Shaking the Family Tree
Viewing comments for Chapter 4 "My Story"Excerpts from addition to recovery.
27 total reviews
Comment from meeshu
this is so well written with changing styles and cadence when the text calls for it.
it speaks to me , as an alcoholic raised by alcoholics. I used all of the reasons/excuses that you list. I managed to get sober in time to barely save my marriage. I really appreciate your perspective in this piece.......meeshu
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2018
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this is so well written with changing styles and cadence when the text calls for it.
it speaks to me , as an alcoholic raised by alcoholics. I used all of the reasons/excuses that you list. I managed to get sober in time to barely save my marriage. I really appreciate your perspective in this piece.......meeshu
Comment Written 21-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2018
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Thank you for following. Will be posting weekly if possible. It isn' a very long book.
Comment from Spitfire
You are one heck of a writer. Both prose and poetry. How you led a double life all those years amazes me. It's clear why you started drinking and thus blocking out reality. What comes through in this chapter is that drinking becomes a disease not easy to cure.
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2018
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You are one heck of a writer. Both prose and poetry. How you led a double life all those years amazes me. It's clear why you started drinking and thus blocking out reality. What comes through in this chapter is that drinking becomes a disease not easy to cure.
Comment Written 21-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2018
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Thanks again, Sheri for the awesome review. And thanks for following. It isn't s long book. Actually only 88 pages.
Comment from Katya
The writing is good. It's an interesting story, and the poetry breaks really add a dimension.
I suggest you put "less than" in quotes in the first paragraph; it's sort of confusing to people who aren't used to the phrase.
As I read it, I was wondering how you would deal with the AA Tradition about preserving anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films. I guess you don't.
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2018
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The writing is good. It's an interesting story, and the poetry breaks really add a dimension.
I suggest you put "less than" in quotes in the first paragraph; it's sort of confusing to people who aren't used to the phrase.
As I read it, I was wondering how you would deal with the AA Tradition about preserving anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films. I guess you don't.
Comment Written 21-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2018
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I did it by writing underr a pseudonym. It makes it quite hard to market. In the book I also requested rights from general service to use the 12 steps and any sayings. It is properly notated with permission in the book.
Thank you for reviewing.
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Thank you so very much for answering me about how you observe the traditions. It must make things very tricky to have all those extra hoops to jump. I really appreciate your work and your concern for what makes so much possible for all of us. Please forgive me if my query sounded snarky. Wishing you all the best.
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I was not offended by the question. If you get a chance to order it at your library you will see all the disclaimers from Adult Children of Alcoholics and AA General Service. I get into that in the next chapter. This was real tricky.
Comment from Mrs. KT
Dear Dallas,
I read your incredibly well-written and courageous chapter on my phone, and immediately turned on my computer to benefit from a second reading on a computer screen. I was captivated from the very beginning. You write with such straight-forward honesty. To weave poems between your narration is creative, but also amplifies the narration. I wish I had 6 stars, which sounds trite, but know for a certainty, that this chapter is exceptional in terms of content, details, and narration...
Best Wishes,
diane
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2018
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Dear Dallas,
I read your incredibly well-written and courageous chapter on my phone, and immediately turned on my computer to benefit from a second reading on a computer screen. I was captivated from the very beginning. You write with such straight-forward honesty. To weave poems between your narration is creative, but also amplifies the narration. I wish I had 6 stars, which sounds trite, but know for a certainty, that this chapter is exceptional in terms of content, details, and narration...
Best Wishes,
diane
Comment Written 20-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2018
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Thank you for the wonderful review. Thank you for following. Will be attempting to add 1 chapter a week.
Comment from Harry Smith
Another outstanding read from your book. This chapter is full of emotions and imagery and as always it is easy to read and to understand which makes all of your work a pleasure to read.
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2018
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Another outstanding read from your book. This chapter is full of emotions and imagery and as always it is easy to read and to understand which makes all of your work a pleasure to read.
Comment Written 20-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2018
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Thank you for the kind review and for following.
Comment from Zue65
Alcoholic addiction is also a form of mental disease that must be healed. It is a problem that will be passed on the children especially if both parents are alcoholic. Your story is a good wake up call for would be drinkers and for those who are almost n their way to alcohol addiction. Thanks for your honesty in sharing your life to the readers.
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2018
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Alcoholic addiction is also a form of mental disease that must be healed. It is a problem that will be passed on the children especially if both parents are alcoholic. Your story is a good wake up call for would be drinkers and for those who are almost n their way to alcohol addiction. Thanks for your honesty in sharing your life to the readers.
Comment Written 20-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2018
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Thank you. That is my intent. Too reach those who do not understand the disease or its progression
Comment from ciliverde
This was an engaging read, and quite a sad story - until the end. I think what happened is that you began a group therapy, is that right? It was kind of a quick step to that, I almost felt like I missed something that might have occurred in an earlier chapter. Or did you go into a retreat for alcoholics? Please forgive me if it's obvious and I missed it. I felt moved by your story as I started life feeling like I was different from others as well. I wonder what makes a young child feel that way? Has to be the parents, right? In addition to biology I suppose.This was well done, thank you for posting.
Carol
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2018
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This was an engaging read, and quite a sad story - until the end. I think what happened is that you began a group therapy, is that right? It was kind of a quick step to that, I almost felt like I missed something that might have occurred in an earlier chapter. Or did you go into a retreat for alcoholics? Please forgive me if it's obvious and I missed it. I felt moved by your story as I started life feeling like I was different from others as well. I wonder what makes a young child feel that way? Has to be the parents, right? In addition to biology I suppose.This was well done, thank you for posting.
Carol
Comment Written 19-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 20-Apr-2018
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At the top of the page the other chapters are available
I will try to post 1 a week. Thanks for reviewing.
Comment from Mastery
Hi, Alice. Been along time since I've visited your writing. I have been away from the site with rather serious health issues. You have done a good job on this memoir so far. I think your writing blossoms more wit prose than it ev er did with poetry. (Just my opinion of course.) Good use of strong verbs throughout, my friend. I am sure you are better off without Steve. Blessings. Bob
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2018
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Hi, Alice. Been along time since I've visited your writing. I have been away from the site with rather serious health issues. You have done a good job on this memoir so far. I think your writing blossoms more wit prose than it ev er did with poetry. (Just my opinion of course.) Good use of strong verbs throughout, my friend. I am sure you are better off without Steve. Blessings. Bob
Comment Written 19-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2018
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I thought you were having med issues. Thanks for reviewing. I have been writing some flash fiction and some memoir. This book is in print now. Thought I would share it here. Hope you are recovering now. Good to hear from you. Thanks for the great review.
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I am all better and back at it. A rough six months in and out of the hospital though. :) Bob
Comment from c_lucas
Alcohol is never the answer to one's problems. It usually compounds the issues. This is very well written with a smooth flow of words, making for a very good read.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2018
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Alcohol is never the answer to one's problems. It usually compounds the issues. This is very well written with a smooth flow of words, making for a very good read.
Comment Written 19-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2018
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Thanks for the kind review.
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You're welcome.
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My pleasure.
Comment from Swampfox1
What goal do you hope to reach with your book? Is it to help people overcome alcoholism? Or is it to guide people in the right direction? I encountered many angry people in AA who hated God and were constant losers. To be quite honest, being in that group made me want to drink more. The one thing that got me off of alcohol was God and the large percentage of people in AA did not want to hear mention of him. I think what they expected of God was a magic wand, pray to God and it is done not realizing that the majority of the work had to come from them.
You write well, the story is well told and I did not find any errors. Alcohol is a very serious addiction and it is very tough to beat. Perhaps your story will help someone. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2018
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What goal do you hope to reach with your book? Is it to help people overcome alcoholism? Or is it to guide people in the right direction? I encountered many angry people in AA who hated God and were constant losers. To be quite honest, being in that group made me want to drink more. The one thing that got me off of alcohol was God and the large percentage of people in AA did not want to hear mention of him. I think what they expected of God was a magic wand, pray to God and it is done not realizing that the majority of the work had to come from them.
You write well, the story is well told and I did not find any errors. Alcohol is a very serious addiction and it is very tough to beat. Perhaps your story will help someone. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 19-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2018
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My goal is to reach those people who may be questioning their own, or a loved ones usage and let them know there is hope. So sorry you had such an unnerving experience with AA. Mine has been the exact opposite, and believe me, I had my doubts and fears. Thank you for following and the kind review.
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Me, I prayed and prayed and finally I felt as though Jesus himself walked me through the doors. But the people going there were dry drunks, cranky and always in a bad mood, so it seemed. Glad you made it.
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There are a variety of paths to recovery. The important thing is choosing one that fits your needs.
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True, or one that will do the job