Welcome. My name is Marietta G. Cobb, author of Tangled Web. I’m so happy to have you visit my blog about my new book. This project is very special to me, and I hope to share some of that excitement with you here.
I’ll be using this blog to interact with you about Tangled Web, expanding on some of the topics in it and blogging on some of the ideas related to my book. This is a great place for you to get to know me, and I’m looking forward to getting to know you, too. What did you think of Tangled Web? What questions do you have for me? How do you relate to my book?
I’ll be returning here frequently with new posts and feedback responses. Until next time, tell me a little bit about yourself.
Since I am new at blogging, please don’t get bored with my posts. I’m going to tell you some important facts about my life. I was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey on October 2, 1946. I was the youngest child in the family. Many times I had to amuse myself by either reading or writing. I had a very vivid imagination, and my stories were about imaginary friends. But all of my imaginary stories changed later in life.
On October 29, 1982, my husband of fifteen years was involved in a horrific automobile accident. Three days later, he succumbed to injuries sustained in the accident. The nucleus of my world crumbled that day. The experience left me to raise our children alone.
On January 1, 1983, while watching the Phil Donahue Show, I learned how devastating grief recovery could be. The founders of the New Beginnings Foundation, Mel and Kathy Green of Sherman Oaks, California were discussing a medical condition known as Agoraphobia. This condition which develop when a person begins to avoid spaces or situation associated with anxiety. The typical phobic situations for me included, driving, shopping, traveling, and being at social gatherings.
An elderly gentleman who was a panelist on the show was discussing how he felt after the loss of his wife. I remember him saying, “If anyone has lost a loved one and start having panic attacks, get some professional help.” His strange behavior had mirrored mine to the letter. I knew at that moment I was in deep trouble, because my panic attacks were coming more frequent with each passing day. It was an arduous task to drive my car. I truly believed that I was going to die, and leave my children without any parents. My mind was like an uncontrollable roller coaster going downhill at ninety miles an hour. The only place I felt safe was in my home.
After the show ended, I called a local hospital to talk to a grief counselor. My downward spiraling mental state wasn’t strange at all, but my reaction to the loss of my husband. On January 28, 1983, I had my first consultation with a psychiatric therapist. For the next ten years, I dedicated all my spare time in pulling my life back together. As part of my therapy, I was instructed to write down my out-of-control thoughts and what prompted them. My therapy sessions and keeping journals were the turning points in my recovery. By the grace of God, I found clarity of mind and inner peace.
In August of 1995, I relocated my entire family to Marietta, Georgia to start over. While residing in Georgia, I earned certificates in creative and freelance writing. After putting so many private thoughts and feelings into my writing, I used all the information to provide the basis for my first novel entitled, Strong Child which was published in 2006. After my first publication, I continued writing in my journals. My second book entitled, Devil’s Workshop was published in 2010. My latest novel entitled Tangled Web was released on January 7, 2016.
Even as a young child, I knew one day I would be a writer. But my life’s journey was filled with unexpected detours, and that dream was curtailed for a while. My first book entitled, Strong Child motivated me to write about my personal struggles with grief recovery in order to help others. I’m a whole person again, because the Lord has filled that gigantic hole in my heart with his mercy and grace.
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