Comments on Words to Go: Observer Readers--Stranger Than Fiction

Patty, I was so touched by your story in the Obser...

2009-04-24T10:30:00.000-04:00

Patty,
I was so touched by your story in the Observer this past week! I want and need for my 26-year old daughter to read your story! She was molested by her step-father, my ex-husband, when she was 11 years old. She is just now starting to feel the need to deal with the many emotional scars that it has left her with! I've been searching for ways to help her and I know your book will be

To Managing Please don't be embarrassed. It's NEVE...

2009-04-20T09:53:00.000-04:00

To Managing
Please don't be embarrassed. It's NEVER a child's fault. Find a good counselor. Then start sharing, especially with your husband and daughter. It's amazing how children understand and can help us heal.

I want to commend you for the courage it takes to ...

2009-04-19T22:17:00.000-04:00

I want to commend you for the courage it takes to share your story, and by all means, you may chat at this forum and comment upon each other's stories. Words to Go was created so that readers could connect with the stories of other authors. But we are each a slate with a unique story written upon us;but look at how our commonality makes us stronger, wiser, and more courageous to offer

I was very moved by your article. It was very ins...

2009-04-19T21:23:00.000-04:00

I was very moved by your article. It was very inspiring.

Stephanie West

Patty: I'm so glad your story was in today's Obse...

2009-04-19T20:16:00.000-04:00

Patty: I'm so glad your story was in today's Observer. I often feel so isolated as if noone else could possible have been abused in the past as I have. I have been very blessed and there is no doubt that God has been with me every step of the way. Reading the comments from others really made me wish there was some sort of forum where we could all talk with one another. Several years ago, I

Mrs. Kelly: I believe that you would really enjoy...

2009-04-19T19:01:00.000-04:00

Mrs. Kelly:

I believe that you would really enjoy reading this book for its take on writing, dreams, autoethnography, etc. It is a quick read and very inspiring. It was written by an UNCG professor in the Department of Communication.

Christopher Pouolos. (2009) Accidental Ethnography: An Enquiry into family secrecy. Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press.

Jonathan Ray

Thank you for sharing your heart. I know it was ha...

2009-04-19T16:43:00.000-04:00

Thank you for sharing your heart. I know it was hard, but also know Christ will use your story to help others!

Patty, I applaud your courage to go through with d...

2009-04-19T16:06:00.000-04:00

Patty, I applaud your courage to go through with discovering your painful past. It is was great to hear your night terrors are over. I would love to hear you speak in the Charlotte area sometime. How does one find out when and where those events are held?
I am also taken by the photo of you as a child. It looks very much like my youngest son before we adopted him from Russia. Same hair and

I just read your article. In the recent news of t...

2009-04-19T16:03:00.000-04:00

I just read your article. In the recent news of the 7 or 8 year old sexually assaulted and killed, just brings anger to me. I agree that most child sexual abuse is being done by those who were abused them selves. Call me harsh I want these offenders to have the death penality. I was sexually abused as a child and my innocent bnature was taken to early and continues to affect me in every area

Dear Ms. Hickman ~ Having just read the interview/...

2009-04-19T15:54:00.000-04:00

Dear Ms. Hickman ~
Having just read the interview/article in today's "Charlotte Observer" I feel compelled to write you.
1. I am proud of your courage [well, God's courage in you] to use your newly-discovered past in such a public way to help with your healing and to help others.
2. Our histories are very similar with different endings. Yours is beautiful, simply beautiful.

I just finished reading your story in the paper. I...

2009-04-19T15:00:00.000-04:00

I just finished reading your story in the paper. It is an incredible reminder of the ways that God works to heal His children, even when we are not completely aware of the source of the pain. I look forward to reading your book.

Would love to read your book. I'm now inspired to...

2009-04-19T14:47:00.000-04:00

Would love to read your book. I'm now inspired to write my story of my own great-grandfather who was a very interesting character who lost a leg while fighting in the Civil War as a Union soldier, from Kentucky.

Becky Cauble

Patty, Thank you for sharing your story. I sent up...

2009-04-19T14:45:00.000-04:00

Patty,
Thank you for sharing your story. I sent up prayers asking God to heal others through your book. I am thankful to God for providing you with His peace with your past.

My deep and burning desire is to write to help others in any way that God desires. I am in the process of working on a project and would appreciate any feedback. I would love to receive a copy of your book.<

I was reading the Charlotte Observer and came acro...

2009-04-19T13:23:00.000-04:00

I was reading the Charlotte Observer and came across the article. I hope writing this book will help you have peace. Looking forward to reading the book.

Hi! I'm in Fort Mill, SC and just finished your a...

2009-04-19T13:05:00.000-04:00

Hi! I'm in Fort Mill, SC and just finished your article. I'm actually in the midst of writing my first novel and was drawn to the article. I found it fascinating that writing could bring out your past like that. Bless you for having the courage to share your story.
I would love to have a copy of your book Painted Dresses. Thank you!

Amy Bennett
amyjbennett@gmail.com

Patricia, This was a very interesting article. I w...

2009-04-19T12:48:00.000-04:00

Patricia,
This was a very interesting article. I work with clients in counseling and find that I can provide help by going back in their childhood memories.I would love to read your book. Do you offer classes on writing locally?

The story about you in the Observer was just amazi...

2009-04-19T11:54:00.000-04:00

The story about you in the Observer was just amazing. I cannot wait to read your book.
Brenda

Patty, I was deeply moved by your personal story....

2009-04-19T11:37:00.000-04:00

Patty,

I was deeply moved by your personal story. The only way you had to face your demons was to write about in. Your are such an inspiration! May your faith gives you strenght and hope.

Patty - Beautiful display of bravery in the Observ...

2009-04-19T11:17:00.000-04:00

Patty - Beautiful display of bravery in the Observer article and Painted Dresses. I look forward to reading your novel. nhbwriter@bellsouth.net

After reading the article this a.m. it made me rea...

2009-04-19T11:00:00.000-04:00

After reading the article this a.m. it made me realize how close I came to being molested as a child. Haven't thought about it in a while.

When I read the lead on about the article on the f...

2009-04-19T10:44:00.000-04:00

When I read the lead on about the article on the front page, I instinctively knew what the story would be about. As I finished the article, I knew I had to comment because this is more than a story about a woman who writes story and is redefined in the process; this is the story of so many people who have no voice. As a woman who has faced down molestations and rape; I know what it means to share

Hello Patty, I was moved this morning by the artic...

2009-04-19T10:23:00.000-04:00

Hello Patty, I was moved this morning by the article in The Observer about Painted Dresses. The transparency of your story is amazing. I'm sure many women, and even men, will be helped by reading your book of your journey to healing. Unfortunately, I can relate to much of what I read about your book. I too was emotionally injured as a child. I am 44 yrs. old now raising my 13 yr old daughter,

Hi Patty, I just read your story in the Observer ...

2009-04-19T10:16:00.000-04:00

Hi Patty,

I just read your story in the Observer and I'm so inspired. I'm in awe of your courage to share with so many about what you've been through. It's funny how we decide a person's life by what they look like never really knowing the story behind the story. Because of you many people will be able to confront secrets long forgotten. You are a blessing to many.

All the

Thank you for having the courage to share your jou...

2009-04-19T10:11:00.000-04:00

Thank you for having the courage to share your journey with Observer readers. I was sexually abused (along with my sister) by my stepfather when I was a child. Unfortunately, he was not sent away. He died in February and I agree that death can certainly "shake things loose." I attend a faith-based recovery program called Celebrate Recovery that has helped me to face my pain. I am really

Thank you for such an insightful and courageous ar...

2009-04-19T09:58:00.000-04:00

Thank you for such an insightful and courageous article. Your book is on my list for summer reading - once school is finished. I can't wait to get started. Thanks.