We recently connected with Helen P. Bradley and have shared our conversation below.
Helen P. , appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?
My heroes are the many crime victims and their families I met during the 27 years I served as director of Savannah’s Victim-Witness Assistance Program in the District Attorney’s Office. Their courage, resilience, and faith during often the worst times of their lives never ceased to amaze and inspire me.
I remember the mother whose only son was robbed and killed as he carried the bank deposit bag from the convenience store he managed. Despite her gut-wrenching grief, this resolute mother didn’t want her son’s death to be in vain. The mayor asked her to serve on his crime prevention task force. She spoke to young people and others about the effects of violence.
I remember the young woman who was brutally raped and left for dead in downtown Savannah. She became an outspoken victim advocate, helping others on their journey to wholeness after trauma.
I remember one of the first people we helped was a young woman whose husband was killed at a birthday party. She helped us develop our victim assistance program–the first in Georgia– guiding us on what services were needed. She lobbied for state legislation that created Georgia’s first victim compensation program as well as the state’s first victims’ bill of rights.
I’m forever grateful for the lessons these victims taught me. I learned that life is about choices, about how you respond when horrible things happen. It’s about not being hesitant to ask for help; it’s about creating a community of support. I admired these survivors as they stepped out of their comfort zones to speak out in public, lobby political leaders to effect change, seek counseling, and some days just to put one foot in front of the other.
They influenced my journey because I became more passionate and determined than ever to make sure victims’ voices were heard. I had the opportunity to provide training across the nation for advocates, prosecutors, judges, clergy and many others. I educated elected officials about needed laws. Oftentimes with victims at my side, I hoped to make sure victims’ voices were heard.
On a personal level, I learned to seek help and support when I faced a rough patch, rather than pretending everything was okay. Whew! That was a life-changer.
And these victims inspired me to write my debut novel, Breach of Trust, which is about one woman’s journey to speak out against injustice after her powerful boss is accused of sexually harassing a young employee. (Book release date is April 21, 2023, by Moonshine Cove Publishing.)
Helen P. , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m thrilled that my debut novel, Breach of Trust, will be released by Moonshine Cove Publishing on April 21, 2023. Summary: Anne, the director of Savannah’s crime victim assistance program is thrown into a tailspin when her young male employee accuses their boss–the district attorney– of sexual harassment. The allegation–along with evidence that the district attorney may have enabled a young woman’s murder– dredges up painful memories from Anne’s past, causes friction in her marriage, and propels her into a moral crisis. It’s been called a compelling story of corruption, courage, community, and friendship.
I couldn’t have written this book without my weekly writing critique group. These three other women have been invaluable in providing writing advice, editing, encouragement, and accountability. Big shout out to the Wednesday Writers! I encourage all writers to develop a writing community whether in-person or online.
I started writing this novel several years ago–okay, a decade ago :)– when I wrote a non-fiction essay for a writers’ group about a similar experience I had endured. They encouraged me to write more, and I began writing a novel although I had only written non-fiction. What a learning experience. So here I am, at age 63, getting my first book out into the world. It’s never too late to follow your dreams.
I also became a first-time mom at age 52 when our two-year-old grandson came to live with us. I had recently left a career I loved because of a toxic boss and had no idea what my future held. Little did I know it involved raising a child, writing a novel, and starting my own business officiating weddings. (www.Savannahsimpleweddings.
What a wonderful and wacky journey the last decade has been.
Brief bio: I headed Chatham County’s nationally-recognized Victim-Witness Assistance Program for twenty-seven years. Prior to that, I wrote for two daily newspapers. My essays have been published in magazines and anthologies. I’ve also written curricula and articles for national and state victim advocacy organizations.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Yes, I became a first-time mom at age 52 after suddenly leaving a career I loved.
My award-winning essay says it all. “From High Heels to Hotwheels.” The contest was sponsored by Nexttribe whose theme is “aging boldly.” The topic was ‘Give us an example of how you’ve had to pivot.”
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
In my long-time career in a governmental agency — the criminal justice system–I worked in a structured environment with rules and regulations. Don’t get me wrong. I loved heading a victim-witness assistance program in the district attorney’s office. But since leaving the profession, I’ve pursued a writing career AND started my own small business, Savannah Simple Weddings, where I’m a wedding officiant and my sister takes photos at small weddings. My sister and I have so much fun.
I think the most rewarding part of being a writer is hanging out with and learning from other creatives. I believe supporting others on their creative journeys is one of the most important things I can do. It’s not only the right thing to do, but it helps me as well. I wouldn’t have finished my debut novel, Breach of Trust, without my weekly writing critique group. We provide support, technical assistance, accountability, and friendship to each other.
Also, an author who I haven’t even met in person has the same small publisher as I do. Her book came out one month before mine, and she kept me updated on what to expect during the entire publishing process. We’ve texted a million times to compare notes, talk each other off the ledge, curse, celebrate, encourage, laugh, and cry. We share resources, and I’ve learned about new authors and creatives in her circle. We’ve gotta support each other.
Of course, now that I’m not working 8 to 5 job, I have flexibility. Like quick trip to nearby beach, long lunch with hubby or girlfriends, volunteering, maybe even a nap for this 63-year-old. :) Life is good!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.helenpbradley.com www.savannahsimpleweddings.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenpbradley/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helenpbradleyauthor
Image Credits
Photos by Dreamweaver Photography.