Two years ago, I’d just finished my experiment. My writing experiment. My audacious and scary commitment to write 500 -1000 words a day as the story about my mom, Sue, poured out of me. What began on October 1, 2021 as a lark, a project about writing for resilience and healing, turned into a book. Nearly 99,000 words by the time January 3, 2022 rolled around. (Shout out, once again, to my dear friend Linda who nudged me every step of the way. Reading and reading and reminding me of the worthiness of the story. Beta readers and writing coaches are unsung heroes for we writers. I can’t say that enough.)
Of all the questions I’ve received about “Surviving Sue”, one of the most compelling (and hard to answer) is how I managed to write so quickly. In some ways, I’d been preparing to write about Sue throughout my life. My trauma brain never suffered from gaps or insufficient recall. Every challenging day with Sue was preserved for posterity in my head and heart because I was in a perpetual deep state – literally mapping her moods for my own survival – and my sister Lisa’s. Each and every maddening and crazy situation provided an opportunity for me to gain skills. Skills in how to navigate around Sue’s moods and abusive behaviors. Skills in how to shelter Lisa.
Eventually, I turned my counselor credentials on myself, recognizing that the term ‘trauma’ that I’d used forever with clients and students needed to pivot inward as I considered my life with Sue and the chaos she created. By writing, I let the remnants of pain out – into the light. Slowly confronting Sue – from a safe distance due to her death. Writing about her life, her decisions and her fractured attempts at parenting. And ultimately, finding my way to forgiveness. Said in three words? Fear into love (thank you Wynne, for that beautiful phrase).
Readers of “Surviving Sue” asked for more – specific details about how I dealt with Sue’s stacked deck of demons (anxiety, alcoholism, Munchausen’s by Proxy and more) as her dementia and Alzheimer’s advanced. Yes, I learned a few things. I’m no expert, but the queries resulted in a workshop – one that I’m offering through the Chicago Writers Association (see below) which is specific about caregiver challenges. This is what life is about. Sharing, connecting, supporting. And I’m happy to share what I know.
Even better? Wynne and I are offering a “Writing for Resilience” workshop, too – sharing the details about how we aligned our personal growth aspirations with writing personal narratives – Wynne’s beautiful book about her father, “Finding My Father’s Faith” and my story about Sue.
Chicago Writers Association – Speakers Bureau 2024
NEW! “Navigating Elder Care with Grace and Humor” by Dr. Vicki Atkinson
Join the author of Surviving Sue to learn how to navigate the challenges of elder care. Dr. Atkinson’s experience in caring for her mother who suffered from Alzheimer’s, alcoholism, and anxiety taught her lessons about forging ahead with humor. Dr. Atkinson shares tips for caregiver wellness.
NEW! “Writing for Resilience” by Dr. Vicki Atkinson and Wynne Leon
Learn how unlocking your storyteller’s soul can build resiliency and reinvigorate your writing practice. Personal narratives are proven pathways for both interpersonal and intrapersonal growth. Authors Atkinson and Leon share their top 10 tried-and-true techniques for pushing past life’s obstacles to lay a foundation for self-understanding.
Thank you so much for the continuing interest and support in my journey. I’m grateful, grateful, grateful.
P.S. I’ll have more exciting news to share soon about an in-person course I’ll be teaching this summer!
Vicki 🥰
Interested in more about me? I’ve written a book about my mom’s complicated life and my resiliency, despite the challenges: “Surviving Sue”. I’m pleased to have great reviews on Amazon and Goodreads…and I welcome more.
Victoria Ponders 
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