Monday, May 27, 2019

AFTER SHE SAID YES by Kaya Gravitter


 May 27, 2019

The topic of domestic abuse is prevalent in the news and many women feel trapped and often stay in an abusive relationship. I want anyone in an abusive relationship to know there is hope and help. In this next book that I am introducing to my readers, this topic is addressed and if you have been struggling with getting out of an abusive situation, AFTER SHE SAID YES written by Kaya Gravitter may give you the encouragement you need. Although the book is fiction, the truth in it is amazing as well as where and how to get help.




AFTER SHE SAID YES
by Kaya Gravitter 
 


Twitter / @KayaGravitter

Instagram / @Kaya.Gravitter
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Tell your readers a little about yourself, where you grew up, where you live now, where you went to school etc. Let them get to know the personal you.  

My name is Kaya Gravitter. I was born and raised in Northern Wisconsin. I have a BA with a double major in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, where I was the editor-in-chief for the diversity newsletter and campus blog.  In 2016, I moved to the Florida Panhandle, where I work as a marketing manager and freelance writer. I have had articles published in The Huffington Post, Yahoo News, among other media outlets.

What inspired you to author this book? This book hits home at a subject of domestic abuse and the need to get out. Was this something personal for you or if not, why did you choose this subject matter?)

It is more of who inspired me. I decided to write my novel, After She Said Yes, for a few reasons. It is partly because I have seen and/or experienced these experiences firsthand but these are not the only reasons. Also, my love for writing and life experiences led me to write this novel for the women speaking out against their abusers and for the women who still haven't. Though the novel is fiction, I wrote this novel in hopes, for the many women who are going through abusive relationships, PTSD, or eating disorders. I also dedicated my novel to all women, so we may always have the strength to stand up to any man who tries to silence us. In the novel, you will learn about an organization called DAIS, the Domestic Abuse Intervention Services based in Madison, WI, where I had volunteered a few years ago. I talk about DAIS in my novel After She Said Yes. DAIS is not the only place I volunteered, I also have volunteered for other women’s shelters. This does not include any of their stories, but I also wanted to write this for all of those women I spent time with and tried to help from when I started volunteering at fourteen years old. I hope this novel shows women that there is a light at the end of that sometimes very dark, what seems like a never-ending, dark tunnel.

Where did you get the inspiration for your book’s cover?

My designer got the inspiration and used my side profile as the face on the front cover.

Who has been the biggest influence on you personally and as a writer?

One of my biggest influences is my grandmother because she is a hard worker and accomplished so much as a single mom. My biggest influence on me as a writer has been my own life and life experiences.

What were your struggles or obstacles you had to overcome to get this book written?

I learned a few things from writing this novel:

1.  I never knew how much blood, sweat, and tears would actually go into the making of a novel. I mean that figuratively and literally. It takes a lot of time, energy, and emotion. I poured my whole self into this novel and the characters, but I was lucky to have a writing critique group to aid me and keep me motivated along the way.

2.  Writing a book is a long journey. There were times I didn’t want to write. There were times when I had writer’s block, but I had to keep pushing myself. I would not let myself forget the reason I started writing in the first place or the reason this novel is so important. I believe my novel will help many women and resonate with many people.

3.  When I finished writing the novel, the work was not done. I had to find beta readers (aside from my writer critique group) and a professional editor.  I know that I did hire a professional editor, which not all authors do before finding a publisher, but I did that because I wanted to try to make this book as perfect as possible and that really helped me in the long run.

Tell your readers about your book.

My novel, After She Said Yes, is a Women's Fiction Novel about Aurora, a magazine editor in Madison, Wisconsin. She finds her way out of an abusive marriage after catching her husband, Gannon, doing something she could never forgive him for. Battling the wounds inflicted throughout her abusive marriage, she strives to find the strength to be an independent woman again. Aurora is confronted with a rekindled flirtation with her soon-to-be ex-husband’s friend, Melih, a Turkish Muslim man. But will Aurora's previous marriage stand in the way? Finding surprising success after an article of hers goes viral, Aurora must make a choice. She tells herself to come to terms with the reality that a woman cannot have both a successful career and love. Will she pursue her long-awaited dream job, or choose a shot at love?

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Who is your target audience and why?

My target audience is primarily women for mature audiences because of the subjects I cover in my novel.

This book hits home at a subject of domestic abuse and the need to get out. Was this something personal for you or if not, why did you choose this subject matter?

In the novel, you will learn about an organization called DAIS, the Domestic Abuse Intervention Services based in Madison, WI, where I had volunteered a few years ago. I talk about DAIS in my novel After She Said Yes. DAIS is not the only place I volunteered, I also have volunteered for other women’s shelters. This does not include any of their stories, but I also wanted to write this for all of those women I spent time with and tried to help from when I started volunteering at fourteen years old. I hope this novel shows women that there is a light at the end of that sometimes very dark, what seems like a never-ending, dark tunnel.

I love the fact that a Muslim man comes to the rescue, so to speak, what impact do you think this will have on your readers?

What impacted me to incorporate the Muslim men coming to the rescue because I have personally seen it happen before. I also want to attack some stereotypes in my novel.

What do you consider your greatest success in life?

I feel my greatest success so far is publishing this book.

What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your genre?

Something unique that sets me apart from others writing women’s fiction is that I am a Muslim, who used to be Christian, so I feel I offer a very unique perspective, which I incorporate in my writing.

How do you overcome writer’s block?

I overcome writer’s block by forcing myself to write every day. Then sometimes writing only a little can give me the creative energy I need.

What one piece of advice do you have for new authors.

Get beta readers, they offer you sound advice.

Tell your readers anything else you want to share.

Thank you for taking the time to read this! I hope you take the time to read my book or the first chapter, for free. Link - https://tablo.io/kaya-gravitter/after-she-said-yes-chapter-1-preview

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