Rainbowgirl is known for her emotionally honest, heartfelt and engaging blogs. Her writing provides comfort, hope, enlightenment and inspiration to many in our community and beyond.
Rainbowgirl’s Twitter bio reads ‘My husband was released in December ’22 after 16 months. We are rebuilding our family together and living around his SOR conditions. #lifeaftertheknock‘
Today she joins me for a Q&A all about her blogging journey.
Hello Rainbowgirl. Thank you for joining me for a chat today. You have been blogging since 2021 about your family’s journey and over time, your blog and Twitter account have gained a captive audience. What inspired you to start a blog?
I feel like it kind of evolved naturally to be honest. I have always enjoyed writing. I’ve also kept a journal for many years, using it to let out and process my emotions at times I was struggling, especially around losing my parents.
I picked it up again after the Knock. My emotions were so intense I felt like they were bursting out of me like a pressure cooker. Writing them down helped to slowly release them.
One of the other amazing ladies I had first met through this journey, was writing an anonymous blog about the Knock.
I had months of talking therapy. When my husband was in prison I was broken. It was another huge bomb. I felt lost, lonely. My family didn’t want to listen or understand why I had stood by him.
My therapist, realising I had a lot to say and not many wanted to listen, suggested that I write a blog. Just for me, she suggested. I didn’t have to make public, unless I wanted to.
To be honest I have always enjoyed writing so I decided to give it a go.
How has blogging helped you?
Words can’t really describe how much it’s helped me.
I am a very emotional person, an empath. My thoughts and feelings overwhelm me at times. My blog helps me so so much. It’s an outlet. It helps me to process. When I start writing a blog, my emotions are very intense. By the end of that blog, I’ve usually identified why. It’s extremely cathartic.
What has been the most challenging part of writing?
To be honest I don’t think the challenge has been in the writing itself, but in the fear of judgment. Fear of backlash or being exposed.
Putting myself out there on Twitter was scary at first.I had no idea how my words would be perceived.
What has surprised you?
That’s an easy question to answer. What has surprised me most has been the level of support. The understanding. The camaraderie. Also the people who’ve reached out to me to tell me how my words resonate with them, help them.
In helping myself, I’ve incidentally helped others.
I work in a supporting role so this feeds my soul.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of writing a blog about their personal experiences?
Do it.
There’s absolutely NO right or wrong way – it’s your words, your rules. I occasionally quote some statistics within my blogs but on the whole, the content comes from me. From my thoughts and feelings. Nobody can say how we feel is wrong. They are our own thoughts and feelings.
What do you wish you had known before you started writing?
I suppose, just how much I would enjoy it really. How empowering it would be to help me to develop my confidence again. To help me to heal.
How do you decide what aspects of your family’s journey to write about?
I don’t. My emotions decide for me. I know when I am having a ‘wobble’ I will actually say to the ladies on my support group, ‘I need to write a blog’ it’s like having therapy with myself.
Can you talk me through your writing process?
I freewrite. Once I start writing, it pours out of me. If I overthought it or planned it out it I don’t think it would work for me personally. It may for others.
Sometimes I will move a paragraph up or down, or change the odd spelling, that’s it. It may not be grammatically perfect but that’s not the aim.
Do you have any plans to publish a book in the future?
To be honest, I’m not 100% sure. I think I would. I would prefer to do this with our writing group so we have the mutual support from each other.
It’s a very emotional story to tell. I would have to have assurance that it wouldn’t evoke any hatred towards my family etc.
However, it would be amazing to be heard and understood.
Please check out Rainbowgirl’s blog here
And follow her on Twitter @Rainbowgirl1982
You can find information about our writing group, Writing Strong, here.
My name is Annie Hope. I am a writer with lived experience as a family member of someone who had the Knock. I am a professional writer, and I am able to work with your organisation, charity or with you as an individual in a variety of different ways. Please have a look at my website to find out more.
I also run a free writing group for family members of those who are convicted of sexual offences. You can find out more about the group here. You can find blog posts with free advice about writing and helpful tips in my main blog index here.
You can contact me by email anniehopewriter@gmail.com
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