Tag: Bullying

LIVING MY DREAM

Published on by Aimee EddyLeave a comment

In high school I found out I had the talent to write. I daydreamed a lot in class as a way to escape the bullying I faced, and I started writing my daydreams in notebooks. The best part of writing was that I was in control of what happened to my characters and I could give them happy endings. It was in high school that I started dreaming of publishing my own book. I dreamed of doing book signings and giving speeches. I just never imagined that it would feel this good.

Since I started writing my book, I have been telling everyone about my memoir and my writing progress. Even my dentist. This past week my gums started hurting when I drank or ate cold beverages or food. I called my dentist’s office, and they had an appointment for me. I brought my book to show the dentist. She went around to the employees in the office and asked them if they would like a copy, and she was buying. Before I knew it, she wrote me a check and told me she needed seven books. On the way out the secretary told me she wanted a book too, but she was paying for her own. So, all together I sold eight books at the dentist’s office. Bad news: I have gum disease. Good news: I made money at my appointment.

I have learned to take a few books with me wherever I go. I sold a book to my doctor and several books at my breast cancer support group Christmas party. I never know who will want to buy a copy of my book. I keep a bag with four books in my SUV and when I go to parties, out with friends, or to appointments I bring a couple with me.

Saturday the fourteenth I did a book signing at a small bookstore called Werner Books. A reporter from a local news station came and interviewed me. The interview was aired Saturday at 6 P.M. and 11 P.M. I watched it at both times. I was so excited to be on TV. Then on Monday my customers told me the interview of me was aired again. Customers keep coming in my line, telling me they saw me on TV, congratulating me, and asking where they can buy my book. Some customers are waiting in my line to get their books signed. I feel like a celebrity. Thursday Werner books contacted me and said they sold out of my books, and they had a waiting list for more. I took ten books to them. click the link below to watch me on the news.

https://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/local-author-teaches-children-about-overcoming-bullying-with-new-book/

I can’t explain how wonderful I feel. I feel like I am floating on a cloud. My dream came true, and it feels better than I could have ever imagined. One customer insists I should be on Good Morning America. That is a long shot, but who knows. God has plans for me and my book. I just know his plans are big. He gave me the talent to write and the ability to share my story with the world. I’m letting him guide me in my path to stand up against bullying with my book and speaking.

Monday the sixteenth I spoke to Lawrence Park (the area where I live) Historical Society. I only sold one book, but I sold several, “Stop Bullying” leather bracelets I had woodburned. It was a small group of around ten, but I just spoke from the heart. Many who were there already had my book and just wanted to hear me speak. The Historical Society paid me to speak for them. It was my first paying speaking engagement.

I believe I survived bullying and the damage it caused so that I could write my memoir and talk about bullying to help others. I want to make as many people as possible aware of the affects bullying has on a person. I urge people who come to my talks to buy my bracelets and to wear them to show the world we are standing up against bullying.

My next speaking and book signing event is February 25 at McCord Library, NorthEast, PA at 10:00 A.M. I have a customer who works at a local school looking into having me speak at the school.

We don’t struggle through hard times for nothing. Our struggles and what we learned from them can help others. I’ll never be able to stop all bullying, but if I can help a few people and bring more awareness to it, I have accomplished a lot.

These wonderful experiences of selling my book and speaking to groups of people have me dancing with joy in the light.

Take the pledge today to stand up with me against bullying by buying one of my leather bracelets for $5.00 and wearing it with pride. Leave a comment if you would like a bracelet or email me at aimeeeddy3@gmail.com.

A DREAM BECOMES A REALITY

Published on by Aimee Eddy2 Comments

Dreams come true!! In high school when I discovered I had the ability to write, I dreamed of having a book published. I studied writing, I went to writing conferences, and I read books on writing. I studied writing like it was a requirement to graduate from school. I attempted to write a book, but it didn’t work out. I wrote short stories until about five years ago when I started writing my first book. I struggled with reliving bad memories, I struggled with my confidence in my ability to write a book, and I struggled with my learning disability to edit my own writing, but I wrote my book.

I learned a lot in my journey of writing my memoir, Escape to the Garage: Family Love Overcomes Bullying. I grew as an author and as a person. With each new chapter my writing improved and with each memory I relived a wound in my soul healed. This has been a long process, because to write about the bullying I had to relive it. While reliving it, I had to take breaks from my writing. The tears fell, the pain burned, and a piece of my heart ripped open. With each word I put on paper I learned how to fill the pages with not only emotions but with happiness.

In high school I daydreamed about having my first book published, giving speeches, and signing books. I dreamed of signing books for the teachers and classmates who bullied me. I imagined writing, “You said I couldn’t read yet I wrote a book. I forgive you.” Part of that dream is coming true.

My dream is becoming a reality. Escape to the Garage: Family Love Overcomes Bullying was published on Kindle on Saturday night and on Sunday the print version became available. You can get your Kindle version for $4.99 and print version for #15.99 at https:amzn.to/3vatPTU.

I’m flying high. It is so neat to see my very own book on Kindle. It’s a wonderful feeling to have all my hard work and my dream becoming a reality. The last few weeks I have been driving my friends and my husband nuts. I don’t do good with stress. A lot of problems delayed getting the formatted manuscript finished. I had planned for it to be done sooner. I tormented myself with obsessive worrying and anxiety. I even angered the person kind enough to format my manuscript and make my cover.

I thought I had a well-edited manuscript when I sent it for formatting. I had two editors and several beta readers. I edited it several times and I read over it multiple times and yet I missed things. Because of my learning disability I have a hard time editing and finding mistakes. The lady editing it, Susan, found some errors and said I should have it proofread. A proofreader had problems with her computer and couldn’t continue. Susan proofread from chapter 16 on. I had to find someone to proof chapter 1 to 15. I emailed all my writer friends until I found someone. This put a big delay in getting my book ready for publication. I became a wreck.

I learned some important things through this process: I learned not to plan a book launch party until I have the manuscript formatted. I learned to have extra beta readers and proofreaders read over my book before I send it for formatting. I learned to be patient with the people who are helping me out, and I learned that I need new coping techniques for dealing with stress.

Through the trials and errors and years of writing, growing, and learning, my dream has become a reality. Just seeing my book on Kindle made my heart flutter. Soon I will be signing books and maybe I’ll be signing books purchased by my former bullies. I’m so happy and excited that I feel like dancing and shouting in joy.

Making my dream come true has me dancing in the light of recovery.

My book is a memoir about how I was bullied at school and found the strength and acceptance I needed at the family garage.

Be sure to get your Kindle or print version now https:amzn.to/3vatPTU