This end of month is a little different as the author I am spotlighting is not a fiction writer. Mary Pearson is fascinating, intelligent and so humorous and she is also someone with a social conscience. On finding herself questioning certain things about herself and societal expectations she stopped to consider what action could make a difference. Thus inspired, she turned to writing as a means of making people rethink ideas too often impacting negatively on their lives. Impacting, both mentally and physically. Her book has led to others also questioning and wanting to share their story. Sharing experiences encourages understanding and understanding leads to answers or at least to the road that may take us there. And, let’s not forget – sharing is caring.
She says:
‘I never specialised in disordered eating throughout my work, and I never questioned my relationship with food or my body. In fact, I thought hating my body was normal and that always aspiring to lose weight was also normal.
Then, when I was twenty-six years old and working as a counsellor in a small town in North Queensland, the universe sent me a message and kept sending it until I got it. Meeting client after client who hated their body, who always put other people’s health and nutrition before their own, and who restricted their opportunities to enjoy life because they didn’t like the way they looked and, saddest of all, wouldn’t let themselves enjoy food gave me cause to consider so much more than I had. Consequently, I reached out to two friends of mine who I know have battled with disordered eating and they opened up to me and were very real and raw about their experiences and moreover how they still struggle with diet culture and body image pressures.
Luckily, the way they face their battles is a lot better these days. Quite inspiring really. That made me look at myself. I faced the hard truth that I too have fallen for the lies the media, the weight loss industry and the fitness industry sells us. I started writing and discovered how much I love writing. The two friends I mentioned joined me on this journey and we became co-authors.
Personally, I had already published one book – a children’s book called ‘Shoby Raptor and the Heavy Coat’. Although I didn’t enjoy the publishing process as my publisher was overseas, I am extremely proud of it. This time I wanted a better experience. Fortunately, I found a publisher who is also based in North Queensland, Crystal Leonardi with Bowerbird Publishing. She explained the process clearly and honestly and as many times as I needed her to. It was going to cost me, but it was worth it to work with someone I trusted and create a book that I felt could make a difference. It took two years of researching and writing, and several months of editing, but we finally we published it.
‘Weighed Down: unlearning the lies sold to us about our bodies’. It’s a little book with a big message. Not only is it an easy read, but the overwhelming feedback from people has also inspired and encouraged them to share their own stories. The purpose of the book grows as they grow. And now the universe is happy, and I am over the moon that I created something this powerful.
You can find the book at www.crystalleonardi.com/bookshop and Amazon
See you again,
Mary
Barb’s News
My own books and the world around me
The third novel is coming along but it is slow. Because I don’t know any better I am also working on the fourth in the series, also slow progress. Actually, it is more a case of causing complete chaos in my writing life so I have an excuse to do nothing.
However, on a more serious note, I needed to challenge myself and there is a method to my madness as the next story focuses on Fran who just happens to be a guest at the coming Unexpected Celebrations.
Meanwhile have a look at how pretty my masks and tulips are on Pinterest. I am thinking of starting one all about Unexpected Celebrations in the next few weeks. And, in case you are wondering why the masks and the tulips, the answers are pretty simple.
Masks?
We all have masks; some we wear physically as a bejewelled piece of art for one reason or another and some we wear by sheer mental control of our features. Frequently masks slip (both kinds), and the result are stories. I had someone’s mask slip just recently. It made me so sad but reality also sees a story to be told.
Tulips
Oh, and the tulips? Did you think I had forgotten? I love them for their simplicity, for the shape and colours that somehow don’t overwhelm and thus succeed in making a statement. Well, I think so but I also think the sunflower though not as pretty also has things to say. More on that another time.
Books I’ve read and Films/Television series I watched
Films
The first film this month Thelma, only recently released, was about a dear but feisty senior lady who on finding herself scammed decided she would become a vigilante and recover her funds when no one else could. She does but I won’t tell you the details.
See it if you can because it is a feel good if slightly unrealistic film. The good guys win because they are willing to fight despite the possibility of many broken bones. Don’t know about you, but me personally, I love the reminder that age is irrelevant to action even if the white steed is a motorised scooter and the breaks possibly permanent. By the way, the above photo is not from the film but one I chose because it looks hot.
Crossing Over (2009) is a film I watched recently while I was doing a crossword. The television was meant to keep me company but instead it distracted me and in places made me cry. Harrison Ford and Ray Liotta are equally as good in this dark film about migration and the cruelty of leaving one life for another supposedly better only to discover you can’t leave the past behind.
In parts brutal and in other parts heart-breaking, I ended up glued to the TV. Having grown up with a migrant background I know the confusion between tradition and modern thinking. I understand the battle to maintain tradition in a world that values different things. If only we could find a balance. This was a powerful film but as I said, dark.
Books
Summer Romance – Annabel Monaghan
Simple, emotional, and beautifully written rom com. I am adopting this author. The next few below are also in the rom coms vein and are ones I thoroughly enjoyed. The need to chill has been strong this month.
It Started with a Book – Camilla Isley
It’s Complicated – Camilla Isley
Don’t Blame Me – Melanie Scott
Love to Love You Baby – Kasey Michaels
The above four books all appealed for the same reason – the connection with the characters. I’m a sucker for connection, for that touch of real among the dreamscape of happy ever after, and for characters that could be your neighbours, and the person in your office or on that bus, sitting next to you. The list of real is lengthy and keeps us hopeful for that happy ever after.
Happy reading everything and see you next time or as the Italians say,
Alla prossima,
Barb
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I love tulips too. I love your Pinterest and the masks 🙂
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