Welcome to my stop on the virtual blog tour for Naked & Not Ashamed: The Transformational Devotional Experience by Chanelle Coleman. This blog tour was organized by Write Now Literary Book Tours. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the book as well as a guest post from the author about how writing has helped her. There's also the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the book. Enjoy!
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Author: Chanelle Coleman
Publisher: CeCi's Ink
Publication Date: February 1st 2022
Print Length: 232 pages
Genre: Christian Non-Fiction
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Naked & Not Ashamed is a transparent conversation between Sisters. One that allows both the writer and reader to expose themselves without fear or sense of condemnation. It’s a journey towards healing that allows us to dialogue without masks, charades, or pretense. We explore familiar stories of women in the Bible. These powerful narratives of trial, triumph, failures, and flaws show the resiliency, redemptive and transformative power of encountering Christ. I also reveal personal experiences of my own Christian walk with all its ups, downs, twists, and turns. But the most amazing part of these chronicles is you! Right now, you are writing your story. Are you living with pain, grief, and regret that needs to be released? This book is designed to help you see your own undeniably powerful narrative. I want to challenge you to see the hand of God in your life and urge you to find the ability to tell your story. We accomplish this through journal prompts, activities, prayer, etc.
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EXCERPT:
Tony instantly began screaming and yelling. I continued to bite down harder. I continued biting and grinding my teeth until I couldn’t bite anymore. I let go. He fell back onto the bed. I jumped up out of the bed, my heart was pounding, terrified I opened the door, and I was met with darkness. Hurriedly I ran out past the dining room, through the hallway to the kitchen. Panicked, I reached the back door. I began pulling on the door, but it was locked. Fear seized me as I began fumbling with the knob trying to unlock the door. The latch finally twisted up and I raced up the back-hallway stairs. At last, there was light. I ran as fast as I could through the open kitchen door. The light continued to welcome me as I forged ahead running through the hallway past the bathroom and my aunt’s and grandparent’s bedrooms, the dining-room and into the living room to the couch where my grandmother was sitting. I distinctly remember her shocked expression as I pounded towards her as she sat there speechless, on the couch holding my baby brother. I felt relieved and a sense of security momentarily came over me until my grandmother spoke. She stared at me, with her mouth opened in shock. She screamed, “Chanelle, you’re naked! Where are your clothes?” Momentarily, I had forgotten that I was naked, but the awful realization of my nakedness began to cover me like a garment. It was the evidence of my pain, humiliation, and fear. I stood there breathlessly as I gasped, painting for air, naked and ashamed, I told her my story.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Chanelle Coleman Wesley is a native of Milwaukee Wisconsin. She is the creative powerhouse of CeCi’s Ink, an innovative storytelling company that conveys stories through poetry, books, playwrights, blogs, fashion, and motivational speaking. Chanelle is significantly inspired by her late mother’s, Brenda J. Coleman, penchant for prolific storytelling and developing a strong sense of faith.
As a survivor of abuse, Wesley believes in passing on the communication skills she developed to cope in those environments. She is also an accomplished playwright with her latest project, a gospel stage play entitled The Beautiful Truth About an Ugly Lie to be released soon. She strives to empower individuals who have lost their ability to advocate for themselves by challenging them to recognize the power of their voice. Her greatest accomplishment, however, forever remains becoming a mother to her six beautiful children and “GiGi” to her two adorable grandchildren.
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GUEST POST:
Writing a story is an undeniably powerful act. Narratives can transcend biases, bring light to a struggle, create laughter, invoke strong emotions, and provide inspiration. Stories are necessary. They expose to us both the issues and solutions of life. I love writing for its ability to transform lives.
My first encounter with sexual abuse happened at the age of 4 or 5 years old. This incident helped me to acquire a mindset that allowed me to be abused throughout my adolescent years. The abuse made me feel powerless, insignificant, fearful, ashamed and it took away my ability to find my voice. I saw myself as a victim of sexual abuse and incest. But as the abuse stole these things, writing empowered me by creating a world where I could control the narrative and it gave me back my voice. I now understand that I am not a victim — I am a survivor.
Writing is something that has always provided a space of healing. I’ve known since I was 7 or 8 years old that this is something that ministers to me. It is my gift and it was given to me to share with others. When I was a child, I saw stories in anything and everything around me. As an adult, stories remain intertwined within my spirit.
The ability to create and tell the story is what inspires me to write. I imagine creation, which is an incredibly powerful achievement, and the act of communicating an account are irrevocably transformative concepts because of my past. I recognize that I struggle with managing control. Not control of others but of myself and my children. As a survivor, I was unable to control or convey what was happening to me. I was robbed of these things during this period of my life. Writing has allowed me to reclaim my broken pieces. Every time I sit down to write about my experience, I emerge as a conqueror. Writing is the balm that God has equipped and empowered me to utilize to become whole again. Each time I communicate my narrative, I become more powerful, immovable and unstoppable. I challenge myself to produce stories that inspire others to find their powerful narrative.
Writing for me is one of the purest forms of self-expression. It’s something about it that’s medicinal to me; it is therapeutic in many ways. It gives me unspeakable joy. When the pen hits the paper I am instantly transported into a world of my choosing. The storylines are influenced by my thoughts or moods, knowing this gives me a sense of security.
Writing fulfills my wildest dreams and it can provide similar tools for you too. I'd like to encourage you to begin journaling. You are writing chapters in your life's story at this very moment. What are you writing? Whatever it is, I pray it’s amazing!
My first encounter with sexual abuse happened at the age of 4 or 5 years old. This incident helped me to acquire a mindset that allowed me to be abused throughout my adolescent years. The abuse made me feel powerless, insignificant, fearful, ashamed and it took away my ability to find my voice. I saw myself as a victim of sexual abuse and incest. But as the abuse stole these things, writing empowered me by creating a world where I could control the narrative and it gave me back my voice. I now understand that I am not a victim — I am a survivor.
Writing is something that has always provided a space of healing. I’ve known since I was 7 or 8 years old that this is something that ministers to me. It is my gift and it was given to me to share with others. When I was a child, I saw stories in anything and everything around me. As an adult, stories remain intertwined within my spirit.
The ability to create and tell the story is what inspires me to write. I imagine creation, which is an incredibly powerful achievement, and the act of communicating an account are irrevocably transformative concepts because of my past. I recognize that I struggle with managing control. Not control of others but of myself and my children. As a survivor, I was unable to control or convey what was happening to me. I was robbed of these things during this period of my life. Writing has allowed me to reclaim my broken pieces. Every time I sit down to write about my experience, I emerge as a conqueror. Writing is the balm that God has equipped and empowered me to utilize to become whole again. Each time I communicate my narrative, I become more powerful, immovable and unstoppable. I challenge myself to produce stories that inspire others to find their powerful narrative.
Writing for me is one of the purest forms of self-expression. It’s something about it that’s medicinal to me; it is therapeutic in many ways. It gives me unspeakable joy. When the pen hits the paper I am instantly transported into a world of my choosing. The storylines are influenced by my thoughts or moods, knowing this gives me a sense of security.
Writing fulfills my wildest dreams and it can provide similar tools for you too. I'd like to encourage you to begin journaling. You are writing chapters in your life's story at this very moment. What are you writing? Whatever it is, I pray it’s amazing!
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GIVEAWAY:
One Winner: Paperback of Naked & Not Ashamed by Chanelle Coleman
Ten Winners: eBook of Naked & Not Ashamed by Chanelle Coleman
(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prizes. WNL Book Tours and the author assume all responsibility for this giveaway.)
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