INTERVIEW
Running in Heels:
A Memoir of Grit and Grace
A Memoir of Grit and Grace
by Mary
A. Pérez
Running in Heels is currently on tour with Write Now Literary Virtual Book Tours. The tour stops here
today for my interview with the author. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
"More than a memoir
- this book is a promise of hope for anyone who was abandoned as a child, to
anyone who woke up hungry and went to bed hungrier every day, for every wife
who has loved a husband who left bruises on her heart and on her body."
Somewhere between stealing cold cuts from stray cats and watching a
stranger leave her mother’s bed after breaking in through their bedroom window,
Mary figured out that her family was dirt poor. Worse than her empty stomach,
she was hungry for acceptance and love. She thought she found it when her baby
sister was born and she became her "mommy", taking care of her needs
as best she could at the age of seven. Then she had to say goodbye over a small
white casket.
Mary’s grandparents, first generation immigrants from Puerto Rico, took
her in and gave her a glimpse of faith and stability. For a brief, shining
spell, she had a real home - until they decided that Mama needed her. They may
have been right, but Mama needed more than a little girl could give and Mary
lost her way again.
Just out of Juvy Hall, Mary found a knight in shining armor to take her
away. She became a teenage bride to a man twice her age - a man as deeply
enslaved to booze as every "step-dad" she’d had as a child. She loved
him anyway, even wearing the bruises he gave her, even when she tried to leave
him to give their children a better life. Despite her fear and loneliness, she
never imagined it would take a gunshot in the middle of the night to teach her
courage. She was even more surprised when rediscovered faith paved the path to
forgiveness after so many years of pain.
Running in Heels is a memoir of the grit and grace that carried a young girl through the
shadows of her mother’s choices and on through an abusive marriage. Mary A.
Pérez narrates an incredible story of survival in the face of hopelessness, and
learning to forgive against all odds.
A story of coming of age, and coming into grace.
Praise for the Book
"Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace
is an exercise in truth and bravery, written by Mary Perez. Running in Heels represents the triumph
of the female spirit over the phantom of abuse and instability that follows
those of us who are unfortunate enough not to have the benefits of an 'idyllic
childhood'. This book is an inspirational exercise in human struggle and salvation.
Mary Perez has opened wide the door to her life and welcomed us all in without
fear of recrimination. Written in clear and precise language, this is the story
of a young girl, neglected to the point of abuse - a situation that is
counteracted at times by the opportune intercession of grandparents who are
able to plant the seeds of love, Christianity, and self-respect within her.
This seed eventually matures and helps to save her life." ~ linrich
"Wow what a
book. Could not put it down. Get ready to be moved. Keep tissues handy, lol.
You will not be disappointed. Great book for a book reading club. Thank you
Mary for your courage to write it. May the Lord Bless you." ~ Grace Ashton
"I honestly
believed Nicholas Sparks was the only author who would make me cry with his
novels, made up love stories, struggles & thrillers ... but along came Running in Heels that within a few pages
had tears running down my cheeks, & to think it was all true, the
struggles, the love stories, the shock, circumstances, & stories all lived
and experienced in real life by the author herself made it that much harder to
read, yet ironically so hard to put down. I literally devoured her book."
~ Silvia Martinez
Interview With the
Author
Hi Mary, thanks for
joining me today to discuss your memoir, Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace.
For what age group
do you recommend your book?
I would recommend anyone from ages 18 to 80!
Why did you write
this book?
My intention for writing my memoir initially was geared more toward my
children. I felt they needed to know some things about their mom. The more I
wrote down memories from my past, the more passion developed in wanting to
inspire others.
What was the hardest
part to write in this book?
There were many parts that were hard to write about. Mentioning the death
of a loved one or a love lost, brought back some painful memories of that time
period in my life.
How do you hope this
book affects its readers?
My prayer is whoever reads Running in Heels will come to the realization that there is hope for the hopeless and
forgiveness for the inexcusable.
What advice do you
have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
If you have the drive to have your work published, make sure you do your
homework. Read all you can about the craft of writing, become part of a group
with likeminded writers and authors, and finally, pay to have your work
professionally edited.
What does your
family think of your writing?
All my family from abroad and afar support my writing. My husband (which
is my second marriage going on 21 years) has been supportive of my writing
since day one. My children and I have had open hearted discussions mingled with
tears that have drawn us closer and appreciate one another even more. My mother
warmed up to the idea of her daughter being an author and proudly speaks of it
to her friends. She and I have had some heart-to-heart talks as well that have
helped to bring closure.
Please tell us a bit
about your childhood.
Looking back, I realized I was neglected and forced to grow up too fast.
I was ashamed of my childhood and bitter that I was my mama's mother. I sought
love and security, thinking I'd escape the poverty and neglect at home with
Mama by running into the arms of an older man. I soon found myself as a teenage
bride to a ruthless man twice my age. As I matured, settled down, married and
had children of my own, along the way I discovered that I was a stronger person
because of some things that I endured, even after my marriage ended in painful
divorce.
How did your
childhood experiences influence your writing?
My childhood experiences have deeply influenced my writing in every sense
of the word. Running in Heels is my journey of a coming-of-age girl seeking love and security with a
difficult mother.
Did you like reading
when you were a child?
I lived for two blissful years with my maternal grandparents. It was
there that I grew a love for reading while visiting public libraries with them.
Which writers have
influenced you the most?
Writers that pull on the heartstrings along life's journeys, such as: Jan Karon, Charles Martin, Karen Kingsbury, Terri Blackstock, and Richard PaulEvans to name a few. I love the classic story of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre.
Do you hear from
your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I love hearing from my readers, especially with their reviews of my book
coming in. One reader said, "You feel the heartbreak of a little girl, the
turmoil of a troubled young woman, and the peace and beauty of the woman she
grows into."
Thank you so much for
taking the time to stop by today, Mary, and for sharing your story.
Lynda, thanks for having me as a guest today. I hope your readers will
pick up a copy of Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace, and leave feedback on
Amazon. You can subscribe to my blog and follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
About the Author
Mary A. Pérez was born in the Bronx, raised in Miami, and now resides in
Texas with her husband of twenty years. Her award-winning essays have appeared
in La Respuesta and Sofrito for Your Soul.
Links
