Fast forward to the present day, and I’ve looked back at the things that gave me comfort throughout this. I remember being given ‘self help’ books – very useful for many, but for me they’d make me dwell on how real it all was. I am the type of person who needed distraction from what was going on. I needed to laugh – or at least try to.
I decided to create a character who not only suffered from my fears, but from many more. In fact, almost anything that would make an anxious person worry. She’d write a diary, and document how she was feeling. She’d exaggerate, predict a catastrophic future, and her friend Claire could try to lead her past these worries. She would post an inspirational quote underneath each worry, reminding herself of what to focus on.
In fact, her fears, when written down, seem kind of funny. We could identify with each one, but laugh at it too. We can see how ridiculous it is to be so afraid of making smalltalk at a party, driving a car in the belief that everyone would assume you are terrible at it, even posting something on twitter for fear of internet trolls!
When I’d written the book, I couldn’t believe how many people told me they felt exactly the same, if not now, then at some point in their lives. I hope the book is universal, but there’s a lot of me in there too!
Why Am I Scared of Everything? Is published by Skyhorse and is out now. Here’s a little more about the book from my interview with the BBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTqt4_yQaZs
On amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-Scared-Everything-Greatest-Inspirational/dp/1629144606
A woman after the author’s own heart, Beth Kemp from Leicester is the lucky, anxious winner of a signed copy of ‘Why Am I Scared Of Everything?’ Congratulations Beth!
About the author:
Bethany Straker is an illustrator of picture books and magazines. Her work often leans towards the humorous, and has been described as “somewhere between the stylings of a Steve Fiorilla and a Mike Judge series” (filmmonthly.com). She enjoys the little visual details that others may not notice, loves drawing the grotesque and champions the underdog.
“Isabel is a lovely person; always professional, kind and thoughtful. She listens and advises, drawing from a great instinct and experienced knowledge of the publishing world. Isabel is always positive and her guidance has been and is always invaluable. I am delighted to be represented by Isabel.”
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