Baby Darlin’ is an illustrated memoir that explores your life that has been shaped by addiction, abuse, and generational trauma. Why was this an important book for you to write?

It is important for me to tell my story to help other survivors by unveiling the shame and secrets and giving them hope. Writing it in first person allowed me to really identify with the pain from the trauma and work through it and in the end feeling an ultimate sense of serenity and freedom.

What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir and what was the most rewarding?

The rape scene in the chapter “Oleander” was the most challenging to relive for the sake of explaining disassociating from my body. I had to take a lot of gentleness breaks.

The most rewarding part of my book to write was the last chapter, “The Seaglass Story.” It’s a light-hearted, humorous piece. In recovery, I struggled with identifying with a higher power who I could trust. I questioned If I let go of my addiction would it be there to relieve the obsession, and guide me. Find out in “The Seaglass Story.”

How has writing your memoir impacted or changed your life?

It has changed my life by giving me a sense of freedom and self-love. It has opened the door to allow readers to share their experience with me which has been the most gratifying experience.

What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?

I would like the reader to find their voice, speak their truth, and squash their shame.

Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon

Most of them are dead.

Silence is broken and the secret unearthed.

Surviving the Cajun Curse, her mentally ill momma calls her, Baby Darlin’. Pig calls her Brillo and takes away her innocence by using her to escape his own twisted mind. Her cousin Willy, calls her Snaggle but she doesn’t care, she thinks they will marry someday. Her Papa, a recovered alcoholic, her hero. Her Grandma, the ever present Shamer, is a dark shadow to remind her of her worth. Her drug & love addiction takes her through a series of abusive love stories and finally she proudly escapes into the loving arms of a higher power.

This illustrated memoir brutally rips off the bandaid and exposes the stigma around child sexual abuse, with compassion and insight through the eyes of a brave little girl, Baby Darlin’.