Interview with Kimberly Cheryl, Author of Shattered Reality
Tracee Gleichner
March 01, 2009
Kimberly was born in St Louis, MO., the oldest of 3 girls. She is very close to her sisters, parents, cousins and nieces and wouldn´t know what to do without her family and their support!
After a school career that included years of failed chemistry classes that began too early in the morning (a professed night owl). She switched from a pre-med career to one of business administration. She graduated with an MBA and, later, a PhD in Criminal Justice. And, for 18 years, traveled, taught, trained and led a sales team full-time as a pharmaceutical representative with 3 of the top Pharmaceutical Corporations in the U.S.
Born into a family of readers, Kimberly had never known a time that she wasn't reading or making up stories. Therefore, after a major life altering auto accident, the need for back surgery, a long recovery period, no respite in sight and a dwindling supply of chocolate, she decided to pull out a pencil and notebook and began to write about her experiences and share some of the knowledge she had gained throughout her career.
Today, she is the founder and managing partner of Executive Defense Technology, LLC, an anti-victimization education firm. She is also a Nationally Certified Rape/ Aggression/ Defense Trainer (RAD). She actively speaks out for better health care in the U. S. and is an advocate for education on Rape/molestation prevention.
As a speaker, author, consultant and certified RAD instructor, she helps clients optimize their personal safety. As a seminar leader, she provides a comprehensive course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands on defense training. Her clients include everyone from elderly church group members and housewives to employees of law firms, TV / Radio Stations and other Fortune 500 Corporations.
I was fortunate enough to ask the author some questions. Here is what she had to say:
Where are you from?
Missouri
When and why did you begin writing?
I began writing in 2006 to share my experiences after working for 18 years in the ever changing Pharmaceutical Industry and the need for better access to affordable health care in the United States.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I´m not sure if I consider myself a writer but I have published 4 books based on events in my life and things that I am familiar with.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I wanted to share with Americans and physicians how the pharmaceutical industry works. Many do not realize the influence and negative effects it has on our health out comes. This is a business like any other and their goal is to make money not necessarily look out for us as the end user / patient
Do you have a specific writing style?
As a Type-A personality I tend to get straight to the point. I have been taking classes and working on adding more to the story so readers can become engaged and identify with the characters the way I do when I read one of my favorite Romance or Mystery Novelists.
How did you come up with the title? Shattered Reality´s title was easy – it is the way I feel about my life after the deception by a family member and judicial system that I thought I knew and understood. My reality will never be the same after the betrayals we have suffered as a family.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Yes, I want readers to realize the extent of Child Sexual Assault in America today. I also want them to know that this is a highly under reported, hidden, non-prosecuted problem and it´s growing because of the known lack of consequences. Most cases become a he said/ she said problem for Prosecuting Attorney´s who do not want to take on the challenge. Many parents have no where to turn and there are not many resources available for secondary survivors. Though many believe these predators are prosecuted and taken off of the streets or their names are added to Sexual Predator lists – this is not true. To be added to a list, you have to be prosecuted. The statistics show that 90% of all child sexual abuse cases are carried out by family members or people known to the victim. Of the few cases that are reported, only 1 of 16 perpetrators will ever be prosecuted. Leaving the rest to walk freely among us. It is a very depressing and frustrating event to have to endure. Many parents lose family members and friends because people are in denial rather than protecting a child in need.
How much of the book is realistic?
Our story is all based on our life´s experience and research
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Events in our family´s life
What books have most influenced your life most?
Historical romance
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I have so many favorite authors but most are fiction. I try to stay away from non-fiction because reading is my escape from reality.
What book are you reading now?
Mary Higgins Clark – I´ve Heard That Song Before
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Barbara Pierce
What are your current projects?
I am working on small articles on personal safety and the pharmaceutical industry
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
YWCA
Do you see writing as a career?
Not as a novelist – but I am enjoying speaking at organizations on the subjects that I have written about.
What do you think makes a good story?
A good story is one that "grabs" you. One you can´t put down. One where you can vividly imagine the characters in your head, identify with them, sympathize with them, feel for them.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned that there was a lot involved in the promotion and distribution of the books and it takes a lot of effort to compete with the thousands of authors who produce new books each year.
After a school career that included years of failed chemistry classes that began too early in the morning (a professed night owl). She switched from a pre-med career to one of business administration. She graduated with an MBA and, later, a PhD in Criminal Justice. And, for 18 years, traveled, taught, trained and led a sales team full-time as a pharmaceutical representative with 3 of the top Pharmaceutical Corporations in the U.S.
Born into a family of readers, Kimberly had never known a time that she wasn't reading or making up stories. Therefore, after a major life altering auto accident, the need for back surgery, a long recovery period, no respite in sight and a dwindling supply of chocolate, she decided to pull out a pencil and notebook and began to write about her experiences and share some of the knowledge she had gained throughout her career.
Today, she is the founder and managing partner of Executive Defense Technology, LLC, an anti-victimization education firm. She is also a Nationally Certified Rape/ Aggression/ Defense Trainer (RAD). She actively speaks out for better health care in the U. S. and is an advocate for education on Rape/molestation prevention.
As a speaker, author, consultant and certified RAD instructor, she helps clients optimize their personal safety. As a seminar leader, she provides a comprehensive course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands on defense training. Her clients include everyone from elderly church group members and housewives to employees of law firms, TV / Radio Stations and other Fortune 500 Corporations.
I was fortunate enough to ask the author some questions. Here is what she had to say:
Where are you from?
Missouri
When and why did you begin writing?
I began writing in 2006 to share my experiences after working for 18 years in the ever changing Pharmaceutical Industry and the need for better access to affordable health care in the United States.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I´m not sure if I consider myself a writer but I have published 4 books based on events in my life and things that I am familiar with.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I wanted to share with Americans and physicians how the pharmaceutical industry works. Many do not realize the influence and negative effects it has on our health out comes. This is a business like any other and their goal is to make money not necessarily look out for us as the end user / patient
Do you have a specific writing style?
As a Type-A personality I tend to get straight to the point. I have been taking classes and working on adding more to the story so readers can become engaged and identify with the characters the way I do when I read one of my favorite Romance or Mystery Novelists.
How did you come up with the title? Shattered Reality´s title was easy – it is the way I feel about my life after the deception by a family member and judicial system that I thought I knew and understood. My reality will never be the same after the betrayals we have suffered as a family.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Yes, I want readers to realize the extent of Child Sexual Assault in America today. I also want them to know that this is a highly under reported, hidden, non-prosecuted problem and it´s growing because of the known lack of consequences. Most cases become a he said/ she said problem for Prosecuting Attorney´s who do not want to take on the challenge. Many parents have no where to turn and there are not many resources available for secondary survivors. Though many believe these predators are prosecuted and taken off of the streets or their names are added to Sexual Predator lists – this is not true. To be added to a list, you have to be prosecuted. The statistics show that 90% of all child sexual abuse cases are carried out by family members or people known to the victim. Of the few cases that are reported, only 1 of 16 perpetrators will ever be prosecuted. Leaving the rest to walk freely among us. It is a very depressing and frustrating event to have to endure. Many parents lose family members and friends because people are in denial rather than protecting a child in need.
How much of the book is realistic?
Our story is all based on our life´s experience and research
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Events in our family´s life
What books have most influenced your life most?
Historical romance
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I have so many favorite authors but most are fiction. I try to stay away from non-fiction because reading is my escape from reality.
What book are you reading now?
Mary Higgins Clark – I´ve Heard That Song Before
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Barbara Pierce
What are your current projects?
I am working on small articles on personal safety and the pharmaceutical industry
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
YWCA
Do you see writing as a career?
Not as a novelist – but I am enjoying speaking at organizations on the subjects that I have written about.
What do you think makes a good story?
A good story is one that "grabs" you. One you can´t put down. One where you can vividly imagine the characters in your head, identify with them, sympathize with them, feel for them.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned that there was a lot involved in the promotion and distribution of the books and it takes a lot of effort to compete with the thousands of authors who produce new books each year.
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