae
Carrie hi !!!!!!! hope you are well you are my favorite actress I love all your movies seen all of them eh, and I love the way you’re being a wonderful woman to whom I admire greatly and I love your way of being is that it is crazy and it sounds weird but I would have liked it to be my mother and I say really good hope you read what I wish you much happiness and luck with love ana
Carrie,
would you please write on your blog more often? I have been a closet fan of yours since star wars and it always brightens my day to read your blog (when there is something new…).
Thanks,
Just a regular, run of the mill, slightly sane, worker-bee
Carrie Fisher,
Just read your book which I got based on the cover. As an ACOA and a bit of an addict myself I’d like to say it’s the most _personally_ helpful book I’ve read since Susanna Kaysen’s Girl interrupted.
Thank you for sharing the hard personal parts as well as the fun bits. I laughed and cried, and I feel better knowing i’m not so alone.
Thanks again.
Rob
(Only partly bald, and mostly straight. I’ll let you know if anything changes.)
Carrie,
Saw your show in Berkeley last Saturday and love, loved it! I was raised by a Bio-Polar mom who finally at age 90 is symptom free!! Ha! She took Prozac for 22 years and it changed not only her life but mine. At 85 she became toxic to the drug and was hospialized for servere symptoms. We survived and is now drug free and doing pretty darn good for an old gal. So there is hope for you if you are lucky enough to make it to 90. Question – we thought we heard you mention a current husband during your show?? Really?
Keep going girl – you are terrific.
Karen
Carrie,
Congratulations on Wishful Drinking! My non-profit organization, an outpatient substance abuse and mental health counseling agency, is putting together an event for National Recovery Month (September). There has been quite the buzz in my office about you and your newest book. Will you please let me know the appropriate contact person to speak to about whether or not you’d be able to participate on some level? Thank you.
As it says on your book jacket, Carrie, you are one of the magical people walking the earth. Also one of the funniest. I keep going to get another beer, just to make this book last longer.
I’ve been home sick this week and Carrie’s book is better than chicken soup. I laughed my ass off!
Hey Carrie!
Firstly You are totally amazing! As an actress and as a person. My favourate moment of you acting has to be Starwars, You made the Leia Characther come to life, and not many actress’s can do that!!
So i’m sat here on the Famous Online Game ” Starwars Galaxies” Looking at the Player Princess Leia, She is meant to look like you! but She looks awful!
On the Starwars Galaxies Website We sometimes do features, Like anything to do with starwars. And i was thinking it would be really cool, if maybe we could do a Interview in text form, about your time on the Trilogy and where your going in your career now
I know your proberly far too busy
Good Luck
i am in the middle of reading your book which i love & in which you rip your father a new one. i live in south philly. since i was a kid your father has been my favorite singer. you seem to resent him leaving your mother (who wouldn’t resent that) but i remember people in south philly saying your mother was always calling him the damn jew & she didn’t want his jew friends at the house. is that true. maybe their marriage breaking up was 50-50 & not all him. i’m just saying what i heard years ago. anyway keep writing-your great.
Carrie,
2 very quick questions for you,
When will you be coming back to the UK, we’d love to see you over here, especially for a booksigning or meet and greet or something (oh and please bring along your fabulous mother!!)
Also, do you have any idea when we can get our hands on a DVD of These Old Broads – i’ve been waiting so long to see it again!!
Best love and wishes from the UK,
Keith x
PS if you happen to have a copy of These Old Broads I could borrow – drop me a line – I promise i’ll return it!
keithporter23@yahoo.co.uk
Dudette Carrie – NYC is waiting to love you… I work in the Paramount Building on 50th and Broadway, and is as my habit, I occasionally walk to a common space that overlooks the north side from the 38th floor – I looked down today and saw a poster at the Roundabout that said your name – I was thrilled to see it. I went back to the Internet and looked you up and saw that, yes, indeed you would soon be performing there! Awesome! As like so many others who love you, I suffer from bipolar and ADD and Christ knows what else and your ongoing crusade to declare your battle and your media legacy and to spread joy while admitting to your weaknesses is a strength that I find tremendously exhilarating. I salute you and wish you all the success in maintaining your focus as you come to Manhattan and make your show a tremendous success!
BTW – Your honesty about your struggles makes you incredibly sexy and desirable to those of us who know what strength it takes to admit to that. Continue to kick ass my princess!
Dear Ms. Fisher,
Thank you not only for sharing your personal observations and wonderful humor with the world. “Wishful Drinking” is extremely enjoyable in every sense. I know many people that would be honored to be on several if not all of the lists mentioned in the book. Myself included.
I had to go out and purchase the DVD of “Postcards From The Edge” (Used of course for $5.99. I saw it in the theater when it came out so, I actually paid full price for it then.) Anyway, The movie was that much funnier to me having just finished reading “Wishful Drinking”. I am going to rush out and look for your other books (used of course. I am not a rich man) so I can read them.
Meanwhile, I borrowed, with proper credit, a quote from Chapter 11 regarding resentment being like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. Brilliant! That really hit home for me. I posted it on my facebook wall with your name (not Princess Leia) underneath and the book title. Who knows? Maybe you will sell a couple of extra copies thanks to me. I may not be rich but I do have a lot of friends. That does sound boastful, doesn’t it. Well, it’s true.
Thank you and have a tollerable day,
Gary
You’re a courageous and hilarious woman. You were great in Star Wars (”Get this walking carpet out of my way”) and in 50 Rock. I’ve read every book and laughed throughout. Awards are silly. Look at who doesn’t get Academy Awards. Look at how many forgotten writers populate the list of Nobel Prize winners for literature the past 60 years. Your candour and success will do much for bringing mental and emotional illness out the closet. These are medical conditions which correspond to measurable statistically significance imbalances of neurotransmitters and clear behavioural symptoms. In the 1800’s, in Erehwon (I believe), Samuel Butler described a society where mental illnesses were recognized and treated openly, while physical ailments were concealed as they were thought the products of personal weakness and matter of shame. Time our society recognized the facts.
You are a common bitch. I just heard you say incest & pedopihlia were ok on TMZ. Go do your dead dad
Carrie Fissher, I AM YOUR L:ONGLOST SISTER.Debbie maybe had me and the babies got mixed I AM YOUR SCome help us I NEED CARRIE I Am CARRIE FISHER I Am Her SisterI will be adopted into Carrie FisherI WILL I WILL BE CARRIE<I AM CARRIEI AM CARRIE FISCHER WILL KNOW HER RENEGADE DAUGHTER WHERE IS I AM I ISTERnononono I AM YOUR LONG_LOST SISTER SISTER SiSter to the same SISTER I Am CaRRie Fisher’s CARRIE FISHER Your LONG-LOST SISTER You KNEW YOU HAD A SISTER I AM YOUR SISTER
JUST BRING ME THE REAL CARRIE FISHER
Dear Carrie Fisher,
I am your long lost sister now found! I am BiPolar like you.I also am A.D.D.,,& O.C.D., with some L.D. and P.T.S.D.
and hints of Asperger’s Syndrome abound. But I am an artist.I draw and paint. I make people laugh.
My family history reads like something out of a TENNEESSEE WILLIAMS Play. Other family have their own .coo-coo issues. There is no escape! We must Laugh long Time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe your Mom Debby got a hospital switch (so easily done, with confused nurses)…Maybe I am your true sister
The things I have been writing about my life and my mental hygiene are bleak in the beginning,but are coming together ,and i find that i can pull the funny on out of so much,and through my many blunders. from addictions, and years of running wild,while so much pain is there, i must laugh!
You, Miss Carrie, have made me laugh and cry,and think. So,seein’ as how I AM YOUR LONGLOST SISTER,let’s do lunch with Fanny Flagg &,my brilliant and most funniest friend,BillyTaylor, who lives in WE -HO,,and some other fabulously funny person! I live in Atlanta,Ga. (770)826-3766 melfroelich@gmail.com
AND gIRL!wHEN i RELEASE MY AMAZING WORK you just may laugh until it kills you,I have my own take on my whole dysfunctional family. and an endless amount of tales to tell about our interesting lives of bipolarity,etc
I appreciate your work. and i would like to hang out with you one day! I swear that i will make you laugh! so gimme a holla,gal!
Thanks for your comment. FYI her father isn’t dead.
i just finished your book and wanted to let you know how much I loved it. It’s the first book of yours that I’ve read. I already have tickets to see you on 9/26 in NY. I can’t wait! You have a great sense of humor which you definately got from your mother. I have to say that the questions on pages 122-123 sort of suprised me because I answered yes to all of them! I’ve known (hiding from my family and friends pretty well I think) that something’s not quite right with me especially over the last 1 1/2 yrs or so. The thing is I’ve had alot of baggage for a long time and it’s just exploded this long. The funny thing is I can’t talk to anyone about it because they will think “I’m Nuts”. I don’t think my family thinks there’s anything wrong with me except I don’t want to socialize anymore. It bothers my husband, I know. Other than that I don’t think they would have any other notions I would say yes to any of the other questions. They don’t know how often I cry, or really don’t care about life at all. Going to your show is really the first thing in a very long time I’ve really wanted to do enough to say yes to when asked if I wanted to go with my daughter. Oh well, just wanted to say I think I am with you understanding somewhat how you feel. Looking forward to your show and I know you will get me laughing, thanks!
Wanted to see what’s going on in your life. Found your web-site Nice to see that your demons dont rule you. You seem to have more good days than bad. I know what a screwed up life is, but without the rich and famous part. I’ts good to have wisdom and pass it on to someone. Be well, live life and love.
I’m watching you on The Today Show right now. You are so hilarious! I admire you greatly, for too many reasons to list.
I haven’t found a copy of the book yet (I’m in Sweden), but I feel I must say that you still make my heart go all warm every single time I see you on TV; I’m a mere 37 but I think I still have a crush – big time – on you
All the best…
I love princess lea And I’m pretty sure Elvis Presley would of loved her to.
I’m also bipolar — went from a six figure job in Silicon Valley to a two year stint in a homeless shelter in the northwest. I was finally able to get my life back together and now have the best job I’ve ever had at 15% of the salary I used to make. Loved Postcards and Surrender the Pink, so I’ll read your new book and probably love it too, Carrie. I applaud your honesty and courage. Best of luck with the show. You’re a national treasure!
I’m a counselor at a state psych facility…I take care of 30 women on what’s known as the most dangerous ward on this campus. I love my patients so very much and would rather spend my time with them than my own family. They’re funny, smart, kind, decent and REAL…and they make more sense to me than Joe and Mary Normal. I never have to worry about my life being in danger because I know they’re the ones who protect me!!!! (oddly enough, from the staff, who seem to have more homicidal issues than any patient I’ve met since coming to work here.) I laughed my ass off and, when I shared your book with my “wild angels”, they laughed theirs’ off as well. The issue of rec’ving an award for being the best mentally ill person has given my girls fuel for finding a reason for living…no kidding. They extend their gratitude as do I.
I want go to Raven see star. I want go to out eat. I will get a suitcase. smile! ask norma and misty and ask my dad and ask my sister pamela j. Have a nice day! Ehi R. Uwumarogie
Hi Carrie, I – too – have Bipolar Disorder. Just finished your book, “Wishful Drinking” and laughed at seeing myself (the bipolar part), drank as a teenager (but most of my friends did, too) … only tried ‘recreational drugs’ once … and did NOT like it at all! Good thing … probably would have been addicted, if I did. Took Lithium until I became ill with “Lithium Toxicity” and almost died … got well enough to be ‘discharged’ from the ‘medical floor’, discharged (on paper) and ‘immediately’ readmitted onto the “Psyche Unit” … where attempts to ‘get rid of a mouthy B**** of a patient’, only got me transferred WITHOUT the knowledge nor the consent of my husband/representative – to a state-fun mental institution that ‘housed the “criminally insane” of this part of the State. Almost 17 months of ‘fighting to get my medical records which had, by that time, been tied to my psyche records … and the ‘assigned’ MD … would NOT release them to me … nor to my own private treating physcians. So, I proved to her … that just because someone has a ‘mental disorder’ does NOT make them ’stupid’. With some legal experience under my belt and having a complaint looked over … I succeeded at having my ‘medical AND psyche records’ released … and hopefully made this MD ‘realize’ that I was NOT GOING DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT and I did NOT! Quite the opposite … “If God had wanted me ‘otherwise’; He would have made me ‘otherwise’! I ‘know’ what steps I go through before going into a “Bipolar Disorder” episode … all I needed was a doctor who knew that I, the patient, was his/her “eyes and ears” to what goes on inside of me … and now that I have a Psychiatrist who allows me to be a part of my ‘treatment’ … I have stayed ’stable’ now for 3 years … and LOVING it! I can ‘now enjoy’ the things that I was given as a Gift by GOD … my ability to paint and draw. Someone once told me that I should rent the movie, “One Flew Over the Coo Coo’s Nest” … my response was “No THANK YOU, I was in the movie and I know about Nurse Cratchett … she EXISTS!” Never have seen the movie and do NOT want to. “Wishful Drinking” was funny in parts, sad in others; but a very real description of what we Bipolar Disorder patients go through. I have severe ’short-term memory loss’ problems due to the things I have gone through in my life … but with supportive family/friends who know what to look for, I am confident and vocal about the need of a good Advocate who is and can be ‘candid’ about their experiences. I stay (usually) when “normal” just one step to the right of ‘normal’ on the “Manic” side; rarely do I fall below that line. I’ve been so close to ‘death’ (several times in my life) that I liken it to falling into an endless abyss … but ‘reaching out’ and ‘grabbing hold’ of anything and/or anybody who would actually LISTEN to me. I have found out through several in-and-out, back-to-back series of hospitalizations … that I AM NOT BROKEN! I have scars that remind me of the ‘wounds’ I have had … but those ’scars’ are my medals … for coming out the ‘other side’ and doing so with ‘class and pride’. I do NOT suffer from Insanity; I enjoy every minute of it. I write ‘positive affirmations’ in a journal when I am ‘angry, sick, or otherwise feel separated from those that I love’ … it has helped so much. I know there are “Books-A-Million” out there about ‘mental illness’ … but unless you have actually BEEN THERE, DONE THAT … you are often ‘misunderstood’. THANK YOU for your wonderful viewpoint of ‘mental illness’ and especially of being a ‘truly, magical person who walks among us’. Looking forward, now, to reading your other books. I had been told about this book from a friend who actually saw you in performance … thank you for showing me that I am NOT ALONE in my ‘trip along the way’. I know I have ‘purpose’ in my life … and now I do NOT feel ‘rushed’ to run through it all the time. I’ll take it at a ’slower pace’ and enjoy all the ‘good’ that I see in others and also in me.
Thank you for wonderful, albeit privileged, account of hypomania. I’ve lived with it in my kitchen and also the ECT x 50. Ack! My partner suffers this. You did it justice. Not everyone gets the medical care and support that you had. I wish everyone knew that. It’s a totally different world for the rest of us, a completely different world.
I enjoyed your book. Thank you for giving so freely. I’m sorry but I’m a 42 year old female and I didn’t like Star Wars much. I couldn’t help it. I was a kid and a girl and all.
I hope you and Bonnie are well.
My daughter wrote a vampire novel, Crimson Tears. It was okay and it gave me courage to write a short novel about a volunteer on Mars tens of thousands of years ago. He volunteered to be infected with a virus that might stop the aging process. It worked but he became a Vampire. My question to you is, do you still edit books and help beginners improve their skills?
Big fan of the movies of course. But I was reading your blog and you should not worry so much about yourself, your a Hollywood Icon and a best selling Writer. My mother is going through some of the same things now and has a slew of different medications for her mind, I am pretty sure I get it from her but I did it the old Fashioned way Alcohol. So after a nervous breakdown and a near death experience I chose the next best thing, not giving a fuck. Now I don’t recommend it, I probably went a little to far with the whole not giving a fuck aspect but on the other hand, In small doses it does do the trick.
Especially around family members that just drive you ape shit. But not on the job you know.
Anyway best wishes, and St. Johns Wort is crap.
I’m gonna set you as my screen saver again, because I’m a geek and that damn golden bikini thing in Return of the Jedi is just evil. ……. EVIL
Saw you on “The View,” and had to get your book, “Wishful Drinking.”
Enjoy reading great writing, but SO glad I got the audio-book version. It was like being in the same room with a crazy-fun friend, chatting it up over a cup of hot brew poured from a proper, copper, coffee pot, feet up, while a warm breeze flowied in from an open patio door… Your best work, to date!
Much love,
Happy Birthday Carrie!
Just saw “Wishful Drinking” and loved it….loved you….and came away thinking that you would be
a great guest at any party, a great friend to anyone in need, and the least likely to try to get away with
tossing bullshit instead of slinging the truth! And that’s what I loved about your show…..no matter how bad,
how embarrassing, how deeply degrading (and admit it folks! we’ve all been there) our actions are….
it’s really OK, because we’re all in the same rocky boat! Thanks, Carrie, for holding up the mirror …..and
letting us know that no matter what we see there, it’s not so bad after all!!
Another dolly in Carrie’s likeness…. saw wishful drinking in NYC – Fantastic…
Super cute Kokeshi dolls on Etsy!!! Love the Princess Leia and Spock…they even have wedding cake toppers! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31185084
Kokeshi Doll Princess inspired Custom by temple7e on Etsy
Source: http://www.etsy.com
I can’t believe I forgot part of my favorite line. Can someone help?
(Blank) is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.
Saw the show last week and am still laughing.
Thanks!
Sven Vennen
Palm Springs
Hey just saw you on Charley Rose. Can’t wait to read your book. Always wondered what you did instead of acting in a bunch of movies like Harrison Ford. Now I know. Having been somewhat in your mental neighborhood hoping I can relate more with your book. I am surprised and glad that your doing a one woman show. Wish I could see it but I’ll have to settle for the book instead. You were the first girl I ever fell for in a movie but then again I was 6 at the time. I saw Star Wars 10 times and have to say it’s one of my if not THE best memories from childhood. Oh yeah don’t forget to EAT. I heard you said you don’t I worry about stuff like that. The more you eat the more you can exercise and the more you can eat. You should talk to Arnold about that.
Hi Carrie,
Just read your book, all 162 pages in a night (must be manic). Lots of people are in this boat; I appreciated your book. It is hard to try to explain to someone who doesn’t live with “Roy and Pam.” Anyway, never saw Star Wars ever (sorry about that), but sometimes in life, your life is so up and down and around, you don’t even see the block busters or any movies for that matter. I, too, was delighted to be diagnosed alcoholic but knew that there was so much more going on. Just turned 52 this October 24th, we’re about the same age; lived with this “situation” for as many years it seems. Hey, if you are ever in Kentucky, e-mail back. My husband of 27 years brought me here 8 years ago where I have no family or friends. It would be nice to have someone to go to lunch with. All four of us could have some lunch. Hope you are doing well, I am trying. The old “snap out of it” mantra they always tell us. Went back to college after being out for over 30 years-want to write grants for small non-profits. When you can’t help your own self, you dedicate yourself to helping others. Thanks for letting me not feel “damaged” for these 3 hours. Take good care of yourself, Carrie. Best wishes to you. Jennifer
Dear Carrie,
I’m not a big fan, but I saw you on Charlie Rose the other night, and was struck by your candor.
Thanks for your courage and willingness to share your story.
I JUST READ YOUR BOOK “POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE”. I ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH. I UNDERLINED SEVERAL QUOTABLE QUOTES THAT I HAVE EITHER THOUGHT OR FELT OR JUST PLAIN APPRECIATED.
I NEVER RESPOND TO CHAT ROOMS OR BLOGS OR ANYTHING POLITICAL OR CONTROVERSIAL. I FELT THIS BOOK WAS /IS A PIECE OF ANOTHER PERSON SHARING THEIR SITUATIONS OF LIFE AND I WAS “MOVED” !
I AM THE FATHER OF 6 OF WHICH ONE WAS KILLED APP. 14 MONTHS AGO……I AM THE GRANDFATHER OF I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY, INCLUDING THE 7 YEAR OLD WHO WAS ON THE TODAY SHOW AND ELLEN OR STEALING HIS MOTHER’S CAR AND RUNNING FROM THE POLICE….IT HAS BEEN A LOAD !
I COULD TELL YOU DRUG AND ALCOHOL STORIES BOTH GOOD AND BAD (ALL GOOD NOW !)…..I WON’T…..I GUESS WHAT I AM FEELING AND SAYING, IS I DEEPLY RESPECT YOU AND WHAT YOUR BOOK HAS TAUGHT ME NOT ONLY ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE, BUT ABOUT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY !
I HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED YOUR PERSONA AND TALENT !!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR BOOK OF INSIGHT AND LIFE…..YOURS TRULY…..DAN SCARBROUGH…..( A 14 YEAR OLD NUT IN A 59 YEAR OLD BODY WHO YOU HAVE AFFECTED DEARLY WITH YOUR BOOK.)…P.S. I HOPE TO FIND YOUR OTHER BOOKS AND READ THEM SOON….GOOD LUCK AND THANKS AGAIN….DAN
yeah it’s me again and that proposoal is creepy you must have run into someone who thinks you were talking to them like the TV did to you in the mental hospital. Sorry you had to experience that. AS far as a personals ad I am sure you could do much better.
Carrie, I am and always will be a fan. I loved your book and thought it was very insightful. I do not have a bipolar family member, or maybe I am?! Anyway, I could relate to you somehow, maybe the unforeseen future of alcholism. I try and stay away from it, but sometimes it gets the better of me.
Hope the electric shock therapy worked for you, don’t know about me though.
I hope you write more, it doesn’t have to be too personal or anything, I just find you a very enjoyable writer.
Hi Carrie,
Thank you for writing and putting together your book and show.
I listened to your audio book – it’s really nice to hear that famous people have the same sort of mixed up roller coaster lives as other people. You’re very funny and witty – and a very strong lady, I have been a fan for years (as many of your fans have I guess) – just wanted to say I admire you for keeping it together, and your strength helps others kind of keep it together too in this big old mixed up world we live in.
Thank you for being fantastic and for sharing your experiences with others.
You’re great,
– keep smiling.
John xx
Drove cross country recently from New Jersey to California & listened to your audio book. The book was fabulous! Hearing your voice made it so incredibly real. We laughed & cried and enjoyed every moment of it.
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Just finished reading Wishful Drinking. Never have bipolar disease, drug addiction, or parental
abandonment been so funny. I passed someone in Times Square last week with a sandwichboard advertising your show. I’m sure it’s hillarious.
This is my virgin twitter and I am hoping that as a result of someone reading my plea, I am successful in getting Carrie to do all [if not part] of her new one-woman show as a special fund raiser kick-off evening event for the upcoming annual DBSA (Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance) conference. It is the 25th anniversary. The date is Fri 04/29/2010. The location is Itasca, Illinois– a suburb of Chicago. A second alternative would be after the conference on Sun 05/02.
Great show today. Thanks for giving the audience 1000% If I didn’t know that even celebrities say idiotic things when meeting celebrities they admire, (especially after seeing them in performance)…. I mean, really! You have one chance to say something to someone whose work you love, right? You want to say something pithy, something profound, something witty, something not asinine, and you open your mouth, and out comes the worst drivel, you can’t believe you’re the person who said it. Perfect). May you have sufficient Zero Coca-Cola’s on hand for your Thanksgiving dinner. You’re a very gracious and classy, multi-talented lady, and you look fabulous! (Not pithy, but true).
big show ,very talent love from Spain
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Dear Ms. Fisher, I found your book fascinating and funny. You have an extraordinary sense of humor and yes, you are very much the survior.
Saw you on Paranormal State and i was quite offended by your remark about republicans. Who do you think you are? You’re a typical democrat liberal, life of the party, after all most alcoholics are, hey look at Teddy Kennedy a real alcoholic life of the party guy, just dont let him drive you home. Most of you liberals are either drug addicts or alcoholics. You’re an obnoxious, self-righteous, arrogant idiot who didnt witness your friends spirit, it was more then likely a case of the dt’s. And your father was a scum bag too that Liz Tayor made an ass out of.
I’ve been watching Celebrity Rehab, and after a few related Google searches, found this site. I’ll have to check the book out. Best of luck!
Carrie, saw your show yesterday with my husband!!! Loved, loved, loved it!!!! Laughed, laughed, laughed!!! Love, love, love you!!!! Feel like I have a new BFF!!!! Thanks for sharing soooo much and being so open and brave!!!! Hope I get to see you again sometime!!!! Love, Donna
Hey Carrie…
Just wanted to thank you for your wonderful book Wishful Drinking. I am a terribly slow reader…. took me 3 weeks
to read Horton Hears a Who…. but for the first time in my life I finished a book in 2 days.
It was an absolute page turner.
Thanks for opening up your soul to your readers. And thank you for taking a subject that is near and dear
to my heart and bringing humor and light to it. It means a lot to all of us reading.
Please write more !! liz Foster……. aka…. liz hengber in the music business
I watched Carrie being interviewed my Dr Pamela Stephenson on Australian TV the other night (Jan 2010) and couldn’t take my eyes off the screen.
Carrie is so charismatic, bright, funny and so very interesting to listen to.
I wish her/you all the very best and hope you stay in control of your ‘condition’ and live a wonderful, healthy life.
Love Debra
thak you for your open mind, “Princess of Harts”, i like you! From Romania many dreams come true.
with love, VALERIA MIRELA:. MAY THE FORCE BE WITH US !!!!!!
My country is known like Dracula land…you know about that, vampire, blood ? but all that = legend
Hi Carrie,
My name is Lenny and you were kind enough to invite me on stage the evening of your last show in NYC. My wife Tina and I had a great time at your show and I really enjoyed making my Broadway debut alongside a woman like you. Thank you for your honest, open and funny take on life’s difficulties.
I have one small request: just after our bit on stage wrapped, a gentleman took a few pictures of you and I together. I left my e-mail address with that same guy, but to date I haven’t gotten an e-mail with those pictures. If you could arrange to have those sent to me, I would be much obliged.
Thanks again,
Lenny
By ditching my usual daily responsibilities I decided to isolate at the library today! Lucky for me that I found Wishful Drinking and had a huge laugh this afternoon.I had to stop myself from laughing so hard so I could read on without the tears.Hilarious.Thanks for sharing your story Carrie.
I really enjoyed your blog. That is always nice when you find something that is not only informative but entertaining. Awesome!