Love and Rage: Q&A with the author

By BBN Staff: Love and Rage is a novel written by Belizean author Tricia Jones-Logan, that delves the reader headfirst into the graphic details into the aftermath of a particularly violent incident of domestic abuse. The captivating piece tells the story of Tracy, a young woman blissfully in love with her common-law husband Harry, who happens to be a married man. But as she decides to leave him, things take a violent turn and he beats her violently with a tire iron.

The novel itself is an easy read with diction that people of any level of education can appreciate and becomes especially descriptive when recounting the violent encounters between Tracy and Harry. The chapters flow easily from one to the next and are long enough to flesh out the events therein, but still short enough to get through within a reasonable time and progress through the story. But the real value of the book is its authenticity. Love and Rage is not a work of fiction, but a look into the life of the author, Tricia Jones-Logan. Breaking Belize News sat down with Logan to learn that, while the majority of the names in the book have been changed, save that of their two sons, the events that take place recount her own struggle with an abusive lover and the journey through self-hatred, into self-reflection and finally into self-forgiveness.

Question 1: How does it feel to have some of the darkest days of your life out there for public consumption?

Answer: “It’s good and bad. Obviously I didn’t want to go through a situation like that, but the good part is that it can help someone. I want people to see who I am now, not then. I was naive, I was a young girl growing up, learning about life. But now, I have my own business going, I have a restaurant opening up, I wrote a book. Picture that broken person then and look at me now.”

Question 2: How did feel actually writing out the events and recounting some of those traumatic experiences?

Answer: “This book was done as therapy because I was too embarrassed to go to counseling. I went to the computer because I said hey ‘This computer is not judging me. This computer cannot say you deserve what you got.’ I just poured all my pain into this book.”

Question 3: Did having a positive outlet help you cope as you went through the situation.

Answer: “Absolutely. I try to find the positive in all things. If I didn’t go through what I went through, I wouldn’t be where I’m at. I truly believe that things happen for a reason. If it hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have been able to write a book like this. I wouldn’t be able to advocate for domestic violence survivors without the experience. How could you tell me ‘It’s going to be alright’ if you’ve never been in my shoes?”

Question 4: Let’s talk about the need for support for the type of situation you went through. What kind of support did you have?”

Answer: “My mom. My mom was really there for me. She stood her ground even when I pushed her away. I told her ‘This is none of your business. Stay out of my life. I’m grown. But she stayed by my side and said ‘when you’re ready to talk, I’m here for you. So that’s what I try to tell women that I speak to now that are either in those relationships or suffering from the aftermath of them, you have to find someone you can trust. Often times your loved ones know but they can’t force you to open up to them, so you have to take that step.”

Question 5: What are you hoping people will take with them after reading your novel?

Answer: “I really and truly hope that they take the fact that they are important. Love yourself. You are worth more, you don’t deserve anyone to degrade you, to low rate you, or to beat you. If you love yourself, you won’t anyone to disrespect you.”

Those interested in getting a copy of Love and Rage can contact Logan at email [email protected].

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