Good Morning, Everyone! It’s #GuestDayTuesday again, and today, I’m happy to introduce our guest of the day, Wendy L. Scott. Wendy has some very interesting things to share with you, including a wonderfully creative idea for a children’s book, in addition to her memoir. So, without further ado, I’m going to turn the floor over to her. Wendy, you’re on!
Hi readers. I’m so thankful for this opportunity to be a part of Marcia’s Guest Day Tuesday! As an author of a memoir, I’d like to share a little bit about the book and hopefully pique your interest. You will find that my writing style is similar to sitting down with an old friend and listening to their life story.
I grew up knowing I had a half-sibling but rarely was that person ever acknowledged or spoken of. That person was born out of wedlock in the sixties (1963 for me), and back then it was very shameful for this to happen. Without going into too much detail and spoiling the book, the baby became a ward of the court and then was eventually adopted.
Jumping ahead to the nineties, married with one child and struggling to conceive another, I wondered what life would be like for that half-sibling of mine and if they had any brothers or sisters. My son may never have a sibling and being one of three girls, I couldn’t imagine life without them. It would be so lonely to be an only child and not have that bond I shared with my sisters. I decided to go in search of this person just to tell them they did have other family members who were thinking about them.
Due to genetics, environmental factors, and a controlling parent and spouse, my life became riddled with anxiety and depression. Along with that came insecurities and self-esteem issues causing me to become a very shy and self-conscious individual. But the need to find this person pushed me outside of my comfort zone and eventually helped me to work through these very serious and debilitating mental health issues.
I began my search before the internet really exploded so most of it was done through library research, cold calls, and making connections through organizations. With only the birth name and a few details, each step led me along a path where at some points I reached a dead end. Because of my need to succeed, my faith in God and my ever persevering personality to prove myself, I kept going no matter what life threw at me.
The book details some heartbreaking events but also highlights some unexpected and unbelievable twists and turns in my search. During the writing of the book, my goal was to keep the reader engrossed so much that by the end of each chapter they couldn’t put it down. But honestly, isn’t that the goal of most writers?
Should my story be of interest to you, I invite you to read my memoir and tell me if I accomplished my goal. Can you put it down before my story ends?
BOOK BLURB
Wendy grew up knowing she had a half-sibling, but didn’t have the details. When she hits thirty years of age, and having suffered a few tragic losses, Wendy is compelled to search for this stranger. Questioning family members, weeding through library research, investigating several organizations, making cold calls, and building new relationships are just a few of the steps Wendy will guide you through. Along the way, she encounters circumstances that challenge her search and force her to make crucial moral decisions. If you were in Wendy’s shoes, what would you decide?
This true account of one woman’s struggle to find her half-sibling will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. This heartwarming and sometimes uncomfortably honest story will carry you along on Wendy’s quest for closure and peace.
What awaits Wendy at the end of her long journey? Will the path she takes enable this determined adventurer to find what she’s looking for?
Author Wendy L. Scott
Wendy L. Scott-Hawkins is a full-time Educational Assistant, mother of two adult children, an avid walker and a Scrabble enthusiast. She uses her life experiences to craft her talent of writing from the heart. Searching For a Stranger and Finding Myself – A Memoir is her first book.
Buy Searching For a Stranger and Finding Myself (on Amazon) HERE
Buy Searching For a Stranger and Finding Myself (Barnes & Noble) HERE
The House That Grew Feet is Wendy’s first creative children’s book (only available in Canada – email or Facebook for more info)
You can reach Wendy on Social Media here:
Email: jawsco892@hotmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WendyLScottHawkinsAuthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendylscotthawkinsauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wendyauthor1
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/wendylscott-hawkins
The Write Stuff 
Wow, Wendy, that sounds like a fascinating and emotional journey.
Thank you for sharing.
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Jacqueline it most certainly was and sometime more than I thought that I could handle. I suppose it was only what made me stronger!
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Congratulations on this book, Wendy! It isn’t easy tracing people even with the Internet, but to tackle it without that huge resource points to a determination and persistence that I hope paid off in the end. I also love the concept of the ‘illustrate it yourself’ book for children!
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Thank you Alex. With my red hair comes stubbornness so I suppose that worked for me in a good way. The children’s book has been fun and the marketing of it has become quite interesting. There are many ways to introduce it as it’s a “You Draw” book. Currently, I have plans to do more workshops with kids on how to illustrate it.
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Cheers, Wendy, on the publication of your book, and congratulations on the journey you embraced. That took courage and perseverance–both impressive. I’m headed to Amazon for my copy. Blessings… ❤️
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Awww Gwen. Thanks so much for your support! I hope you enjoy my journey and can take one good thing away from it to enhance your life.
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Thank you so much for your support Gwen. The journey and the struggles I faced along the way are what made me into the person I am today.
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Hi, Wendy! So good to see you joining us in ‘The Write Stuff’ and thank you for sharing this courageous memoir and the story behind how it came to be. I was fascinated to see that you’ve also branched out into the magical world of children’s fiction. As a primary (elementary) school teacher for over twenty years and a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator for half that time, I love the thinking behind ‘The House That Grew Feet’. Encouraging pupils to illustrate the book addresses so many educational objectives as well as providing opportunities for assessment. What a fabulous idea! : )
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Liza it’s my pleasure joining “The Write Stuff” today. Writing and now marketing my memoir has been an emotional journey but the children’s book is a horse of a different colour. Thanks for the idea of maybe introducing it into schools. I just may have to try that.
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I see possibilities as an assessment tool. It’s easy to know if pupils can decode text, but levels of understanding, inference and deduction are much harder to gauge. For second language children or those with limited writing skills, drawings would be a great insight into what they’ve gleaned from the text.
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Yes, that’s all very true. We all perceive things differently and we just expect someone will see it the way we do. It’s going to be interesting to see some of the artwork in the books!
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That’s an amazing story, Wendy. I’ve just added your book to my Kindle. My former sister-in-law’s father learned he had a sister after he was grown.
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Thanks for your support Joan. Learning that as an adult could go either way in my opinion. Do you know if he acted on that information?
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I’m not positive, but I think he did. His mother was from England. His father met her during World War I, and they married. After the war, they came back to the states, had two children, but she decided to leave him and go home. She took the daughter, and Joy’s dad stayed with his father. I don’t think either of them knew about one another until many years later.
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I’m surprised that both parentscould keep that kind of secret for so long.
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Huge congrats on a very difficult and courageous journey. I love the idea behind your children’s book as well! 👏
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Thank you Debbie. Both have been quite an interesting challenge but so different in the way to market. Still learning…
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That sounds like an intriguing book, Wendy. Best wishes. Thanks, Marcia, for having Wendy guest with you today.
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Thank you John. It is a story like no other I’ve ever heard. I guess that’s what make it my story.
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Yes, indeed
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It sounds like a phenomenal read, Wendy! I already love your fiction. I have no doubt I’ll enjoy reading about your real life. The cover is fantastic! Thanks for featuring her today, Marcia!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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Collaborating with the cover designer was the most fun part of the book. I’m glad you like it. The rest of the book did seem like a lot of hard work but the cover just came together so easily.
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Congrats on your release and the journey you took! Heading to Amazon.
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Thanks so much for your support! I truly appreciate it and hope you enjoy my story.
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Wow, Wendy! What a fascinating journey. You’ve piqued my interest! Off to check out the book! Thanks, Marcia!
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Thank you for your interest and support Jan! I hope it’s a great read for you.
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Stories about long-lost relatives and siblings are so captivating you can’t help but root for them to find one another. Wendy, it sounds like your memoir pulls the reader right in. I want to know what happens. I’ll have to read it to find out! Thanks, Wendy! Thanks, Marcia!
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I would love it if you did Nancy! I’m glad that it enticed you enough to want to read it. I often doubt myself on whether I’m able to make it sound interesting enough to read. I was raised to be very humble so the idea of boasting or enticing has been a real learning curve for me.
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