SHORT STORY: It Could Just Be The Wind

 

Never wrote a short story before. Please tell me if the story spooked you, made you wonder too, or had no effect. Writers want the reader to have some kind of emotional feeling. DID I ACCOMPLISH THIS? Feedback of any kind appreciated. DO I HAVE A FUTURE IN WRITING?

IT COULD JUST BE THE WIND

 

Finishing my, as the book directd, prayer, “Lord, please forgive me of all my sins known and unknown. I repent of any wrong I have done to others, known and unknown. Cleanse me of all my sins and allow me to see your divine angels, In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen,” I feel a chilling puff of cold air on my right forearm. Goosebumps stand erect acknowledging what my eyes didn’t see. If all the other occurrences could be summed up as, “It could just be the wind playing tricks on you,” I would take it with no more questions asked. But this can’t be explained away so cavalierly.

I wonder for a moment, if the prayer to see angels I just performed really works. I was a little hesitant to say the prayer because the beautifully illustrated jacket of the book warned if there is any darkness or unforgiveness in you, you may see demons instead of angelic angels. Immediately after saying the prayer, I, with wide eyes, search for what will appear from my prayer in my sun filled livingroom. Nothing. It has always been my dream to see the angels and nothing.

Hearing the youthful sounds of children playing basketball in my yard, I smile and decide to take in some afternoon sun on the black iron garden bench and watch them play. As the kids laugh and try daring basketball moves, I become overcome with the nagging feeling there is a slithering snake at my feet. Unable to ignore the increasing sense that a snake is near, I fold my feet under me Indian style on the bench, which did not ease the feeling. Finally, I cautiously bolt to the security of the indoors. Once inside, I laugh at my foolishness.

Kids fed and tucked into bed without much complaint, I settle to watch my favorite show, ER, with lights off. Just me and George Clooney for an hour. Suddenly in the darkened room illuminated by the flickers of the television, my peripheral vision sees a black formless shadow dart from the side of the black kitchen refrigerator and disappear at the end of my side vision. Snapping my head in the direction of what I am sure I saw, I simultaneously think, “Did I just see that,” and “Who’s there?”

Just as quickly as the feeling of impendinng doom came, it disappeared as I laugh at myself, being startled by nightly tricks of the eye. Focusing back on the t.v., I settle in to enjoy my remaining time with George.and his gorgeous hair. I jump, startled once again, but this time by the extremely loud booming hum of the refrigerator, which sounds more like a hungry chainsaw in search of its food. It has never been this loud before. Frowning, as if pained from the audio assault, I must pee and pee badly. I gather myself to scurry past the cold loud kitchen to the powder blue bathroom down the hall. Relieving myself and exhaling my uncalled-for fear, I dismiss the previous frightful occurrances.

Why have I been on edge all day looking for something that doesn't exist? I’m never jittery like this, literally shaking like the last brown dry leaf holding on to a tree branch in the blustery fall wind. I twist and flutter, shaking but never giving in to the power of the destructive winds like that leaf. Of course, I’ve seen shadow figures before, but never several times like tonight. I need to calm down, breath, and relax. With that, I wipe and flush the toilet. The sound of the flushing sounds like bombs of war going off. The percussion sound blows me back, causing me to stumble. I feel a rush a wind again. Searching the tiny bathrrom, looking for an open winndow, which remains closed and locked, I can't find a sourch of the bone chiilling wind. shivering I run to the dark living room, hopping onto the couch, cowering under a blanket as the toilet roars from the bathroom like an angry lion. Praying for the toilet to fill and quiet, I wait, all the while I feel as if someone or something is watching me.

Trembling like a wet fearful dog hoping to be rescued by its master, I look out from the red wool blanket, searching the kitchen for the black formless shadow. After a few minutes, which seemed like an hour, the black shadow darted from the side of the refrigerator down the hall towards the bathroom and my baby’s room. Heart pounding like a startled rabbit, I question once again whether I have seen what I had saw. No! No, I didn’t. I don’t believe in ghos….

Suddenly it dawns on me; my prayer. My breathing quickens to pants reliving today’s earlier request to see etheral angelic angels. What if I unleashed demons instead of angels? No! My heart is clean! The prayer didn’t work! Its not possible to request to see angels. Good angels. The book warned me! Why didn’t I listen! No! No! No! I don’t believe such stuff, and yet I do in the secret creases of my heart.

The night dragged like a man lame from war as I waited for the snail-like approaching daylight. I removed the batteries from the clock hours ago, each tick of the second hand sounded like a grenade going off. Boom! Boom! Boom, striking terror with each explosive sound. Now I sit in a fetal position in the corner of the green velvety couch. I’m freezing, bone shaking cold, but too scared to move from the couch to put on warmer clothes. I had on sexy sheer lingerie for my quality time with George. The airconditioner is pumping out North Pole air. My brain is ping-ponging from one explanation to the other for the shadows and noise. Nothing is comforting or reassuring. As each moment passes, I feel my grip on reality slipping away. If only this was a dream, then I could make sense of it all. Even though I have vivid dreams, dreams I can manipulate while sleeping to start, stop, or change at my command, I can tell the difference between dreams and reality. Now I don't know what reality is at all.

This is something different. Something unearthly. I am between insanity and reality, not knowing which is which. If I am seeing dark demons from my prayer, is it real? If I’m seeing demons, is it from the prayer or am I just going crazy? I don’t know what is real right now, which makes me question my sanity even more. Did a mental breakdown happen to coincide with a prayer to see angels? Whatever is happening to me is terrorizing. Rocking myself, wanting to hum a soothing song but can't form any words in my head, eyes cast down, I pray for daylight.

As the dark night sky of mystery yields itself to shades of gray tinged with the oranges of a rising sun, I’m proud I’ve held on. I called hubby an hour ago who is out of town working. I didn’t know what to say except I need you to come home and take me to the doctor. Now I question what exactly I will tell my husband and doctors about what happened to me all night. Looking into the not-so-dark-now kitchen, I see no shadows and immediately question if I ever had.

Hearing the sputtering engine cut off from the truck hubby drives, I quickly decide, as I smile with relief, last night didn’t happen. I just had a bad bad day. I was just over sensitive to noise and now its over. No black shadows or bombs going off. It could be the presence of daylight, hubby’s calming presence, or my imagination, but none of the feelings from the night linger in the coming daylight.

I explain to hubby I was having a bad day and just felt off. I will go to the doctor if the feeling returns but all is okay now. We spend the day together having family fun. We put the children to sleep an hour after their usual bedtime. They got to stay up an extra hour because dad had come home early. Me and boo shut down the house for the day and snuggle, talk, and laugh in the middle bedroom. We hear at the same time the sound of little feet almost running from the kid’s bedroom heading our way. Laughing we know it is our nightly bed-jumper, our youngest. We listen as the tiny feet approach, waiting to hear the excuse of a four-year-old trying to worm her way into our bed. No child appeared.

With a questioning look, his usual furrowed brow and without words, hubby looks at me for a long minute. Climbing over me, his knees promising to do damage unless I sheild myself, he goes to the open bedroomm door and looks down the hall into the livingroom where the footsteps were heard. Confused, and with mouth open he stares at me for some kind of answer. All I can offer him is an ‘I know. I heard it too’. I pat for him to come sit on the bed next to me. I explain the prior night’s event, leaving out the part where I prayed to see angels. That never happened right? I'll never tell I prayed to see angels and was scared shitless instead.

I tell hubby I need to go to the doctor and tell him what I told him. We both agreed the doctors will think I’m crazy. Hubby offers to tell the doctors he experienced some weird shit too in the house and we both heard the unexplained footsteps. I can’t imagine what doctors will think if two parents came to them with such a story. We would probably lose custody of our children. No. Only I will confess to the craziness.

It does enter my mind to pray for the visions to disappear. But that will only work if the prayer to see angels worked in the first place. With hubby experiencing hearing the human-less footsteps, something occurred after the prayer. What, I can't tell you. On the other hand, I have a long family history of mental illness, schizophrenia to be exact. I’m sure I saw what I saw and heard what I heard. But so was my mother when she thought she was the Unabomber police were looking for because she once worked at the post office. The things she must have heard and saw with that delusion.

“I want you to place one of these pills under your tongue each time you have a panic attack,” the nice doctor said handing me a prescription for Xanax. My hubby watched as my shaky hand took the prescription from the doctor, nodding my head. Smiling, I felt as if I had the answer, anxiety attack. Sounded right to me even though hubby wants to hang a horseshoe over the door to ward off evil and says he will never stay in the house alone again.

I’m mentally ill. How relieving. It’s not schizophrenia though. I'm lucky. Sure, hubby is a little shaken. Okay, scared, but we have been okay for days even though I have to pop several pills at night when the noises and shadows come. I sleep with a fan running to drown out the footsteps at night. I believe it is called white noise. Many well people sleep with a television or fan on at night to help with sleep. My days are normal. No boogieman nor signs of schizophrenia. Just peace in the mind. Nights are another story.

Nights have become battles of thought. Are those who can see and talk to angels mentally ill or are those with mental illness able to communicate with beings on another level. Should I embrace being able to see what I see, good or bad, or continue to monitor my mental health for further decline. I brace myself each night at the mercy of a thing which I can not determine what it is. Menacing is the best word for it right now. Should I surrender to this unknown? What is my reality? Do I see what I think I see? What is a certain reality is the fact I have gone from one pill to six and this reality persists, and the torture is not knowing what my reality is. “Hello shadow, how are you tonight?”

 

Should Women Write About Manhood?

A WRITER'S LIFE: Tim Cagle

 

Have you heard the saying, Indecent Proposal? Well, author, Tim Cagle, had an "Indecent Rejection." Tim is the first of hopefully many writers I will be featuring on my blog in a segmaent tiltled, A WRITER'S LIFE, in which I interview writers and how they deal with the hills and valleys that come with a writer's life. 

Even though Tim is one in a million in his writing, he is also one of thousands of writers who have received the dreaded rejection letter from agents and publishers. But thankfully, he was not deterred from creating magic with words. What he did after reading the rejection letter is probably something some of us would love to do also (Or has done?).

I hope you will be inspired and encouraged in your writing journey after reading his interview. Make sure to check out his contact information at the end of the interview.

1.  I have been a writer since the 1990’s.  I was a medical malpractice, products liability and wrongful death attorney for decades and began to write as a way to share stories about clients I could not help because the law or the facts were against us. Unfortunately, at that time, I was working 100 plus hours a week and did not have the time to bring my books up to publishable standards until I retired.

2.  I have written two medical/legal thrillers, Unexpected Enemy and Class of Two, as well as one book about songwriting, Whispers from the Silence, based on the time I shut down my law practice after I passed the bar and went to Nashville to write songs. My big break never broke and I learned I would always be a songwriter trapped in a lawyer’s body.

3.  I have lost count of the number of rejections I have received. Most of the time, agents did not even provide the courtesy of a reply, and I consider that to be a form of rejection.

4.  The worst rejection I received was from an agent regarding my most successful novel to date, Class of Two. It is the story of two lawyers, one black and one white, ex-college roommates and football All-Americans, who reunite in Boston to go to trial against the country’s leading heart surgeon. They were the first black and white teammates to live together in Texas in 1964, during the height of the Civil Rights movement. It highlights what the turbulent 1960’s were like, and how the friendship of two men could overcome the evils of society.

I sent my manuscript to an alleged agent who wrote me back a scathing review. It was highlighted by the words, “I never knew one football player who was smart enough to go to law school, let alone two!” I was at my fiery, trial lawyer, take-no-prisoners, litigation self and wrote back to him the following, “Thank you for pointing how naïve I was to think that football players could have two separate IQ points to rub together. I am now on a quest to inform the following individuals that they are too stupid to survive, 1. Byron “Whizzer” White, J.D., University of Colorado and Pittsburgh Pirates (now Steelers) running back and US Supreme Court Justice, 2. Pat Haden, Rhodes Scholar, former USC and Los Angeles Rams quarterback, 3. Dr. Frank Ryan, PHD in Mathematics, former Cleveland Browns quarterback and considered a genius in geometric function theory, 4. Alan Page, JD. Former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman and now Minnesota Supreme Court Justice, 5. Kris Kristofferson, Rhodes Scholar, Army Ranger, Pomona College end and prolific songwriter, and 6. Nick Buoniconti, J.D., corporate attorney and a graduate of Suffolk University Law School, my alma mater. I told the agent I would inform the foregoing individuals he considered them too vapid to exist and they should immediately withdraw from societal interactions.

5. The best way to bounce back is to keep writing!  This is the most subjective business I have ever seen. It is mostly based on guesswork and despite their frequent and multiple failures, even a bad agent occasionally guesses right.

6.  My best advice for writers is to be careful to whom you listen. Many writers consider agents to be god-like figures and all-knowing gurus, when in fact, they are often self-appointed pseudo experts. I once had an agent tell me a scene I wrote about a lawyer’s first meeting with a new client lacked form, originality, scope and substance. I told her that I was at a significant disadvantage because I only had twenty-five years of law practice and trial work upon which to base my descriptions, and would do my best to imagine how a Hollywood lightweight would write the scene.

Also, never forget that most agents have twenty-something year-old assistants whom they rely on to screen a writer’s work. I was also an Evidence professor for 25 years and have some insight into how the twenty-five-year-old mind works. Most consider someone of my maturity to be an irrelevant dinosaur and consider Taylor Swift to be a goddess songwriter. I have had conversations with them about GIFTED songwriters like Smoky Robinson, Jim Webb, Norman Whitfield, Jim Croce and John Fogerty and always ask how they would have handled Taylor’s insightful lyric about how “he didn’t like it when I wore high heels”, and wait for them to look at me with the same insipid glance as the agent who told me football players were too dense to do anything but run through a wall.

Finally, do not get discouraged. My success came after I abandoned the search for an agent as I can read and interpret my own contracts. Also, when it comes to agents, always consider the source. If the chance comes to become the next J.K. Rowling, Toni Morrison or John Grisham, make sure you have a top-notch advisor by your side. If success never comes, pull out every drop of fulfillment you can because you were able to so something few people can, finish writing a book.

Above all, keep writing and stay safe,

Tim Cagle, J.D.,  an ex-linebacker who made it through law school so I could deal with arguing with expert witnesses, after I finally stopped trying to run through walls.

PLEASE take the time to visit Tim's platforms, check out his work, and share with friends and family 

Twitter and Instagram:  @timcagleauthor

Facebook and LinkedIn:  Tim Cagle 

UNEXPECTED ENEMY https://goo.gl/joxZLH woman has interracial child after clinic gives her STRANGER’S SPERM;

CLASS OF TWO https://tinyurl.com/y2bsfgkt 2 lawyers, 1 black, 1 white, ex-roommates and football All-Amercans vs ELITE HEART SURGEON!

WHISPERS FROM THE SILENCE https://goo.gl/EVvYQZ two songwriters fall in love in Nashville & write songs by waiting for silence to whisper the lyrics....

***WANT TO BE FEATURED?*****

It's simple. Contact me at: rizerfall@yahoo.com

 

Rejection Letters

Everyone is familiar with the "Dear John Letter." A letter sent by a woman to a man madly in love with her who has found someone else. Dumped via a letter. These letters were usually sent to soldiers off fighting in wars on foreign soil. Their love, who promised to wait for the man's return, found someone new and was ending their relationship. These letters were viewed as the cruelest letter to receive. Many will argue in this new age, "text" breakups, are just as painful.

Writers will tell you the "rejection" letters/e-mail from potential agents and publishers are excruciating also. After writing what they believe to be the best book ever, writers send out their query letter letting agents and publishers know they have a manuscript the world needs to read. With hopes high and fingers crossed, writers wait for a reply of acceptance. To their dismay, "rejection letters" roll in quickly.

Some refusals are polite, instructive, and encouraging. Some rejections are brutal, insensitive, and cold. But writers know this is part of the process to become a published author and they continue sending their work out into the world to be rejected once again. Don't become dismayed. You are in good company. Many famous authors survived being rejected multiple times and we are forever grateful they did not give up.

• Margaret Mitchell was rejected 38 times before she published Gone With the Wind.
• Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen were rejected 144 times before they published Chicken Soup for the Soul.
• Robert Pirsig was reject 121 times before publishing Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
• James Joyce was rejected by 22 publishing houses before Dubliners was published.
• Joseph Heller was also rejected 22 times before publishing Catch-22.
• Frank Herbert was rejected 23 times before publishing Dune.
• James Patterson was rejected 31 times before publishing The Thomas Berryman Number.
• Alex Haley received 200 rejections before seeing Roots in print.
• Jack London received 600 rejections before publishing his first story.
• J. K. Rowling was rejected by 12 publishing houses in a row before Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone saw the light of the day.
• Louis L’Amour, whose books have sold 330 million copies, was rejected 200 times before he could publish his first book.

I am currently sending out queries for my book, When Will Eve Be Forgiven?, and I'm hoping not to become discouraged from the many rejection letters I'm expecting to receive. For my mental health I decided to try to engage with my fellow writers/authors as I obsessively check my e-mails for the wonderful ACCEPTANCE lettere-mail.

I enjoy INTERVIEWING people from different walks of life on various topics. I would love to share with others on my blog the agony of rejection letters and how writers find the courage to continue putting their work out there. I would love for my readers to be able to read some of the more INTERESTING rejection letters you have received.

AUTHORS!!! Participation appreciated for interviews regarding manuscript rejections. Answer the below questions, e-mail answers to rizerfall@yahoo.com, include your photo, state/country you live in (optional), work, book, links, and please share your rejection letter story. 

I need encouragement and I know other writers new or old to the querying process needs support and encouragement as well.

QUERY REJECTION INTERVIEW

1.    How long have you been a writer?

2.    Genre?

3.    Estimate your number of rejections so far in your career.

4.    Worse rejection letter received.

5.    How or what do you do to bounce back from rejection of your work?

6.    Best advice for writers regarding submitting their work to agents/publishers?

Help me spread the word about this offered insight and support for writers.

Thank you all so much for your participation and good luck in your journey.

INTERVIEW: Deb Wilk, bipolar disorder

WELCOME TO WEDNESDAY WITH WOMEN

I have the absolute honor of introducing writer and children's author Deb Wilk who has been diagnosed as having BIPOLAR DISORDER. She is my first interviewee on this mental health condition and I could not have wished for a better person to interview on this subject. In her interview she is candid and insightful about every aspect of living with bipolar disorder. I have often said mental illness can not be understood by a non-sufferer if the sufferer themselves don't understand how the illness affects them. Deb Wilk is completely in tune with herself as she lives a fulfilling happy life managing a chronic health condition enabling her to be an invaluable resource on the subject for others through her blog. I cannot express enough what a gem of a interview this first of many interviews, I hope, on Bipolar Disorder is for my blog audience who have been diagnosed with this illness or know someone with this illness.

1.      When were you formally diagnosed as having bipolar disorder and did you accept the diagnosis at that time?

I was formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 37. I did accept my diagnosis gratefully. I had known that I was mentally ill from the time I was 17 and had been searching for a diagnosis. Finding that diagnosis after two decades of suffering was actually a relief.

2.      Did you have preconceived ideas about mental illness before your diagnosis?

I had no preconceived ideas about mental illness in general before my diagnosis. The only preconceived idea I had was the personal knowledge that I, myself was mentally ill.

3.      Did you immediately share your diagnosis with family, friends, or romantic interest?

My husband was with me on my journey to discover what was “wrong” with me. So, he knew immediately when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I did not share my diagnosis with anyone else at all. Little by little, I told family members about the illness. This was mostly because my moods and behaviors made it difficult to hide the diagnosis. I now share the diagnosis with everyone who will “listen” through my blog.

4.      Did you have to adjust your lifestyle/career/parenting/social life due to bipolar disorder?

I had to adjust everything due to bipolar disorder. I had to learn to live life in moderation, careful to adjust my sleep cycle, my diet and exercise, and to guard against anything that might trigger a manic or depressive episode. Socially, I had to gather a “support network” of special friends and family around me who were loving, supportive, and who would be honest with me if they felt that my moods might be degenerating. As a parent, I had to learn to be far more patient and reasonable than I had been prior to my diagnosis and treatment. My career had always been tricky. I was a workaholic in both school and in my early career. This fueled my mania, which further fueled my workaholism. It worked for me until I crashed. I had to learn to slow down. That was even more difficult than the manic-workaholic cycle.

5.      How does the mania side affect you as well as the depressive side or show up in your life?

Occasionally, mania has given me tremendous energy that makes me feel like I can accomplish anything. This is especially true when I am working on some type of creative or work-related project. However, more often than not, I am extremely irritable and unfocused when I am manic. Due to the fact that I am working on many creative projects these days, I must control this mood state with the coping skills I’ve learned so I don’t transition to mania. Depressive episodes are more common and harder to control. For instance, I went through an episode a year ago that lasted for nearly 6 months and was unable to do much of anything. (This was caused by the fact that I stopped taking an anti-depressant “booster” medication.) Depression is far more sneaky than mania. I don’t always feel it coming.

6.      One thing about being bipolar is guilt/regret about certain actions you may have done during mania/depression. Have you experienced this? Share if you can.

I feel regret about so many things I did when I was manic. There were too many violent episodes to count, particularly directed against my husband. I am blessed in that he has always stood by me and never held any of those actions against me, understanding that it was the illness, not me, doing the things that I did. The one thing I deeply regret is that I was not a good mother to my children prior to diagnosis and stabilization. Although they have forgiven me and also understand that the illness drove my behavior, they are clearly scarred. I will never forgive myself for that. 

7.      Do you have to have a recovery time/period? If so, how important is it to your well-being?

Although I had that one bout of depression last year, my moods are normally very stable. I take very good care of myself and do everything I’m supposed to do. On a very regular basis, I meditate, practice deep breathing and yoga, and spend quiet time alone. I write a lot and do additional things that make me happy. Doing this consistently is terrific for my well-being.

8.      Bipolar disorder is difficult to treat with medicine. Everyone is different and usually must try out several medications or a cocktail of medications. Have you experienced this and how did it affect you going through trial and error of taking different medications?

I am on a cocktail of 6 different medications. It took an exceedingly long time to get this cocktail exactly right and I’m not exaggerating when I say it was probably 4 - 6 years before it worked well. We had to start with one medication, swap it for a different one, and adjust dosages. Then we tried another and adjusted dosages again. This continued ad nauseam. Sometimes when a new medication was added, an old medication had to be dropped. I have always had difficulty finding medications that fight my depression. Even now, we have had to add a “booster” medication to help the anti-depressants. That one is a miracle. I was never affected physically going through the trial and error of taking different medications, just mentally when a new medication did not have the desired effect. The disappointment was crushing because the process was so long. The cocktail I am on now, however, has been a game changer for me.  

9.      At this point in your life do you believe your bipolar disorder is managed? If not do you believe it can be? Are you able to live an enjoyable life now?

My bipolar disorder is exceedingly well managed, and I am leading a wonderful life. My husband and I are retired now and are having a great time together. We share many common interests but give each other space as well. In that space, I spend a lot of time writing. I have my blog, but I also have a children’s novel, “The Cottage at Clover Hill”, with a publisher. And I am working with an editor to put a book on bipolar disorder together, too. When I’m not doing that, my husband and I are living at our vacation home on the rocky coast of Maine or enjoying our peaceful Victorian in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. We like to travel extensively as well. Yes, it’s a wonderful life.

I live in Laconia, New Hampshire, USA. I also have a vacation home in Wells, Maine, USA

My social media platforms are: Twitter: Deb Wilk@LivingBipolar   FB: livingpbdeb    LivingBipolar blog: https://livingbipolar.blog 

Please show Deb Wilk support by commenting, sharing, and following her on her social media.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN WEDNESDAY WITH WOMEN DM me or e-mail me at rizerfall@yahoo.com. 

 

INTERVIEW: Natalie Ritchie, author

 WELCOME TO WEDNESDAY WITH WOMEN

Author Natalie Ritchie shares what drives her as a writer, and it is advocating for women no matter what role they choose in life. She is a strong voice reminding women as well as men women who choose to work at home as a homemaker are not inferior to women who choose a career outside of the home. Ritchie has to juggle many roles at once and writing is just one of those roles. Her work reflects the ongoing quest to define womanhood in the 21st Century by today's woman. Her interview does not shy away from the question, "What is womanhood?"

1     What is the name of your book/genre?

My book is a nonfiction work called Roar Like a Woman: How Feminists Think Women Suck and Men Rock. It calls for a feminism that actually includes the woman. The feminist revolution threw the baby out with the bathwater—it threw out the woman with the bathwater of woman’s oppression.

2.      When did you start your writing career?

I went straight into journalism almost from the get-go and after a long stint in public relations in the tourism industry, I moved into travel writing. I co-authored the Frommer’s Australia travel guide for several years. Later, I became features editor of Australia’s biggest parenting magazine. Today, I work full-time as a general-purpose editor. 

3.      Did you have support from family/friends/community?

Not really. But that’s because I like it that way. Mostly, I write alone. I know what I want to say. Even nonfiction writing, which is what I do, is an intensely personal and creative thing. To be honest, I just want to be left alone when I write. That said, my colleagues, most of whom are also writers of one kind or another, do have a lot of really good advice. I think the trick is to balance when to listen to others and when to stay true to your inner voice.

4.      What is most difficult about an author’s life?

Finding time to write is one of the hardest things writers do, especially mothers! And then when they do make the time, they sacrifice their rest, their hobbies, their home chores, time with their families or friends, time spent helping others, time to exercise—and time to read! Most writers love reading. I know a mother of five who got up every morning at 5 a.m. to have an hour to herself to write. Of course, for many of us, the kids are up at 5 a.m. too, so that’s not the answer for everyone!

I started writing my book in 2012 and finished it in 2018. I was working full-time most of that time and fifty percent co-parenting my two sons. It takes discipline to dedicate yourself to writing every moment you can. And then there is the work of self-publishing: proofing, hiring a cover designer and typesetter and website designer, formatting e-book files, distributing, publicizing, doing interviews, and more. What kept me going was the sure-fire knowledge that women matter.

5.      As a woman do you feel an obligation to write on women’s issues (in some form)?

Absolutely. Women need a voice, a voice that feminism far too often silences, when it should be our champion! Ever since I entered the workforce in the eighties, I have been frustrated at feminism’s refusal to acknowledge women’s role as mothers, as home runners, as the ones caring for elderly relatives or family members with a disability, as driving forces in the wider community, and as a powerhouse of change in their own right—and that’s all before we get to a career! To feminism, you would think a woman had nothing to do but join men at the office. It pours praise on a woman when she does the same paid work men do but ignores, denies, and often derides a woman without a man-identical career.

Here’s the thing—a woman is a fully human being in her own right. Without a career. Yet feminism sends a different message—that a woman is an inferior, passive nobody who only becomes a somebody, and her husband’s equal, when she joins him at the office.

6.      Do you create stereotypical female characters i.e., weak, need to be saved?

While there are no characters in my nonfiction book, it does contain the voices of many real women speaking on the miraculous joys and the grueling lows of motherhood and home-running and what it actually means to be a woman (rather than what our very masculinist version of feminism tells us it means). These are women with rich, exhilarating lives outside the workplace who defy the feminist stereotype of woman as weak and in need of rescue. Women are not weak. They are extraordinarily strong.

7.      Do you try to be politically correct or stay away from politics/controversial current events as plots?

Because I stand up for women as dynamic, valiant beings in their own right, with or without an achievement-packed resume, I am one of the most politically incorrect writers around! To say that a woman is an autonomous, authoritative, intelligent person without a career is not just controversial today—it’s heresy.

8.      What makes a woman a success?

One thing only self-respect. A successful woman sees the world through a woman’s eyes, and respects herself for it. Never mind whether she has a job, or financial riches. A woman is not a “failure” who becomes a “success” through joining men at the office or amassing wealth or accomplishments. Women are so much more than their job, and no woman should need to have a job to be considered a “success.” A woman already works every day of her life. A woman is a resonant, in-command, active, capable person, a force for good in the world, a locus of love and intelligence, all on her own. If she works, it is because she loves working or needs the income. She has her own perceptions and priorities that are not always the same as men’s. She stands up for her right to do all the things men do, but she also stands up for her right to recognition and respect for all that she does as a woman. 

Natalie Ritchie is mom to two teenage boys, a former parenting magazine features editor, and author of Roar Like a Woman: How Feminists Think Women Suck and Men Rock. She lives in Sydney, Australia.

Link: Roar Like a Woman | Natalie Ritchie

Please support Natalie Ritchie by sharing this interview, following her online, and purchasing her book.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE FEAURED ON WEDNESDAY WITH WOMEN e-mail me at rizerfall@yahoo.com

Comments and questions welcomed

INTERVIEW: Hyapatia Lee, author

WELCOME to WEDNESDAY WITH WOMEN

In this interview you will be taken in-depth into the writing style of a seasoned writer and author. You will gain insight into Native American culture in practice and philosophy. I found her interview profound in the way the feminine and masculine of an individual is accepted and honored and how Hyapatia Lee incorporates this concept into her writing. 

        1.    What is the name of your book/genre?

I have written 6 books so far.  The titles Include Native Strength: The First Step on the Path to an Indomitable Life, Overcoming Bullies, The Circles of Life, Star People Skinwalkers and Raven Mockers, Stories Around the Wheel of Life, and The Secret Lives of Hyapatia Lee.  The latter is an autobiography that was written before I had a proper diagnosis and was being told my problem was psychiatric in nature.  Panhypopituitarism can result from traumatic brain injury and repeated concussions.  In the early stages, it presents with various behavioral symptoms, and this is often exhibited in NFL players who may later be given a proper diagnosis. As the condition advances it becomes life-threatening for many reasons as the pituitary gland dies from front to back.  

Four of my books focus on medicine stories, Hawaiian huna, and the traditional centuries-old Native American system of mindfulness and mental health care. I have one book on the legends of various tribes regarding mysterious phenomena. 

The genre is non-fiction with most of my books being about self-help mental health and the centuries-old system of original inhabitants of North and Central America including Hawaii. I am currently working on my seventh book.

2.    When did you start your writing career?

I began writing a monthly column for a magazine in the early 1980s when I was in my twenties.  I also wrote a weekly column for five years for High Times about relationships. My first book was published in 2000. I am working on my seventh book.  

3.    Did you have support from family/friends/community?

My support was very sparse in the early years.  In the last five years, I have found tremendous support from my family.  The online community is very helpful as well.

4.    What is most difficult about an author’s life?

Many say it is self-motivation.  I have never really found that to be a problem.  Personally, I am challenged with many rare and difficult health issues and that has been my largest stumbling block. Not being distracted by movies and TV has saved me a lot of time I have put to use in my writing career.

5.    As a woman do you feel an obligation to write on women’s issues (in some form)?

When it comes to mental illness, the sexes are different: Women are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety or depression, while men tend toward substance abuse or antisocial disorders, according to a new study published by the American Psychological Association. I try to address both these issues equally as they can affect anyone, regardless of sex. I have also experienced a need for mental health care personally as well as with my second son.

One of the reasons I have found so much wisdom and comfort in exploring my Native American roots is the acceptance of both men and women as equal and valuable. Furthermore, the Native Strength system based on tribal traditions and medicine stories honors two-spirited (LGBTQ) people. They are consulted on all important issues.  Clan mothers, medicine and holy men and women, tribal elders, and the two-spirited people are always present when deciding to break camp, go to war, or when other important issues are debated.  Medicine stories demonstrate the importance of recognizing both male and female sides of ourselves.  This is often done by speaking of the main character in the story as a man, and then switching to speaking of them as a woman and back and forth many times. This establishes the importance of honoring both parts of the persona as equal.

6.    Do you create stereotypical female characters i.e., weak, need to be saved?

As I don’t write fiction, this is not an issue.  I also have a TV program based on the information in my books that is seen in 47 different cities across the US, in which I live. As the editor, I am sure to choose clips that represent women of all races in strong roles, experiencing anger, power struggles, expectations, sadness, substance abuse, and depression, the full gamut of human experience, just as I do for men of all races.  If a particular dialogue would tend to illicit the feeling I am speaking of a woman’s issue, I make sure to show men in that scenario on camera, and vice-versa.

7.    Do you try to be politically correct or stay away from politics/controversial current event as plots?

There are times, such as in recent years, that I have found this to be unavoidable.  Certain unnamed politicians exhibit behaviors, for example, that demonstrate precisely a particular medicine wheel. Some medicine wheels show us behaviors to avoid.  Without naming them, I believe it will be apparent to anyone with an honest knowledge of current events.  I try to avoid using a particular likeness, but it is almost transparent when the behavior may describe a person in such a way it is obvious whom I am describing.

I don't choose to discuss teachings based on current events, but the similarities may be uncanny. 

8.    What makes a woman a success?

In my humble opinion, a woman, or man, is a success when they are self-reliant, for the most part, emotionally.  Of course, we all have times we need a friend.  Another ear to gain a different perspective is always positive. The goal is not TO be a “needy, wounded, child” on the circle of foxes.  We don't want to rely on the approval of others for our self-esteem. We have no need to be told we are doing a good job to know they have done our best and we can be proud of our work. They don’t run to others for approval.  If no one is looking, they can be trusted to do the right thing. They soothe others in crisis and help them find their own path.  They don’t judge or disparage others to build themselves up and prove to observers they are worthy of approval.  They practice maximum efficiency with minimal effort and adapt quickly to new situations. They are willing to learn from others with an open mind, without self-made rules, and armed with an understanding of logical consequences, as well as universal karma, they go through life as a warrior. This means they are more of a caretaker than a person always seeking help and advice. They realize anything worth keeping must be properly maintained on a regular basis, and this includes relationships. They have remembered the plan their soul made for this life and by walking this path, they are surrounded by the love and blessings of the Creator. 

Naturally, they still run into roadblocks now and then, little stones they may stumble across on their path. But quite often they are prepared as their focus has allowed them to foresee situations that may only occur on occasion. They proactively plan for these events. By paying close attention to the world in which they live, very little tends to take them by surprise.   

People can find out more about my books on Amazon.  https://www.amazon.com/Hyapatia-Lee/e/B004XE7SXG%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt

I have six courses available on Udemy https://www.udemy.com/user/hyapatia-lee-2/

My YouTube channel has several playlists, including the Native Strength full episodes, Native Strength shorts (featuring brief and easily digested explanations of key points), Medicine Stories (where one can hear the medicine stories and their explanations), and more.  https://youtube.com/c/HyapatiaLeeNativeAmerican

I have apparel in all sizes, as well as many other useful items available from my shop and I invite you to take a look.  nativestrength.threadless.com/

Thank you very much for this opportunity!  Your questions were a wonderful way to explain my work.

I live in Colorado, USA.

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Why The Modern-Day Woman Is Ill and/or Angry

I COME TO PROCLAIM THE GREATNESS AND BUEATY OF WOMEN AND WOMANHOOD

Are you a victim of Eve Syndrome? Never heard of this before huh? There is a reason why you haven't heard of it.

How many of you out there are suffering from what I have labeled as the Eve Syndrome? Many diseases and ailments are silent until they have caused much damage. 

Well, since it is a relatively newly discovered ailment (by me); I better define it so you can diagnose whether or not you may be suffering from it. Let's first look at what does the word "Syndrome" means:

syn•drome (sndrm)n.

1. A group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease, psychological disorder, or other abnormal condition.

2. a. A complex of symptoms indicating the existence of an undesirable condition or quality.

2. b. A distinctive or characteristic pattern of behavior: the syndrome of conspicuous consumption in wealthy suburbs.

The word syndrome is Greek = sundrom meaning concurrence of symptoms, from sundromos, running together: sun-, syn- + dromos, a running.

Many women, when going to the doctor for feeling something is not right with their body but that can't quite pinpoint what it is, will be diagnosed as depressed after routine x-rays and blood work comes back normal. But maybe deeper probing needs to be done.

As we are a triune being, mind, heart, and soul, the root cause of disease, may remain hidden and undiagnosed. With my educational background, I look at the soul/spirit and that is how I discovered Eve Syndrome which many Christian women suffer from unknowingly. 

EVE SYNDROME defined by: Dorothy Guyton (Not actually a true medical diagnosis, but my discovery)

1. Not being seen as anything other than alive to help support another’s life and well- being (husband, child, extended family) not knowing to support your own life as a high priority. Many people refer to the Bible verse in Genesis which says a woman is a helpmeet. The phrase "helpmeet" appears in Genesis 2:18 of the King James Version of the Bible, which says, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him". The word "meet" in this context means "suitable". The verse is saying that God created a "help" for Adam, and this helper was "meet" (suitable, fit, proper) for him. 

2. Putting yourself second to all others including strangers because you were created second assuming there was status associated with creation placement even though the one created first could not be happy on his own. Always playing the supporting role of fixer, therapist, supporter without reciprocation. 1 Timothy 2:13 Adam was created before Eve, and that Adam was not the one deceived, but the woman was. This verse is the basis of Paul's teaching about women in the church. 

3. You find it strange to be your own glory while a child, teen, young woman, before marrying and becoming your husband's glory. You must be in a relationship at all times to be happy or complete. You have been taught to be the glory of someone else, not self. 1 Corinthian 11:7-9 "For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man". 

4. Accepting that you are a deceiver and easily deceived; prone to fall and stumble over and over again without support. Let others define you and remain in drama friendships with gossip and backstabbing. In Genesis 2, the fall of man, the entrance of sin into the world was caused by Eve and extended to all women.

5. Believing you must be everything at all times. If you are not a superwoman everything will fail or crumble, not allowing yourself to be human and limited. The Proverbs 31 woman is virtuous, noble character, faithful, trustworthy, resourceful, hardworking, entrepreneur, charitable, prepared provider, presentable, wise, Impactful, and God fearing.

6. Trying to perform every remedy or act in order to find forgiveness and acceptance from people especially other women. You must have affirmations of beauty, popularity, and/or womanhood. 1 Timothy 2"15 states, "But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety".

7. Feeling the heat of shame when the word "Eve" is ever mentioned. Feeling shame in choosing a career instead of or alongside motherhood. Feeling shame for being a sexual being equal to a man in sexuality.  1 Peter 3:7 "In the same way, you husbands must live with your wives with the proper understanding that they are the weaker sex. Treat them with respect, because they also will receive, together with you, God's gift of life."

8. Continually proclaiming your weakness and susceptibility to the world. Downplaying your intelligence to fit in or get a man. Reluctant to marry a man who earns less than you because it will cause issues. Presenting a fake 'you' that is more favorable to others. 

ON A MEDICAL CHART YOUR SYMPTOMS WOULD READ AS FOLLOWS:

Anxiety, exhaustion, weakness, inability to walk on her own, host to several parasitic beings, anemia from the parasites, contagious, prone to hot flashes, and dual personality of saint and deceiver. 

I inserted a little humor with the symptoms a doctor would list, but Eve Syndrome is insidious because it can be copied or passed on to other women, even your daughters. A healthy example and definition of what a woman is and what womanhood CAN encompass, is important to every girl. 

With America declaring itself as a Christian nation and the Bible depicting women as a "sin," we as women must ensure to explain the beauty of God's creation - woman and not remain spiritually sick with Eve Syndrome. Our sons and men must also have a respectful understanding of what a woman is. The Bible should no longer be used as a weapon against women and wives. That is not the original intent of the Bible as I explain in my book.

Every woman should find health and healing within the Christian faith. Ask yourself "What does your internal self- image look like?" then read my book "When Will Eve Be Forgiven?" for more understanding. A book for every woman, religious or not.

God created you. He loves you and He forgave his wonderful fallen creation a long time ago. It is time to fall in love with you again, the prescription and treatment for EVE SYNDROME: reading my book and forgiveness by self.

******DON'T FORGET: purchase my book "When Will Eve Be Forgiven?" on amazon.com and

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