Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first published book. I’ve written two more and have material for an additional four. I’m an expert by experience in complex trauma. This means I share my lived experience of complex PTSD from childhood abuse to help others overcome it and lead more fulfilling lives. I share my experiences of therapy for complex trauma with psychotherapists as the client’s experiences of therapy are normally kept confidential.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Childhood Trauma Recovery: The Email Conversations With My Therapist That Helped Me Overcome Childhood PTSD. This book was my lockdown project – it was to keep me occupied during the pandemic. The person who inspired me to write it was my former therapist – the therapist mentioned in the book. (He’s written the foreword for it.)
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am most productive in the morning so I start writing as soon as I wake up. I face a blank wall so there’s nothing in my line of vision and wear earplugs because I find noise really distracting. I would love to get into the rhythm of writing while walking my dog.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
What are you working on now?
My second book. The working title is My 15 Therapists and My Reasons for Leaving Therapy With Them. I’ve had 15 therapists over 25 years for complex trauma. In this book, I share my experiences of therapy – what helped and what made my trauma worse.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new to all this so ask me when I have more experience.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t expect to know what you’re doing – you’ll figure it out as you go along. If you share your vision with others, the help will come along as and when you need it. If you go into writing believing that you have to know everything before you start, you’ll never start.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This advice from my therapist (the one mentioned in my new book): give your imagination a job to do; at the moment it’s like a bored dog destroying the house because it hasn’t been given anything to do.
What are you reading now?
Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My second and third books are on my 15 therapists – the second is aimed more at people who have experienced trauma themselves, and the third is aimed at therapists.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Author Websites and Profiles
Fran Stalley Website
Fran Stalley’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile