BOOK RELEASE & AUTHOR INTERVIEW - Carrie May Lucas, author of "Where Fault Lies: A Survivor's Story of Game, Shame" & Blame"

Welcome to my blog, the Author Carrie May Lucas, Author of "Where Fault Lies: A Survivor's Story of Game, Shame and Blame".

Published - 1st June 2014
Pages - 326

ISBN - 0615886914 (ISBN13: 9780615886916)

SYNOPSIS - 

When divorced single-mom Carrie Lucas moved to Seattle she knew it was time to start living life on her own terms, and stop playing by the rules of everyone else. While exploring her new city she falls for Sayid, a charismatic lawyer who has life figured out. But one traumatic night, Carrie discovers evil doesn’t come in the package she expected. Afterwards, she struggles to make sense of what’s real and understand ultimately who is at fault for the tragedy that unraveled her life.

In a gripping and powerful narrative, Carrie tells the true story of how falling for the wrong person can cause so much more than heartbreak.Where Fault Lies is a chilling exploration of memory through trauma, trust in humanity, and a captivating story of strength and survival that appeals to the hearts of fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, and men and women alike.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - 

            Your book has a strong and powerful message. Did you find it cathartic writing the book?

When I started writing, it was purely for catharsis. I was in shock and wanted to really understand what happened; I didn't write to helps others, I only wrote to help myself. In the first eleven days I wrote 80,000 words. That’s a short novel. I didn't sleep, I didn't eat, I wasn't being a mother. I just wrote. I wrote to understand, and it was catharsis.
But once I decided I wanted to share my story, and give other victims a voice, the process became very different. I had to face parts of my experience that I was ashamed of, afraid of, and embarrassed by. And this didn't mean sitting down with my therapist for an hour session and opening up. No, it meant reliving it over and over until I had it to an excruciatingly finite detail. And then working with my editor who picked apart my sentence structure, metaphors, character development, and story telling. But this wasn’t a story, she was picking apart my life.
There were parts when I needed to step back and take a break. Parts where I wanted to give up, or erase entire chapters like I wanted to erase them from my life. But when I didn’t, when I faced them instead, I learned what real growing was about. Not only did it change me as a person, but being so transparent in my writing has connected me with a community of survivors that can reach through the pages and relate to my experience. Because even though each person’s story is unique, connecting to other survivor’s is how we feel less alone.
My book is now so engrained in my mind that I will never forget it. I will never forget the man that did this to me, that I loved him, and all that he took from me. But I will keep writing. If my story can save even one life, can relate to even one victim, and help them see there is life on the other side, then it is worth it.

Through my day job and my previous volunteer role as a Domestic Violence counsellor, I have encountered many women who are survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. How has your book been received by others in a similar situation?
I wrote my book while I was still living my experience, which explains the raw emotion and connection I had to the assault. But it also makes it very triggering for victims, especially those who have been recently assaulted. Those who are in a place where they are ready to read such an emotional story, have felt deeply impacted by it. I think there are some truths in my book that can unilaterally speak to any survivor of domestic violence or sexual abuse. I have received touching letters, and people reaching out just to tell me their own story. Some friends, some strangers. And some of these people have never told anyone else. My story may have helped them, but by sharing their stories too, my readers have had an even greater impact on me.

Has the writing of this book spurred you on to write more, and if so would you stick to non-fiction?
Absolutely. I always enjoyed writing, but never had inspirations of writing a book. Now that I have, and have a taste for how this art can reach people, I have plans for more books. I’d love to write fiction, but in the short term I have a few ideas of non-fiction pieces I want to write first. I have found that there are so many people out there who have unique stories to tell but are not necessarily writers. So, the book I’m working on now is the non-writers guide to writing and professional self-publishing a memoir. I learned so much during this experience that I want to share it with others willing the tell their stories, because I truly believe incredible things happen to average people everyday.

What are your top reads so far for 2014?
Keeping Faith, Lovely Bones, and Behaving Like Adults.

What was the last book you bought and was it a tree book or an e-book?
I buy books all the time, and they are all ebooks. I prefer tree-books, but I usually get them on trade at my local coffee shops or from friends. I have been reading Jodi Picoult lately and just started My Sister’s Keeper.  It’s about a young girl who was born for the sole purpose of saving her sister’s life by giving her an organ. Eventually, she fights back against the family that only had her for that reason and sues her parents. It has some other plot twists (like all Jodi Picoult books do!) and they made a movie out of it. I haven’t seen the movie; I always read the book first.

If you could trade places with someone famous for a week, who would it be and why?
A female senator. I really want to better understand how laws are written and passed. I am very interested in the political process and trying to find ways to impact my community through legislation. There are so many things about the world that frustrate me and keep me up at night, but knowing that we are (slowly) moving towards progress gives me the hope I need to keep fighting for social justice and equal rights across the globe.


If someone was to play you in a movie, who would you like it to be?

Mila Kunus. First of all, she smoking hot, and secondly I like her punchy, coy sense of humor. She’s adorable with the right amount of sass.

Quick fire questions.

1) Early Bird or night owl?

Early bird by default; my three year old is my alarm clock.

2) Crime or Romance novels? 

I try to live my life in a romance novel but for some reason it keeps turning into a crime drama.

3) Cats or Dogs? 

I am not a fan of either. A little chewy for my tastes.

Some great answers there Carrie. Thanks for joining me on my blog. I've seen the movie, My Sisters Keeper, but the book is far better in my opinion. Thank you for sharing your story.

Buy Links

Amazon //Amazon UK //  Create space

About the Author

Carrie May Lucas is an American author living in Seattle, Washington with her daughter. As a member of the RAINN Speakers Bureau, she works to educate and inform the public on sexual violence. Through her writing she inspires other survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, and helps give a voice to their struggles. In her spare time, Carrie May Lucas likes to dance, run, and do yoga, and is currently getting a Master’s degree in Education.

To find out more about Carrie May Lucas and her book, please check out the following:-

Goodreads // Website // Twitter