What is your book called and what is it about?
My book is called Breaking the Rules of Pain. This is my personal story and memoir of living with different types of pain conditions. In seeking and searching for solutions to assist me to heal, I saw that there was a lack of real understanding of pain. When treating pain, each modality was very separate to the other and that there was a need to bring it all together in one cohesive form to create a true multidisciplinary approach and to understand the complexities around pain and its impact on our mental, emotional and physical health. I wrote this book as a resource to assist all individuals living with pain feel validated and heard in their experience, plus to feel empowered even though they may live and experience pain.
Tell us more about you?
My name is Amie. I’m married and have two children and live on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. I am a true hippy at heart and would be my happiest if I had a hobby farm! I am an introvert at heart but also love a good party and social gathering. I have lived with different types of pain for two decades. I have a degree in psychology, am trauma informed, and I love to challenge the status quo and work with individuals to create change by breaking through the stigmas attached to pain so they can be their authentic empowered selves.
Let us get to know you a little better by answering these quickfire questions:
What is your favourite quote?
“And then I fell apart and it was the most beautiful moment ever because right then, I realised, that I could put together the pieces the way that I wanted to.”
What is your favourite book?
I was never a kid who idolised pop stars or had favourite items. It may be a people pleasing characteristic of not being able to commit to one thing. In saying that, a book that really stuck with me in my younger years was Tully by Paullina Simons. I must have resonated with the character in some way.
What is your favourite podcast at the moment?
I don’t listen to a lot of podcasts to be honest as I conserve a lot of my energy for writing, reading and quality time with my children. For a while, I did love listening to Authentic Sex with Juliet Allen.
Who is your role model?
My closest friends are my role models, especially those who continue to break through stigmas and barriers and the challenges of life and continue to learn to be their authentic selves.
Who in your life has inspired you the most and why?
My girlfriend Mish. She was a school friend. She lived with cancer for many years, went into remission a couple of times. She lived her life to the fullest but unfortunately passed away 1.5 years ago. I’ve never met anyone with so much fight and we shared a lot with health experiences etc.
What is your coffee order?
Weak almond latte.
Pet peeves?
Noisy over-stimulated environments.
What inspired you to write this book?
I knew from the age of 15 that I wanted to write a book. I just didn’t know in what context or how it would be delivered. My brother passed away in 2019 and I knew that I could no longer let life pass me by, but instead I needed to grab it with both arms and create a legacy that I could leave with the world. It was then that I committed to the writing process.
How did you find the process of writing and publishing your book?
I had originally undertaken a writing workshop with Hay House, which commenced the process of me searching for a publisher. It wasn’t until I met Susan at Dean Publishing that I knew I wanted Dean Publishing to take me through the process. This was for numerous reasons but most importantly, it is a female-led business with an amazing leader and team, their values are amazing and they support the writer throughout the entire process. At times, I most definitely had writer’s block. At other times, the words flowed. Either way, the team at Dean Publishing continued to encourage and motivate me while respecting my time frames. They have been great end to end. It’s been the most amazing and liberating experience learning how to break through self-imposed limitations and to continue to show up. It’s been scary, but it showed me that I and everyone else can do hard things!!
What surprised you most about the writing process?
The numerous healing processes it triggered. Writing your own story brings a lot to the surface and this means going through numerous cycles of healing, addressing old wounds that are asking to be witnessed and to let go. It was amazing and empowering.
What do you hope the reader gets from reading this book?
That they are not alone in their experience, their experience and story matters and that they are stronger, braver and more capable than they realise.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to write a book but doesn’t know how?
Just start! Writing is such a beautiful creative process and like anything, it needs to be practised and repeated. Trust yourself and trust your words.
