1. Please tell us about your book, No Longer Denying Sexual Abuse.
I wrote my book because there wasn’t such a book out there for me when I was just facing the fact that I was a victim of abuse. I knew I didn’t want to hang in a space too long of persecution, but I also felt like there was a process I needed to go through. I stumbled my way through it but what came forth was the 21 chapters in the book which takes a survivor through the remembering/Understanding/Facing triad and then into the various degrees in which we take back our power - from having a voice to telling others. I also make it very clear that denial is the cornerstone of so much dysfunction in our lives - it affects you spiritually, financially, sexually - so I address these areas and more in this book from a place of growth and expansion. It truly is a book of hope.
2. Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability, as well as your courage, in sharing this book. What would you like to share about the process of writing this book?
This book has had two iterations. My first version was more of a memoir. I needed to really dump on the page everything I had experienced from the moment I had the dream I was abused to the pain and joy of the wild ride to become the woman I am today. I then set it down for a bunch of years, and went back to it and met my publisher who had an incredible editor that worked with me to reframe the book into a self-help lens. I am a book coach, and I creatively collaborate and edit on my clients’ books, so it was a a trip to have someone doing that for my book. My editor was fierce. She said I was one of the best writers she had edited in her career, and she was a passionate about the topic, which inspired me to get through those long nights of re-reading the same chapter over and over. We moved 75% of the book into self-help which has action steps for the reader, thought-provoking questions and exercises.
3. What do you hope readers will take away from reading your book?
I hope readers walk away from my book with a sense of hope and triumph. If they are reading my book, they were attracted to the empowered idea of discarding denial from their lives. It is a different angle than just surviving. This is bold move of no longer allowing denial’s hold over them so they can better understand the way they are wired and start to shape a true original identity for themselves. I had a lot of behaviors I just thought were me, only to find after this work that I am not that angry, and I am in fact a very kind person who loves people. I used to be more of an erratic recluse. I am so happy that getting free from the denial of abuse set me on a path to discover my true self.
4. Where can we go to find out more about your work?
I have always been a writer and back in the day I made eleven indie movies. I wrote one of those films about a high school reunion that is out there I think on Amazon Prime called American Reunion. I think about that film now - I wrote it way before I knew I was abused - and it is a call out to understand who I am through these main characters. I also have contributed to journals and articles which can be found at kimoharabooks.com. My column Inner Circle is growing in readership which makes me so happy because I have a lot of fun free writing each week, and making people laugh. My book coaching web site is kimohara.com and I would love anyone who is ready to write about their life to reach out to me!
5. What other resources would you like to share for people who have experienced sexual abuse?
The book has a ton of resources on 12 step groups, as well as advice on how to pick a therapist. I also share a lot of holistic practices I did. The road is different for everyone, but I do think in the book if a reader chooses some of my suggestions in their healing, they will find themselves getting better quickly and with a lot of awareness. I also offer reading suggestions in the book. I will be hosting a 21 week free Zoom class each month with collaborating authors starting Feb 26th. The only requirement to come is a QR code proof of purchase of my book or the guest author. Week One is chapter one and so on. They can find more on my Column - kimohara.substack.com.
Kommentare