Marianne Curtis, Journalist and Author RAE OF HOPE: STORIES FROM SURVIVORS |
Best selling author Marianne
Curtis has just released her newest book, RAE OF HOPE: STORIES FROM SURVIVORS –
real stories from victims of bullies. Curtis herself is a survivor of childhood
abuse, bullying, and sexual assault. In addition to writing books, she has been
a journalist for the past 20 years in Manitoba, Canada.
In the following post, we learn
how she is able to solicit information that is painful to her subjects and why
it’s so important to tell their stories.
Don't miss the giveaway opportunity following her post.
Marianne
Curtis: A Pro at Telling Other People’s Stories
Amazon bestselling author
Marianne Curtis is a pro at telling other people's stories. As a journalist
with seventeen years experience, she has perfected the art of getting people to
share their
deepest, darkest secrets. Why do people share with her? Because even though she
is a member of one of the most hated professions (media), she redeems herself
by being an empathetic and compassionate listener.
For those
who’ve been abused, talking about what happened even years after the abuse has
stopped can be as painful as the day it first occurred. Having someone to share
those stories with, without judgement and condemnation is key.
"In many cases,
all it takes is a genuine ‘I know what you are talking about’ that will give a
victim peace, and the courage to stand up to their abusers, or to take steps to
move forward towards real healing," stated Curtis.
So why is it so
important to share these stories?
It sounds so simple—telling your
story. But when it is a story of tragedy, or abuse it becomes more
difficult. It is also more important. It is the telling of one’s
story that eventually results in successful healing and finding peace.
Intellectually, one may be able to recite the details but it takes time and repetition to begin to own
them. As you retell your story, the numbness begins to lessen at about
the same pace as you become cognizant of the details.
"Until
I wrote my first book, Finding Gloria,
I did not realize how messed up things were," stated Curtis. "Then I
started looking at the big picture, began to recognize patterns, and
subsequently, I began looking for solutions to solve the problems that
originated by some of the things I was made to believe about myself, based on
my treatment while I was growing up."
Sharing your story through
writing can help victims because it can be difficult to find someone with whom
to share your story. Some people will listen once or maybe a few times
but then lose interest
or become frustrated, likely from their inability to know how to respond or
help. People often wear out their friends and family members. That “wearing
out” comes from their inability to “fix” the problem and the length of time it
takes to recover.
"I
learned so much about myself through this process, and it was so freeing,"
Curtis continued. "That is why I invited other people who had a story to
tell that they were unable to share it with others, to open up and send them to
me. By simply saying I was interested, I opened the door for others to share their
stories, and the submissions started coming."
Indeed,
one must tell their story over and over and over again. Often, people are
unable to comprehend the length of time it takes to heal. Those people we love
the most, have the greatest power to hurt us, usually without any realization.
"Like tears cleanse the
body, telling your story cleanses your soul," Curtis added. "It truly
helps to tell those awful details; once you’ve said them out loud to someone or
written them out, they aren’t quite so awful."
Curtis believes that telling the
details allows a victim to gently move toward acceptance and eventually toward
healing and peace.
"It is critical to find
someone – be it a friend, a family member, a clergy person, a therapist or a support group – where
you feel safe to tell your story," Curtis adds. "Everyone needs someone to witness his or
her pain.
When
stories aren’t told and shared with others, lives are lived under the shadow of
pain. Unresolved issues can manifest themselves through depression and
other illnesses. Victims often find true happiness and joy elusive.
It
is never too late to repair some of the damage by sitting down and discussing
what happened. As information is shared and questions are answered,
people begin to heal. Telling your story is an important part of the process.
About Marianne Curtis
Marianne
Curtis is a well respected newspaper journalist in Manitoba, Canada with nearly
twenty years of media, publishing and freelance writing experience. Her first
book, a personal memoir called Finding Gloria hit the best sellers list
on Amazon in Canada, United States and United Kingdom several times.
In 2013, she
received a YWCA Woman of Distinction nod for inspiring others by sharing her
story of struggle and survival after recovering from childhood abuse, bullying,
and sexual assault.
Curtis’s other published
titles include: Moondust and Madness: a collection of poetry, Behind
Whispering Pines, Brian’s Last Ride and A Discreet Betrayal. When
Ms. Curtis is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her children and
grandchildren; reading, gardening and spending time with friends.
Over the past
few years, bullying has become an epidemic with deadly consequences. Newspaper
headlines scream for justice as our youth fight for survival; a fight they
sometimes lose.
RAE OF HOPE: STORIES FROM SURVIVORS is a collection of real stories, written by real people who have
suffered at the hands of bullies. In each story, contributors dig deep into
their own painful memories to vulnerably expose their horrors with the hope
that their survival will inspire others to fight.
This
collection includes contributions from across Canada, the US and UK. Read
stories of bullying survivors, including submissions from Leah Parson’s, whose
daughter “Heather” was bullied to the point of suicide in 2013 in Nova Scotia;
Jenna Nickie, the “Warrior Mom” from Saskatchewan; Evan Wiens, who fought
successfully for a gay-straight alliance within a Christian-based school
district and Candace Maxymowich, a budding politician subjected to
international online bullying during a civic election campaign also contributed
to this project. Gina Dickason, founder of Families Impacted by Bullying shares
her daughter Jade’s story for the first time ever.
Along with
real Stories, RAE OF HOPE: STORIES FROM SURVIVORS includes vital information that could help you
identify and stop bullying in your home or community.
By sharing our stories, we take back our power
and are no longer victims.
Links
Purchase
Links
Barnes and Noble Paperback
Author Links
Twitter: writerchick68
Giveaway
First prize: Autographed copies of Rae of Hope and Finding Gloria by Marianne Curtis
Second prize: 1 of 4 autographed copies of Rae of Hope by Marianne Curtis
Click here to enter giveaway.
Hello Joyce,
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of Marianne Curtis and Book Marketing Services, I would like to thank you for hosting Joyce today on Strands Simply Tips. She is thrilled to be your guest. If anyone has any questions and/or comments they would like to share, please leave them in the comment box. Marianne will be by later in the day to respond.
Marianne is having a giveaway during her tour. 1st prize: autographed copies of “Rae of Hope” and “Finding Gloria” by Marianne Curtis and 2nd prize: 1 of 4 autographed copies of “Rae of Hope” by Marianne Curtis. Click here to enter: https://www.facebook.com/RaeofHopeStoriesFromSurvivors?sk=app_228910107186452
Please join Marianne tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10th for her live online interview with the Diva’s House Featuring *Literary Diva* http://www.blogtalkradio.com/diva29%E2%80%8E.
Hello Joyce, thank you for hosting me on this tour! I am so excited to be here, sharing with your readers!
ReplyDeleteI have a very special contest for your visitors.
Anyone who visits my author page, and likes/comments on the FLASH GIVEAWAY COMMENT at https://www.facebook.com/FindingGloria will have a chance to win an ebook copy of Rae of Hope. Winners will be announced tomorrow.
Thank you again,
Marianne