I started writing this book twelve years ago, tediously transcribing my journal notes onto blank pages and unsure how to best present what we went through in order to give readers a more complete understanding. Although initially the project was overwhelming because I had no experience in writing (not even a term paper), I knew in time it had to be done.
The progress of this book was interrupted several times over the years, the birth of two more children, career moves, medical needs and more had played a large hand in redirecting my priorities. And each time I put it on the back burner it loomed over me in a foreboding manner beckoning completion. During this time, I involved myself with investigations and delving deeper into researching the paranormal, all of which in the end, led to writing short articles about our experiences for various websites and even blogging for the Topeka Capital Journal.
I also came to realize how distorted the facts of our haunting had become across the world wide web, which facilitated the birth of TheSallieHouse.com website; a one stop resource dedicated to answers and facts about the case. In a matter of 4 years, the website has grown to hundreds of pages loaded with information and detailed perspectives of not only our experiences but also that of others.
Over the course of 15 years, and with many who consistently reminded me that they were waiting my book, I attempted to rededicated myself to writing it 4 times. It ultimately proved to be much more difficult than I ever imagined though, because my desire was to bring to the reader to the cusp of all the feelings and emotions we felt during the events we witnessed. In doing this, not only did Tony and I have to transport ourselves back to each of the situations that caused us so much fear and anxiety, but re-live it.
During the months of completing the last chapters and finalize the submission draft for the publisher, many of the emotions we had, living in that house, were reawakened. Anxiety, our memories and emotions had Tony and I arguing daily, which often cascaded into terrible discourse in the house. We also noticed a certain level of paranormal activity that was unlike what we had endured in the Sallie house; instead, it was more mocking than malicious. Knowing how much this haunting had influenced our lives over the years, we came to understand that the chaos we were experiencing was the direct result of my writing.
Whether it was our inept ability to keep our emotions in check, pressure and expectations from others or an infusion of negative influences from spirits that did not want our story told, I often fought the urge to quit writing. Perhaps it was the publisher’s deadline, the fast pace of their immediate needs, or realizing that I was so close to completion, that kept me focused.
On November 24, 2009 my final manuscript was submitted to Llewellyn Publishers who had been awaiting it for 6 months. The Sallie House Haunting; a true story, chronicles the 22 months of emotional torment our family lived with, while in that house. And although it took years to accomplish the task, I feel that the timing was justified. Not only did it give me the time to decided how and what I wanted the reader to walk away with, but I gained the needed writing experience to do it.
It has always been my hope that in sharing the depth of our experiences, people will better understand the paranormal world around them; that there are dangers in the things we cannot see and influences in the things we cannot feel that seek to disrupt the good and the balance in our lives. Hope and faith in God’s protection to persevere through that world is paramount and it is only through his guidance that we have remained strong and are able to continue to help others.
Scheduled release date for The Sallie House; a true story, is August 1st, 2010. It will be available where all fine books are sold and pre-orders are now being accepted at Llewellyn Publishing