Ask the Author: Tracie Daily
Answered Questions (7)
Tracie Daily
I once wrote a poem about a dying man from seeing a feather lying in the street.
I wrote another about a beautiful woman on her way to work because a lady was slipping her shoe on at the bus stop that morning.
If it hadn't been for leonard Cohen's book of longing I'd never have picked up a pen to write regularly, if it hadn't been for an art therapist I'd never have bothered writing at all.
Finally if it hadn't been for my wife I'd never have shared one single piece. She prompted me, believed in me and supported me. When I think of where I was before mentality as to where I am today it's phenomenal really.
I've never needed inspiration to write, there's always been something for me to rattle on about, if anything it's been more of getting time to write which has been the issue.
A person can see a flea and write about disease and illness, someone else will write about animals, pets and vicious circles. Another will write about the circus in "A bugs life" and then there is me. I'll write it's eulogy.
Given the amazing power of the mind and my absolutely loopy imagination I cannot fathom a time when I'd not be able to write. There's a world of microscopic creatures living in the carpet beneath me right now. All we have to do is open the door, give them names and roles and boom we have a story.
That said - Tracie's story, I knew the minute Rose from S.A.M.M stopped talking that I'd write my story. They helped me beyond anything I could ever explain in words. As she stood there and told the story of her daughter's death to people she barely knew. I felt the air change, I felt included in a room full of people I didn't know. I felt connected. I knew then in that moment I'd write until I cried and then I'd write some more. I knew my mother's life wouldn't amount to nothing. I knew not only would something good come out of it, but something great.
I wrote another about a beautiful woman on her way to work because a lady was slipping her shoe on at the bus stop that morning.
If it hadn't been for leonard Cohen's book of longing I'd never have picked up a pen to write regularly, if it hadn't been for an art therapist I'd never have bothered writing at all.
Finally if it hadn't been for my wife I'd never have shared one single piece. She prompted me, believed in me and supported me. When I think of where I was before mentality as to where I am today it's phenomenal really.
I've never needed inspiration to write, there's always been something for me to rattle on about, if anything it's been more of getting time to write which has been the issue.
A person can see a flea and write about disease and illness, someone else will write about animals, pets and vicious circles. Another will write about the circus in "A bugs life" and then there is me. I'll write it's eulogy.
Given the amazing power of the mind and my absolutely loopy imagination I cannot fathom a time when I'd not be able to write. There's a world of microscopic creatures living in the carpet beneath me right now. All we have to do is open the door, give them names and roles and boom we have a story.
That said - Tracie's story, I knew the minute Rose from S.A.M.M stopped talking that I'd write my story. They helped me beyond anything I could ever explain in words. As she stood there and told the story of her daughter's death to people she barely knew. I felt the air change, I felt included in a room full of people I didn't know. I felt connected. I knew then in that moment I'd write until I cried and then I'd write some more. I knew my mother's life wouldn't amount to nothing. I knew not only would something good come out of it, but something great.
Tracie Daily
Mentality - A book for men is my most recent book and the third full book I've completed. It's probably the first book I can say I've been completely proud of.
Don't get me wrong Tracie's Story and Checkmate were extremely important to me. The death of my mother was difficult, especially as it was at the hands of my father. But both books were written a time after the events took place and in ways I was just regurgitating what I'd been through.
Mentality - A book for men was a lot more recent and I knew much of it hadn't been written about before, at least not by anyone I knew. I know there's going to be men out there who read that who think I'm absolutely crazy, more importantly I know there's others out there who need to hear what I have to say right now, and that's what made me write it. The fact that a few years ago I needed to hear the words which I've now put down.
I've not heard many men speak about the things I've written in Mentality, it would be good if they did.
Don't get me wrong Tracie's Story and Checkmate were extremely important to me. The death of my mother was difficult, especially as it was at the hands of my father. But both books were written a time after the events took place and in ways I was just regurgitating what I'd been through.
Mentality - A book for men was a lot more recent and I knew much of it hadn't been written about before, at least not by anyone I knew. I know there's going to be men out there who read that who think I'm absolutely crazy, more importantly I know there's others out there who need to hear what I have to say right now, and that's what made me write it. The fact that a few years ago I needed to hear the words which I've now put down.
I've not heard many men speak about the things I've written in Mentality, it would be good if they did.
Tracie Daily
I am extraordinarily lucky, I've never had a time in my life when I couldn't just pick up a pen and write.
I did however have nearly two years when I couldn't speak at all. Then later on a further year or so of constant stuttering and later stuttering whenever I spoke about something which caused me upset. It took a good amount of practice to being to put words in a sensible order. However familiarity breeds confidence and like most things, if you practice enough, you'll get there.
I did however have nearly two years when I couldn't speak at all. Then later on a further year or so of constant stuttering and later stuttering whenever I spoke about something which caused me upset. It took a good amount of practice to being to put words in a sensible order. However familiarity breeds confidence and like most things, if you practice enough, you'll get there.
Tracie Daily
My father killed my mother in 1993 - I was ten.
He looks back at me every time I look in the mirror.
He looks back at me every time I look in the mirror.
Tracie Daily
I absolutely love The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. The writer is a complete legend and I'd love to see the spirit side of Chicago. Obviously I'd not be going without Bob the skull and a really sturdy duster and staff though!
What would I do there? I'd have to find a way to allow Harry to live forever, he may not be all good but his heart has always been in the right place in the end and for me that's the most important thing in life. Trying your best.
What would I do there? I'd have to find a way to allow Harry to live forever, he may not be all good but his heart has always been in the right place in the end and for me that's the most important thing in life. Trying your best.
Tracie Daily
My father killed my mother in 1993 - I was ten.
I've covered the whole situation from my earliest memory until I turned twelve in Tracie's Story C.A.L.M. It's available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon.
I've covered the whole situation from my earliest memory until I turned twelve in Tracie's Story C.A.L.M. It's available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon.
Tracie Daily
I'm dying to get time between recording Tracie's Story and the day job to read Naomi's Story by Rick Hardesty, available on Amazon. I want to know the backstory to the clock on the fireplace.
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