What It Means to Come from a Dysfunctional Family

I thought for the first issue we could discuss what it means to come from a dysfunctional family. Obviously this is something Lexie can relate to as well as millions of us out in the real world; therefore, it seemed like a great place to start. Since this is the first of my "Issues Series" I feel it's necessary to explain a few things. I will break it up into The Facts, where I will discuss relevant articles or stories I have read on the topic and then I will provide My Thoughts. My thoughts are to be taken as just that. While I have a plethora of personal first-hand experience, I do not want my thoughts to be misconstrued. These are my own opinions based on what I have seen occur within myself, those close to me or others who I know have dealt with similar issues. 

The Facts:

I read two different articles, both of which brought up great points. In the first article, "The Eight Most Common Characteristics of a Dysfunctional Family" by Steven Moneyworth, he states that, our culture today looks very different than it did fifty years ago. What seemed idyllic and normal back then is no longer typical and what would have been classified as possibly dysfunctional then, would probably be more common today. What is more important than the ever changing roles of the nuclear family is what sets differing family dynamics  apart from those that are truly dysfunctional and the ways in which different children learn to cope. 

In the second article, "Understanding Dysfunctional Family Roles" by Ruthie Gold, She describes four specific roles that children fall into when living in families with severe dysfunction. Lets first look at the characteristics.    

The eight common characteristics of dysfunctional families, according to Moneyworth include:

1. Addiction

2. Control

3. Unpredictability & Fear

4. Conflict

5. Abuse

6. Perfectionism

7. Poor Communication

8. Lack of Diversity

When we relate this to Harvest moon, we can clearly see that Lexie's life fits the mold of dysfunction in 7 of the 8 characteristics (Which I have highlighted) and I know from personal experience this is not uncommon. I can say with total honesty that my own family fit into all 7 of those same areas as Lexie, which is probably what made writing from her perspective so easy for me. 

Now lets take a look at these 7 characteristics individually.    

Addiction is the most prominent cause of a dysfunctional family. Drugs and/or alcohol abuse cause communication issues within families, financial problems, and can also lead to conflict, abuse, poor communication and unpredictability and fear. 

Control is often seen "when one family member dominates his or her family and can be from spouse to spouse or from parent to child. Control typically results in emotional 'stunting' and may make people feel as if they are not entitled to an opinion or to a life of their own." One way that control can manifest is by causing family members to feel guilty for "wanting to step outside the box." (Moneyworth, 2009).

Unpredictability & Fear are two characteristics that go hand in hand and can be brought on by a single family member or multiple. Unpredictability can be the result of numerous factors, such as conflict, financial difficulties, emotional issues and so on. The dysfunction occurs when the family member elicits fear and unpredictability on other members of the family. When combined with substance abuse issues or severe conflict, abuse is often seen. 

Conflict within a dysfunctional family is one of the most obvious characteristics. Moneyworth (2009) explains that some degree of conflict within the family structure is normal and even expected. But when that conflict is continuous or heated this is where the line is crossed. "If a serious argument erupts over slight misunderstandings on a frequent and unyielding basis, there is a good chance that there is a certain level of dysfunction."

Abuse like control, can be spouse to spouse, parent to child, or even sibling to sibling and can manifest as either physical or emotional and is a major indicator of dysfunction. 

Poor Communication when "strained, ineffective, or nonexistent" is another important sign of dysfunction. This characteristic typically occurs throughout the family due to members not being able to properly voice their wants and needs. 

Lack of Diversity "refers primarily to differences in interests and beliefs between family members. A lack of diversity usually occurs in families where there are children, though some people may be emotionally quashed in romantic relationships to the point where they adopt all of the interests of their partner" (Moneyworth, 2009).

Furthermore, as a result of these characteristics, children take on specific roles to help them cope with the dysfunction within their home. These roles include:

1. The Hero: is the responsible child in the family unit who often times takes on more responsibility than one or both parents. They get good grades, are typically popular and they excel in whatever he or she takes on. "The parents use this child as proof that they are good parents. On the inside the hero is insecure, and requires a lot of positive attention to make up for their inner emotional deficit. They generally grow up to be successful adults, although they generally continue to feel inadequate" (Gold, 2009). 

2. The Scapegoat: is the child the family typically wants to hide. They are always acting out, getting into trouble or causing additional conflict. They figure even negative attention is better than no attention at all and use this tactic to their advantage. This child typically has problems in school and is the most emotional and sensitive. They take things personally and get their feelings easily hurt. In addition, the scapegoat is the most likely to have their own problems with substance abuse, have a teen pregnancy or troubles with the law. 

3. The Caretaker: is the child that acts as the families distraction. They allow the family something else to focus on besides their own dysfunction. Typically characterized as the class clown who gives both emotionally and physically. "They often try to 'save' other people, from themselves or from their bad situations. This is the child that is most likely to grow up to be co-dependent, continuing the cycle of dysfunction" (Gold, 2009). 

4. The Lost Child: is the child that escapes the dysfunction with "escapism". They put on a facade of not being emotional, they tend to zone out or daydream. They are often shy and/or anti-social. "This child is likely to become an artist, as dysfunction in real life is usually a great outlet for art" (Gold, 2009).

My Thoughts:

Let me first start by saying that Gold (2009) points out that children can change roles while living in a dysfunctional family and I could not agree more. I also would go a step further and say that depending on the level of dysfunction and/or the characteristics that are present within the family, children may take on traits of more than one role. I read a book years ago called "Perfect Daughters: Adult Daughters of Alcoholics" by Robert Ackerman and in his book he explained something very similar. He argued that children in these types of environments can take on numerous roles and often do so as a way of coping. When I first read some of the roles in Ackerman's book as well as in Gold's article I thought to myself that while I fit one more than the others, there were definite traits I saw in myself from several of the roles. 

Coming from a dysfunctional family I can say that these roles have severely shaped me as an adult. Some are not as obvious as others and some don't even appear to be negative characteristics or traits, but... I will touch on this more in a moment, let me first  share some of my thoughts on the characteristics and roles of dysfunction and how I feel they relate to Harvest moon. 

I think that it's often difficult for people outside the realm of a dysfunctional family to truly understand. One of my beta readers for Harvest moon came to me at some point and said, "I finally understand why I can't relate to Lexie. I never grew up in a family like that. My family was more like Caitlin's, so I was having a hard time relating or understanding her, but now I get it. I can understand her secrecy and her unwillingness to trust." Trust is a huge thing for children like Lexie. Even when you have a few very close friends who you know love you, you still can't bring yourself to rationalize telling them the truth. Fear, self-doubt, and insecurity that typically accompany trust issues always win. And even in circumstances where you do tell someone, there is often some apprehension from them. 

I experienced this all the time while I was growing up. My friends, who I willingly or unwillingly (they witnessed it accidentally) let into my circle of trust, would often have a difficult time understanding the realities of what my siblings and I had to face. Some even tried to downplay the situation, because on the surface my family was loving and kind. It's the stuff that happens behind closed doors that is often difficult to swallow. With that said, I believe that children learn to keep their secrets partially from fear of being judged, being bullied, or not being allowed to associate with certain people. 

Children and adults are undoubtedly cruel with issues they don't understand and dysfunction is no different. I had friends who couldn't handle the realities of my life, as well as parents of several friends or boyfriends who didn't know how to separate me from my family situation. This is torture for a child of any age. It creates low self-esteem, trust issues, relationship insecurities, and in some children it fuels the desire for perfectionism in ways that can be unhealthy, which brings me back to the point I started to make earlier. 

As I mentioned before, Lexie experienced 7 of the 8  characteristics within her own home, which resulted in the behaviors we saw in her particular character. These characteristics can and often do shape who these children will become as adults. Even the ones who essentially escape, who "step outside the box" or break the so called cycle of dysfunction, are not without their scars. They may be able to hide them well, but they are there, hidden beneath the surface or masked by some behavior that to others looks normal. What I mean by this is the tendency for some children of dysfunction to become over-achievers, perfectionists, or extremely frugal about finances. To an ordinary person, these qualities may even be envied, but the root of it is still tangled up in dysfunction. They were created as a coping mechanism to mask insecurities and doubts of self-worth that may exist. 

As for Lexie, her secretive behavior and her anti-social tendencies outside of her close circle of friends, shows us the realities of this. She was a straight A student who holds down a job, plays sports and thrives in her own social circle. She is the epitome of Golds description of the hero, yet the other dysfunctions that exist in her home create a blending of multiple roles that have shaped who she is as an adolescent. So while Lexie appears as the perfect daughter from a loving family that has simply experienced great loss, she has learned to hide her true self from the world, which is not completely uncommon. 

More often than not, conflict, abuse, fear and unpredictability go hand in hand with substance abuse. Any child who has grown up in a home with parents who abuse drugs or alcohol can probably attest to this and share some graphic and horrifying stories. It's how the secrets are kept. Shortly after releasing Harvest moon I had a reviewer state that the storyline was unbelievable because Lexie kept her abuse a secret for so long and that there was no way her friends didn't know. It is for this reason and so many others, that I decided to start writing issues posts. This is one of the myths/stereotypes I want to clarify because it is SO important. According to a study published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, "The number of victims of abuse who never reveal their secret or who wait many years to do so is very high." More importantly, they go on to argue that most victims of abuse wait five years or more before coming forward. 

The main reason for keeping this kind of secret you ask? 85% of female victims and 89% of male victims are abused by someone they know; therefore the consequences of coming forward carry more weight. In addition, the abuser typically uses control or fear to prevent the child from coming forward. 

Now I know that this doesn't answer all of the questions and veers slightly off topic in some regard, but I think that when we are talking about characteristics of dysfunctional families we have to explore some of the ways they effect those involved. Abuse is at the top of that list.  Another thing I wanted to point out, that relates directly to Lexie's character was from a study that stated, "keeping a major secret didn't necessarily cause psychological problems, but rather that the kind of person who is secretive might be more prone to these issues. Presumably coming from a family with poor communication might make a child more secretive, and it seems possible that the actual secret of abuse might be less damaging than the feeling that one has no one to talk to" (North, 2010). I honestly believe from my own experience that children who grown up in dysfunctional homes are more likely to be secretive and untrusting, even with those closest to them.

On a finally note, I must point out that while many friends and family members outside the home may be unaware of the dysfunction, perpetuating the secrets and lies that inevitably go round, children within the home are not. Parents who abuse drugs often disillusion themselves into believing that their children have no idea about their extra curricular activities. But the reality is, children typically know at an early age. Children are not oblivious to the warning signs of drug use; ie. being secretive, lying, holding up in some room of the house where the drug use typically occurs, poor financial conditions, or of course the obvious other dysfunctions that occur as a result. 

I can understand how someone who has never lived in a truly dysfunctional home environment might read a story like Lexie's and feel there is no way it could happen like that, but it can and more importantly, IT DOES!! 

Thank you for taking the time to read my first Issues Post. It is my intent to provide some clarity and understanding of social issues that affect not only the characters in my books, but everyday people like you and me and to give us a place where we can talk openly and honestly about them. 

Below are a few links to books or articles that I found helpful. Coming from a dysfunctional family myself, I can appreciate the need to understand, a desire to move forward, and finding the ability to break the cycle. 

Links:

Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families  

Why Dysfunctional Families Stay That Way

Perfect Daughters: Adult Daughters of Alcoholics

Please feel free to share your thoughts, comments or stories with me. This is a safe zone and no judgements or put-downs will be tolerated. 

Sources: 

Steven Moneyworth (2009, May 12). The Eight Most Common Characteristics of a Dysfunctional Family. Yahoo Voices, (http://voices.yahoo.com/the-eight-most-common-characteristics-dysfunctional-3288568.html?cat=25).

Ruthie Gold (2009, May 12). Understanding Dysfunctional Family Roles. Yahoo Voices, (http://voices.yahoo.com/understanding-dysfunctional-family-roles-3292396.html?cat=25)

Anna North (2010, January 22). "It's Time To Tell:" Many Keep Childhood Abuse A Secret Forever. Secrets & Lies, (http://jezebel.com/5454547/its-time-to-tell-many-keep-childhood-abuse-a-secret-forever)

The Harvest Series Has Merchandise!!

Come and get your Harvest Series & Harvest Moon merchandise at the Harvest Series Shop by Zazzle!! We have pins, keychains, necklaces, posters, phone covers, post cards, and even stamps. If there is something you would like (coffee mug, mouse pad, t-shirt etc) and you don't see it, please contact me and I will do my best to get it for you!


If you would like your item autographed, please contact me before you purchase it so that we can make arrangements. 

Coming Soon: Winter Solstice Merchandise!!




The Harvest Series Shop

Some Exciting Changes Are On The Way!!

Some exciting changes are about to happen to my author page. First, I will be merging www.turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com with this blog to make things more efficient for myself. Also, I figured this would be a better way to stay connected with all of you. One blog to keep up on everything. 

Second, in addition to merging the sites and continuing on with my Indie book reviews I will also be adding an area where I will discuss articles relating to some of the social issues dealt with in my books. I will pick a topic each week or month (I have yet to decide on the frequency as of now) and then I will share my thoughts on this topic and relate it not only to The Harvest Series, but also to young adults today, in the hopes that you will all share your thoughts and feelings... or anything you want really.

I truly believe this will be a great way to educate and discuss the realities of issues such as physical abuse and keeping secrets, dysfunctional families and how they affect teens in school, their personal/romantic lives, and their decision making.  I have had some feedback from readers asking about the truth behind my story and while some of it does comes from my own personal experience, it is fictional, but NOT unrealistic by any means. Children, the elderly, significant others... they all choose to keep the secret of being abused everyday, and the reasons behind their choice is often hard for some of us to swallow, yet it happens. 

WITH THAT SAID, my goal is to make people aware of the facts of these issues as well as breakdown any barriers, discuss and debunk the myths and stereotypes that exist in the hopes that we can help even one person who feels as scared and alone as Lexie did, feel more empowered and less alone. 

Third, WE HAVE A WEB DOMAIN!!!! www.meganmccooey.com is officially registered and under construction. For now it is forwarded to this page, so if you type in the web address above it will bring you right here.  This blog WILL NOT be taken down once the website is up, it will be linked and still very accessible. I have my wonderful and gracious cousin MIKE DUERDEN to thank for his generosity in offering to build my website for me!! YAY MIKE!  I am excited to get to work with Mike on setting up the site and sharing it with you all. If anyone has any suggestions, I am always ears wide open! 

And finally, I am in the process of setting up several book signing events, which I mentioned briefly in my last post. However, I wanted to share that my wonderful wonderful graphic designer Judy Davison has made me some incredible bookmarks and posters. I am so excited to share them with you really soon.  As for the signings, as soon as I have dates and times locked in I will be sure to post all of the details as well as ask for your help spreading the word!! 

I will keep this site up and running as I begin to shift and merge everything... so please be patient with me until everything is complete. 

Thanks for all the love and support!!

Megan

Harvest moon (2nd Ed) coming soon...

Harvest moon has a brand new look!!!

A 2nd edition of Harvest moon will be released soon and I cannot tell you how excited I am.  The new cover art and series logo, by Judy Davison, has me completely giddy!!  The addition of my  wonderful, incredible editor, Laura LaTulipe has made my love for Harvest moon grow more than I knew possible not only because of her ability to make me a better writer, but also because of her love for HM as well. I think she said it best when she said, when all the edits were done she was going to, and I quote "pimp the hell out of it!" LOL... This made my day, no, this made my week!  

Something to know about me, if you don't already, is that I am such an impatient person by nature and what I know now is that writing is something that requires more than just mere patience. The process of writing is simply the first and possibly the hardest part, but certainly only the beginning. I am learning that there is so much more that goes into the finished product that ends up in the hands of readers, just like me. I may learn patience in this life after all. 

With this said, I must say that I am thankful  to everyone who read HM and gave me your feedback. It's not easy reading your own work several dozen times and seeing mistakes - regardless of how big or small.  Also, to Judy Davison for listening to what I wanted and giving me so much more with the beautiful covers (oh yeah we have the cover for Winter Solstice that will be posted very shortly) as well as the fantastic logo! And Laura, well for everything I mentioned before... Thank you for all that you have already taught me, everything I am sure you will teach me and thank you for helping me make my first novel something to be truly proud of.  

I know I have said it before, but my love for writing started with my love for reading. That love will never fade and neither will my love for writing.  I love getting reviews, messages, and comments from all of you and hearing how much you loved Lexie, Caitlin, Maya and Ben. I am excited that so many of you are just as excited as I am about Winter Solstice and I assure you I have been working hard to finish it, because I cannot wait to get it into your hands. 

I hope you enjoy the new cover, The Harvest Series logo and all of the internal tweaks and additions. One of which is the link to our new Pinterest page. If you haven't checked it out yet, please do... just search for Megan McCooey. 

Also, I am hoping to do some book signings over the next year. I will be sure to post dates and cities as they are added. Let me know if you hear of an author event in your area and I will be sure to look into joining.  

Thanks again for reading HM!! 

Megan 

A Much Needed Hiatus....

Hello Everyone,

So I meant to actually post on here back in June that I was taking a much needed hiatus from blogging to work on some of my own writing, but with the end of one job, vacation, and the start of another job... well lets just say that never happened.  I have been getting a ton of review requests and I am going to start getting back into reviewing Indie Authors and getting some new stuff posted on here. I will do my best to get everyone who requested a review taken care of in the next month or so, but I am in the process of getting ready to release a second edition of my first book, Harvest Moon, as well as writing my second book, Winter Solstice. 

I am thankful to everyone who has reached out to Turn The Page and stayed loyal even while I was away. I take reviewing very seriously - I know from an authors perspective what it means to read someone's opinion, so believe me when I say I am back and ready to start fresh. My hiatus was a time for me to clear my head, think some things through (especially from a reviewers point of view), and get some of my own writing done. 

I will be putting my Manic Monday on hold until I get caught up with all of the backlogged reviews I have. Since my partner never ended up coming on board, due to her schedule, I have a LOT of work to do. So bare with me over the coming weeks and I promise to bring you some fantastic new books from up and coming new Indie Authors!!!  

Thanks, 

Megan 

DYING TO FORGET (BOOK # 1 OF THE STATION SERIES)!!

"...With trembling fingers, I reach up and touch the hard and chiseled contours of his chest while Ryan's large and strong hands roam over my entire body, feeling and squeezing everything. I've never been touched like this before and my insides are starting to freak out.

"I want you, Piper," he murmurs into my neck.

My mouth drops open in surprise and even though my brain seems to be telling me to jump and run out of the room, I’m unable to move, stuck firmly to the same place on the mattress. With my nerves on high alert, I glance at the door repeatedly, sure that someone will come bursting through it at any second but the steady thumping of the music downstairs reminds me that no one can hear what is happening in this room. No one cares that Ryan Burke took me, of all people, into a bedroom. That realization hits me suddenly. Oh. My. God. What am I doing here?"

Piper Willow dies the summer after her high school graduation but she doesn’t make it to Heaven or Hell…instead she finds herself in a spiritual terminal called the Station. She’s given only two choices: Return to Earth as the subconscious for a person in need of some outside assistance, or move on and spend an eternity lost in her own sorrow and pain. 

Does Piper have what it takes to save a life - to be the nagging voice inside someone else’s head - or will she fail and end up lost and tormented in limbo...forever?

Author: Trish Marie Dawson  

Title: Dying To Forget(Book #1 of The Station Series) 

Genre: Young Adult>Fantasy>Paranormal

Publication Date: August 2012

Links to Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Reviewer: Megan

My Review: 4 out of 5 stars

This will probably be my shortest review... not because I wasn't a fan of the book, but because it's a book that you can easily give spoilers away if you talk too much about it. So, here is what I can tell you - it was a fast, fun read. The concept was interesting and kept me intrigued enough to finish it in one sitting and even convinced me to buy the second book in this series within minutes of finishing.

 The circumstances around Piper's death, at first, was unsettling to me, but the author did a really good job of explaining the spiritual terminal called "The Station".  In fact, it was pretty creative. I liked the main character. I felt for her. The events or difficulties that led to her death were hard. Having personal experience with losing someone (a best friend), I can relate to Piper's devastation over her loss. And as a girl, I can relate to the other things she goes through. 

At one point, I did find myself thinking "this is way too easy... things are just falling into place for her too much." I continued to feel this way the more Piper interacted with others around her.... however, it is the way the first book ends and the second begins (there is a preview of the first chapter of the second book in book 1) that made me realize the story was just beginning for Piper. What might have appeared to be too easy for Piper, just might prove to be the opposite. I enjoyed the story and the authors take on a difficult topic and I am looking forward to reading the second and even the third book (set to be released in July 2013) in this series. 

** Ps. The author's end note also made an impact on me. Like I said, this was a difficult topic and I truly feel like she put an interesting, thought provoking, twist to it and in her message, she makes it clear what her intentions were or were not. 

Manic Monday #9

Manic Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Turn The Page where we get to decide who the 

next Indie/Self-Published author featured will be.

So before we get to this weeks Manic Monday Feature, I must tell you all that as of now (and not permanently) I am limiting my Manic Monday's to the first Monday of every month. At this point, with my really really hectic work schedule, my own writing, and all the books I am reviewing - the weekly Manic Monday is getting to be too much. I am just not finding the time to read each of the featured books in the week it wins and I want to be fair to those requesting my review.  Once my work schedule settles down a bit and I am closer to finishing Winter Solstice: Book #2 of The Harvest Series I will resume my weekly Manic Monday features.  I will still be reviewing Invisible and this weeks winner as well, before I switch to the monthly feature. Thanks for hanging in there and supporting TTP! 

The chosen Indie/Self-Published Author for

Manic Monday Week #9 is:

Glimpse - Stacey Wallace Benefiel

Congratulations Stacey!!

Review Coming Soon! 

Monday July 1, 2013 Manic Monday Picks

1. Eternal Eden (Book #1 Eden Trilogy)- Nicole Williams

2. Be Always On My Side - Nicola Starks

3. Me Again - Keith Cronin

The Winner will be announced on Monday July 1, 2013 and new Indie Authors will be selected for the August feature. 

* If you've read it, tell us what you thought and tell me which book should be chosen as our Manic Monday Indie/Self-Published Author Feature for Week #10

Also, Tell me if you've found outstanding Indie books (for FREE or PAID) that you think deserve a spotlight in our Manic Monday. 

INTERVIEW with Indie author KAREN AVIVI (SHREDDED)

Lets Meet Karen Avivi, Author of SHREDDED!

Karen Avivi spent her childhood in Concord, Massachusetts where she lived within walking distance of Thoreau’s hut, learned to swim in Walden Pond, and attended Alcott Elementary school. She spent her teen years in the Chicago suburbs where she wished her life were more like a John Hughes movie. 

Karen has tried surfing, skydiving, scuba diving, stunt classes, archery, winter camping, orienteering, mountaineering, mountain biking, and she even attempted a bike ramp once, but it didn’t end well. If she's not reading or writing, she’s usually planning a new adventure.

A Message from Megan: 

I had the distinct pleasure of working with Karen while reviewing Shredded, her high adrenaline contemporary YA novel about Josie, a fearless BMX rider/competitor. I had so much fun reading the book and writing the review that I just had to ask Karen to take time out of her busy life to chat with us. This story really struck a cord with me since I was not only a skateboarder, but also a freestyle rollerblader as well. I know first hand the implications for girls in these predominantly "boy" sports. The fearlessness that one has to posses is substantial and must be present in order to prevent injuries. I praise Karen on her diligent research, her willingness to "fall down" - literally, all with the hopes of bringing the most authentic characters to you in Shredded. From the very first page until the last line, Shredded will keep you entertained and wanting to know more about this high adrenaline - fringe sports world of girl BMX riders... and I assure you, you will not be disappointed!

I was fascinated and enthralled reading some of Karen's answers... I can honestly say that Karen is one Indie author I will be adding to me "favorites" list and I look forward to reading more of her upcoming high-adrenanline contemporary young adult novels! Without further ado, let me introduce you to Karen Avivi.  (See my full review of Shredded here)

Turn The Page's Cozy Chat with Karen Avivi, Indie Author of Shredded

1. What inspired you to start writing?

• I'm not one of those authors who always wanted to be a writer. I wanted to be a flight attendant. Travel, adventure, always on the go... it looked like the best job in the world. Fortunately for airline passengers, my dream of serving drinks and pushing carts at high altitudes was not to be. The eyesight requirements wouldn't even allow me to send in an application. A brief stint with waitressing a few years later showed that jobs involving serving the general public were not a good fit for me. 

• The first time I seriously thought about writing a novel was after reading One for the Money by Janet Evanvich. I was going through one of those "is this what I really want to be doing with my life?" phases, and that book was such a fun escape, I decided that writing novels was something I wanted to learn how to do. 

2. What inspired you to write Shredded?

• I had a seventeen-year-old female character in mine, and I wanted her to do an individual fringe sport-not a school team sport. A friend's daughter is into motocross and when I was looking at her sport I stumbled onto girl's BMX and kept clicking and clicking and thinking wow, I didn't know girls did this. Girl's BMX grabbed my interested and made it a lot of fun to research and write the book.

3. How did you come up with the title Shredded?

• I didn't come up with the title. Roxanne St. Claire did, and I am extremely grateful.

4. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

• The only thing I'd like to resonate with readers is that you are the only judge who matters. Not parents, friends or even judges. At the end of the day it's how you feel about yourself that's important. It sounds simple, but it's easy to forget, and most people I know struggle with other people's expectations well past their teen years.

5. Is the premise of the book (girl BMX riders) based on your own experience, someone you know or just a passion you had?

• I enjoy individual sports like scuba diving, cycling, and kayaking. I like to mix sports and travel, like going on a dive vacation or a multi-day cycling trip or kayak camping down a river. The fewer rules and more opportunities for adventure and fun, the better. For Shredded, I wanted a fringe sport with a no rules attitude that hadn't already been done several times in novels. When I found girls' BMX, I liked the way that girls from around the world are supporting each other since there are so few of them in the sport. 

6. Tell us a little about the cover.

• A friend of mine is an athlete and a professional graphic designer, so she was the perfect fit to do Shredded. I told her I didn't want a decapitated girl on the cover, and I didn't want it to look like a romance. I asked for a graphic treatment, and she gave me several fantastic concepts. I had a hard time choosing one. I love what she did on the back cover too. 

7. What were the biggest challenges for you when writing Shredded?

• Approaching teenage boys in the skate park was terrifying, but once they realized I wasn't going to complain about them making noise or being reckless, they were flattered that I was taking an interest in their sport. Making the time to write was really challenging. I couldn't cut sleep, workouts, or earning money so cleaning the house took the biggest hit. 

8. What did you learn from writing Shredded - both from a writing perspective as well as from the research you did on girl BMX riders?

• I had to face some serious self-inflicted stress issues. I became my own worst boss at times when I was trying to force myself to stick to an unrealistic writing schedule. While it's necessary to spend time at the keyboard, too much will lead to burnout and physical injuries. Writing a novel can't be rushed, and I can't be stressed when I sit down to write. The ideal "flow" state of creativity requires relaxation. That doesn't mean I can wait until I feel relaxed before I write, it means I have to figure out how to relax when I need to write. Not easy. The research I did on girl BMX riders gave me the inspiration and courage to go Indie. Girl riders don't get a lot of encouragement or support but they don't let that stop them or use it as an excuse not to try. I also learned first-hand what it feels like to lose control on a ramp, wipe out in front of a bunch of people, and have your bike land on you. 

9. Are there any new authors that have caught your interest?

• Thanks to Goodreads and book blogs that feature contemporary YA I'm discovering more and more authors who are new to me. I loved Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley, and Raw Blue by Kristy Eager. My "to read" pile is overflowing. I just added Merch Girl by Rebecca Lewis based on Megan's review. 

10. What books influenced your life the most?

• I was an avid Nancy Drew fan as a kid. I have a couple of the old 1930's editions with black and white illustrated frontispieces. After reading Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer I read a lot of Everest books and I think that put the idea of climbing in my head and inspired me to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. 

11. Can you share a little bit of what you're working on now, or any upcoming projects you might be working on?

• My current work-in-progress is about a teen who lies to her parents about going to college while she chases opportunities in the world of high-risk adventure sports instead. The research has been a fun look at how much some things have changed. One weekend in '99 I was a reported on the web team covering an adventure race-we posted content using old dial-up modem (this was back in the days of limited cell phones and no Facebook). The competition was fun to follow, but the behind-the-scenes stories fascinated me. Ideas and what-if's from that experience have been running through my head ever since and they fit well into my girl in a fringe sport niche. 

12. Do any have any advice for other writers?

• Be brutally honest with yourself about your strengths and weakness in your craft and process. Take classes and listen to critiques to improve your craft. Dig down to the root cause of your process problems-why aren't you getting enough writing done? The answer usually involves some kind of fear, but you have to face it to move forward.

13. Is there anything specific that you would like to say to your readers?

• Thank you! I appreciate everyone who chooses Shredded from their "to read" pile. Your comments, reviews, and emails mean a lot to me. Whenever someone writes something in a review that tells me they really *got* Josie, I know that writing is what I really want to be doing with my life. 

Be sure to get your copy of Shredded today at Barnes & Noble or Amazon

Where you can connect with Karen: 

Goodreads

http://www.karenavivi.com/

** Indie authors rely on readers and fans like you and I to help them spread the word about their work. If you enjoyed Shredded, please feel free to share your comments with us here,  as well as write a review on BN.com and Amazon. **

TTP Is Nominated for The Leibster Award!!!

Thank you Mindy Larson for nominating me for the Liebster Award, which I graciously accept! 

The Leibster Award  is an award for upcoming bloggers with less than 200 followers and for who someone believes deserve some recognition for their blogging. How wonderful a concept this is... This is especially wonderful since as fellow bloggers we know and can appreciate the time and thought that goes into giving our readers something spectacular! 

Here are the Rules for being nominated AND receiving this award:

Step 1- 11 Random Things About Me!

1. I love reading and I get totally lost it in. I lose days sometimes... this love of reading led to my first published novel, which led to my book blog.

2. I love dogs and if I could, I would have a dog shelter/boarding/doggie park of my own just so I could continue to add to my family of furry babies (I currently have 3)

3. I am crazy obsessed with my fur babies: 

• Bailey - our 4 yr old rat terrier/border collie mix who was a sacred rescue and our gift from God. 
• Madison- our 3 year old dwarft black lab mix who was also a rescue.
• Emma - our 4.5 month old papilion... our first non-rescue, but they all need love regardless of their origins!
• Cassi- our 5 year old tortoise shell and calico cat who has traveled more of the country than most people have.

4. Bailey is the inspiration for one of my upcoming short stories "Who Rescued Who?" You can read details on www.theharvestseries.blogspot.com

5. I hate shopping, unless I know exactly what I want. 

6. I have lived all over... here is my interesting route: 

• Dover, Nh. -->
• Boston, Ma. --->
• Phoenix, Az. -->
• Boston, Ma. --> (A short short 1 month stay in Phoenix)
• St. Louis, Mo.  -->
• Tampa, Fl. -->
• St. Louis, Mo. -->
• Tampa, Fl. -->
• Bowling Green, Oh. -->
• Eagle Pass, Tx. -->
• Columbiana, Oh. -->
• Boardman, Oh. 

** with lots of states visited along the way....

7. My husband is almost 7 years younger than I am. :) 

8. I have a major addiction to seafood!

9. I hate fighting with anyone... I am a complete pacifist and usually avoid conflict at all costs.

10. My book Harvest Moon was brought to light after a failed attempt to write a non-fiction version based on events in my own life.

11. My husband and I have more framed photos of our fur babies hanging throughout our home than we do of people or anything else! 


Step 2- My Answers To Mindy's Questions.

1.   If you could pick one album to listen to every day for the rest of your life what would it be and why?  

• hmmm.. this is interesting. I guess I would say Daughtry, Leave This Town because just about every song on this album I can relate to my own life at one time or another, but also because this album gave me a lot of inspiration while writing Harvest Moon. A lot of the songs are on the Harvest Moon soundtrack list. Music should always provide us with an emotional connection... and this album does that perfectly!

2.    If you were stranded on a desert island what one thing would you bring and why?

• My favorite book. The reader in me would never survive if I couldn't read words on a page ever again... just the thought of it makes me teary. 

3.    If you could live inside of a book which one would you choose and why?

• Well... the only series of books I have ever read more than once were Judy Blume's books, since then there has only been one other.... The Twilight Saga. I know, I know - people either love or hate this series, but I literally read the whole series 4 times in a ROW! So, I think it's only fair to say I would live here. There are plenty of others and it kills me not to share them, but I will follow the rules. 

4.    What three foods could you not live without out?

1. SEAFOOD!!!
2. Cereal
3. Chocolate 

5.    Are you a morning person or night owl?

• A little bit of both. I love waking up early, because I feel like I get so much accomplished and then have all day still, but I am typically more creative late at night, when it is quiet... I can really go either way, but If I had to choose I would want to be a morning person!

6.    What animal would you be and why?

• Um, a furry puppy - one that is loved and lives in the lap of luxury like mine of course. I choose a dog, because they are smart, loyal, loving, and trustworthy. Plus they get to sleep all day and play with fun toys, they still get the "good food" (well at least mine do), and they are usually loved unconditionally. 

7.    What is your all time favorite drink?

• Normally I would say milk, but recently I tried this adult beverage called the Banana Monkey and it was FABULOUS! Oh, and I loooove me a Starbucks mocha frappuccino too!

8.    Knowing what you know now, and you could somehow go back in time and change one thing about your past, what would it be and why?

• I would listen to my gut, put aside everything that seemed important at the time, and call my best friend to apologize for our fight... because although my instinct told me to call I allowed myself to believe I had plenty of time, so I finished packing and doing what I needed to do. It wasn't until the next morning that I realized my gut was telling me to pick up the phone for a reason... and now it was too late, she was dead. There is nothing worse than living with the regret of what you didn't do or say to someone while they were alive. Life is much to short. 

9.    If you could be anyone in the world, who would you be, and why?

•  I would be myself... mostly because the grass only seems greener on the other side. I know that I made all of the choices I made in my life that led me here, to the person I am.  However, I wouldn't mind adding maybe a little more money to my bank account and a book deal or two!! ;) 

10.  What makes you the happiest?

• Spending time with my husband and our fur babies. We live our lives around them... take them everywhere, plan our days off according to what we can do and where we can go with them... these are the moments I cherish- they are my family!

11.  If you had a dinner party and able to invite ANY three people, alive or deceased, who would you choose and why?

• My best friend Melissa, just so I could see her one more time... to let her know how much I love her.
• My little sister Mari, because I don't see her nearly as often as I would like.
• My husband, because life is just sweeter when he is in it. 
• 
  

Step 3 - My 11 Questions To You!

1. What one person inspires you the most?
2. What is your favorite  book and why?
3. If you could be any character from a book you've read, who would it be and why?
4. What is your biggest pet peeve? 
5. When you picture the perfect Saturday afternoon, what are you doing that makes it perfect?
6. What is one thing you can't leave the house without?
7. What is your worst vice?
8. How did you get into blogging?
9. What is one random thing most people don't know about you?
10. What's your favorite book genre and why?
11. Which Dystopian society would you rather live in: Divergent, Hunger Games or 1984 and why. (if you haven't read any of these, tell me from what you have read, which society you'd choose? 

Step 4-  Blogs I Nominate. 

1. Between The Lines - A truly fun book review blog that I come back to time and time again. From her witty sarcasm to her Top Ten Tuesday lists, BTL is one blog I couldn't live without.
2. Amy Book Worm- I was drawn to this blog because of her meme: book blogger confessions. Love these dirty little confession moments!
3. Dawn Husted - Author of Silently Screaming ( A book I reviewed and really liked) and  the upcoming dystopian novel Safe. Oh, and she designs book covers... A jack of all trades! 
4. Paper Fantasies- I have been addicted to this blog for a while and anyone who reads my Books, Blogs & Page Turners Meme knows why. From her YA epidemics, Indie spotlight (My novel, Harvest Moon, is the feature this month), to her fabulous reviews. And lets not forget her beautiful blog page! 
5. Books and Reviews - I found this site while I was looking for book reviews for Harvest Moon and found it warm and comfortable... so I settled right in and never left. I love how she puts photos with her reviews to depict the characters... it's such a nice touch. 
6. Up All Night Reviews- These gals actually found me through Goodreads and asked to do a feature spot of Harvest Moon (in July). However, since then I have visited almost weekly, just to check out their reviews, promos, and giveaways. Between the two of them, these two girls read a lot of books!
7. Tangled Up In Books (formerly Perks of being a book worm)- I can never stop admiring the cuteness of this blog... I am infatuated with it. Her reviews are always honest, I love her author interviews.... and of her course of princess phase! 
8. SensitiVitality - Author of the Emi Lost & Found Series and Choisie Series... what more can I say besides I love this Indie Author and I love all the fun stuff on her blog, about her series! 

** These were the only blogs I could nominate. I did not want to randomly nominate blogs just to reach 11, because then, what's the point? These are the blogs I believe to be exceptional and worthy of recognition!