Thirty Happens (24 page)
Authors: Elizabeth Butts
Writing this book was a lot harder than my other two, and that was because I tackled a very serious, very hard topic.
Rape is no joke, and it something that should be taken very seriously. I used several sources for the statistics that were given in Thirty Happens. I found a great deal of helpful information on the Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN.org). Also, the information from the National Crime Victimization Survey put out by the Bureau of Justice Statistics was great for some of the details that Karyn is reporting to Statlin in the book.
Also, I would like to point out that according to both sources, about two of every three cases of sexual assault are never reported. That is obscene! Those in relationships are even
less
likely to report it over those where the person committing the assault is not a significant other.
Only twenty percent of females in school will report assault, and only thirty two percent of females who are not students.
This has to stop. Please. If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, RAINN.org has all sorts of great resources for you. You can get help. You can get justice. You are completely worth it.
For information on the ‘Big Dig’ in Boston, I used a news release or two on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website, Mass.gov.
For information regarding nursing homes, I looked to the National Center on Elder Abuse, Administration on Aging (ncea.aoa.gov). This portion of the book was written as a very special thank you to those who took care of my Great Aunt in the last several years of her life. The amazing nurses and staff cared for her and genuinely loved her. Many times nursing homes get a bad reputation, but the truth is, the people there are phenomenal with hearts of gold. It is truly a labor of love for them. If you have a person in a nursing home, please go visit them. They are still people who just want to be loved and have human contact. If you don’t have a person in a nursing home; go, visit and make a friend. These wonderful residents have so many stories that they would love to share with you.
Thank you, as always, for sharing a few hours out of your life with me.
Wow, here we are again at the end of the book together. I am so grateful that you have decided to keep joining me on this crazy ride. You’ll never know how much you mean to me. Writers are just former kids who were told they had an overactive imagination. It’s nice to you know that you enjoy the world inside my head as much as I do. The only way for an independent author (aka ‘Indie” aka ‘self-published) to be discovered by other readers is for you to let them know. If you have enjoyed Thirty Happens, please consider leaving a review and telling your friends, family, cable repair person, dog groomer, etc. I’m supposed to tell you to leave a review even if you
didn’t
like it, but seriously, no.
My husband continues to amaze me with his love and support while I write books. He continues to make sure that the pets are taken care of, that the bills are paid on time, and that the red wine is always stalked. He tells me I’m beautiful even when I wake up with my hair looking a hot mess and mascara smeared under my eyes. He is the love of my life and my soulmate, and I couldn’t imagine this crazy existence without him by my side.
My mom and dad deserve a huge credit for these books. One, because they popped me out, and without that, none of my books would ever be written. Believe me, popping my butt out was not an easy task, because I apparently was
very
comfy in there and came out a healthy 10lb 4oz. My mom deserves a medal. But mostly I thank them for always encouraging my active imagination, letting me dream, letting me be silly, and letting me be a kid. Oh, and teaching me to read at three.
A. E. Murphy continues to be amazing with love and support and encouragement. She is only twenty five and has TEN books out with her tenth, Masked Definitions, having just released this month. I am so in awe of her (because she also works a job, has a fiancé and three kids, and she fosters homeless cats for a local rescue), and am beyond grateful for her friendship.
To my friends who have been there for me day in and day out. Thank you for your friendship, it means the world to me. I love you to pieces, you know who you are. Thank youuuuuu.
My amazing, wonderful, beautiful, kind beta readers! Oh my gosh, you should all write them a thank you note right this very second, because you don’t even know the crap you would have had to wade through! Rachel, Melissa and Charlena, thank you from the very bottom of my heart for being willing to look at my book before it was ready to be looked at. Your insight was amazing, your catches were spot on, and I am forever in your debt! (By the way… their beta reading ended at ‘The End’ so if there are mistake any point after that, it’s completely my fault)
Finally, to you… thank you so much for investing in me. You’re investing your time, your energy, your focus and for that I am beyond grateful. Life is so busy, to be able to sit and read should be an awesome experience. I hope I have given you a little bit of fun.
Till next time!
Here is the hardest part of every book, and I’ve only done three. Who am I?
Well, I’ve just turned thirty nine (July 2016) and live in what I consider to be paradise: Southeastern Massachusetts. I love spring and fall here, but it’s really awesome to have all four seasons clearly defined, because I know there are places where it’s like winter, two days of spring, summer. No, thank you.
My husband and I have been married now for almost nine and a half years. We’ve been an ‘us’ for fourteen and a half years and I’ve known him (gulp) twenty one years. We’ve lived in Rhodes Island, Iowa and Delaware together, before I gently requested (begged) him to go back up to Massachusetts which is home.
I am the youngest of four, which certainly led to some spoiling and indulgence. It was not a bad thing being the baby. (Nancy, I’m really sorry about the paintings I ruined when I was two) I have a natural talent for being a bit of a klutz, and have in some ways taken that talent and gone pro.
Animals are my thing. My husband and I have eleven together, because I had the privilege and honor to have worked at the First State Animal Center and SPCA in Camden, Delaware for five and a half years. Our babies are Nikki, Bella, Penny, Ressie Q, Midnight, Callie Berry, Cadbury, Disco, Sir Chirpsalot, Lord Peepsly and Overtime Flip. All of them are rescued. Please adopt, don’t shop!
I love watching HGTV and the DIY Network, although my husband would rather I stop because I’m getting too many ideas. I thoroughly enjoy reading, and sneak it in whenever possible.
Anything else you want to know? Please reach out to me! My personal email is
[email protected]
. You can always find me on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/elizabethbuttsauthor
Thank you so much, you mean the world to me.