Hope Brooks Shares Her Journey of Resilience and Healing Through Writing

PHOTO: Hope Brooks, author of A Mother’s Survival, continues to inspire others by sharing her powerful story of resilience and hope.

A Life Transformed By Courage

Award-winning author Hope Brooks reflects on her transformative memoir, A Mother’s Survival, sharing heartfelt insights about overcoming trauma, advocating for mental health, and the power of writing to heal.

Deanna Adams needs no introduction—but it is a pleasure to offer one anyway. Writing under her evocative pen name, Hope Brooks, this remarkable author has dedicated her craft to the courageous call of chronicling life’s most profound struggles and victories. With her deeply moving memoir, A Mother’s Survival: Finding Balance Through the Storms, she takes her readers on an emotional and inspiring journey. Her words uncover the adversities of a life shaped by trauma, resilience, and unyielding hope, sharing experiences that only the bravest among us could bear to revisit, let alone offer to the world with such honesty and grace.

Hope Brooks has created a voice that speaks not just for herself but for the countless others who have faced life’s storms and found a way to rise above. Her memoir reached bestseller status, a testament to her ability to connect with her audience, offering solace and understanding to those who have endured experiences of sexual abuse, the challenges of single parenthood, and the ever-complicated dynamics of raising a blended family. Beyond the book itself, her short story, Megan’s Story, brings mental health challenges into sharp focus, a subject Hope handles with the same sensitivity and purpose that defines her work.

“Hope Brooks is an extraordinary storyteller, courageously sharing her life’s challenges to inspire readers with hope, strength, and perseverance.“

In this exclusive interview for Reader’s House, Hope offers a heartfelt glimpse into the development of her memoir, the personal tribulations that inspired it, and the wisdom she has gained throughout her writing journey. From life’s darkest days to the empowering act of finding one’s voice, Hope’s story is one of transformation, healing, and an unwavering commitment to helping others find their own place of peace. As editor, I’m honoured to bring this conversation to our readers, and I have no doubt that Hope Brooks will leave you inspired by her words, her courage, and her unshakeable sense of purpose.

What inspired you to write “A Mother’s Survival: Finding Balance Through the Storms,” and how much of it is drawn from your personal experiences?

     I had experienced traumatic experiences through most of the days of my life. In childhood, I was a victim of sexual abuse. In my adult years, I became a single parent, alone and searching for a way to feed my children. In my career as a New York City teacher, I faced endless challenges working with special needs children. I often said to myself, “Someday you must write a book, no one would believe what’s happening to you.” The day after my retirement, I sat down at my computer and began to write, as my life’s journey appeared before me.

How do you balance both fiction and nonfiction, and do you have a preference for one over the other?

     I have only been drawn to expressing real events and emotions in my writing, and have never been interested in imaginary stories. At another moment in my life, my family faced a crisis when my seven-year-old granddaughter was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, an illness with symptoms of both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. She suffered, hearing voices and not understanding reality or unreal creatures. I felt the world should understand the impact of mental illness on people’s lives, and was inspired to write her story, entitled “Megan’s Story.” This short story has won several awards and can be found on the internet.

Can you share some of the challenges you faced while writing your book, and how you overcame them?

     Having never been an author, I had no knowledge of how to successfully write and turn my words into a memoir. First, I attended some local writing classes for beginners, which I enjoyed. At one of the sessions, a high school English teacher  invited me to join his weekly writing group, held at the library.At the meetings,each person readan excerpt of what they had written, while the others critiqued and gave suggestions for ways to improve. This opened a new world for me, as I learned new skills in achieving my writing goals.I attended every weekfor five years,and finally completed my dream. My advice to new beginners is to find support groups or experienced people who could guide you in your journey, so you are not alone.

 How has your background in music and love for rock ‘n’ roll influenced your writing, particularly in your novels?

     Although my novel does not include music, my love of piano and clarinet lessons enabled me to include music in my writing sessions. Each time I sat before my computer to think and type, I sought silent moments, distant from others, as I emotionally relived events from my past. I would often listen to classical composers like Mozart and Beethoven, and their calming pieces became a memorable part of my writing journey.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are struggling to find their voice or niche?

     Once you have published your book, it is important that you seek organizations comprised of other authors who can share information and advice on how to proceed. When my book was finally in print, I googled nearby author groups who could share my hopes and aspirations. I made a selection and attended my first meeting, finding it to be everything I had hoped for. The activities included scheduled book fairs, presentations by speakers on helpful topics, opportunities to write in monthly publications, online zoom meetings and in person socials. Reaching out to this community, I finally found my niche. This is where I belonged, surrounded by others who were important to me and shared my goals.

How do you approach weaving historical events and pop culture into your story telling without overshadowing the personal narratives?

     In Chapter 34, I not only had the opportunity to include a historical event in my pages, but I was also part of it. On the morning of September 11^th, 2001, I stood in my Staten Island classroom with my 2nd grade students, and the world as we knew it suddenly changed. From the classroom window we could see the smoke coming from the World Trade Center, and from the loud speaker, the principal announced a school lockdown. Parents came running to rescue their children, and the roads and bridges became blocked by the police. It took me hours in traffic trying to get home from New Jersey. When school reopened a few days later, I faced devastating news. One of my students lost his father, a firefighter at the  Twin Towers. Another lost her aunt, who had been unable to escape from the building. A third child lost his soccer coach who had been on the hijacked plane that crashed into the Towers. Sometimes we don’t need to weave history into our lives. We just live it, and it remains within us forever.

What words of wisdom or inspiration would you offer to other authors who are navigating the ups and downs of the writing and publishing journey?

     One important approach to making sales is to find your target audience. Through the pages of my book, I address the trauma of sexual abuse, being a single parent, remarriage, raising a blended family, and the consequences of bitter divorce on your children and stepchildren. When I attend book fairs and set up my table, those are the words I use on my poster to attract my buyers. It gives me meaning and satisfaction to verbally interact with others who have had similar experiences. I now have a plan for my book’s success. I want to have it made into a movie, a successful movie that addresses so many issues in today’s society. I have submitted it to literary agents and producers, but as of now I’ve been rejected. I ask myself, “Should I give up?” The answer is NO.