Monday, August 13, 2012

Interview and Book Giveaway with Leslie Raddatz




Why did you choose to write Surviving the Flood?
Because my first session of (EMDR) Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing and Brain-spotting caused flooding - 32 years of repressed memories, emotions and body memories started to flow through my body too rapidly.  It only took a few days for my memories to start coming back but instead of them coming one by one they all came at once putting me in to crisis mode and I had to admit myself into the hospital because it was too overwhelming. 

This is very rare that this happens this way but my body just couldn’t repress it any longer.

As you wrote this book what did you learn that really touched your heart?
That my power woman is my three year old ego-state because she had a big heart and even though she was so severely abused and neglected all her life she never lost her identity and was able to forgive people.  She can still love people and as an adult I am still an outgoing happy person.

What are you writing now?
 I am writing a book that goes into how to stop repeating destructive patterns that all of us with abuse feel compelled to repeat even though we know it isn’t good for us.  For me it is drinking 6-10 sodas a day and overeating to stay safe in my mind.  If I am obese then no one will notice me or hurt me.

What do you hope that your readers will take away from your book?
It is okay to be on medication to help control their Mental illness and they are strong for getting help and reliving their traumas so healing can occur.

How does faith play into your writing?
The only way I could have survived my childhood, adolescent and adulthood was that God was watching over me.  In my adult years, I thought for a long time I was being punished by God for living my teenage life the way I did.  Now, I know it was so I can help others who are suffering like I was to lead them to their healing journey and to get them to reach out for help without fear of the unknown.

What is your favorite book and why?
The Courage to Heal A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis. Because it was the first book I read on my healing journey and it told me why certain things were happening to me.  I felt normal for once because I could identify with what they said about sexual trauma.

What are your hobbies other than writing?
I like to knit and cross stitch but haven’t done either one for a very long time.  My books are going to take up a lot of my time for years to come.

Why did you write your book?
I wrote the book because I felt after learning everything I have learned so far that if I had a book like mine to outline what my traumas were and then showed me the way  to heal I would have received help a lot sooner.

Also to find those who think they are alone and confirm that they are not alone.
More importantly find the ones who aren’t getting help because they think they are going crazy like I thought.  I want them to read my book and see themselves in me and then understand they are not crazy and hopefully they will reach out for help. 

Also for those who  have loved ones that want to understand their loved ones with mental illness such as PTSD, Conversion, or Somatization even others such as bi-polar, schizophrenia, etc.

I feel that veterans can learn from my book because my dad didn’t get help right away and this affected his parenting and was part of the neglect and discipline turned into abuse when his anger got out of control from his PTSD.

Do you have a blog or website?


12 comments:

  1. Great review.Thanks for sharing.Thanks Leslie for caring so much for people.I know this book will help a lot of people.

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  2. Oh my! This sounds like a heart-wrenching book. I would like to win ths book for I know someone I could share it with. Thanks mary for the interview. God bless you both.
    Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

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  3. Great interview Mary..looks like one Id love to win...

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  4. Wow, Mary, what an interview! May God bless Leslie as she continues to reach out to others who have suffered the ravages of abuse in their lives.

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    1. Nancee, you are the WINNER, e-mail me your mailing address. themaryreader@yahoo.com

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  5. Thanks for the interview. Sounds like a book that will help a lot of people. thanks for writing it.

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  6. Thank you for all of you that gave positive comments. I hope that each of you will consider buying my book and giving me a book review. It really helps market self-published books.

    Thanks for all your support. Leslie Raddatz

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  7. Nancee I sent you book to you and you should get it by Monday.

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  8. As for the rest of you if you are interested in purchasing my book you can get a copy on

    www.amazon.com or from me at www.silencednolonger.com in my estore.

    Thanks for your support.

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  9. FREE EBOOK of My Book One Day Only Monday, August 20th
    On Monday, August 20, 2012 you can get my e-book on kindle or your PC for FREE. If you like my book Flashbacks in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Surviving the Flood I would appreciate a book reivew on amazon when you are finished reading it.

    Go to Author page http://www.amazon.com/Leslie-M-Raddatz/e/B008MO3YX6/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

    Thank you so much for your support.

    Leslie Raddatz
    Author

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  10. Current Rankiing on Amazon Kindle Ebook!
    Thanks to all who are downloading my book FREE today. I have ranked so far


    #1 Best Seller Category Mental Health

    #1- Best Seller Category Mood Disorder

    #19 Best Seller Category Heallth, Mind, Body

    #22 Best Seller Category Advice and How To

    #78 Best Seller Category Non-Fiction books

    #409 Best seller for kindle books

    The ranking is out of over 1 million books that are sold on amazon so this is a big deal!!!!!!!!!!

    The night isn't over the more downloads the higher my ranking will go.

    This really means that alot of people are getting help and that excites me. It doesn't matter that I am not getting paid for these books. I am just so happy for all of you getting the help and inspiration you need.

    Please as a favor to me if you downloaded a free book please post a book review on http://www.amazon.com/Flashbacks-Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder-ebook/dp/B008O5LA3E/ref=la_B008MO3YX6_1_1_title_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1345500628&sr=1-1#

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  11. Hello, just testing to see if I have this figured out

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