Everyone has a story and I am no different. But, as a writer, it is often difficult to think of a good plot line that will entice the readers and carry a story line. In that case, people look all over the internet to sell and/or buy story plots. What would make a best seller and who is going to write the next big #1 New York Times Bestseller. Will it be a work of fiction or nonfiction? Is this author an unknown, a rising star or a familiar name? Does it really matter if the content touches the heart? If it touches my heart, it will touch my wallet, and if it touches my wallet I will read it and share it with others. That's when you'll have me eating out of the palm of your hands, or maybe even drinking your bath water (a more descriptive writer may say).
Writers are told to “write what you know.” How many times have you heard those words? I know a few things about life, but I don’t know everything. Which story would you like to hear?
Abandonment - Daddy leaves us at a very early age so that he could pursue his drinking career.
Death of a child – Why lose only 1 child, I gave up 3.
Home fire – Lost the whole damn thing in a firestorm that was international news for an entire summer. Go Big or Go Home.
Divorce – Blindsided by the new lover in his life. Oh well, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, right? Wrong!
Alcoholism – Lots of that around in the family but won’t be too specific about whom, except for daddy because he’s long dead and his story is important to my life’s story and maybe even why I became an alcoholic (the secret is out now).
Rehab therapy – I could talk about why I love physio or massage therapy, but that would be boring. Rather, I'd like to talk about a 3-month stint in Rehab, that began with a 3-night stay in Detox. I was a rookie but many of fellow 'residential inmates' were self-professed "frequent flyers." My rehab facility just happens to serve Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, for those who want a time out. After my 3-month stint, I've come to believe that Rehab should be on everyone’s bucket list. No, it's not a fun bucket list, in fact, I was an angry inpatient but I still highly recommend it. It puts a new perspective on addiction.
Narcissism – yup, had one of those lovers too. They really do suck the energy right outta ya & that too becomes an addiction. I learned that while I was in rehab for my alcohol addiction, oddly enough.
Narcissism – yup, had one of those lovers too. They really do suck the energy right outta ya & that too becomes an addiction. I learned that while I was in rehab for my alcohol addiction, oddly enough.
Mentally Abusive Relationship – a relationship that was either really good or really bad, but no in between. Fueled with a lot of alcohol, lies, cheating, abusive words that cut to the inner depths of the soul. A relationship that is over but will never truly be over.
Mental Health – let me see, the obvious ones like depression and anxiety have been there for most of my adult life. But then there’s that OCD thing, obsessive-compulsive disorder, where you pick at your scalp all the time and say things repetitively or something bad, not may, but will happen, like when your babies die and your house burns down and your husband leaves you for another woman and well, you know all those bad things that happen when you aren’t doing your rituals. It’s exhausting just thinking about it. And then there’s also borderline personality disorder (BPD). No, it’s not what it sounds like, there’s no Sybil like in the movies that are going to jump out of me. BPD is different than you might think. It’s actually an emotion dysregulation. Oh, really, my emotions are dysregulated after all this “stuff” so now you’re going to label me with this awkward label and make me sound even stupider. Oh well, people already are on the fence about me so you might as well go for it too.
Bullied in the Workplace - There was a 3-year stint at this and it was brutal, not highly recommended. This evil man tried to crack my code (my brain) and he almost took me down but I’m a survivor. I beat that bastard but had to sign a gag order so there’s not much I can say about that. However, I can talk about how it feels to be bullied in the workplace and I have lots to say on that subject. I can also talk about why you should never ever, under any circumstances, write a blog post about being bullied in the workplace. It might just get you into some deep water where you can’t swim out of. They are still watching me and will be forever because “they” the employer are just as much the bully as the offender was. Sadly, I am not their only victim.
Suicidal Ideations – yuk. This is depression at its very worst. It eats at you and it does not let you be you. You have lost yourself, at least for the moment, and it will take every ounce of willpower to bring yourself around and ask for help. When there are days that it seems like the whole world is beating you up then it is up to you, yourself, no one else can do it for you, to make the choice to live or die. As a child, I had to witness the day when my father, along with his date Moonshine, decided that life was no longer worth living. No child should ever have to witness their parent take such desperate measures.
So, you ask, which story is yours? Which one would you like to write about in your next book?
To which I reply, they are all my stories. This is my real life. What would you like to know?
From my heart to yours,
be kind to yourself
Preview An Angel Walks Beside Me on Amazon at AnAngelWalksBesideMe
From my heart to yours,
be kind to yourself
Preview An Angel Walks Beside Me on Amazon at AnAngelWalksBesideMe
Follow Me on Twitter @ysocialmediaca
Sherry, Author | An Angel Walks Beside Me
Sherry, Author | An Angel Walks Beside Me
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