Author Spotlight (Fiona Barnes)

I know it's been a while since I've done a blogpost (as well as an author spotlight). This author I actually met on Twitter and we became acquainted as we tweet on PTSD and child sexual abuse respectfully. She has quite a story and I still have to read her book about how she copes with living with a husband with PTSD. With that, I introduce to you today Fiona Barnes.

I'm a single mother of two delightful, insightful children, both of whom are battling PTSD. Not in the sense that they have it themselves (although it's likely), in the way of soldiers: with respect and ambition.

Their father, a firefighter, was diagnosed in 1999. Watching him fight two bouts in their lifetimes alone, they worry and struggle. They wake up with questions. Hopefully, they go to bed with answers. 

My job is to alleviate their fears, speak to their concerns, keep them safe, and treat their worthiness. I'm the anti-PTSD. :) and ;)

Paul (their dad) left our home in 2013. Recently, he's distanced himself even more from our family (the disease will do that). Our son is a musician. He plays just about everything (but he's magic with a guitar-listen at YouTube.com/ABFateless). He also teaches and engineers. Our daughter is a student. They're both lovers; they deem themselves here to help the world, much like our friend Tremayne, who asked me to write a simple bio. 

Far be it from me to be a really good listener, here he goes. I'm a writer; I've published three books so far. I have one more ready to go. I've got two more under contract with my brain. I write books that help people understand PTSD. I'm interested in wellness versus illness however, as well as support. I really, truly enjoy and admire watching others succeed. So far I've watched my son publish one book and one CD. (He threatened me his music wouldn't see the light of day if my words stayed in our living room. So perhaps 'watched' isn't an incredibly correct word.) Paul has written and seen amazing success with his first title. And a handful of friends have reached for their dreams on my watch. 

I lead a writing class for young ladies at the beach-that is to say, we enjoy scrawling exercises and prompts. We work on inspiration. We giggle a lot. It's endearingly fun and my roster has blown up in the one year I've been at it. In 2016, I'll release an online version. (Stay tuned to BeachChristmasLife.com if you're interested.) 

So who am I? An unapologetic mother, first and foremost. I'm a former marriage addict,  currently between husbands. I'm a voracious reader who loves words, and anyone who inspires them. I'm a star-gazing free spirit, dreamily chasing a filmy version of my own future reality. And I'm a grateful chick. 

Who does that add up to? I'll let you know as soon as I figure it out. In the meantime, tell me your dreams-I'm grateful already in anticipation of your inspiration.