The echoes of childhood can last a lifetime until you choose to respond. I grew up in a household dominated by fear. My father was a man of extremes-calm one moment, explosive the next. We all learned to sidestep his outbursts. I learned early that expressing my true feelings was risky. I remained quiet out of fear of my father, and later, I became burdened by judgment, criticism, and shame. By the time I reached my teenage years, defiance began to emerge, but silence still dictated my actions. It influenced the roles I adopted, shaping how I presented myself and how I faded into the background. Gripped is about persistence, walking through the noise, and peeling away the layers of what's been buried. It is for anyone who has spent years silencing themselves to maintain peace, feeling invisible, or wondering if it's too late to change.
About the AuthorValtierra Dirden, Lourdes: - Lourdes Valtierra Dirden is drawn to the darker corners of the human experience, where truth lives just beneath the surface. A fan of psychological thrillers, crime, and horror, she enjoys podcasts like Chilling Tales for Dark Nights.Her memoir, Gripped: The Weight I Refused to Carry, and her first book, Going Solar: The Homeowner's Handbook, reflect her range as a personal storyteller and nonfiction writer.Through her business, currently rebranding from VA 4 Solutions, Lourdes collaborates with authors and professionals to develop content, design visuals, and manage the production of books, podcasts, and related media. She is also the founder of Think Books, an independent publishing imprint, and the host of the podcast Growing Older Together, now in its second season.
Davis, Anaiah: - Anaiah Davis is a first-generation college graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English Creative Writing from Bradley University. She is a die-hard mystery fan, with a soft spot for romance, a deep love for young adult literature, and a growing admiration for poetry. Some of her all-time favorite fiction titles include Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult, Beloved by Toni Morrison, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson, That's Not My Name by Megan Lally, and All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers.