I’ve said it before and I firmly believe there is a special
place in Hell for those who harm children.
This is something I feel strongly about and I’m not even satisfied seeing
the offenders tossed in jail. They had
altered a life forever and theirs should be forfeit in their place. Harsh? I really don’t think so. I can have sympathy for quite a few things,
forgiving and forgetting, but harming a child is not one of them. I would even go so far as to say their fate
should be devised by the writers of horror.
There just isn’t any excuse I deem credible.
I am not one prone to pick up a book about tragedy or
subject matter that makes me squeamish, but when I came across Taylor Fulks’
novel, My Prison Without Bars, based on true life events, I had to see how this
lady was made into the bubbly person I had gotten to know. She is not just a survivor, for sometimes
survivors are mopey and pessimistic. No,
Taylor is a thriver and I wanted to discover how she broke out of her jail.
Sexual abuse is never really about sex, but about
power. It’s about imprisoning the person
you want to control and taking what they don’t want to give. In Taylor’s case, she was so young she didn’t
even comprehend what was happening. She
did, however, know enough to be afraid and her stepfather, Gene, did a great job
keeping her terrified.
My Prison is graphic and detailed. One person in her writing group called parts
of it child pornography and, to be honest, there were portions I had to step
away from for awhile because of the anger it invoked within me. However, her story is not porn, but
abuse. It’s not meant to titillate the reader
or ignite passion - if it does, please see a therapist - but rather, to bring to
light a topic that for far too long has been swept under the rug. It is graphic, intense, and very explicit,
but remember, this isn’t fiction for the sake of fiction. This isn’t a story to entertain. This is a story of revelation and ultimately
of healing. Taylor bares her life and soul in order to
bring the subject into that light.
In her book, Taylor reveals how we can build cages around
ourselves, believing we deserve nothing better than what Fate brings us. When
tragedy and cruelty seems to be all we ever receive, it can become all we think
we deserve. That, also, is the power of
the abuse, to strip away the victim’s self-worth and cheapen the future in their
eyes.
Taylor hit several hard topics in her writing, such as a
parent ignoring and permitting what is happening, the cruelty of teenagers to
each other and how much the high school years can be a dog-eat-dog period of
time, and how people can be spectators to abuse instead of rescuers. The scene at the baseball diamond was one of
the ones that angered me the most.
Dragged from base to base after being severely beaten and then almost drowned
was humiliating enough, but to have her classmates just watch and then walk
away was devastating. Teenagers can
sometimes be the cruelest people of all.
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Author, Taylor E. Fulks |
Taylor’s relationship with Tony reveals how imprisoned we
can make ourselves when afraid to believe we deserve better. The prison walls became thicker; the cell
even smaller as manipulation and verbal abuse compounds the physical. There were several times, I wanted to punch
Tony as I read and screamed at the page for Taylor to just dump him and move on
with her life. Yet, that was her prison
and only she could break out of it.
And she does, but I’ll allow you to read it and find out
how. This is a novel that will grip you
and stir up all sorts of emotions.
Taylor’s writing is great, her voice strong and her courage far greater
than mine. Don’t be afraid to read it
because it’s a tough topic. Don’t allow
the graphic subject matter steer you away from what is happening now, this very
minute, to some poor terrified little child.
Once you do, I hope it opens your eyes to a crime that has remained in
the shadows far too long.
Parents, I hope this novel will spur you to action to
protect your children and be informed. Talk
to your children. Ask them if anything
inappropriate is going on and make sure they know exactly what you mean and
that it doesn’t matter who is doing it to them.
It’s still wrong. Give them a
safe place to run to for protection and help.
Our children need us to be their heroes.
It could mean the difference of a life of true freedom or a life lived
in a prison they were never created to endure.
You can also find Taylor and her book at:
Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/ taylorevanfulks
Amazon Book Page: http://www.amazon.com/Prison- Without-Bars-Someplace-ebook/ dp/B00AKKMDIM/
Press Release:
My Prison Without Bars: U.S. Author Launches Personal Story of Abuse, in Wake of Penn State
Sex Scandal.
As the Penn State sex scandal grips headlines around the world, one
U.S author releases a novel based her own story of abuse, suffering and the journey
to re-build her life. As Taylor Evan Fulks proves, millions of victims suffer
in silence, away from the global media spotlight.
For
Immediate Release
Proctorville, OH – The past year has brought to light alarming
and shocking public accounts from the victims of Jerry Sandusky. While the
world has watched with open jaws, millions of other victims have sat in silence
while enduring their own personal abuse nightmares. Unable to repress her
feelings any more, one U.S writer has announced a compelling book of her own
terrorizing experiences.
The
life of Ohio’s Taylor Evan Fulks is told in ‘My Prison Without Bars...The
Journey of a Damaged Woman to Someplace Normal’, through the eyes of her
protagonist, Taylor Smith.
Both
gripping and graphic, the novel tells of her abusive upbringing in a sea of
dysfunction, as well as her painful journey of memories, nightmares and
personal demons as she desperately tries to discover what ‘normal’ really is.
Gripped
in the manacles of real life…a profound revelation about her past from her mother,
and the discovery that her marriage lies in peril, Taylor Smith finds herself
at a life-altering crossroads, with no idea of how to deal, or which way to go.
Using a
business trip as an excuse to get away, Taylor flies to Cleveland for a week
long medical conference, hoping that in her free time, she can come up with an
escape plan from the life she's been dealt.
While
out with her colleagues on the last night of the conference, she sees, or
thinks she sees a ghost from her past; a living, breathing monster from under
her bed long ago. Rattled and a bit tipsy, she walks back to her hotel and sees
him again while entering an elevator. Fumbling with the key card in the door is
the last thing she does before her world goes dark.
Taylor awakens to find herself tied to the bed and in the company of a monster from her past. He holds Taylor captive and responsible for his lousy life; not wanted by his father, stuck with a useless and depraved mother and victim to the abuses of countless men coming in and out of his mother's room.
Taylor's nightmare is in her room...where no one can hear her screams, and no one can rescue her. Once again, she must fight to survive….
While
something of a nightmare, the author makes it clear that her story is a very
real reality.
“This
is my story...though dark and disturbing, it moves toward light, hope, and
healing. It is a poignant view of abuse through the eyes of a child....desperately
seeking normal. It is not my intent to be grotesque or offend with my writing,
I just want readers to truly feel what a child experiences while being damaged
by their abuser,” says Fulks, who has desperately tried to rebuild her life.
She
continues, “I have lived in shame and secrecy my entire life because of things
that "happened" to me. The “taboo” subject of sexual abuse compounds
the shame and need for secrecy. I've
lived in darkness and secrecy far too long! I've come out into the light.”
The
recent Penn State revelations angered Fulks, as the media attempted to hide the
true details of what Sandusky’s victims were forced to endure.
“I was
elated at the response of the University administrators; however, the fallout
from the fans and students splayed me. Interviews of the victims were severely
edited...hushed and on the down-low. Why? Because as I said, the subject is
taboo! No wonder victims can't get past the shame and keep it secret,” she
adds.
However,
Fulks promises that her own story is frankly honest and bare-bone true.
Believing that no details should be spared from readers, her compelling
personal story is set to move, inform and provoke the thoughts of all who turn
its pages.
‘My
Prison Without Bars...The Journey of a Damaged Woman to Someplace Normal’ is
due for release on December 17, 2012 on Amazon.com, Amazon Kindle, and Barnes
& Noble.com.
For
more information and to read a sample chapter, please visit the author’s
official website: http://taylorfulks.com
Her
progress can also be followed on social media.
Facebook:
Http://Facebook.com/taylorevanfulks
Twitter: Http://twitter.com/taylortfulks20
About the Author:
* * * * *
Did you enjoy what you read? Leave me a comment and then join me at The Mess that Is Me on Facebook!
Thanks for visiting The Mess!
"That, also, is the power of the abuse, to strip away the victim’s self-worth and cheapen the future in their eyes"...that's powerful... Damn you Robbie. Now I've got to add this book to my ever growing reading list...I feel compelled to read it based on the above post...First though, I wish nothing but continued healings and blessings for Taylor..what brave choices she has made.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christina :) Taylor is a remarkable lady as well as a great writer. I look forward to seeing what you think about her book and new freedom.
DeleteThere are no words Robbie...
ReplyDeleteI have had so many doors closed to me because of the subject matter of this book--publishers, book stores, libraries, book clubs, bloggers, all shy away from having any association with the topic.
As you so eloquently stated, the book is so much more than the graphic depictions of child sexual abuse...it's the damage and fallout from that abuse and how a life is altered forever.
You have no idea what you have done for me. I know you thought I was kidding when I said I felt like the new kid at the playground getting invited to play...I wasn't. There aren't many bloggers out there with the courage and integrity you have my friend. You have the soul of a lion and the heart of an angel. I only hope that your followers will not be offended by your courageous post.
I have 90 reviews on Amazon...29 on Goodreads...and 1 on Themessthatisme. The 1 on the "Mess" is my most treasured and absolute favorite of all time.
You honor and humble me with your beautiful, eloquent depiction of my work...my heart.
There are no words sufficient to express my gratitude. You are a true gentleman...a prince among men.
Thank you my friend,
Taylor
It was truly my pleasure, Taylor. I think people need to see the intent behind the novel before judging the subject matter and that more people need to stand and say something about this horrible crime against children. Thank you for having the courage to bare yourself before the world in that fight. I only wish I could have done more to help you. And I feel my readers will support you just as I do. Thank you, Taylor, for your sweet words and your bravery.
Delete