Dark days and suffering

Recently a writer friend of mine experienced a tragedy in her family. Even though I've never met her, my heart breaks for her and her family in this time of need. I understand suffering. I've seen my share of sorrow and that's why I'm so burdened for the pain they're enduring.

At times this life can seem so difficult I've wondered if there would ever be blue skies again. I was so lost in the dark days that I couldn't see past it. Those are the times when I turned to the bible because I needed comfort that no person could give. God never promised an easy life--the bible is very clear about suffering. What he does promise is that if you are a believer, you will never suffer alone.

ISAIAH 41:10-"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you in my righteous right hand."

ROMANS 5:3- "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;"

And so I leave you all with a new song I've fallen in love with--one that is fitting for this situation. I ask you to keep my friend and her family in your prayers--God will know who and what you're praying about. <3 Thank you!

~Amber~

Late to the GUTGAA but I'm here

Okay, so I've been doing a million things this summer. Something had to give and blogging seemed to be the one to go. I'm slowly getting back into the swing of blogging, contest, and commenting. I realize I'm way late to the game, but below is my GUTGAA entry.

Keep in mind this is a MEMOIR so it's supposed to be in first person. Janet Reid wrote a blog post on why memoir queries are supposed to be in first person. I know fiction writers seem to struggle with this, I sure did. I'll be trying to get into the small press contests, but I haven't had much luck with contests lately... so we'll see. I'd love any comments/critiques. I'll do my best to hop around to others as well. Feel free to comment below that you have an entry you'd like me to critique :) Next Friday is the entry window for small press so maybe I can have this bad boy in shape by then :)

TITLE OF MANUSCRIPT: PERFECTLY BROKEN

GENRE: YA memoir

WORD COUNT: 66,000

 

QUERY

PERFECTLY BROKEN is my memoir, complete at 66,000 words. It is a cross bettween THE DEVIL IN PEW NUMBER SEVEN by Rebecca Nichols and RAPE GIRL by Alina Klein.

At fifteen-years-old I was a spitfire of a girl who was as quick to throw a punch as I was to steal a kiss. When I got kidnapped and raped, I put up one hell of a fight.

Set free, numb and in shock, I went straight to the police. Three days later the serial rapist was caught. Still, it wasn’t enough. Fear and rage were my closest companions and I teeter-tottered between the two. If that madman were ever set free, I’d have to kill him. I couldn’t live in a world where he roamed the streets abducting helpless girls—girls like me.

 

A youth pastor reached out to me and shook my 'Sunday only' Christian faith to its core. Desperate to be in control, but knowing this was more than I could handle, I handed this situation over to God. I found peace in the black, white, and read pages of the bible, but still struggled with human touch. The first boy who tried almost got a cheek full of knuckles.

 

With the court date months away, a chance to be something more than 'the raped girl' was an answered prayer. Falling in love and wanting to stay was not in my brochure though. My case was the only solid one the police had against that madman and if I didn't return and testify he could walk. But in Spain I felt alive, and the idea of leaving Pedro seemed more than I could bear. I was just starting to find my strength and happiness. I needed to decide what was more important—protecting my heart or protecting other women from a monster.

FIRST 150

I know at any moment he’ll kill me. His scorching breath is on my neck. His odor is embedded in my nose. It’s only been minutes since he crawled off me, but the rape keeps replaying in my mind, torturing me over and over again.

 

My head is twisted in an impossible headlock and my body is tangled across the front seat of his car. He pushes my face into his stomach and with each breath I inhale his shirt, slowly suffocating.

With just one hand on my head, he’s locked me in place using his other hand to drive, as if this is easy. There’s a professional way about his strength, like he’s done this before. Methodical, calculated, professional. Military crosses my mind.

He’s had me in his clutches for at least an hour. Or maybe it’s been ten minutes.

Time seems to stop right before you die.

 

That's it. So what do you think? Would you want to read more? Was there anything that confused you?

~Amber~

 

Come And Get It

I'm so excited to announce that I made it into the Come And Get It contest! (just by clicking a button in time--not by being selected) If anyone wanted to stop by and offer up a critique I'll gladly repay the favor. Just leave me a comment to say which entry is yours--if you're in :) If not, you should enter. There will be another window. You can find mine here--> entry number 1.




In other news, I've gotten 4 full requests over the past 6 or so weeks. Currently I'm averaging a 20% request rate :)  After a 0% request rate from my last ms, I'm a very happy camper. I'll keep everyone posted as I get responses. So enough about me... how is everything going with YOU? I've been so focused on this ms, querying, and contests that I have been MIA. What's been going on in the bloggin world.