FeedMargaret Norton, When Ties Break (Book Giveaway Contest)
July 7, 2010 in Book Club Possibility, Helping Girls and Women Around the World, Norton Margaret Tags: Helping Women and Girls around the world, Margaret Norton, Memoirs, When Ties Break
Today, I’m so excited to tell you about this book When Ties Break: A Memoir About How To Thrive After Loss by Margaret Norton. I’m so excited because this is a book that I helped Margaret edit from its first manuscript stages, and now it’s a reality. It’s official release date is August 3 from Tate Publishing, although you can already order it here from their website.
But there are even cooler things about this book besides the fact I saw it in its early stages! When I decided that not only would I talk about children’s and YA books and education issues on this blog, but also I wanted to share ways to help women and children around the world, I knew Margaret’s book would be a great addition to that goal. You can read Margaret’s book When Ties Break and really use it (the purpose of this blog, of course!). You can learn from her life story. You can see how someone actually took terrible situations and turned them into positives. You can see how someone made it through those tough life transitions, and you can do all this by reading her book! That is what is REALLY so cool about Margaret’s book.
*****What’s even better is that she has agreed to give away one PDF copy of her book to a lucky winner. To enter the contest, all you have to do is leave a comment or question for Margaret below. One person will be randomly chosen from these comments. Contest ends Friday, July 9 at noon CST.
So, what will you learn about in Margaret’s memoir? Well, here are just some of the issues that Margaret has faced and learned from in her life: sibling abuse, family estrangement, spousal abuse, abortion, divorce, death of loved ones, drug recovery, financial duress, illness, sexual exploration, and career change. If you are experiencing or struggling with any of these issues or know someone who is, Margaret’s memoir can serve as a guide through these difficult times. And she made it through with her faith. When Ties Break is a memoir that explores the universal themes of loss and recovery, and answers the question: “Why do bad things happen to good people?”
In the foreward, Janet Grace Riehl, author of The Sightlines collection, states: “Margaret turned the lessons gained during a tumultuous life into a source of wisdom for women struggling with past pain and future directions.” So, if you have a question for Margaret about any of the issues she faced, writing a memoir, or even about her life coaching business (Life Transitions), leave it in the comments, and you might just win a free copy of the book. We’ll also just take comments or even “PICK ME!”
(By the way, did you know you can read PDF copies on a Kindle? Just found that out–so maybe I’m behind the times!)
July 7th, 2010 at 7:15 am
Sounds like an interesting book. Amazing how many memoirs are being published.
However, what makes a memoir different from autobiography?
July 7th, 2010 at 7:20 am
Margo, Thanks so much for bringing this author and book to our attention. I just want to cheer for Margaret and celebrate her life, her strength and her willingness to share her personal holocaust.
July 7th, 2010 at 7:35 am
Hi Margaret,
How brave of you to write through your pain and bring into light the dark times in your life.
And Margo,
How kind and generous of you to share your talents with another writer so she can have her story told.
Donna
July 7th, 2010 at 9:44 am
Margaret, I’m thrilled that your book’s ready for us! And I’m so happy that we’ve become friends because of Margo’s class last year. Thanks for all the comments that you make on my Facebook Profile. I treasure what you say! Why don’t we set up a book signing in either Albuquerque or Santa Fe? You can stay with us!!
July 7th, 2010 at 9:53 am
I’m very interested in reading Margaret’s story. It sounds like something many can identify with and I commend her on sharing her story with so many readers!
July 7th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Hi Margo,
This is a great blog. I’ve been very anxious to read Margaret’s memoir. Even if I win the PDF I’ll still want to buy her book. Support the arts and the authors!
Good Luck on sales Margaret!
July 7th, 2010 at 11:02 am
Hi Margo,
This is a great blog. I am so looking forward to reading Margaret’s Memoir.
I’m just writing my own memoir. What a wonderful experience this is. Memoir’s are great.
Good luck with this book Margaret!
~ Irene
July 7th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
This sounds great- I love memoirs. Thank you for the chance to win. I wish you the best Margaret!
July 7th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Margaret, kudos to you for writing and publishing this book. Your book will be an inspiration and one that should be recommended to anyone searching for the answer “Why do bad things happen to good people?” . I’m eager to read her book so that I’ll be familiar with her discussed situations and can then recommend her book to those in need of her comfort.
I know an author that did not finish her memoir. I’m not sure why, but suspect she wasn’t ready to go through it all again on paper (although I sure she goes through it over and over in her head). She went on to write other wonderful stories until she recently stopped coming.
July 8th, 2010 at 6:00 am
Dear Margaret,
Congratulations on having your book published! I know first-hand how cathartic that is. My first book, Winter of the Soul, is a book of poems that chronicles the ups and downs of my life from poverty and abuse to wholeness and love.
I do have a few questions, writer to writer. What was the most difficult part of putting your book together? What was the most rewarding part of this process? How has it changed you?
Sending you blessings of quiet Peace and gentle Love!
Linda
July 8th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Hi all–
Thanks again,
Thanks so much for leaving comments on Margaret’s post! She will be logging on some time today to answer your questions. There are some great ones here. The winner of the PDF copy will be notified over the weekend.
Margo
July 8th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Shirley,
That’s what I hear – that memoirs are very popular. I think we all have a story and that we can all learn something from each other. Lou Stanek, in Writing Your Life defines memoir this way “If you were to write an autobiography, you would have to spend a lot of time at the courthouse, looking up the date your great-grandfather was born, what year your father bought the house on Elm Street. The research for a memoir can be done in an easy chair. Close your eyes and try to recapture the moment you bought your first car, learned you were pregnant, or wobbled down the street on a two-wheeler.” My story is totally true but she’s right, most of the research was searching my heart and soul for answers. For her to say you could do it in an easy chair might imply that it is easy but I don’t think that’s what she meant. It is very hard to write the story of your own life.
July 8th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Clara, Thank you so much for your kind words. We all have problems though I think some of us more than others. Maybe because of bad choices we make or whatever. Trials do build strength. Women in particular need to draw from the experiences of other women.
July 8th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Donna, I think I remember you from some of the Saturday Writers Meetings in St Peters??? Thanks for leaving a comment.
July 8th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Sandy, What a wonderful idea. I’ve shared with you how much I love that part of the country. So much of my healing took place in the desert. The next five months I’ll be in NC, except for Labor Day, in St Louis that weekend. But all next year I’m free. Maybe we can plan something the first of next year. I’ve been through a lot but I’ve never lost a child to death. That has to be the hardest trial there is. But we have both suffered deep pain. In that way we are bonded. I’m so glad we met too.
July 8th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Holly, I hope you’ll read my story. For a long time I struggled with writing about myself – feeling vain or too important – but my real reason was I hoped it would be an inspiration to others.
July 8th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Ann,
Thank you so much. Only another author would understand how difficult it is to sell your work, especially if you are an unknown. I’m definitely that. The book was the first thing I wrote…Ignorance is bliss. The pdf is convenient but I still love the feel of a book in my hand. I’m not sure you’ll get the full effect of my book from the pdf. Thank you so much for your support.
July 8th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Irene, You’re right. Writing is such a wonderful way to share yourself with others. I’ve had family and friends tell me that they learned things about me from the book. Have you heard of Story Circle Network? They are a group of women who support each other in writing their stories. Keep writing. One day I’ll get to read your book.
July 8th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Marci, Thanks for leaving a comment. I wish I could give everyone a “free” book. Can’t do that yet…Good luck in the drawing.
July 8th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Dennise, I’ve never seen Dennise spelled that way. Like it! It’s an interesting point you make. I think Sarah Palin wrote her book too soon after the election. She didn’t have enough time to reflect in my opinion and was maybe striking back at others in some parts of the book. I suspect many people put their stories on paper and never take it any further. Even if that’s all they ever do, that helps with the pain. I struggled with my major issue for 17 years but it took the death of my brother to give birth to my book. I relived much of the hurt as I wrote it but it was more of a release of pain. I finally made peace with my past. You can do that…
I hope you’ll read it like you said and recommend it to others. Women, especially my generation, tried to be super women. Sometimes life falls apart, over and over again, as with me. It was other women who helped me through my darkest moments. I hope that by sharing my story I can do the same for others who suffer loss.
July 8th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Linda,
Thanks for leaving a comment. I love poetry and have tremendous respect for those who write it. On page 228 of my book, I reproduce a poem by Terri St Cloud, an artist and poet, who puts her pain on paper so beautifully. Short poems are scattered throughout the book and it ends with four of my fathers favorites. The forward was written by Janet Riehl, another extremely gifted poet. I would have included more but my editor kept saying “this is not a poetry book.”
The most difficult part was the actual writing. The book was literally the first thing I ever wrote and I knew absolutely nothing about writing when I started. I joined writing groups – where I was fortunate to meet Margo – took classes, went to conventions and learned all I could as quickly as I could. Grammar and spelling are not necessarily one of my strengths. As I’m replying to comments tonight I’m thinking Margo and Sandy are sure to find some mistakes. But thats okay. You can pay other people to do what you can’t. As long as the price is affordable.
The most rewarding part was after it was finally published. Holding it in my hand. It’s like giving birth. I’ve never put that much time or energy into a project. When I started to learn how difficult it was and how high the rejection rate was all I could think was I’m so fortunate that my book was chosen.
I think my change began before I finished the book. Maybe I’m stubborn or a slow learner but eventually I realized I would never have all the answers I wanted or needed. I stopped looking back and asking why. I accepted what life had given me and it was then that my struggle stopped. Now that the book is released I feel that I’m on another journey. From writer to saleswoman???Who know where this journey will take me.
One of my favorite movies – I quote movies a lot in my book too – is Calendar Girls. I love the line spoken about his wife by the guy who died. Something to the effect that the last stage of her life would be the best stage. Some of my friends think I dream too much but I truly believe that the publication of my book is going to bring about wonderful, exciting changes in my life.
July 8th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Margo,
I tried to follow your instructions. If I clicked on the name it took me to their web sites. That was fun. If I clicked on the questions nothing happened. I tried numerous way – kept getting error messages. Spelling, grammar and the computer are things I struggle with. I wanted to get my responses up tonight so I just made a new comment in response to every post. Maybe not the best way to do this but since this is my first writers blog tour maybe you’ll cut me some slack. We’ll figure it out for the next one. The questions were great! I check in again tomorrow night.
July 8th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
I’m looking forward to reading “When ties break”. That is a great title and it caught my attention before I knew anything about Margaret or the book. I know the story will be worth reading just cause Margo says so. Thanks, Margo!
July 9th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Margo, thanks for doing this interview. Memoir helps us relate to one another. Sounds like a wonderful book, Margaret, I’m sure you ran the gamut of emotions writing it. Best wishes!
July 9th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Carolyn, I’m glad you like the title. It came to me one night in a dream. There are all kinds of ties that can break, unfortunately. But the good news is you can put your life back together. Thanks for the vote of confidence in Margo. I’ve known her for four years now. She’s the greatest – and I mean that.
July 9th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Karen, thank you for your well wished. I think there’s something is my book that almost everyone can relate too. Though it sounds serious and maybe even sad people reading it tell me that it’s very entertaining, even has some humor mixed in.
July 12th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Thanks for the compliments, everybody.
And thanks again for supporting Margaret. The winner was Sandy Young! 
Congrats, Sandy.