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She Wrote it Down: How a Secret-Keeper Became a Storyteller
We live inside our stories, we make homes of them. When we decide those stories are unspeakable, when we attach shame to those stories, they become secrets and those homes become prisons. You know what the difference between a home and a prison is? It's just the ability to walk outside it to freedom.
A lifelong secret-keeper, Laura Parrott Perry began the process of transforming into a storyteller when the dark secrets she'd been carrying around became too heavy and her life began to collapse under the weight of them.
Sexual abuse, eating disorders, alcoholism, perfectionism... Those secrets were all her story making itself known when she was unwilling to tell it.
Bit by bit, story by story, the author began to shine a light into all those dark corners and tell the truth. She surrendered to the facts of her life and her past, and in doing so began to write a beautiful new future.
A lifelong secret-keeper, Laura Parrott Perry began the process of transforming into a storyteller when the dark secrets she'd been carrying around became too heavy and her life began to collapse under the weight of them.
Sexual abuse, eating disorders, alcoholism, perfectionism... Those secrets were all her story making itself known when she was unwilling to tell it.
Bit by bit, story by story, the author began to shine a light into all those dark corners and tell the truth. She surrendered to the facts of her life and her past, and in doing so began to write a beautiful new future.
147 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 30, 2018
One of my favorite lines: honey, you survived the thing, you sure as hell can survive talking about the thing. 🙌🏼🙌🏼 I was introduced to this courageous storyteller a few years ago when Say It, Survivor was launched. I truly feel she has been beside me as I've started to tell my story. Her courage, vulnerability and honesty are worth celebrating. If you have a story that you haven't told, a secret you've been fighting to keep, this book is for you. Laura will point you to freedom from the shame and secrets 🖤💛
August 9, 2018
WORTHWHILE
This is not a book solely for those who have been/are being abused. This book should be read by anyone keeping secrets out of shame; which means it’s a book for every living human being.
This is not a book solely for those who have been/are being abused. This book should be read by anyone keeping secrets out of shame; which means it’s a book for every living human being.
May 18, 2019
A few weeks ago, I walked up to Laura at work and told her that I wanted to read her book. With not a word, she reached into her desk drawer and handed me a copy with a smile. I had no idea what I was in for.
In real life, Laura is the kind of person who has a smile and a compliment to share even on her worst days. It brought me so much joy that reading her book was very much like having a conversation with her, serious but not too serious and clever with just enough sarcasm. This little book packs a hell of a punch. It’s not exactly and easy read, but for anyone who is struggling with self (due to addiction, abuse, or any other type of trauma), I highly recommend picking it up.
In real life, Laura is the kind of person who has a smile and a compliment to share even on her worst days. It brought me so much joy that reading her book was very much like having a conversation with her, serious but not too serious and clever with just enough sarcasm. This little book packs a hell of a punch. It’s not exactly and easy read, but for anyone who is struggling with self (due to addiction, abuse, or any other type of trauma), I highly recommend picking it up.
August 18, 2018
In She Wrote it Down, Laura Parrott Perry tells her story, a seemingly straightforward act. But She Wrote it Down is not just a revelation, it is a revolution, a casting off of the false mantle of shame and a reclamation of life in all its beauty and pain. Laura writes with wit and compassion that draw the reader in, but there is a take-no-nonsense, mother hen quality about her writing, too. As Laura puts it, “I swoop.” You’ll have to read the book to find out exactly what a swooper is.
April 22, 2018
Beautiful. Heartening. Inspiring.
Parrott Perry speaks straight to the heart of things and encourages her readers to tell their stories and be seen.
My only complaint is that it seems like this book is mostly printed blog. It works, but it reads a bit like this is the case and it could probably have been even better with a little more editing or new material.
Parrott Perry speaks straight to the heart of things and encourages her readers to tell their stories and be seen.
My only complaint is that it seems like this book is mostly printed blog. It works, but it reads a bit like this is the case and it could probably have been even better with a little more editing or new material.
December 28, 2022
ok
I feel bad rating it low since this is someone’s story and life. I’m glad she has reached so many with her story and helped others. I did connect with her at times, However the book felt a bit repetitive at times.
I feel bad rating it low since this is someone’s story and life. I’m glad she has reached so many with her story and helped others. I did connect with her at times, However the book felt a bit repetitive at times.
January 27, 2018
Wise account of how one woman overcame trauma.
January 4, 2019
What will the world miss if you don’t tell your story?
May 24, 2019
Great book for the Christian recovery, 12-step and other recovery communities. Laura honestly engages her readers by fearlessly revealing the painful experiences of her past.
December 15, 2020
Wow. I absolutely loved everything about this book.
July 12, 2024
WAIT- this book was actually so good!!
February 13, 2018
As a sexual assault survivor myself, this was a powerful read that mirrored my own story in so many ways.
May 27, 2019
The content of this hit the nail on the head. I love her discussion about shame culture and how to fight against it. There’s so much power in this little book. I thought a few parts could use some editing, but more for technical stuff that didn’t impact her message. I wish this were more widely read and known about.
June 26, 2018
Good memoir about healing from childhood trauma.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews