Book Jacket

 

rank 5463
word count 12741
date submitted 17.04.2010
date updated 18.04.2010
genres: Non-fiction
classification: moderate
incomplete

Where Do We Go From Here?

Patricia Bonelli

A Story of Courage, Redemption and Truth by Patricia Bonelli offers readers the compelling challenge to overcome adversity and to triumph during times of conflict.

 

Everyone’s life conveys a story. In our minds and public conversations, we often prefer the edited, cleaned up versions. We carefully omit the scenes of darkness and ugly thoughts from our history. We strive for a non-threatening image so we can, on the surface, look and be whole to ourselves and the outside world. We know the raw truth of our stories--and the revised version we are most comfortable sharing.

I’ve had decades of practice in hiding behind an edited life, a half truth. Through different life circumstances of pain I drew towards me a sense of deprecation for who I had been- echoed: “People leave you and I, Patricia, was not worthy.” I did not ever want that to be my story, then or now…but that's how my life got started, with abandonment, when my birth mother gave me up. When my adoptive parents reminded me as a child, “We didn't have to have you”, my young heart broke repeatedly as I longed for someone to tell me and show me, You are loved. But uncomfortable events happen to everyone. With courageous dedication to improve the quality of my life, I was able to break free from limiting constraints.

 
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tags

courage, inspiration, life, memoir, redemption, truth

on 13 watchlists

28 comments

 

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klouholmes wrote 645 days ago

Hi Patricia, The narrator's response to her coach seemed very defensive. Yet the experience of an affluent adoption and then the enforced independence gives the narrative such vitality and perspective. You have good selective ability to capture the salient scenes. Looks as if the advice worked here! Happy to shelve - Katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

Walden Carrington wrote 650 days ago

Patricia,
Where Do We Go From Here? is compelling reading which is deeply insightful. Backed with pleasure.

PatriciaBonelli wrote 722 days ago

THANK you all so much for your comments and warm reception. Your words have inspired me to move the project forward! Look me up on YouTube motivational moments with Patricia Bonelli

PatriciaBonelli wrote 722 days ago

Where Do We Go From Here?: Gripping and impressive...even if you do have to read through your fingers on occasion! The 'reflections' at the end of each chapter are a brilliant device that cleverly elevate the book beyond the status of a pure memoir...and demonstrate real and valuable insight too. Candid, engaging and wise...and a book that will be helpful to others too. Hats off to you amigo!

SiCorbz wrote 723 days ago

Where Do We Go From Here?: Gripping and impressive...even if you do have to read through your fingers on occasion! The 'reflections' at the end of each chapter are a brilliant device that cleverly elevate the book beyond the status of a pure memoir...and demonstrate real and valuable insight too. Candid, engaging and wise...and a book that will be helpful to others too. Hats off to you amigo!

PatriciaBonelli wrote 735 days ago

completing this work!!1 Yeah :)

Famlavan wrote 757 days ago

Where Do We Go From Here?

First let me apologies for the delay in commenting from my recent backing, time has been a big problem recently, anyway…
It is always something special to be let into someone’s life like this, especially one that turns out to become in a way very inspirational. I think the honesty behind this is a true sign of character and where you are in your life. –Thank you for making this a special day.

Amylovesbooks wrote 760 days ago

This is book would help a lot of people. Many people have the same struggles. Well-written and honest, it's hard not to like what I've read. Good luck, and it's a pleasure to back it.

Amy
Love Match

Dawn DeRemer wrote 761 days ago

I read your pitch, then decided to check this out. I can see you poured your heart and soul into it.
Best of wishes,
Dawn De Remer (golden Moon)

Tawn Anderson wrote 761 days ago

Wow. I was drawn in by your pitch, but your writing sustained me. I'm not usually one for Memoirs or Non-fiction, I don't know why. I think I read to escape reality instead of jumping in someone elses. However, this is something I would read off the shelves. Power, compelling writing backed by a tone of truth and hope. Great job and I wish you the best of luck. Backed with pleasure.

Tawn Anderson (Providence)

PatriciaBonelli wrote 763 days ago

the Feeback I have received from so many is ourstanding- thank you for the postive and the critique
The site has proven to be invaluable!

missyfleming_22 wrote 763 days ago

Powerful writing. Well written and I love it when non-fiction reads like fiction, makes it have more of an impact I think. You do a great job of conveying the emotions and sights through your writing. Couldn't read as much as I wanted but this is good!!

Missy
Mark of Eternity

Telegraph wrote 763 days ago

A touching narrative that I found intriguing. Aversity and conflict can be trump it just take charcter and a will to move foward. C W Shelved.

gillyflower wrote 765 days ago

This is a valuable and unusual book. I really enjoyed your opening chapter, when you tell us about your reactions to Conrad, your writing teacher, and how at first you thought he was talking nonsense, but eventually realised the truth of his suggestions. Your reflections are very true and very encouraging. You have learnt the right way to handle trouble, which is by understanding that God sends things into our lives to teach us, and always intends the very best for us. Your experiences with your adoptive mother are terrible, and it's no wonder you reacted as you did. That a child of eight should be left all day to look after herself is disgraceful, and the things that happened to you through knowing people on Nancy's side of town were even worse. Having a 'boyfriend' who brought in three friends to rape you was such a dreadful experience. This is a book which everyone should read, for you learnt so much from your sad start in life, and your courage is a lesson to us all. Backed.
Gerry McCullough,
Belfast Girls.

lizjrnm wrote 765 days ago

This has a message that should be read by all! BACKED with pleasure.

Liz
The Cheech Room

blueboy wrote 765 days ago

ok, this flows qwell and has an interesting premise-and that is what i look for mainly. So i will bck your writing and wish you the best. Please read some of my book, The Age of Rhinestone, when you have time and let me know what you think. Feedback is always welcome. Take care and goodluck with your manuscript.

blueboy

M D Eyler wrote 765 days ago

I wish you the best of luck with your book sales on Amazon! MD Eyler

PatriciaBonelli wrote 765 days ago

A Zoomer
I welcome an invitation for your comments- feel free to candidly share with me directly as well :)
pbonelli@sonic.net

A. Zoomer wrote 765 days ago

What an effective pitch and a memoir to remember!
Have you read The "Three of Us" by Julia Blackburn and The Tale-Tellers: A Short Study of Humankind by Nancy Huston?
I have some editorial ideas but I'm sure you'll get to them.
As i read the challenge with the writing coach I wanted to be in the scene not hearing it reported.
I look forward to seeing this memoir evolve. Shelved.
A zoomer

Melcom wrote 765 days ago

Bloom' heck, what a start. What a tragic and moving representation of your life. Congratulations on your success with wrting about your experiences is such a terrific way.

Happily shelved with admiration.

Melxx
Impeding Justice

Marija F.Sullivan wrote 766 days ago

Well done! First of all surviving, and then writing about it all. It is certainly very moving and inspirational story.
Backed with best wishes,
M (Weekend Chimney Sweep)

Violet Darkniss wrote 766 days ago

Wher do we go from here.....into the rest of the book, and savout its every tantalising, personal message - here is story that is profound, shocking, yet searingly relevant for us all......

So backed......so admired....so wishing it success,

From the fireside,

Ms Darkniss

Wilma1 wrote 766 days ago

Do you know I just want to hug you. I hope that you feel I dont know what to say better dosent seem the right word. I think you are very brave to tell your story and it cant be easy but you have written it well, honestly and without self pity. I really hope that someone picks this story up and runs with it you deserve more from life. Congratulations on the achievement of writing it.
Sue
Knowing Liam Riley

soutexmex wrote 766 days ago

Patricia: can't believe this is a true story. BUT, I gotta say, that short pitch needs some work. Can you give us something that is a hook, such as, 'Can Patricia escape the life that was fated for her?' That long pitch is awesome, in a heart-breaking kinda way.

Perfecting your pitches is how you climb in ranking to gather more exposure and comments to better your novel. But the writing is good so I am SHELVING you.

Though I have been a very active member for over a year, I can still use your comments on my book when you get the chance. Every little bit helps. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

Mr. Nom de Plume wrote 766 days ago

This work is written from the soul and from the heart; it tells it as it was, like it was, and gives a gift to readers often unavailable to those who have never "been there." Thanks for sharing. Backed. Chuck (Paperboy Adventures)

Burgio wrote 766 days ago

This is a sad but inspirational story of a life gone wrong. What a shame to have to grow up with so little self-esteem. But how courageous of you to write about this; to offer to share this with others. I'm sure many people who read this will relate to it and, hopefully, change their feelings about themselves by reading it. I’m adding this to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

SusieGulick wrote 766 days ago

Dear Patricia, I love that you were completely open with your life (it's shame I never got paid for all the times I had sex - I bared my soul in my 2 memoirs named below) & you're fortunate to have had a writer, because mine took since 1997 almost completion/restarted Nov 2009, completed Jan.2010 & rejected by my friend/editor, so rewritten & onto authonomy Mar.3, 2010. I'm thankful you had a writer - he probably encouraged you through a lot of tears/hope he'll help you finsih/I know God will help & sustain You. :) Your blurb is good because it prepared me to read your book. Your story is good because you create interest by having short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, which makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm backing/commenting on your book to help it advance. Could you please return the favor by taking a moment to back/comment on my TWO books, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" & the unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories." Thanks, Susie :)

Mal Muirhead wrote 766 days ago

Very powerful opening with a very strong message. A story of genuine pain. Controlled, authoritive, clear and compelling. I wish you all the very best with this.
Mal Muirhead - Marvellous Mavis and the Devolve-o-Meter

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