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The short of it
Jody Lamb writes stories for the young in age and at heart. Luckily, she’s pretty much the same person she was at twelve years old, even though she’s a grownup now. Jody loves books, writing, ugly dogs, peppermint ice cream, ear-to-ear smiles, insides-twisting laughter and her family. She is a passionate advocate for kids with alcoholic loved ones. Like Easter Ann, Jody lives in Michigan with furry friends. “Easter Ann Peters’ Operation Cool” is her first novel. She is currently writing a young adult novel and has plans for another middle-grade novel.
The long version
It is extremely, kinda, totally awkward to write about one’s self. Yup, but see, I want you to know me like a friend so here goes.
I’ve hosted Saturday Night Live and accepted the Coolest Grownup on Earth Award. Twice.
Not really, but everyone says a biography should be super exciting. Okay, starting over.
I’m a lover of stories and enjoying the little things in life. I believe in a no-regrets approach to life. Favorite parts of my world? Family, books, writing, ugly dogs, peppermint ice cream, slow-to-fade, ear-to-ear smiles and insides-twisting laughter.
During the sunshine hours, I’m a public relations manager for a cool company. When the moon’s bright in the sky, skyscraper piles of books and an overworked MacBook surround me.
In my family, my giant family, there are many people I love who are addicted to drinking. I’ve learned a lot about myself and life as a result of my family members’ struggles with alcoholism.
Jody, little kid
As a child, I felt the problems were only in my family! I never spoke of it. Worry over what would happen next weighed on me.
When I felt lonely, I kept busy writing stories inspired by the creativity and imagination of my favorite authors. I also spent many of my kid days writing screenplays for my tiny toy families of bears and rabbits to act out in the elaborate town I made for them in my parents’ basement. Seriously. I took comfort in the way I could make the families solve their problems. I wished I could do the same for my own family.
I soaked pillowcases with tears. As a teenager, I shouted in anger. I was sure I could “fix” these people. Didn’t they love me enough to stop drinking?
I held it all together and on the outside, I seemed fine. I got good grades and had friends. Inside, I was a mess! I had self-esteem issues and anxiety problems, even though no one else knew it.
Worry. Worry. Worry. I prepared for the worst events that I made up with my wild crystal ball imagination.
I had no idea that alcoholism is a common problem and that about 1/4 of my classmates were probably dealing with the same crapola at home as me.
Somewhere during my jump from teen to grownup, I realized that I’d been far from alone with my topsy-turvy childhood/teenager experiences. Yet no one spoke of it and when we finally did, we did it with shame, for we were digging out a deeply-buried family secret.
That stupid deeply-buried family secret that isn’t a secret at all. Know why? Because that stuff is going on in many, many families.
As a grownup, I studied alcoholism research. I read hundreds of books on addiction and its impact on families. I talked to people who have lived through similar emotional rides.
You should, too.
There’s not enough info on the Internet and there’s too little conversation about it. Um, it’s not an elephant in the room. It’s a monster. Hello, grownups, maybe it’s about time we speak up.
Jody, grownup
Halfway through college, I landed an internship at a nearby PR firm. I became fascinated by the quickly evolving world of PR and marketing. Fast forward a few years.
That’s when I quit the corporate life, jumped on a motorcycle, headed to some swanky big city and became the lead singer in a rock band. “Oh Jody, go out with me!” pleaded George Clooney and a slew of A-listers. Okay, not true again. Just making sure you’re still paying attention. I was yawning, too
While I climbed the corporate ladder, I continued my education about alcoholism and began a journey to understand how to cope when loved ones face it. Reading remained a huge part of my life. That inspired me to dig out the enthusiastic little fiction writer I thought I had to hide away once I was officially branded a grownup.
I wrote the story I would have loved and been moved by when I was a tween. “Easter Ann Peters’ Operation Cool” is for young people facing family problems who feel they are powerless to create better times.
I started writing via this website because I couldn’t stop thinking about you, chickadees! You can read more about that on my friend Therese’s blog here.
I don’t want to wake up 20 years from now and find that I’m one of those stupid grownups full of regrets with a constipated-looking face (you know what I mean!).
Thanks for being you and for being here. That makes me smile.
Please say hi, if you want. That’d really be nice.
jodymarielamb [at] gmail.com
Hugs. High five.
