About
GMarie English's Biography
​I write about surviving my family trauma with honesty, insight, and humor. Years of therapy and my own background in psychology and adult learning give my work a unique perspective. I have a BA in English from Whittier College, an MA in Psychology from Pepperdine University, and an M.Ed. in Adult Learning from Arizona State University. In the spring and summer, I live on the Oregon coast with my husband Tim and my dog Penny. In the fall and winter, we live in Phoenix.
Why did you write this book?
For years when friends would hear stories from my childhood, they would all respond the same way, “You should write a book!” It took decades to finally find the courage (and the time!) to actually do it, but a few years ago it became clear that it was time.
Nearly thirty years ago, I wrote a “life plan” with 5 or so major milestones or accomplishments I wanted to achieve in my life. They included things like: raising a well-adjusted and happy child, having a healthy romantic relationship, and building a business. While reflecting on the course my life had taken, during the pandemic, I realized I’d mostly been successful with the major parts of my plan. Two were as yet incomplete: living at the beach and writing a book. Shortly after getting our cabin on the Oregon coast, I started writing.
Why now?
What do you hope people take away from it?
My hope is that people will relate to the essays. Although my story is unique to me and my family has had some unusual experiences, most of us have suffered humiliation, sadness, loss, fear, and manipulation in some way. If this book can help others see that they are not alone in what they have experienced, and that they can move ahead and rise above, that would be very meaningful to me.
After I completed the first essay (“Missing Parts”), I read it to my therapist, before anyone else had seen or heard it, even my editor. As I said the words aloud, I started to hyperventilate and had to stop several times to breathe. It felt like telling that story to another person would kill me, the fear and shame so deep in my psyche and soul. That was really difficult.
What was the hardest part?
What was the most rewarding part?
There have been so many rewards! Getting it all out on paper (or on screen?) has detoxified the truth of so much of my past, freeing me from anger, shame, and feelings of unworthiness. It has helped me see the actions and choices of others as theirs, not mine. It has been liberating. Some other (really cool!) things have happened within my family as a result of the writing as well. I’m looking forward to sharing some of those in the blog, over time.