Getting Back To The Business of Blogging

It is said; a coincidence is a gift from above. A seemingly unnecessary delay can result in an important improvement with an idea or project. It was so with the upgrading of both of my books; firstly Chasing Rainbows, and now No More Pain and my Blog.For example, delays in the reprint of Chasing Rainbows, when the publishers went insolvent, afforded a nostalgic section on Amsterdam after my husband and I visited the magnificent Spring gardens-and a few other relevant additions. No More Pain gave me the opportunity to add interesting items to the content and learn more about the organization CANSA and their accomplishments.

 

The biggest unforeseen delay was caused by a most unwelcome “visitor” while we were on an end-of-winter holiday a few years ago; a difficult-to-diagnose virus which started with a burning, itchy rash on my neck. It calmed somewhat with my hubby’s after-shave cream so I continued enjoying our holiday . It persisted though, and by the time we returned home it had jumped to my legs, luckily beneath the knees! From my Chemist to my G.P. and a dermatologist, but nothing they recommended healed the rash.  Perhaps my immune system was still on holiday because  soon after Christmas the virus attacked the upper veins of my left leg . It was as though the veins were being extracted! The spasms left me weak and afraid to go out where people would be seated as I would cry out with the sudden pain. It baffled my physician too who said it was possibly, a form of Vasculitis. After many months the spasms abated but not altogether. My comfort was my constantly present dogs and my therapy was doing a limited amount of gardening. Concentration on writing, painting or most handwork was well-nigh impossible.

 

With all the medication tried and tested for it, I had some really weird experiences! Coupled with the trauma mentioned in my stories, fear of that mysterious illness and everyday duties, I would have “thrown in the towel” and just be a quiet little granny, knitting or  crocheting my day away between crossword puzzles and relaxing. But ‘Oh, No way!’ says my daughter -and also my dear I. T. friend Cornell, who thankfully calls herself my writing assistant. Their encouragement and that of other loved ones, boosts my morale!

My Fact/fantasy third book of children’s stories can hopefully now continue. So I shall put my wool aside, pick up my pen- and make contact again with my (quote)vivid imagination!

The Citizen 3 July 2014: Speaking out after abuse by Features Writer Genevieve Vieira

Find the online article here

About writing ‘Chasing Rainbows’.

I have been told that ‘Chasing Rainbows’ is a ‘must-read’ for adult readers, male and female. That title was chosen because, in the harshness of an abusive situation as our childhood often was, the rainbow seemed to me a fascinating sign of hope-it still is. In my story, which is based on fact, my siblings called me ‘the day-dreamer’, always hoping for a brighter future.
My story begins in Zululand, now called Qua Zulu Natal in South Africa and proceeds down to Cape Town. Being also something of an artist helped me to describe the areas where my family lived and travelled.
During the writing of this story some strange, inexplicable coincidences and incidents happened. They confounded me and others close to me on this project, but I felt no fear, only anger at those gremlins causing so many delays! Anger also, for having to write certain things which are contrary to my nature. As a placebo, to distract my thoughts from the subject I “injected” a few poignant romantic interludes-a special one for my mother-something she only ever hinted at, but I think she would have approved of my adding that to her story!
‘Chasing Rainbows’, like other stories written on the subject of abuse, has the aim of helping those affected by it, but I think it is unique in that is also guides men to be aware that apart from ‘AIDS’, his body is open to other gruesome illnesses if they “indulge” in illicit sexual behaviour-it happened to Bruce; the name I used for my father in ‘Chasing Rainbows.’ Perhaps unique too because it crosses the “colour-line”; highlighting also the traumatic effects of apartheid.
Therefore it gives a twofold message; to those traumatised through abuse and through apartheid.
I hope that when you start reading ‘Chasing Rainbows’; you will find that ‘you simply cannot put it down’ and say ‘it is one of the best books I have read in a long time’ (referring to some of the comments I have received.)

Bea Ellemcy ‘No More Pain’ and ‘Chasing Rainbows’

My computer expert friend and neighbour Cornell, insists that I should do a profile. So, not that I like writing about myself, but as with my two books, I was asked to do something- and I feel I should do it. To know about my somewhat “sketchy” education, you will find that in my book ‘Chasing Rainbows’. I was doing well at a Technical college with Commercial Art, but left to marry a charming, conservative Italian who believed the wife’s career should be ‘housewife’.
  
Being the youngest in the family, I “escaped” most of what my older siblings had to deal with. (Have you read ’Chasing Rainbows’?)They called me a dreamer and I believe it has not been a bad asset. As with my siblings, God granted us a good sense of humour so, having that and being a dreamer helped with the method in which I formed the story of my second book ‘No more pain’. Although the subject is on the industrial cancer Mesotheleoma, it demonstrates how a family can cope with terminal illness. It is often light-hearted, interspersed with a strong Italian flavuor and informative. Being also something of an artist helped with describing the ‘Introductions’ to the parts of the story. In ‘No More Pain’, you can get to know more about me and my loved ones.

New, “unplanned loved ones” came into my life a few years ago when I threw caution and widowhood to the wind! My husband, also widowed with children, gave me through his experience, an extra chapter for ‘No more Pain’. As a doctor (General Practitioner) wrote after ‘proof reading’ ‘No More Pain’: ‘It is ‘excellent reading!’
 Soon to be published. Shall inform you when is.

Chasing Rainbows by Bea Ellemcy

Families may be held together by many things - love, need and millions of tiny, invisible threads. But when you add fear and secrets into that mix, the heart of that family will blacken and harden, creating turmoil in the inner lives of its members, and turning their physical lives into mere subsistence.

When Becky's young and idealistically romantic mother Mina met Bruce, he seemed like nothing less than the fairest, strongest, most handsome catch of her generation, and they soon married. In the sultry heat of South Africa, a country whose society was soon to splinter irreparably under apartheid, their family increased rapidly, as did Mina's fears that her young husband's erratic volatility might escalate into something worse.

The decades to follow were to be more painful than the unfortunate woman ever imagined - a veritable blur of abuse; of her, of her children - of their lives.

This is a harrowing memoir, yet it beautifully demonstrates how great the capacity for hope can be in human beings, likewise empathy, friendship and, ultimately, forgiveness.

Buy this book or contact the author: authorbeaellemcy@gmail.com