This book is a journey through my mind. Things I have dealt with under the surface and what I have shown to people around me while I dealt with torments that are difficult to describe. I found all of these personified beings and places as I started my own personal journey of self discovery, self acceptance, and teaching myself that it is ok to get help. Sharing my story was ride full of ups and downs, fear and excitement riddled through me as listened to a voice telling me to share and why I should. I am still working on bettering myself, but I found that I wanted others to know that starting this was going to be hard but doable. If you are feeling alone, and like no one understands, if you can't tell people what is going on behind closed doors, I hope this book finds you. I hope this book finds you when you need it most, when the dark thoughts become too much, and you feel that you can't go on. Gain the knowledge that you can find peace within yourself, that you are not alone, that we hear you, and you can ask for help.
About the Author
Shela Hutchinson
Hello! I am Shela Hutchinson and I am also known as Misfits and Lollipops on various forms of social media.I write about feelings I have, thoughts that come to me, and characters that introduce themselves politely or impolitely at times. I tend to find myself balanced between dark things and a beautiful rainbow of color. This book in particular, was different parts of my mind being found during the trials of self discovery that wanted their story to be known. If you'd like to know more about me, you can find me on Facebook, Tumbler, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube under Misfits and Lollipops, and on Snapchat at Misfitlollies.
Stacy Reppel
My name is Stacy Reppel. I am from the rural portion of Lumberton, Mississippi. I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in English at The University of Southern Mississippi. I was held back in first grade for reading too slowly, and it encouraged me to get a library card. I read every summer after that. My new found love for reading improved my pace and comprehension, ultimately improving my grades. I was a wallflower in high school, so a majority of the faculty overlooked me. Thank you to all of the English teachers and professors who helped me find my passion and to those who pushed me to do better.
I took on this project because I enjoy the world that Hutchinson's first story pulled me into. I relate to the depressed and anxious moments she expresses in her stories. It has been a great learning experience. My goal was to take a more relaxed editing approach to fit the writer's expectations. It would take a specific editing style to mesh well with Hutchinson's natural speech flow. Our greatest feat was working together while being over a thousand miles apart. I allowed things a college wouldn't, but this isn't a scholarly journal, is it? No. Prepare to be pulled from the world she creates to reality and back again. This is from the mind of a single mom with a plethora of twisted life stories to tell while trying to cope with depression, anxiety, and real life situations.
You can email me at: stacy.reppel711@gmail.com
Brenda Wirthman
I have been an artist for over 30 years, I took every art class offered at Copper Mountain College in Joshua Tree, California. The love of things that are quirky and has the potential to tell a story drives me creatively, and surrounding myself with unique helps to keep my creativity flowing through my hands to my brush. I decided to work on this project with the author because like with my art telling stories, I believe everyone should be able to tell their own stories. The pride I felt with my long time family friend telling her story that was hard to tell drew me in to work on this project with her. If you'd like to see more of my work please contact me at embracedartistry@gmail.com