To Write a Memoir

I've been strongly encouraged by numerous friends and family to write a memoir about Trinity, the youth ranch I was sent to when I was 14. It has been an emotional, grueling process, with many outbursts of fury and sadness as I relive the miseries of those 21 months while I write. I have paused to wonder what my motivation is for writing and hoping to publish a book about my experiences at Trinity. I have considered the broken hearts of the parents, especially my own, who sent their daughters to Trinity as a last resort, seeking help, and were given back an even more damaged daughter. Still, I felt compelled to write. It is an as-of-yet untold story of the millions of lives that have suffered, some irreparably, from the effects of psychological trauma. Not all of the girls who went to Trinity are of the same opinion as me regarding Trinity's inhumane treatment of its residents. I have been called dramatic and ungrateful by many. But I have talked with many more of the girls since leaving Trinity who struggled with similar situations as me after leaving Trinity, and I am writing for those girls, and the girls (and boys, too) who are enduring the same trauma even as I write. My pen moves more speedily when I think about it. They are my motivation. I hope and pray that many parents' eyes will read my words and reconsider sending their child to such institutions as Trinity. I also hope that those in places of authority who will be able to take action to stop the abuses will read the book. I am fighting the abuse in a way I know how: through my writing. I've always had lofty notions of changing the world one life at a time. Even if one child will suffer less because of my memoir, it will all be worth it, not only the writing but the experiences too. I firmly believe that we suffer things in life so that we will grow into strong people who can help others when they experiences similar struggles. Who knows, maybe I can save a life.

Please send good thoughts, prayers, and anything else my way that I reach my goal!