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Monday, March 19, 2012

A Testomonial of Insanity - The Journey Home
Welcome to my blog Ally.  Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions about your book, and the life journey of yourself and the young man.

 
"A Testimonial Of Insanity-The Journey  Home"
A True Story written by ;
Alice Nehme & Tilou
 
Welcome to my blog Ally.  Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions about your book, and the life journey of yourself and the young man.

Q. Tell us about your latest worktitle, genre, etc. and why you wrote it?
A.  My latest work is “A Testimonial of Insanity”, a true story of the life and battle of a severe 16-year drug addiction and a man’s journey to sobriety. I was inspired to write his story to a) Help my friend save the life of her only child after severe addiction, prostitution, etc….b) I recognized my capacity to get through to him (my way), c) To prove to him that there really are good people out there that will listen.
 
Q   What draws you to your genre(s)? Why is this type of story compelling to you?
A. I grew up in an environment where my mother was addicted to prescription medication, her attempts of suicide, and many years of family therapy to try and help her. I was then married at the age of 21 for 20 years, finding out after the fact that my husband was addicted to drugs. I have the tools it takes to make a difference and help create change.

Q.  What is your writing process like? Do you map the whole thing out or do you just let it unfold?
A.  I follow my instincts, my heart and listen very, very carefully to the signs around me. When one takes baby steps with the goal to slowly progress, the result will be much more evident and achieved so I guess I would say that, planting seeds and watering them slowly is my way of doing things. As things unfold, the road may sometimes change but I continue to plant seeds and watch things unfold and develop.

Q.   What kind of research was involved in writing your book?
A.   I am constantly researching and networking with anti drug organizations, attend regular meeting and follow developments in therapy.

Q.   How much of YOU makes it into your characters?
A.   My philosophy of life and support of others makes it into my characters.

Q.   How do you balance the need to have time to write with the needs of family, society, etc.?
A.  Balance is a very important state of being. Being a single mom, my children have also been exposed to the negativity of addiction from their father; therefore they were and still are my main priority. Now that they are 22 and 20 years of age, they support my projects and passions and include themselves in some of the process. I have always taught them the importance of our home but at the same time the importance of being a contribution in society. They too are very passionate about this message.

Q.   Have there been any authors in particular, that inspired your writing?
A.  Yes Eckhart Tolle, specifically his book “A New Earth”.

Q.   Is there a story you want to tell behind or about your work(s)?
A.  I am proud to say that this book has been successful in assisting families and addicts find solution. I have been blessed to receive testimonials, emails and phone calls from people just to say, “thank you” Your book saved me….or you saved my ……..This is my only goal. I want the message to be load and clear…There ARE answers….There ARE solutions.

Q.   What does a drug addict look for?
A:  An addict is looking for a safe and approachable influence that will listen to him/her and accept them for who they are.
     
Q. Why are the people around them all co-dependants?
 A:  The family and friends surrounding the addict become co-dependants because they are constantly living in pain and disappointment therefore they tend to facilitate the addict thinking this is helping them. They are afraid that the addict will become worse or will die so they live and behave in this fear.

Q. Why is this book different?
A: This book teaches you to see the addict from a new set of eyes/ to see him through love and not through the failure that society dictates. People look at addicts as “losers.”
They are not losers, they are human beings suffering therefore the drugs becomes their out.

Q. Where do we go for help?
A: Find someone you trust, someone who will listen unconditionally and “ASK” for help. The book will give you the inspiration to search beyond the fear; to not be afraid of what everyone thinks; to stop ignoring the fact that a problem exists and to be proud to be a part of evolution and solution. There is nothing more honorable that being in the mode of recovery.

Q. What helps a drug addict and the path to recovery?
A: The unconditional support from his family, friends, the professional resources in the community and the organizations that surround him with a community of people who will understand because they too have lived through it and made it.

Q. How do you see beyond the drugs to see the person for who they
truly are?
A: This indeed is the hard part. One must begin to truly believe that addiction is not a failure or a weakness but instead it is compared to as an illness. Like every illness there are doctors, nurses, family support and resources where everyone gets involved to help.

Q. Why is love the key to recovery?
A: All comfort and security begins and ends with love. You must feel love not just be told that your loved. Love is an action…Love is and must be a constant.
Addiction is a lifetime battle but love and support are a lifetime commitment.

Q.  What other projects are you currently working on or about to start?
A.    I am presently in the process of translating the book in French. Being a resident of Montreal and a strong advocate against addiction, the majority of rehab centers in the province of Quebec are French; therefore it is important to have this reading tool available in both English and French.

Q.  Could you share some of your marketing strategies?  Which ones are the most effective in your opinion?
A.  Networking is important and constant exposure through the web and through word of mouth and testimonials of success stories are very effective.

Q.  What would be the top five, (or 3 or 1 or however many) things you would tell aspiring authors?
A.  If you have a message that you truly believe in, don’t be afraid to speak the truth. There are no rules in writing other than to believe in your work, use the proper resources to communicate your message loud and clear. If what you are writing creates pleasure or the help to create change and success, our role as writers is to contribute through words. Remember that what is written lasts a lifetime.


Again, thanks Ally for taking the time to share your knowledge with us. We appreciate you and your work.

Good luck with your current and future publications.

For more information:  Alice Nehme (Ally)
          Email:                             Myvision@alicenehme.com                       
         Purchase:       www.AliceNehme.com www.amazon.ca www.barnesandnoble.com    

          Blog/Website:            www.alicenehme.com     
 Please go to the comments button below in white box to interact with our Author and other readers.

6 comments:

  1. Ally,
    If I have a friend I suspect is using drugs what should/could I do?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ginger,

    Ginger approach your friend delicately, but I recommend that you contact me through my website and have a look at the book which can be purchased on the site as well as Amazon and Barnes and Noble.I will be happy to guide you in the right direction.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you Ginger for commenting and Ally for your answer. For all those who are frustrated with the word type in when commenting, I hope it is now removed!
    Thanks for your participation. Dee

    ReplyDelete
  4. Alice, please could you give some indications of therapies that are most effective with drug problems?
    Thank you for your help and guidance.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Where are you located and are you looking for a private therapy for a female or male?

    ReplyDelete
  6. There are many but if you can give me an idea as to where you are looking then I can direct you more specifically....If you do not want to post any identity or personal info, please feel free to email me at myvision@alicenehme.com and we can discuss it further....All conversations remain strictly confidential.If you are uncomfortable please refer to one of my sources ,"Brenda Herzog" rehab placement specialist at 780-997-0450 or email her at bjherzog@shaw.ca

    ReplyDelete

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