Working Hard

I haven't been blogging as much as I should because I have been quite busy with motherly duties, life and this book. This weekend, I found myself writing more then ever. Life can really be a burden at times and the malice of family members doesn't make things better. Instead of being upset, I WRITE. I'm now working on chapter 5 titles, A tainted Mothers' Love. Its based on the relationship my character had and currently has with her mom.

I'm super excited because I have a photo shoot set up for the cover of my book on Oct 31st. The photographer is Shara Carolyn London and her work is amazing. She can be checked out at stylesphotos.com

Last night I was on the phone with one of my really good guy friend's. We were having casual conversation when he proceeded to tell me about a man he knew of that lived in his neighborhood when he resided in Kentucky. He said that this guy was a hobo who sat around all day drinking beer but had a girlfriend that possessed such beauty of a top model. He said that all this man would do is take her hard earned money at the end of each week and beat her constantly. Neighbors would hear her screaming for dear life because of the constant abuse she was enduring. My question is why? Why would such a beautiful woman endure such pain from another human being? I know why I did but everyone isn't equally strong.

If you or someone you know is in a similar situation, PLEASE GET HELP!! THIS ISN'T NORMAL AND IT SURE ISN'T LOVE. Visit http://www.floridalegal.org/domestic.htm

Was it all my fault??

"I wonder if all of this was really my fault. I mean, I do have a foul mouth and can say things that feels like your bones are being cut with a chainsaw. Does that mean I deserved the physical abuse? I do know that a man's ego is suppose to be stroked in order for them to feel appreciated, respected and wanted but how was I suppose to know that at the age of 18 and coming from a background of violence. Either way, respect is given when respect is due. Since I didn't have that much respect men, does that mean I caused the abuse?" Thoughts of my character, Micheala Davis

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

The National Domestic Violence Hotline was established in 1996 as a component of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) passed by Congress. The Hotline is a nonprofit organization that provides crisis intervention, information and referral to victims of domestic violence, perpetrators, friends and families.The Hotline answers a variety of calls and is a resource for domestic violence advocates government officials, law enforcement agencies and the general public.

The Hotline serves as the only domestic violence hotline in the nation with access to more than 5,000 shelters and domestic violence programs across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Advocates receive approximately 21,000 calls each month. The Hotline is toll-free at 1−800−799−SAFE (7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224 and it's confidential and anonymous. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in more than 170 different languages through interpreter services, with a TTY line available for the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing. The staff at the Hotline and the Texas Council on Family Violence is also available to provide assistance and guidance in a variety of areas including media, public relations, fundraising, public policy, legal advocacy and public education and training.

Hotline Services Include:

• Crisis intervention, safety planning, information about domestic violence and referrals to local service providers
• Direct connection to domestic violence resources available in the caller’s area provided by a Hotline advocate
• Assistance in both English and Spanish with Hotline advocates having access to more than 170 different languages through interpreter services
• Assistance through e-mail on the contact page
• Informational materials on such topics as domestic violence, sexual assault, battering intervention and prevention programs, working through the criminal justice system and related issues

The Journey of D.I.V.A.

So its week 3 since I began writing D.I.V.A and I'm now on chapter 3. This chapter takes you back to my characters childhood and her sights of family violence. As I dig deep into her past, it brings up so many memories that I never knew lived within the depths of my memory bank. I see myself getting quite emotional as I think about the occurrences and how they have evidently affected her life. They say the past affects your future, well I can vouch for that.

The Domestic Violence Awareness Project...

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, October 2009

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Domestic violence touches the lives of Americans of all ages, leaving a devastating impact on women, men, and children of every background and circumstance. A family's home becomes a place of fear, hopelessness, and desperation when a woman is battered by her partner, a child witnesses the abuse of a loved one, or a senior is victimized by family members. Since the 1994 passage of the landmark Violence Against Women Act, championed by then Senator Joe Biden, our Nation has strengthened its response to this crime and increased services for victims. Still, far too many women and families in this country and around the world are affected by domestic violence. During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we recommit ourselves to ending violence within our homes, our communities, and our country.


Read the full proclamation by President Obama by accessing the link here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-National-Domestic-Violence-Awareness-Month/