Review and 5Ws: When Ties Break

Memoirs are never at the top of my TBR pile but when a friend — Margo — suggested I read When Ties Break, I decided to plunge in. After all, she’s never steered me wrong before.

When Ties Break is an emotional book that makes you marvel that Margaret could ever escape what seemed like a predestined life of unhappiness. But indeed she not only escaped an unhappy life but she thrived! Margaret, that word will always be associated with you now.

If you enjoy memoirs about an average woman overcoming a life of obstacles this is the book for you. I enjoyed that this memoir offered two things: first, her life was so incredible I was cheering for her to conquer her problems but at the same time she was just an average woman, like me. With her story you could easily switch places with her and think, just a few changes, a few different decisions and that could have been me. It gives you powerful things to think about.

Margaret give me an e-book to read and shared her time by answering my 5W questions. The e-book was professionally formatted (you know how I’m a stickler for that) and even had some great photos, illustrations, and poetry as a surprise addition! To celebrate her 60th birthday — Happy Birthday Margaret! — you can purchase the e-book for just 99 cents. Then from Feb. 6 to Feb. 29 there will be a blog comment contest and Twitter hashtag contest (#Celebrate60) to win a print or e-book copy or a 30 minute life coaching session. I’ll give you more info about this closer to the date. For now, check out When Ties Break!

When Ties Break: a Memoir About How to Thrive After Loss

Author: Margaret Norton

Paperback: 260 pages (also available in e-books)

Publisher: Tate Publishing (August 3, 2010)

Synposis:

Divorce, abuse, abortion, excommunication, chronic illness, homelessness, death, bankruptcy, sibling rivalry, adultery, single parenthood, drug addiction, low self-esteem, depression—some people suffer from one or several of these in their life; others deal with them daily.

What makes North Carolina author Margaret Norton’s story exceptional and inspirational is that she has lived through each one of these challenging, sometimes terrifying problems. In her new book, “When Ties Break: A Memoir about How to Thrive After Loss,” Norton shares how, through God’s help and her own courage and perseverance, she not only thrived after loss but came out on top with a new energy, a renewed spirit, and a sense of worth.

5Ws with Margaret Norton

WHO
Who are some of your favorite memoir writers?

I am drawn to memoirs of women who have survived abusive situations or individuals I can personally relate to.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert perfectly portrays what it’s like for many women when a relationship ends.
Riding Grace by Alissa Lukara shows abusive situations in a profound way.
Kevin Jennings memoir, Mama’s Boy Preacher’s Son, I especially enjoyed because my father too was a Southern preacher.
I don’t usually like memoirs about famous people but I was pleasantly surprised last year at how much I enjoyed Warren Buffetts memoir Snowball.

WHY
Why did you decide to write your memoir?

My main reason for deciding to write was that I felt like many individuals struggled with the same problems I did. I wanted to let them know that if I could survive, so could they. I also wanted to encourage people to talk about their issues, to struggle with them, to work on them, to feel them – not become a martyr – but rather my belief is that only when you face your worst pain and most difficult issues do you find peace.

WHEN
When did you start writing your memories? When did decide it would be more than a personal work and you would like to publish it? How long did the writing/editing take you?

I started writing in 2005 as a way to deal with the death of 8 people in 2004. Initially, it was just therapy but I soon realized it was helping me to put my life back together.

I shared it with a few friends and they said “you should write a book.” That started what would be the most difficult journey of my life. It took less than one year to write it, one year to edit it, and then two years looking for a publisher.

WHAT
What is the most rewarding part of writing? The most difficult?

The most difficult thing about writing is finding and making the time. I have a paying job and others interests so it usually feels like I am squeezing writing in. The most rewarding part is having someone tell me how much they enjoyed my writing or how my stories inspired them to make a change in their lives.

WHERE
Where will your writing go from here? Another book? Another genre?

For the past few years I’ve focused on short stories and blogging. I don’t think I’ll ever write another memoir but I have thought about compiling short stories that readers have shared with me. To be honest, if I ever do I’ll probably utilize the internet more, maybe an ebook. Another genre probably not. There are so many talented writers out there. I think that personal, motivational stories are my strength so I’ll probably stick to that.