Thanks to everyone who ordered a copy of Dream or Destiny during October or made relevant comments on posts in the domestic violence series between October 28 and October 31. With your help, I donated $250 to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I wish there were a lot more zeros … Read more
Today is National Family Literacy Day. I’ve written about literacy before, and I recognize that family involvement in developing children’s literacy is important. Here are some resources and family literacy activities and events: ReadWriteThink, a partnership between the International Reading Association (IRA) and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) National Center for Family Literacy … Read more
As Domestic Violence Awareness Month comes to an end, I hope you have learned more about this serious problem. But, as one reader asked in a comment on an earlier post in this series, the question is this: What can we do? Here are some suggestions on how you and I can help: Be aware: … Read more
As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts in this series, I will donate $5 to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) for every copy of Dream or Destiny sold during the month of October. However, not everyone who reads and comments here is interested in my book. I can’t imagine why—it’s the Great American Novel, and if … Read more
When Bluestocking interviewed me on her podcast during my blog book tour, she raised an interesting question. She asked how I would respond to someone who blames domestic violence on Christianity. She explained this issue came up in a law school class on domestic violence, and she had been surprised at how many people said … Read more
As part of my efforts through the Million Voices Campaign, I am sharing information and resources about domestic violence during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. You will find many startling statistics on the Web site of the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH), including the following: CDC Adverse Health Conditions and Health Risk Behaviors Associated with Intimate Partner … Read more
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had no idea when I started writing that domestic violence would play any part in Dream or Destiny. When David (the hero of the story) started telling me about the abuse he and his sister suffered, I pointed out the story wasn’t about domestic violence. (Yes, I argue with my … Read more
On my blog book tour for Dream or Destiny, The Bluestocking Guide interviewed me on a podcast. The interview is posted again on The Bluestocking Guide for Domestic Violence Month. Bluestocking was a domestic violence victims’ advocate, and we had a fascinating discussion about the subject. Bluestocking said that David’s psychological reactions in Dream or Destiny were very accurate … Read more
When I started writing Dream or Destiny, I didn’t plan on having domestic violence as an important part of the story. However, the characters took over. David let me know that he and Barbara had been abused as children and Barbara had also been abused by her husband. I’ve been asked if I have had … Read more
Today is World Alzheimer’s Day, and the Alzheimer’s Asociation is asking people to get involved to end this terrible disease. I know there are many horrific diseases that destroy the body, and watching someone deteriorate from cancer and other diseases is heart-rending. The tragedy of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, however, is that not only do they cause the body … Read more