Life is… Simple!

The last few weeks have been crazy busy! You see I thought organizing a concert would be easy… Simple… Pffft! I was of the belief it was just weddings that were crazy, but this is a whole new level! The biggest wedding I had to arrange involved 70 guests and though time consuming it became kind of fun.

This however is becoming a whole different animal! I spoke to one of my funders and we talked about venues two weeks ago and how I had the choice of three places… The Hammerstein, Below 54 club, which is just off Broadway or a yacht. I explained of how the Below 54 Club seated 150 people, of what a wonderful cozy place it is but I was cut down_ immediately with a “Good grief girl, I can fill a church with a 150 people on a Sunday!” Hmmm Okaaay…

Hammerstein Ballroom

The Hammerstein holds 1,600 and the yacht 1,200 people, simple huh? In the real world it’s like organizing a wedding with1,600-1,200 guests… See? Simple! He wants me to book the Hammerstein and so the yacht it is! On an evening in June with the full moon glinting over the East River from Near South Sea Street Port;-D

One of the decks on the yacht

Oh and then there’s the guest line up. I have worked in some Rock, a little Hip Hop, some comedy and lastly a couple of guest speakers. Of course all well known to everyone. I’m also working with a charity and I have an organization to make donations to from the ticket sales. Then we are also working on a Pay per View version of it online for $5.99 so there’s a production crew for it and of course merchandise of T-shirts with a coupon for a Kindle down load of A Broken Ring, hats, CD‘s, posters… As I was saying… Simple! Oh yes I forgot there’s the PR company for radio and newspapers… So yes as I was saying… Simple!

If you think it’s just me going a little crazy here I’m not alone! See I told Hubby he has a 3 song set too! Hahaha! You  should’ve seen his face! From playing at the local open mic night to let’s say 20-30 people to playing in front of 1,200. Guess who’s panicking now! We just have to get him into a studio to polish him up with a producer…

Oh and by the way, we have to move again. The road floods weekly, ants absolutely love sharing this place with us, it’s drafty cold, the landlord won’t replace the washer/dryer, the fuse box hasn’t been replaced since Sandy so we keep thinking the place could go “Pooft!” up in an electrical fireball and smoke any day because it’s so corroded from the salt water flooding from the tidal surge.

Our flooded road after a normal high tide

You can imagine my surprise then when on finally letting my head hit the pillow on Tuesday night at 1am to wake up at 2am from a nightmare. It included ghost like zombies, they were pretty in fact almost ethereal but nonetheless zombies and they didn’t bite you to turn you into one… No! These evil crazy things just had to touch you! I woke up at the point where one was a cat with white eyes staring at me! I woke up and freaked because my bad, black puddy cat was standing staring at me in the dark! Seriously?! I told myself to calm down think of happy things and go back to sleep. I did but I ended up back in the same bloody dream again! This happened all night, needless to say I was exhausted on Wednesday and dragged myself around all day thinking about how I had “Stuff” to do still. Today I woke up more refreshed and did no work, no writing until now with this post and a little catch up on Facebook. I think the nightmares were a way of telling me to slow down a little… Simple. Yes I do like that word a lot lately. It seems to help keep everything on track and … Well… Simple!

I sometimes tell myself I must be crazy but the support I’m getting is amazing and uplifting and at the end of the day it really is all about spreading the word about violence and abuse, assault and rape. Letting people know they are not alone, that it effects everyone, black, white, straight, gay, women, men and children. Violence doesn’t discriminate but we can heal. We can transform and  become amazing!

In fact I’ve already started creating some cool things in my CafePress shop! Please check them out and let me know what you think. Just click on the picture below. Thank you for all your support and I hope your having an amazing week!

Transformation from Abuse

The reveal! Transformation from Abuse

I just wanted to share with you the new logo for the concert and show I am putting together.

It wouldn’t be so amazing if I hadn’t had the wonderful help from an amazing artist, Susan Cooper of Finding Our Way Now. Her artwork is one of a kind and will be applauding her everywhere I go and raising a glass of vino to her! Susan… Salute!!!

I chose a scarab beetle because it represents transformations (i.e. Healing from Abuse) and the Egyptians believed it was the ‘Protector of the written word’ and purple is the color of the Domestic Violence Ribbon.

It’s going to be on T-Shirts, caps and banners etc!!

So here it is… The big reveal! Ta-Dah!

I hope you love it too!!!

Related articles

• Transformation from Abuse.. My new online show! (clairecappetta.wordpress.com)
• Author Interview with Susan Cooper and D.R.E.A.M. Catchers (clairecappetta.wordpress.com)

International Women’s Day

Of course, I had to post today!

A quick simple straight to the point post for a Friday which is International Women’s Day!

Dedicated to all the women around the world… the brave, the strong, the mothers, daughters, sisters.

To the ones who stand tall through adversity, who survive against all the odds put against them!

This day is dedicated to you!

Related articles:

• International women’s day: voices from around the world – interactive – The Guardian (guardian.co.uk)
• International Women’s Day: political rights around the world mapped (guardian.co.uk)
• Happy International Women’s Day 2013! (abettermedaybyday.com)
• International Women’s Day 2013 (shanepedia.wordpress.com)
• International Women’s Day 2013 – ABC Online (blog) (blogs.abc.net.au)

Author Interview with Joanna V. Hunter of ‘But He’ll Change…”

I am so thrilled to be able to interview Joanna Hunter! I had quietly put her writing up there on a pedestal as I wrote my book, thinking if only I could be halfway as good as Joanna, I would be happy. I later found we were in the same groups on LinkedIn and and an online forum.

Her book is a must for anyone who is in an abusive relationship. It provides help and advice. She was also on The Kathleen Show.

Joanna Hunter is truly amazing and is also offering a Giveaway to one lucky commenter!

So please leave a comment to be entered into the draw!!!!

A brief synopsis of the book, But He’ll Change.

              But He’ll Change; End the Thinking That Keeps You in an Abusive Relationship is a self-help book published by Hazelden in 2010. It received a Nautilus Book Award.

In this compassionate book, Joanna V. Hunter offers women who are coping with physical or emotional abuse the information and guidance that she needed when she was in an abusive relationship. Using expert advice complemented by her story and the stories of other women who have survived and turned away from domestic violence, Hunter helps you face, head on, the messages you’ve internalized that hold you in an abusive relationship. You will learn to

• Identify the lies you’ve accepted and counter them with healthy thinking
• give yourself permission to stop taking the blame for your partner’s behavior
• identify your partner’s power and control plays so they no longer entrap you
• stick up for your own needs and plan for your (and your children’s) safety

With But He’ll Change you will learn new messages designed to help you build strength and hope. You will develop the tools to operate not as a victim, but as a survivor who understands the power you hold to change your life. “Healing means you’ve taken back your power,” writes Hunter. “My hope is that this book will help you shed labels, transcend the past and walk into a better life–the one you’ve always hoped for.”

 What is the ‘back story’ to your book cover and title?

   As a rule, the publisher picks the title. Hazelden’s editors didn’t need to include me in the decision, but they did. We spent time tweaking my working title Yes, but… Fighting the Self-talk that keeps you stuck. Titles need to express the concept of the book in a few words. The editors suggested But He’ll Change — which embodied the hope held most fiercely in the heart of every victim. I knew it would speak to those who needed my book. We clarified the subtitle to — End the Thinking That Keeps You in an Abusive Relationship. At one glance, you know exactly what this book is about.

Click here to go to Amazon for: But He’ll Change

What made you want to become a writer? What was you motivation and inspiration?

          I was always a storyteller. When my mother and I were driving somewhere, she’d say, “Tell me a story.” All my growing up years if I wasn’t drawing, I was writing. I’d pass my stories around to my friends. As an adult, marriage and children took center stage. Trying to keep peace in the home wrought with violence, zapped my creative energy. I remember feeling crushed and old when I turned 31 and was no longer eligible for the Redbook young women’s writing competition. Submitting a story to them was something I’d always yearned to do, but never had the time or energy to follow through.

Did you employ and editor for the storyline, proofreading or editing?

             Hazelden provided me with a terrific editor. She was a dream come true. I knew I could only take the book so far, then I needed new eyes to evaluate it. She was respectful of my work. One thing I really appreciated was that she asked if I wanted her to rewrite the weak sections or if I wanted her make suggestions and I do the rewrite myself. Since I felt I could learn a lot form her, I rewrote the sections with her guidance.

Are you self-published or traditional/ Why did you choose to publish this way?

             My preference was to go traditional. Though, not readily available at that time, I did consider self-publishing.

Being nonfiction, I didn’t need an agent. However, I did have to write a proposal according to the publisher’s guidelines. It took me 6 months to write and pull all this information together. At 100 pages in length, it containing information on everything from what the book is about, why I wrote it, chapter summaries to a market analysis of other books similar to But He’ll Change.

Hazelden Publishing was about the 4th publisher to whom I submitted my proposal.

Do you have any hints or tips that you have found in marketing?

            Hazelden provided me with a Publicist. She advised me to use all the electronic social media opportunities out there, while she sent out a media blast about But He’ll Change. We had a good response and I did many radio and some TV interviews all over the country.

I got busy and created pages on Facebook and Myspace. Author pages on Goodreads, Linked In and Amazon. Developed a blog. Joined Twitter.

What was your most amazing moment in writing your book?

              The way the book was given to me. This was the book I was meant to write. I was working on a novel  about the relationship between two women touched my domestic abuse. While developing the characters, all the reasons I and others (women I knew from therapy) had used to justify why we couldn’t leave our relationships came to mind. I started jotting them down. Before long, I had two pages of statements — but I love him — my children need a father — he doesn’t mean to hit me — If I leave now and he changes, I’ll lose out.

This book awakened me in the middle of the night. I knew I needed to write it. I sat down at the computer and the words flowed. Even style and layout was there. I felt like a conduit in the flow of something important. Experts I contacted for interviews were willing to talk and suggest others to contact. It was an amazing process. Humbling.

If your novel was to be made into a movie which actor would you like to play the leading role?

              This is not likely to become a movie. However, I was contacted by a young actress who had seen my book and was using it as she prepared for a role.

 Is there a sequel forthcoming or any new book in the works?

              I just finishing a final rewrite (is there really ever a final rewrite?) of a work of fiction. Regarding a sequel to this book, yes, I have something forming in my mind.

Do you have an inspirational, motivating or funny anecdote you would like to share?

             I know that there are stories surrounding us, we need only to take a hold of one and write. If we don’t someone else will. I know this through experience. Years ago, I was at my beach house with not a scrap of paper in sight. I had an idea, grabbed a grocery bag and started writing a story about a young woman married to a struggling architect. A wealthy man offers her a million dollars if she’d spend one night with him. I never finished that story. The grocery sack laid in my drawer. Indecent Proposal came out a few years later written by someone who followed through.

Write your book now!

If you would like to know about Joanna, please click on the links below:

Facebook: Facebook

Twitter: twitter.com/HunterJV

Blog:  Moving Up On The “People Who Deserve Happiness“

Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/Joanna_Hunter

Hazelden book store:  Hazelden Book Store

Amazon Author page:  www.amazon.com/author/joannavhunter

Transformation from Abuse.. My new online show!

Yes! You read it right! I’m going to be a talk show host on an online show!… Okay now that you have finished laughing, you can pick yourself up off the floor… Thank you!

You see… I was offered several different opportunities one being a book tour but when I thought about it_ most of my book sales have been Kindle sales. I’m still waiting for Nook to approve it and I’m having difficulties with Kobo but I’ll sort it out when I can. Kindle though has been wonderful, in fact I love it! You pay and BAM!! The book is there! How cool is that?

I sat down down and thought how crazy a book tour would be when just about everything I do is online! Therefore an opportunity online would seem to be the most fun way to go and VIOLA! It slam dunked it’s way right into my lap. Now those of you who have followed me know that I like to involve as many people as I can into a good thing… Spread the happiness, so to speak!

So here we go!

Transformation from Abuse – The new online show!

I am going to be hosting an online show called Transformation from Abuse. It will be aired worldwide as the internet is… Well.. Worldwide! Haha! Oh boy, can you tell I’m tired!

It will air twice weekly from NYC and will have a Twitter feed so the at home audience can ask questions in ‘real time’. There will be a set with a sofa, myself and a fully trained psychologist. Each episode we will have a different guest from celebrities, politicians, victims, survivors, doctors, advocacy groups… to be honest the list is endless!

We are then going to take it on the road! State to State, Coast to Coast! (This is where Claire fulfills one of her bucket list items… a t-shirt from every State! hee-hee). We will be meeting and introducing people from all around the country who is involved in abuse issues.

I hear you “Not my bag!” Your saying well not the case as there will be humor mixed in as well as some amazing healing techniques incorporating mind and body!!

To launch this wonderful show we are going to have an awesome concert! Yes! Here in NYC! Very R&B, very soulful!

On this night we are going to sell t-shirts with the logo on it, not only that but each t-shirt comes with a coupon of a free download of A Broken Ring!!!

Susan Cooper

Now one of the coolest things to all of this is the logo… Which I’m not releasing yet but you know it’s going to be awesome when I tell you Susan Cooper of Finding Our Way Now has been involved! Oh yeah baby! I have an original Susan Cooper graphic!!  Awesome!! Oh? You want a clue? It’s purple!! And no it’s not a ribbon! Fooled you!

Actually, on a serious note… It is fast becoming an amazing adventure more than I could have hoped for. It is becoming much more than the book… It is now becoming a whole new animal… One of healing, one of getting the word out there about abuse, one of letting people know they are not alone, giving a voice to people who are normally too scared to speak out as they can remain anonymous with an ‘Escape Button” on the site. A way of bringing communities and people together. I want people to come away from watching the show feeling empowered, inspired and totally uplifted! It will be about us, about ‘We the people!’ together, making a difference in this world as best we can!

Here is the video I have put together, as I updated my Indiegogo Campaign to incorporate the show as every little bit helps!

Now before you watch it think about this! There is a slide who someone put together for me and I have done so much reading and writing lately that I became word blind and missed a couple of grammatical mistakes. Thankfully, Sharla Shults found them for me but before I correct it I thought it might be fun to hold a little competition! First one to comment and say where they are will win a free Kindle Copy of A Broken Ring! Ta-Dah!!

So with out further ado here it is! And please every dollar, penny, pound… gold sovereign will help the show if you could take a minute to visit my Indiegogo Campaign here. I thank you most humbly!

My Little Angel!

A little while ago I used to post my husband’s poetry, which he kept telling me were actually songs but isn’t it sort of the same thing just one is set to music and the other well… Not! lol

Finally he sat down and worked out how to record them. Last week he invited me into his little musical den and played a song he had recorded, telling me he had written it for me! I have to tell you I can be pretty critical but I loved it, the haunting tones. It’s just Vin completely! I secretly sent it to a friend who passed it to a producer friend and now it looks like he’s got to write songs to go with my books! When I told him he acted a little shy… but I know better!! lol

I really hope you like it too!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Next week I’ll be sharing another awesome Author on Wednesday

AND

I have a secret I have been working on to tell you too!!!

Author Interview with Sandee Harrris

I’m so delighted to post my second Author Interview with Sandee Harris… I freaking love this author!  She writes about things no-one ever discusses on the dark side and each time turns a twist that will have you giggling! We both share a love of cakes and the Brothers Grimm and weirdywolves…. Oh yes! That is a grammatically correct in my dictionary!

She also even wrote about me in such a shining light that I think I have a lot to live up to! That Bitch Sandy and A Broken Ring.

Sandee threw an Author Evening in a cafe in New York City. She invited me but due to personal commitments and getting ready for Sandy to hit us two days later I was unable to make it, something I will kick myself over and over for! Can you imagine? Sandy reading from Mean Spirited Tales followed by a showing of the original Night of the Living Dead! How awesome for Halloween.

Please provide a brief synopsis of your book.

Mean-Spirited Tales is a collection of short stories for those unafraid to look… Includes the tale of a sadist, a beheading, liver paté, alcoholism, and a slow rotting from the inside out — with three homages to death metal, one featuring Helen, a pseudo French Canadian gremlin, and Delia, her loyal half-sister from a non demonic paternal figure…

What is the ‘back story’ to your book cover and title?

I realized that I had a collection of short stories with a stream of bile and dark humor running through it, and came up with Mean-Spirited Tales.  I also thought this would be a clever marketing tool, and it reminded me of a Monty Python episode.

Mean Spirited Tales by Sandee Harris

Click on the book cover to be taken to Mean Spirited Tales Amazon Kindle site

What made you want to become a writer? What was you motivation and inspiration?

I loved reading when I was a child and started writing stories very young.  I liked the idea of creating a world with words.  As an adult I thought of being a writer as a spiritual quest where you would try to reach people viscerally in the communion of existence.

Did you employ and editor for the storyline, proofreading or editing?

Nope.  And I certainly should have, but it wasn’t in my quote unquote — budget.  One of the stories in Mean-Spirited Tales, “Night Terrors,” had been published in a literary journal with very little changes by the magazine’s senior editor, so I thought I could do a good job of editing myself, especially since I’ve had editing projects on different jobs.

But this is a mistake, because it’s impossible for you to look at your own work from a distance.  If I embark on another writing project I will employ an editor.

Are you self-published or traditional/ Why did you choose to publish this way?

As mentioned earlier, I am self-published.  I would never have done this before because it was considered cheesy, or the avenue one takes when their work is sub par.  But in the last few years it has become more reputable and a force that the traditional publishing houses have to reckon with, so I jumped in.

Do you have any hints or tips that you have found in marketing?

I’m a really poor marketer, which is part of the drudgery of being self-published.  I’ve done basic things, activated a Face Book account, started a blog and bought an ad on Goodreads.  I know I’m still not doing as much as I could possibly do.  I had a reading at a café which was also helpful.

What was your most amazing moment in writing your book?

The stories in my book had been written over a period of 20 some odd years.  I guess what would slightly resemble an amazing moment would be when I read the first proof copy of my book and found it engaging.  I felt like I had put together something that people would enjoy.

Sandee Harris

If your novel was to be made into a movie which actor would you like to play the leading role?

My book is a collection of short stories so there isn’t one main character.  There are a lot of female protagonists.  I would choose women from local arty theaters, some unknown New York City actors, to play the leads.  I like the underground.  I always see my stories as independent movies with unknown actors.

Is there a sequel forthcoming or any new book in the works?

No sequel to this collection, but I do have a novel.  I might send that to the editors then shop it around.  I don’t think I’ll publish this one myself.

Do you have an inspirational, motivating or funny anecdote you would like to share?

While my book is darkly humorous in spots, I don’t have anything funny to share but my inspirational tip is to pursue your goal to be a writer no matter how many times you’re rejected by agents or literary journals.  Just continue writing if it’s something that satisfies a part of who you are.

You can find out more about Sandee on these links:

- Hard copy version:  Mean-Spirited-Tales-Ms-Sandee-Harris

- Kindle version:  Mean-Spirited-Tales-Sandee-Harris-ebook

- Sandee Harris’ blog:  1800ukillme.wordpress.com

- Mean-Spirited Tales Face Book page:  www.facebook.com/MeanSpiritedTales

I really hope you visit her links, they are a real treat!!

Happy Birthday to you and me!

It has been a year since I started this blog. To be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was happy living my hermit life with my phone ringing 24/7 about finance with questions which were all the same, “Claire, I have a client with an instrument on Euroclear… Can we sell it, Can we monetize it… Can we.. Can we…? Or “Claire I have a client who is having a Private Placement Memorandum drawn… Can we take it Pre-IPO? Can we eventually IPO it?” Though I did take an hour each day between 4 and 5 to have coffee with my husband and I did get told off for texting under the table at the BBQ for Memorial Day. If I remember correctly it went something like “Claire! Are you texting someone?” I tried to squish my face into an innocent look… “No_” I waited for a minute then continued my texting to the client about how everything wasn’t going to go so fast for him that day as it was an American holiday.

“That’s it! If I have to treat you like a child then I will!” My husband was laughing as he grabbed the phone from me and hid it inside the house. I smiled, then giggled. I was now forced to be ‘nice’ to our guests that I had forgotten about. My sister-in-law laughed, “Good thing you’re not a workaholic!” “Who me? Nah!”

Alright… My life with work had gotten out of hand_ a bit_ maybe_

The following October I started to hand all of my clients over to my husband to work with. I was finished with finance, deciding to complete my book, A Broken Ring.

It was a whole new world and one very different from finance. I hadn’t placed an advertisement in years, everything and everyone I worked with was a referral.

A year ago in the middle of January I came out of my shell and said hello into a cavernous blogging world and was shocked a couple of people said hello back. Wow! I told myself, they didn’t laugh or rebuke me! I was stunned it took another 4 weeks for me to pluck up the courage to post again and my little post had wonderful a couple of Gravatars smiling back at me. I was hooked! I was reborn! Initiated into the mass world of bloggers.

I read everything I could about it, I followed people, some of who have now left their blogs to pursue the goals and dreams they wrote about. Some have become wonderful friends who I can exchange ideas with, be incredibly silly with as we talk about weirdywolves and dark places that only the brothers Grimm would venture into. I have learned new recipes, debated with people about politics. I have shared some heartbreaking stories with people about abuse and violence that they have endured in the past or are going through and just wanted a shoulder to virtually lean on, just for a little while, a little escapism with someone who understood.

For all of this I say, THANK YOU!

Summer <3

You have been so supportive over this year for my ideas, my strange thoughts. You were with me while I went through Hurricane Sandy, the loss of my brother-in-law, the cover designs of my book. You stood beside me while I learned of Awareness Months, of PTSD and Rape Trauma Syndrome. You were with me when we took trips to the city to celebrate the 4th July and to see the Christmas Tree. Even the hazy days of summer lounging lazily on the beaches of Long Island to the lighthouse at Montauk Point. Even giving me some wonderful Blogging Awards! ;-D

The thought has been spinning for a little… How did I give back? A giveaway! Did that to celebrate the New Year and you made that a success too! Still spinning_ Then I got it!

I have now over this last year become an author! A strike of the ‘ol bucketlist But a lot of you have also become authors, amazing wonderful authors! Then it clicked!

Author Interviews! Spreading the love. Sharing the stories! Woo-Hoo!

Here we go_ Once upon a time, in the land of Claire’s blog there was a wonderful author called…

As they say “Tune in next week..” as my very first author interview will be posted and I will be sharing my authors friends with you each Wednesday.

Each one different!

Each one truly freaking awesome!

The first one is with Susan Cooper of Finding Our Way Now blog and her new book, recently released about the meaning of dreams!

I’m thrilled she has given me an interview and I can’t wait to share it with you next Wednesday. If you know anyone who is interested in the meaning of dreams tell them to look for her here next week! Her illustrations are beautifully unique

Oh? What? You want a bonus too!? Aperlootley! (It’s my new stupid, grammatically incorrect word of the moment, which I know you intelligent sort get straight away!) Susan Cooper has very kindly offered 3 of her books in a Giveaway next week! Speechless

Thank you!

Thank you for making this an incredible year and for being with me on this wonderfully weird journey!

Cheers

 

A Broken Ring and Stalking Liberty ~ Here we go!

 Hurricane Sandy really messed it up for me last time so here I am having another ‘bash’ at Indiegogo! Even though my handheld video camera died and my webcam bites! lol I ran one before but was hit by Hurricane Sandy and it was difficult to run it with no power. So here we go! This below is my plea for help in crowdfunding

“I’m a great believer in helping people and empowering them in understanding. 1 in 3 women are either beaten or raped a year across the world. That’s 1 BILLION and that’s 1 BILLION too many! 1in 5 men are beaten and raped too!

Think about it for a minute when you see people in the stores or down your road. It’s happening near you. It could have already happened to you, a friend… a work colleague…

I wrote A Broken Ring as a healing tool which has gone on to be published late last September and by October the word about it was spreading but then we were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy which halted everything.

A little difficult to storm ahead with no power after a flood! But I’m back up and running. I need people like you to help me, to come on this journey of love and inspiration with me!

Advocacy groups who have read A Broken Ring have used the word “Inspiring” too me but my main goal is to let people know they are NOT alone. That we are there to say ‘We understand!”

 My sequel in the Ride to Liberty is also finished, Stalking Liberty. Each book ends with a wonderfully empowering message.

 A teaser… Click here for the first chapter of A Broken Ring!

Lets stand up together

Shout out

We are not alone!

We shine bright!

 What We Need & What You Get

Breaking it down:

• A Broken Ring is getting rave reviews but I need to hire a publict to spread the word which will cost me $4,000 to get started and the final draft of Stalking Liberty needs a professional editor which costs $1,000
• There are some really cool perks too!
• Signed copies of A Broken Ring.
• Skype call.
• Being listed in the Contributors page.
• A character named after you in the last installment of the trilogy… don’t worry the character will be a ‘Goodie’ not a “Baddie”!
• If the goal amount is not reached I will beg, steal and borrow until it’s reached because it’s just too important to help people!

The Impact

• Together we can raise awareness for both women and men who need help.
• We can help people who feel alone and isolated, knowing there are others out there who experienced similar circumstances and found freedom through healing and self renewal and empowerment.
• It is already in the libraries of Healing groups and Domestic Violence Shelters for example: Hope Healing House in Grove City, Ohio and the New York Suffolk County Coalition of Domestic Violence.
• There are whispers in the ether of a 40 city book tour on college campuses in April to raise awareness amongst the youth and a made for television movie from A Broken Ring!

Other Ways You Can Help

Some people just can’t contribute, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help:

I understand times are tight financially for some people but it would really help if you could spread the word and share it with friends and family.

Please share on Facebook, Twitter, Google+… Pigeonagram!

And that’s all there is to it. Thank you for taking this journey with me!”

A Broken Ring and Stalking Liberty’s Indiegogo Campaign

Related articles

• Wichita Women’s Shelter Sees Rise In Domestic Violence Victims (kake.com)
• Anti-stalking advocates seek tougher laws in Wyoming (billingsgazette.com)
• National Stalking Awareness Month 2013 (nichellemitchem.typepad.com)
• The Violence Against Women Act: Get It Done Congress (theobamacrat.com)

DCI Banks and Lydia Castle ~ It’s a small world!

The Black Bull, Otley, West Yorkshire

Last night I settled down to escape into some television drama after a day of writing, cooking, cleaning… and listening to a 17 year old deranging about how cruel the world is because she has the 2 day flu bug. As I wrote through the afternoon my mind had drifted back to a discussion online, which I was commenting on,. After all I had started it in LinkedIn when I posted the link to my post of last week: Could you you forgive and forget?. It has stirred some memories of old places and people. Some of the comments touched on how we react when we meet people or places that brought back memories of abuse. It dragged back a lot for me! Memories long put away in storage and I considered myself thankful by the end of the afternoon that being 3,000 miles away I was no longer reminded of the back alleyways or ‘Ginnels‘ as we called them. I didn’t see the marketplace or the old clock-tower, presiding over the people and the stone buildings. When dinner had been eaten and the dishes washed and put away, the 17 year old finally sleeping her flu away quietly and the smell of fresh coffee wafted through our home, we finally snuggled down on the sofa. We were warm and cozy with candles lit giving a warming glow against the snow outside.

DCI Banks (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The television slowly came to life, searching the DVR menu we found DCI Banks and my husband clicked ‘Start”. I had been looking forward to watching this series which had recently started on PBS Channel, for us on Long Island it’s WLIW21. This is where we click to watch excellent Downton Abbey Eastenders, Doc Martin… Some of the wonderful shows which make their way across ‘The Pond” to us here in New York.

I had decided over the last couple of weeks that I liked DCI Banks… yes it was set in Yorkshire, but never too ‘close to home’.

Clock tower Otley

Until last night! The starting sequence, not a problem for me as the characters were set way up on the moors. No it was a couple of minutes in… A clock tower in an old market place suddenly flashed on to the screen and my breath was caught, stuck in my throat. I coughed! The clock tower, the market place, cobble-stoned paths with old stone buildings! My past glared back at me! A rising panic, my stomach lurching, heart racing!

Seriously?! This is what I told my self as I squeaked out the word “Otley!” My husband looked at me as he replied “Yeah? Baby? Home?’ Forgetting for a second that everywhere in England is ‘home’ except Otley. Otley never felt like home even when I lived there. In A Broken Ring,  Lydia Castle’s home town is Hoakley, but then I guess you saw that resemblance!

Now don’t get me wrong, it is a delightfully quaint old market town… just not for me. It reminded me of fighting for my life, running to a Police car parked by the clock… banging on the window hysterical asking for them to help me as my stalker advanced in the darkness, of fighting for my life in the dark alleyways which now seemed to be fully lit and not in total darkness as they were when I was a teenager.

Otley

 

As I watched the show, it followed the story of a girl who had been raped and murdered in a dark back alleyway… Freaking seriously!?! It couldn’t have been a different story line? I told myself it was drama, I told myself not to panic, I told myself that what I was experiencing was THE PAST! Watch it I told myself, treat it like another healing curve but I will admit that even after all these years, faces of people who had abused me still loomed in my mind probably because some of them are still real and still want to connect with me through letters and Christmas cards, which of course immediately get tossed into the garbage.

All in all I think I had four baby panic attacks as I watched. I was determined to see it through to the end of the show. Why? Because I’m now bigger than this, better than this! This will empower me even more. I am my own light and no-one can dim it any more! I can shout out now against abuse and violence, no longer the timid Yorkshire mouse squeaking for help.

Now let me ask you a question…

Did you see DCI Banks “Friend of the Devil“?

Did you read A Broken Ring?

Did you see a connection?

Did you hear Lydia’s accent come to life?

Could you envisage the smell of a cold Yorkshire day?

The sweet taste of escape for Lydia?

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