"Reckless Beginnings" Journey

The story behind my book – RECKLESS BEGINNINGS

The story behind my book - RECKLESS BEGINNINGS

Feeling the emotions of writing my book

The story behind the story

Launch day, (October 4th) is fast approaching. I can’t believe it’s only three weeks away.  It’s hard to fathom sometimes, that a story I’ve created, babied and protected, will soon be available for the world to see.  As nervous as I am, I have to say, I’m also extremely proud of myself and I wish my parents were here to witness this huge milestone in my life.

When I started this blog, (fourteen months ago. (Has it really been that long?) I wrote an article titled; It takes courage to publish your book.  It was written, soon after I had signed the contract with my publisher and suddenly everything seemed so surreal. I am feeling the words I wrote even more so today. There are so many emotions that go into writing a book and this truly puts it all into perspective.

What inspired me to write Reckless Beginnings

The story behind my book - RECKLESS BEGINNINGS

Over the past couple of months, I’ve done a number of interviews on podcasts, websites and book blogs. The most common question was; What inspired me to write the book? A question I’m sure I’ll be asked, at future events. Then it occurred to me that I’ve not discussed this topic on my own site. So I think it’s about time.

Reckless Beginnings is women’s fiction based on True events that have happened in my life. Tammy Mellows, (the main character) is me. I wanted it to read like a story and not a memoir, (personal choice,) therefore, names, places and some facts about certain events have been altered.

I developed a passion for writing at the early age of fourteen. I think having an author for a father had something to do with it. It was around this time, one of my older sisters ran away and couldn’t be found. Unable to search for her, I became frustrated and began writing in a journal to gather my thoughts. My book begins with the disappearance of my sibling.

The story behind my book - RECKLESS BEGINNINGS

A few years later and with my sister still missing, chaos began to erupt in my own life.  I was on a path of making hideous choices and in denial because I wanted the white picket fence and the perfect American family life and ignored any signs that may disrupt that dream.

I allowed my life to be dictated by a heroin addict, the father of my child.  Believing that his needs were more important than mine, I got swallowed up in his lifestyle, losing my sense of direction, courage, and identity. Throughout the chaos, I continued to write in my journals.

During that time, I searched for books written by other women that found themselves in the same predicament as myself but came up short.  I only discovered “How to” books, but they were not the voices I wanted to hear. I needed to know how they coped.  What did they do? I wondered what their everyday lives were like; I yearned for some sort of connection with someone.  I had so many unanswered questions.

I had an idea

That was when the seed was planted for my debut novel, Reckless Beginnings. But it didn’t happen right away. I tucked it away and continued to struggle with the battles in my life.

Twenty years later I still had not written the book, but the thought never left me. When my father suddenly passed away in 2010 and a year later I was diagnosed with breast cancer I began to think seriously about the book and began writing the outline. Eight years later it’s finally going to be published. (Phew.)

The story behind my book - RECKLESS BEGINNINGS

Writing it twenty plus years later was extremely difficult. It didn’t occur to me that I would have to revisit such a dark time in my life and allow all the emotions I felt back then to resurface, in order for it to show in my writing. At times it became unbearable and I had to walk away, regroup and attempt certain scenes a few days later or sometimes weeks later.

So why did I put myself through such pain?

While writing the story I gave myself the title; The Silent and Forgotten One and soon realized, anyone who is involved with an addict becomes such a person. You may ask, Why? It’s because over time we allow our lives to be consumed by the addiction. We become a shadow, believing their needs are more important than ours. we become afraid to speak, stand up for ourselves or make any kind of decisions to better our lives. It’s a lonely place and we only feel safe with ourselves and our own thoughts. We lead a double life, letting those on the outside believe everything in our lives is a bed of roses and yet in reality, behind closed doors we are living a nightmare.

When I couldn’t find any books written by others living such a life, I felt they should be heard and one should be written. I wanted to show the flipside of addiction. How it effects the significant other of the addict. Back then I was a victim, I now call myself a survivor.

I needed to dig deeper

I also needed to understand myself during that time. Why did I put up with the abuse, keep silent for so long and not leave right away?  Most of it was because of fear but much of it had to do with denial and wanting what most normal families had. Writing the book helped me unravel all of that and I’m hoping it will help others come to terms with their situation and listen to a voice who has been there and find the courage to turn their lives around.

So there you have it. I hope this brings you some insight into the background of my book. Even though it was hard to write at times, overall I’ve enjoyed the journey and I hope you will enjoy the book.

Other articles about the book

The story behind my book - RECKLESS BEGINNINGS
What is a Book Aesthetic? And why I made one for my novel
The story behind my book - RECKLESS BEGINNINGS
The Synopsis of Reckless Beginnings
The story behind my book - RECKLESS BEGINNINGS
Press Kit

Book Trailer

Press Release

Press Releases – Tina Hogan Grant – Author – Reckless Beginnings

Press Releases - Tina Hogan Grant - Author - Reckless Beginnings

Debut Novel Reckless Beginnings Press Releases

The release date for Reckless Beginnings by Tina Hogan Grant is now October 4th, 2018. All press releases regarding this event can be found here.

PR Tina Hogan Grant will be this Year’s, Grand Marshall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tina Hogan Grant,

Phone: 310-822-1355, Email: tinahogangrant@gmail.com 

Author Tina Hogan Grant will be this year’s Grand Marshall at Frazier Park Fiesta Days

Grant’s debut novel Reckless Beginnings, was published in October 2018 and is based on true events that have happened in the author’s life. Focusing on the flip side of addiction and how the loved ones of addict’s lives are affected

 

Tina was born in England and moved to the United States in 1979. She is the youngest daughter of science fiction author, James P. Hogan. After moving to California, she became a commercial fisher-woman and spent ten years fishing off the southern coast of California with her husband Gordon. After retiring from fishing, they moved to Frazier Park and spent the next ten years building their dream home, doing most of the work themselves.

 

he loves being a part of this small community and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. “This is and always will be my home,” Grant says. It is an honor to be the Grand Marshall in the parade this year. Thank you, Frazier Park, for your continued support.

 

Grant will be holding a raffle. The prize includes a signed copy of her book, a signed poster, a magnet and a $20.00 Amazon gift card.

 

Grant will have signed copies of her book available for purchase at a discounted price.

 

Link to the Event:

https://frazierfiestadays.org/pages/grand-marshals/

Grant is currently working on a sequel, titled, BETTER ENDINGS.

Press Kit  – Contents – Author’s photo, contact, publisher info, book blurb, Book trailer and book cover.

Recent Interviews include: KBAK Channel 29 News

Hometown Santa Clarita Radio (KHTS)

                                                Central Valley Radio (KVPR)

                                                Voyage LA Magazine

                                                                       

The author is available for interviews to discuss the events at Fiesta Days and her novel

 

CONTACT:
 Tina Hogan Grant, Phone: 310-822-1355 Email: tinahogangrant@gmail.com

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PR #1 Released – 6/12/18

Author Focuses on the families of Addicts

Frazier Park CA – Author Tina Hogan Grant’s debut novel “Reckless Beginnings” to be released October 4th, 2018, reveals what it’s like to be living with an addict.

Women’s Fiction, based on true events, Hogan Grant shows us how these family members of addicts have become the silent and forgotten ones.  

In the media today, we hear how drug and opioid addiction continues to spiral out of control and how drug-related deaths are at an all-time high. But we never hear about the spouses, partners, or other family members of addicts and how their lives have been affected, Hogan Grant explains.

Written from the author’s own experience, Hogan Grant puts the reader into the shoes of the main character, Tammy Mellows. A woman shadowed by her boyfriend, Steven who is also the father of her child and struggling with heroin addiction. Eventually, Tammy loses her identity as Steven’s addiction spirals out of control.

Like Tammy in my book and myself who lived with an addict, so many women live in fear every day. Each day is a fight for survival. Normality doesn’t exist. As the addiction intensifies, so does the violence and abuse, Hogan Grant says.

“Reckless Beginnings,” tells one woman’s story. How she found her strength and took back her life when she realized she didn’t have to settle and had choices.

Review – Readers’ Favorite – 5 stars “Reckless Beginnings by Tina Hogan Grant is engaging and riveting, a well-written story injected with a lot of realism and pathos. Told in a strong and mellifluous tone, this is a story about family and a woman’s search to make sense out of the chaos of her life. The theme of family stands out in the narrative and the author does an incredible job in exploring the conflict within the family context. The characters are well-imagined and developed with skill. Tammy is young and naïve when we meet her, but as she evolves through the story, some of her fantasies begin to fall away as she faces the crude reality of life. Reckless Beginnings demonstrates a great character development curve and readers will be pulled in by the emotional intensity of the story. Tina Hogan Grant has a great sense of storytelling and she succeeds in keeping readers engaged through each page of her gripping story.”

Cover – to be revealed     Release date – October 4th, 2018 (ARC copies sent by request)

Press Kit  – Contents – Author’s photo, contact, publisher info, book blurb

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PR #2 Release date 9/10/18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tina Hogan Grant,

Phone: 310-822-1355, Email: tinahogangrant@gmail.com 

Local author invites the community to a book launch and signing event.

Longtime resident, Tina Hogan Grant wants to share in the celebration of the release of her debut novel, RECKLESS BEGINNINGS. Publication date October 4th, 2018.

The event will be held at the Frazier Park Library, 3732 Park Drive on Saturday, October 13th at 3:00 pm. Admission is free. Snacks and beverages will be served. Grant will discuss her book, read an excerpt and answer questions. All attendees will receive event souvenirs. A raffle will be held at the event. Prizes include An Amazon Fire 7, a $20.00 Amazon gift card, A Cavey’s Pizza gift card, and other small prizes. Books will be available for purchase for $15.95. Cash or check only.  In appreciation for hosting the event, Grant will be donating $1.00 from each book sale to the library.

Twenty-five years in the making; Grant’s novel, Women’s fiction, based on true events, shows the flip side of addiction. Focusing on the families and loved ones of addicts and how they become The Silent and Forgotten Ones.

Written from the author’s own experience, Grant explains; even though these events took place decades ago, today drug and opioid addiction continues to spiral out of control and is at an all-time high. Heroin usage has hit a record high because it’s much cheaper than prescription drugs and can be easily bought on the streets.

We hear about these numbers all the time, but we never hear about the loved ones of addicts and how their lives have been affected. Every day is a fight for survival. Normality doesn’t exist. As the addiction intensifies, so does the abuse and violence.

Grant’s novel, RECKLESS BEGINNINGS is one woman’s story, (Tammy Mellows) trying to make sense of the chaos surrounding her life and fighting to gain it back. Her journey shows that anyone in these situations has choices and that they don’t have to settle.

Grant, commercial fisherwoman turned author was born in England and came to the States in 1979. After moving to California, she spent ten years fishing off the southern coast of California with her husband Gordon. After retiring from fishing, they moved to Frazier Park in 2003 and spent the next ten years building their dream home, doing most of the work themselves.

Grant is currently working on a sequel, titled BETTER ENDINGS.

Press Kit  – Contents – Author’s photo, contact, publisher info, book blurb. Book trailer.

CONTACT:
 Tina Hogan Grant, Phone: 310-822-1355 Email: tinahogangrant@gmail.com

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