Sarah Jane
Bio
I started writing when I was 6 and have launched my own business. Besides my considerably varied professional background, I love learning languages, meeting people from all over the world, having adventures and travelling.
Stories (7/0)
- Top Story - October 2018
Why the Victims Don't Speak OutTop Story - October 2018
There has been a lot of publicity about historical cases of abuse in the news over recent years and this movement is gathering momentum. That is great to see. Those who commit acts of abuse should absolutely be made to face the consequences of their actions. One thing I can't help but notice is that in every case there seems to be a lot of people in the online space who question the truthfulness of those who come forward to make abuse public on the grounds that those victims didn't speak out immediately after the incident, or during the process of it, if the abuse was long term.
By Sarah Jane5 years ago in Viva
Reflections on 'Recircle'
Phil Circle is an independent musician based in Chicago. In his album Recircle he reveals some of his lesser known recordings, partly for existing fans and partly for those who are new to his music (like me). The fact that there are only 100 copies of this CD makes it feel special—as though this is a gift for those loyal fans who have stuck with him and follow him closely enough to know about this release. The insert which comes with the CD feels like it is written directly to you—the reader. That intimacy in writing is a talent of Phil's and also comes through in his book An Outback Musician's Survival Guide.
By Sarah Jane5 years ago in Beat
- Top Story - September 2017
Never Visit a German Horse Farm in December (Episode 1)Top Story - September 2017
So I decided to go and work on a German horse farm in December. I had several reasons for doing so — not least of which was the desire to remove myself very thoroughly from all possibility of having to get involved with Christmas that year. I justified the decision very well, I thought. My reasoning was excellent and my resolve was rock solid. Not a single furrowed brow from any of my friends or acquaintances could sway me. I swept all potential obstacles aside and was so determined to escape Christmas that even a strength-sapping cough at the tail end of a two-week cold bug wasn't enough to stop me from embarking on my incredibly well-planned adventure.
By Sarah Jane6 years ago in Wander
Living with Anxiety
A few weeks ago, I posted a video about anxiety on my Facebook timeline, with a little note explaining why and what the differences were between me and the guy in the video. Almost immediately afterwards a now ex-friend of mine responded with the words "Irrelevant. You thrive on this melodrama. Utter poo." Now, I don't for a minute think that everyone thinks or feels this way — that was a very extreme response. But what I have noticed is that whilst depression as a mental health condition is gradually gaining more public awareness, although a lot of prejudice and ignorance still exists; public knowledge about anxiety as a mental health condition is lagging behind.
By Sarah Jane6 years ago in Psyche
A Guide to the Outback Musician's Survival Guide
I have always said that a successful piece of writing is one which achieves its aim and justifies the subject matter. Phil Circle’s book The Outback Musician’s Survival Guide is a successful book. The blurb on the back declares that Phil is here to tell us “what it’s really like for 99% of America’s music industry people.” In doing so, he takes us on an adventure through a lot of his own experiences: humorous or painful or a mixture of the two. On the way, he reveals quite a lot of very useful advice for artists of all kinds as well as music-specific insights, guidance and practical instructions. This book will rid you of any illusions you have been fed by the media, that to be in the music industry is to be a stylish millionaire who is constantly followed by cameras and wins glamorous awards every second day. For this reason, it should be standard reading for those, all those who would like to start a career in music or for those who have already tried to make it but are feeling jaded and uninspired. Phil’s delight in music and his deep commitment to the art of making it pour out from every page. It is impossible not to be swept away on his current of passion.
By Sarah Jane6 years ago in Beat
Overcoming Childhood Abuse
Will you listen? Why I'm Writing This Article The phrase “overcoming childhood abuse” sounds glamorous, doesn’t it? It sounds like I’ve climbed some kind of really tough mountain and am now sitting pretty on top of it with a beautiful view. Wouldn’t you love it if that were the case? Wouldn’t you love it if I could give you a road map for your own recovery or else give you a ‘rags to riches’ tale of how one woman triumphed over a horrific past to become almost normal and perfectly socially acceptable?
By Sarah Jane6 years ago in Families
The Impact of Psychological Abuse in Childhood
It happened because both of my parents were abused as children. It happened because they were young, incompatible and immature. It happened because they both had undiagnosed mental health problems about which they were both in a chronic state of denial. It happened because they had two small children, one of whom was severely autistic. It happened for many, many reasons. But the fact is that I was viciously and continuously psychologically abused throughout my childhood and early adult life.
By Sarah Jane7 years ago in Humans
