Get Married, Have Children And Cry

You are honest, and that is one of the, if not the, most important traits in writing. Good job exposing yourself, it makes for great writing.

Thanks for sharing so openly! You take the reader right into your feelings and experiences, and many (too many!) women will relate. I chose to absorb only a few chapters, as it's a bit heavy on the negativity for me... BUT I DO wish you all the best! You have something important to say, for certain -

Cheri Moffitt Miller

Something that makes one think. Backed and rated.

Cat
Lies & Love
Twisted

Before I even start reading this, I have to make some comments.
First, what's the deal with all the ellipses? (...) Some of them are four dots, some three and some two. Some are properly spaced and some are just jumbled into the middle of things. Proper punctuation is a must if you're trying to get published; publishers don't want to buy books that will cost them a lot of money in editing.
Second, your capitalization in quotations is erroneous. Again, it looks unprofessional.
Try checking out wikipedia's style guide for tips on proper punctuation, or check out the style guide for the publishing house you are hoping to publish with.

hi there read the first chapter do hear where you are coming from....mine is fiction but like all writers do take snippets from their own lives... perhaps i can interest you in reading my take on abuse...thanks have put your on the watchlist and will read more in near future

Hi Stacy, I really like the pitch for this book and the idea of it being written by the two 'voices'. I enjoyed the first chapter and it's on my shelf while I read more. Do take a look at mine if you feel so inclined. Another woman struggling..

This portrays a decaying relationship and the thrill of a new one so well. Those new flirtatious moments and those screaming rows when you cannot believe you ever loved this person that you now hate so much. I know, I've been there. We all have.

I immediately felt involved with her turmoil and at times even wished she would step back for a moment. I like writing that feels real and almost like a conversation with the reader.

It will be on my shelf for a while. Thank you.

Kind regards,

Katie

Hi Stacy - interestingly I just found this website and the only othernbook I've read is your father's about yr sisters death. Then completely randomly I picked yours to read . You share with your father a real feel for drama, the taking od difficult moments and making them accessible for yr readers. Keep going, yu have many people hooked. Then only criticism I have is more editing - certain amount of replay regarding your emotions toward your husband feels repetitious. Excellent effort.

I can relate, in a way, to how you feel, Stacy. My first marriage was very unhappy for me. My husband drank too much, and we never had any money. Once I became a mother, I seemed to lose my own identity. I was just a cook, cleaner, nurse, bed-mate and dog's-body. I love my children dearly, but I so wanted to be just ME sometimes. (Writing gives me that sense of individuality that I crave at times when I'm me, Kate, not some-one's mum or grand-mum,(I'm a widow now). You write with sutch feeling... I hope you one day have all you wish for.

Good luck with your writing.
KateGrimes - LIZZIE - CUPPA TALES

Ch 3
Ach, the unease at the husband's reformation has a Shakespearean feel to it. We are never happy. Yet the resentment is understandable. No one should have to crumble to achieve parity. And so your rebellion finds a new level with the realisation. Again their is a Shakespearean feel to this. You are happy to be free and thinking, yet you discover something terrible. In some ways this is the story of mankind's achievement of knowledge and echos adam and eve, the apple etc. 'He is not for me. He is not for me. ...not for me.' It is a hammer beating away. Your story must be familiar in detail to so, so many. And this makes it very readable as we all want to know what to do for the best. And are curious how others deal with the crisis.

Ch 2
The way S causes feelings of dependence and lack of control seems to underline the need for love.Yet S is not delivering either now. You capture this need for emotional affirmation acutely in '...sat like a dagger in my heart...' And you analyse how he is with equal acuity it 'He has blocked himself. He has blocked his emotions.' I understand that feeling very well and why it sometimes happens. Yet, you respond to him like a racehorse the moment he shows a chink of response, again emphasising the strength of your natural thirst for emotional nourishment. S had his finger on the pulse: 'Your husband is a dope.' You respond. All is well. But it is not well as this is escape from 'What kind of wife wld rather do her work.........' The emotional storm that ensues is astonishingly strong and dramatic. I felt very sad to read 'I am broken...you broke me. ... you killed my spirit.' And that graph of tears, too, is an emotional storm. Yet you end with '...but my mind felt free.' So what next?

Your title drew me in.

Ch 1 ... You really capture the frustraion well, the nagging questioing and unease. But the best part is the way you do something about it and the tinge of excitement this produces. Millions must understand this feeling precicely as you define it: 'The quiver of excitement takes over my body as I can see myself pressing the buttons...' Millions of us. There is a sense of breathlessness about the last three lines. We seem to know Ted exactly and why you are rushing to him for some sort of affirmation. 'Something to look fwd to.' is a great way to end the chapter as your readers want to know how it goes.
Ron

Wow so many women must empathize with your story, But can she really trust Steve and is Frank a changed man? I have only read the first 3 chaps and I can feel her anguish. Shelved, Regards, Anne

I know that feeling well.....love the build up that comes with this. We see the foreshadowing already....

Stacy shows us depressing façade but then we see Stacy being needy wanting any contact even if it’s wrong and hurtful. She grasps straws and digs for compliments in a text and is manipulated again. This is a vey good start I read three chapters and enjoyed the lot its one of those books I’d like to read on a rainy day in one hit.
Amelia x

A Date in the Diary – I do hope you enjoy it

That was quite a challeng to read. Not because of the changing view points but because of you ability to make one feel part of the storyline. Rarely do books give such a insight into the writers mind. I am a mere man but I can feel for you and enjoyed the challenge of the book. Good Luck to you in the future...

Raven Scott (Love is a colour too)

I read the entire book. You wrote your experiences clearly and honest;y. Well done. I hope you write another book to let readers know how you are doing.

Hi Stacy

Riveting work. I so empathise with you and your situation and am so happy that you finally managed to get out. I bet there are lots of women out there who would read this and feel less alone or whom you might help find the courage to leave. A very worthy book. Backed.

Nicole
Chosen

This rings so true I was absorbed after the first chapter and immediately read the next in lightening quick time. There are too many of us coming out of marriages that have killed our spirit and self-worth and your book will surely appeal to a big audience. It is easy to read because the writing flows crisp and engaging!! Brilliant job, love it :)

Unfortunately too familiar. I think you have approached this in exactly the right way and when she finally blows to Frank the dialogue is very realistic. You can feel her angst as each word comes from her. Congratulations on this a tough start but we all want to find out who Steve is so will read on Good luck with it.
Best wishes
Sue Mackender
Knowing Liam Riley

A poignant memoir. Distinctly-drawn characters. Fascinating dynamics between them. Powerful ambience. Striking descriptions. Convincing plot. Impressive writing. A stunning read. Backed.

An intreguing story and one that I have enjoyed. I was confused at first about who Steve was but I read on and found out & I guess that is the point, to learn more and more as I read. An emotional read. Backed Clare

This is an incredably poignant story. Stacy is crying on the inside while life goes on around her. The fact that it is non-fiction makes the reality of the story so much more immediate . Your prose flows well - there are just a few editiing points that can be easily eradicated. Good Luck K.J.

I am backing this because I can really relate to it. It is very easy to read and emotionally charged. You express yourself very well. My only nit pick is that you change tense from past to present and back again. However, the voice is so powerful that it is hardly noticable. I hope this does well. Sarah

We are happy to back Get Married, Have Children And Cry. We saw a few editing mistakes in your dialogue, but nothing that takes away from your story. In fact, we could all connect with your character, Stacy. We’ve been there!
CC Brown
Dark Side

Dear Stacy
Your novel Get Married, Have Children and Cry is very relatable...... I believe it is a story with great potential. I commend you on your strength and for writing this valuable piece.
Backed with pleasure
Helen
The Last Dream

Hi Stacy,
I picked this up after viewing your appeal for readers on the forum. It's an interesting book. You hit the nail on the head in pointing out what I (as a total amateur) think is the most common problem relatively sane people face psychologically--a lack of self-identity or worth. Watching Stacy deal with this issue is particularly enlightening because of the conflict between her emotions and the way her training has taught her she should respond. A couple of things you should check out: 1. About the middle of the first paragraph of your pitch, you change from past to present tense. Go with one or the other; 2. This may just be sloppy reading on my part, but I was confused with chapter two. You had mentioned Ted at the end of chapter one and then picked him up again later, but chapter two involves someone named Steve. Is this another character? The two characters ran together in my mind.
Anyway, your book struck some personal chords and kept me turning the pages. Backed.
Niobrara Kardnova (Family Irregulars)

A sad story, elegantly told. Is it true? I hope it is just a novel - but it seemed so real! Backed. Gordon - The Harpist of Madrid

I have not read your book but your pitch sure sound like my mother's but I refuse it in my life respect women and like them a lot you know my tradition leave room for as many women in your marriage so heartache is minimized see my book too maybe you can drop few notes constructive ones please thanks and please upload ur pix

GET MARRIED, HAVE CHILDREN AND CRY-Stacy Schwed
hullo Stacy. interesting read. I stopped 'shrinking heads' several years ago but your book brings it all back. Already shelved and backed.
Please take a look at my book if you have not and thanks for that.
Linda Lou Long
Southern dis-Comfort
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=11421

Very absorbing and probably all too real for many women...I think some of the dialogue is a bit too long but it seems a trivial remark against the bigger picture of your story!
Best wishes
Stewart

Compelling and inspirational to every woman who forgets that they are valued and need time out when the kids come along. Interesting from the two perspectives and beneficial as it gives great insight to self awareness, abusive marriages and coping.

backed,

Lisa

On a technical note you tend to overuse ellipses (...) and exclamation marks quite a lot and what feels like (to me at least) quite an arbitrary fashion. It's a stylistic choice, of course, but they are best used sparingly otherwise if everything is amazing! then nothing is. And if you trail off... for no reason it just spoils the flow of the prose.

dialogue always starts with a capital letter.

As for the story, the premise if fairly solid. Her situation is clear and I think relatable to a lot of people (not just women). I'm not sure you need to explain what everything means or what feelings are behind the actions, feels a bit like you're spoon-feeding the reader sometimes. You have the sitaution and characters, I would suggest you let it play out and let the actions speak for themselves.

happy to back.

Thanks for your comments and for backing my book. The use of the (...) actually holds a symbolic purpose. At the start of my story (this is a memoir and all 100% real and honest) I am completely lost and confused. I am constantly thinking and pondering, trying to understand myself and what is happening to me as I reach the peak of a breakdown. The (...) I feel, represents my loss of self and the confused state I am in. The fact that I am a psychotherapist is actually what saves me and helps to pull me out. My constant analyzing of myself is what helps me to make the proper choices I need to change my life. I speak from 2 voices, that of a woman in pain and that of a clinician attempting to save myself. I choose to write in this style because my hope is that it will reach out to others who walk in these shoes and encourage them to find the self awareness that they need to take control of their own lives. As the book goes on, the (...) disappears indicating that I am more in control and back in touch with myself. The fragments of my different selves become one making me whole. I will take a look at my use of (!) to see if it may be overused as I do value your opinion. I will gladly take a look at your work as well and will comment soon.

Thanks!

steve just keeps getting better and better. you would be a lucky girl to end up with him

You think so, huh? He would be lucky to end up with me.. ;)

Dear Stacy

Wow, what a read. you have a gift for sure and that gift is to use words to paint a vivid picture in the head of your reader, and to convey well your emotions to another's heart. CONGRATS on such a read. is this your first book? it is open honest and yes one can tell you have written it with truth.

Please take a moment to look, COMMENT which is important to me, and BACK my book. if not that is OK
also

The VERY best of luck to you

BACKED BY ME FOR SURE.
Denise
The Letter

steve just keeps getting better and better. you would be a lucky girl to end up with him

Oh dear picture the bookshops... women strolling through, blank faced, reading along the titles then coming to yours and nodding a collective nod of shared understanding. Doesn't matter what you write because the title makes it a winner -- women everywhere want to cry alongside you.

On a technical note you tend to overuse ellipses (...) and exclamation marks quite a lot and what feels like (to me at least) quite an arbitrary fashion. It's a stylistic choice, of course, but they are best used sparingly otherwise if everything is amazing! then nothing is. And if you trail off... for no reason it just spoils the flow of the prose.

dialogue always starts with a capital letter.

As for the story, the premise if fairly solid. Her situation is clear and I think relatable to a lot of people (not just women). I'm not sure you need to explain what everything means or what feelings are behind the actions, feels a bit like you're spoon-feeding the reader sometimes. You have the sitaution and characters, I would suggest you let it play out and let the actions speak for themselves.

happy to back.

Wow. Hi Stacy. First off, I have a very big heart for single moms. I'm a single dad, and I know - at least I can say I have a clue - what you've gone and are going through. My writing genre (as a scriptwriter) is writing for women's roles - 'cause, I guess, I can be touch with a woman's heartache. I managed, thankfully, to be a part of "good ole boy's club", and just simply treat women as special and equal. And I listen. All of THAT to say - you write wonderfully, honestly, with no pretensions. Your two voices are real. Structure is consistent. The reader is getting YOU, not a made up character that has falsehood written all the way through. You paint well with your heart.

Many blessings,
Jim
jack & charmian london (which is, ta da, the story about how a strong woman of heart and soul help shape the entire being of one of the world's most popular authors)

This is such a compelling work. You write in first person creating a bond with your reader. Yet as you write in your pitch there atre two voices, the one who hurts and the one who analyses.

This is certain to hook your target readers. The way you write incorporaitng flashback flows faultlessly. You give of the heart and it beats from the page. Anyone reading this could not help but help be affected. The crazy irresponsible Frank, , the wiles of Steve, your hopes, and dreams before they lay shattered by those 'cute shoes' cast away so long ago, as you cry for the girl that was.

I wish you every success with this. backed with pleasure.

Katy.xx
Phobic Dawn.

There is so much of the female psyche in here...i really related to the priority list, 'I forgot to put myself on it.' i did that when the children were small. This memoir will resonate with many women I'm sure and hopefully give valuable insight to the fading ones. I did find one or two of the paragraphs quite long and maybe breaking them up a bit would make reading easier.
This promises to be a really helpful book.
Gill

This guy Steve sounds amazing so far. I need more, please post more of your book so i can read more about this awesome guy steve. Love it...BBBBBBACKED

This work presents a valuable message to readers while at the same time imparting an interesting memoir written in a novel (no pun intended) manner. A suggestion is to craft some of the information in the "about me" into a prologue to set the stage in the wonderful manner accomplished in the "author's story." Today's world is fast. Readers react to short paragraphs fostered, I think, from living in our electronic age. Wonderful work. Backed. Chuck

Hi Stacy, read all your book so far.
I think you could have turned this around from being a memoir to a fictional novel if you had wanted.
That way you could have manipulated the story further.
Whether that would have been better depends upon the ending of it as it needs to be done nicely.
If you finaly leave your layabout husband and take things up with Steve, then it could be a good ending.
Your writing is excellent, you seem to have a talent for keeping the reader engrossed.
I do hope things are for the better now and wish you well with your book.
I certainly back it.


kind regards,


Neville (The Secrets Of The Forest - Series)

Dear Stacey,
Your memoir, your story is fantastic. I read four chapters and would love to read more. I bet thousands upon thousands of women could read this book and identify with you: nice girl, great family, educated, intelligent, falls for a user and a loser; then kids and responsibility. You find yourself doing anything to hold your dream together. I loved your term, faded. It doesn't happen all at once, all that belief in yourself just fades. I see a terrific market for your story, and hopefully, it will push people to get help. I truly loved this. I will back after you comment.
Caroline
KC Hart
Summer Rose

What awful experiences you have had! I can't understand what you saw in this Frank.

Lynne Ellison

The Green Bronze Mirror

i've just read the first chapter, but will read on.
i really like your style of writing and you have a very obvious talent.
this is inspirational, and i love that.
i also agree with 'su dan' about the title, it really captivates the reader into what you mean, and the pitch is good in pulling people into read your lovely book aswell.
backed with pleasure.
abi
(violet dashier - magic school)

I love how you combine chick lit with non fiction. Just goes to show that those books aren't too far off. I like how you write this with two voices. It's like the professional is reading this along with us and explaining it to us, like she's sitting beside the reader. I like both voices, they are each unique from the other and that is part of what makes it work so well. This could be very popular out in the 'real world' (where all the published books are!). What I found most interesting is being a therapist, your job was to help people in the exact situation you were finding yourself in. That is what makes this something I couldn't pass up. It goes a long way in dispelling any myths out there about the kind of women that find themselves in these relationships. It can happen to anyone. Very well done, inspirational, courageous, and of course, well written. Good luck with this!

Thank you. I appreciate your kind words.

Missy
Mark of Eternity

I love how you combine chick lit with non fiction. Just goes to show that those books aren't too far off. I like how you write this with two voices. It's like the professional is reading this along with us and explaining it to us, like she's sitting beside the reader. I like both voices, they are each unique from the other and that is part of what makes it work so well. This could be very popular out in the 'real world' (where all the published books are!). What I found most interesting is being a therapist, your job was to help people in the exact situation you were finding yourself in. That is what makes this something I couldn't pass up. It goes a long way in dispelling any myths out there about the kind of women that find themselves in these relationships. It can happen to anyone. Very well done, inspirational, courageous, and of course, well written. Good luck with this!

Missy
Mark of Eternity

Truly an excellent exhibition of what it is to have mastered the chick lit art and phenomenon. You have everything that could and should be expected in this genre and surmount most of the best examples with apparent ease.

BACKED