Ever since The Bed She Made was released for publication, I’ve gotten a LOT of questions. The most prominent question has been, “Is this about you?”
Well…
Yes. And no.
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
The Bed She Made is probably the closest thing I will ever write to an autobiographical novel without it being autobiographical at all. If you know much about my personal history, you will easily be able to spot the similarities between the protagonist and myself. Let’s go over a few:
- Just like the story’s protagonist, Journey, I was a wild child in high school. My hair was short, always colorful, and sometimes shaved. I wore tie-dye and combat boots and opted for a skin-tight leopard print for my high school prom. (Not that I do any of those things anymore, *ahem.)
- My best friend was the high school quarterback, and we went our separate ways because he wanted to be a cop and I was into the drug/party scene. This is our picture together at his graduation (aren’t we adorable?):
- I spent nine months in rehab when I was eighteen as opposed to Journey’s 30-day program.
- My best girlfriend has really been 6’1 since middle school. She’s still my BFF after all these many years.
- My first husband died when he was 25 years old, but he was not a police officer. He was killed TEXTING AND DRIVING. Please, please, please don’t text and drive!
- Steven’s character is sort of a hodge-podge of all the dysfunctional boyfriends I had when I was young.
- I still live in Nashville, TN. My sister is here as well.
- My father never shot and killed any of my old boyfriends, though I’m sure he considered it.
- I married that high school quarterback in 2012, and we are living happily ever after. He’s a cop and he’s still in the military.
The biggest similarity is the relationship between Journey and her parents. Like Journey’s parents, my mom and dad are ‘staunch Republicans, successful small business owners, and devout Southern Baptists’. We had a very strained relationship when I was younger. Thankfully, our relationship has been restored and my parents are now my closest allies.
The story found in Chapter 7 “Daddy Issues” is very much a true story. I had been in trouble with the police and I was forced to return home with my parents. My dad “made my bed” that night.
The Bed She Made is close enough to my real life that it was very painful but therapeutic to write. Most of it, however, is straight-up fiction and the majority of the characters were birthed out my crazy imagination.
Oh… and yes, I have a phoenix tattoo, but I didn’t draw it myself. I have the artistic ability of a giraffe with a set of Crayola markers:
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I have just finished reading “The bed she made” and loved it! It is one of the best books I have ever read 🙂
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!
Loved this book. Read it so fast cause I just couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for the next book.
Thank you, Stacy! I doubt there will be a sequel to The Bed She Made, but there is a prequel if you haven’t seen it already. It’s called To Be Her First. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. When people tell me how fast they read it, I always wonder if I need to use bigger words. LOL
Loved the book. I love reading and this book touched my heart. Great read I highly recommend it!!!!!!
Thank you so much, Brandie. I’m glad that it’s meaningful for people other than just me! 🙂
Great book very fast read I really enjoyed the book can’t wait to read the next one
Thank you, Bridget! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I just finished Soul summoner it was terrific. You owe me one nights sleep as I could not put it down. Some things are worth missing sleep over. What a talent you have.
One night’s sleep coming right up! 🙂
I really loved this book! I couldn’t put it down. This book was so personal I felt like I knew the characters in it. I laughed and cried haha! Thank you for writing and sharing such a great book!
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I am so very sorry about your husband. I cried my eyes out reading about Marcus and I can only imagine what that pain must have been like in real life. I am so very sorry.
Thank you. I’ve had lots of therapy over the years. 🙂
Hi I started reading “To Be Her First” this morning and before I knew it, it was midnight and I was crying my eyes out as I finished reading “The Bed She Made.” Honestly I’ve never read something THAT quickly especially something that pulled THAT much emotion out of me (Don’t get me wrong I cry while reading books ALOT) but your book was absolutely amazing, unexpected yet completely expected, in the most mindblowingly, heart wrenchingly, gut scrapingly way possible……I love it from the bottom of my heart and can only hope to one day be as good a writer as you. Now excuse me, my eyes are sore from so much crying and its literally like almost two in the morning xD Bellisimo_100 (A wattpad fan of yours)
A marathon read of both books! I love it! I’m glad you enjoyed them. They were a “journey” for me to write. 🙂
Thank you for writing and sharing the story. I hope a lot of teens get to read it. It’s a complete ‘meal’ – the friendship, young love, trust, parent-child relationship, everything! Parents would learn a lot too. More power!
Thank you, Sheryl!
wow… thank you… it was nice knowing that part of the book is your life story. i enjoyed reading it
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I read “To be her first” & “The bed she made” and I must say they were amazing!! You are such a talented writer! It felt like it was my reality when I was reading the story.
I have never felt such true emotions reading a book like I did with yours. I was crying in so many chapters that I really felt depressed! I was so sad when Marcus passed away, but the way he died protecting the people he loved was just amazing!
And then how Journey and David’s roads ended up crossing like they were always meant to was just absolutely amazing! In the end there was truly a happy ending 🙂
I absolutely LOVE your writing! Thank you for sharing your stories with us xxx
Thank you for the beautiful compliment, Odette. You’ve made my day. 🙂
This book was an emotional roller coaster that I didnt have the heart to put down. Journey is exactly like me and every time I read it I experienced the same chills and reactions as the first time.
Thank you, Ellen! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it!
I live in Nigeria and have been reading on wattpad for a while and I HAVE NEVER CRIED OVER A BOOK! but you broke that record, thank you very much. The Bed She Made is amaaaazing! And so real and relatable… I was a mess and i still couldn’t drop the book till i read the last word…truly felt the love and heartbreaks and rebirth and everything you dished on there…. it is a keeper. Thank you for sharing….
Aww…thanks so much! I love making people cry. JK. (sort of.) LOL xoxo
I finished reading the bed she made today and to tell you I was crying was an understatement I had a break down when I read the funeral scene and my heart was broken since then. I can hear the radio scanner of the end of the funeral I can see the funeral you just described it so well and that’s why I started crying because I felt at one with that character and he was gone but bravo it was amazing
Thank you so much!! So glad you enjoyed it!
I started reading ‘The Bed She Made’ this afternoon. Its 3am right now and I’ve just finished reading it (I live in Cape Town, South Africa). All I can I say is that is by far one of the best books I have read. I have never really cried over any book I have read and I cried my eyes out. ‘The Bed She Made’ is an inspiring book about love, lost, tragic, disappointments, etc etc. You name it, its in there. Journey really took me on a Journey (no pun intended) and I applaud you.
Thank you, Cindy. 🙂 That’s a beautiful compliment. Now go to bed! LOL
Hy Elicia…I just finished reading THE BED SHE MADE….nd it was so intriguing. ….although I always prayed for David to get back with Journey somehow…..I also love Allie, shes a nice person….I loved marcus as well but I always knew he wasn’t the one for Journ….
I am totally head over heels with this story…I wish it never ended… pls send me more links of your stories so that I can read ’em… valiantangus@facebook.com …tnx
Hey I am an Indian and bcoz of this book I cried the whole day over Marcus’s death, my god Elicia you are INCREDIBLY AMAZING. I love your book. I hope your first husband rests in peace. BTW I am a senior in highschool that is just a 17 and somehow I could relate to all the pain. One love, thanks for writing this book
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it! So sorry I made you cry…sort of. 😉
OMG. I am not a cry-er. To be honest my friends think I’m an emotionless freak. But boy did I cry when Marcus died. TBH this is one of the best books I’ve read so far.
Thank you. 🙂
Hey Elicia! You sure do know how to captivate an audience. There were times when I cried -really really cried, laughed, wished things would end up differently and even wished I was certain characters. I absolutely LOVE your book. It truly is a beautiful story. I’m glad Journ & David finally got together but I really love Marcus. He was an amazing Husband & Dad. I’ll forever be a fan of your work.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Sydney. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book!
I just finished reading the The Bed She Made and I’m in tears. It gives me so much hope and love. I I loved the plot twist and everything! I love that Journey and David ended up together but I will forever love Marcus’s character. He’s my dream guy. Haha! ‘m already 21 and single since birth. I hope I find someone like Marcus. I love your works and I love youuu. With much love, your fan from the Philippines. 🙂
I just finished reading the bed she made and it made me cry real hard..I loved Marcus and its a very very good story
I cried so hard when Marcus died, I felt all the emotions of the characters. I loved seeing them grow and learn. I love this book soooooo much, it is absolutely something I want to buy in hard copy if that exists or will exist but I can still buy it through e-book.
Thank you! It’s actually on this website on sale right now for $5. Just use the coupon code SPRING. I’ll send it to you signed. 🙂
Loved the book. Its safe to say that it has secured it’s place in my heart forever. Its one of those books which made me feel tons of emotions. It was a total emotional roller coaster ride reading this story. I sooooo cried when Marcus died. Even though I shaped David and journey, Marcus’s death was very painful. But he’ll I loved this story. You’re a fabulous author and have done a great job.
I am literally so shook right now. I had no idea this book was based on your life and I freaking love it even more now. I was very surprised to get this attached to the characters in both the bed she made AND the soul summoner series. You are so good at describing them in a way that makes us all love them. I got my mom started in your books too. We just love you!
Thanks so much, Abby! Merry Christmas!