Denise Monique's Blog
November 16, 2020
Virtual Author Interview
I will be on the Playatshow on Friday, November 20th, 9 p.m. EST. Please join me on Facebook Live or YouTube @ Playatshow.com
November 9, 2020
SPR Book Review
From the fearless fingertips of Denise Monique comes Despite My Odds, a powerful and painful memoir of an unconventional childhood, a traumatic youth, and a perseverant adulthood that is both compelling and heartbreaking.
Layla is an enigmatic focal point, one whom it seems the entire world is stacked against, but as her memories unfold, patterns emerge, systemic failures appear, and the long-term emotional weight of trauma becomes clear. From sexual assault and early encounters with police officers to dangerous relationships and chronically low self-esteem, this is not an easy book to swallow; it will choke you up and force you to take a breath and process. The ascendant arc of Layla’s life, fortunately, holds a plethora of hope, and the author writes of her own dynamic life with maturity, sensitivity, and grace.
Millions of people experience trauma and hardship when they’re young, but a small percentage of those people can recount their experience with such emotion and power. Monique benefits from a simplicity of storytelling that makes the content even more impactful – from police brutality and early revelations of evil to personal moments of trauma, shame, recovery, and grief.
There are some moments that feel less polished, or the recollections become tangential, but that is excused to some degree in the realm of memoir. As a whole, Despite My Odds is a revelatory and bold disclosure of one writer’s most vulnerable truths.
Layla is an enigmatic focal point, one whom it seems the entire world is stacked against, but as her memories unfold, patterns emerge, systemic failures appear, and the long-term emotional weight of trauma becomes clear. From sexual assault and early encounters with police officers to dangerous relationships and chronically low self-esteem, this is not an easy book to swallow; it will choke you up and force you to take a breath and process. The ascendant arc of Layla’s life, fortunately, holds a plethora of hope, and the author writes of her own dynamic life with maturity, sensitivity, and grace.
Millions of people experience trauma and hardship when they’re young, but a small percentage of those people can recount their experience with such emotion and power. Monique benefits from a simplicity of storytelling that makes the content even more impactful – from police brutality and early revelations of evil to personal moments of trauma, shame, recovery, and grief.
There are some moments that feel less polished, or the recollections become tangential, but that is excused to some degree in the realm of memoir. As a whole, Despite My Odds is a revelatory and bold disclosure of one writer’s most vulnerable truths.
My writeup in the news
Author and Tri-C Grad Highlighted in “Pretty Women Hustle”
Denise Monique majored in human services at Tri-C, has authored several books
Quill pen and ink well sitting on book As a child, Denise Monique loved to read just about anything. It began a lifelong interest in the written word.
"I loved the places a writer's imagination could take me," she said in a recent interview with Pretty Women Hustle magazine.
Monique is a licensed social worker who graduated in 2009 from Cuyahoga Community College, where she earned an associate degree in human services. She went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in social work from Cleveland State University and is in the process of completing a master’s degree in social administration from Case Western Reserve University.
But whenever she has spare time, the mother of five and grandmother of eight writes. She’s penned several children’s books as well as a book aimed at adults, Despite My Odds: A Memoir, which is available as an e-book on Amazon.
Monique — who also writes under her married name, Denise Caviness — encourages young writers to keep practicing and honing their skills as she did.
"Aspiring writers should write, write, write," Monique told Pretty Women Hustle. "Write something each day — it doesn’t have to make sense. A true writer also reads. Allow your mind to take you on journeys you’ve never seen."
To learn more about Denise Monique, visit her website.
September 10, 2020
Erik Cassano, 216-987-3577 or erik.cassano@tri-c.edu
Denise Monique majored in human services at Tri-C, has authored several books
Quill pen and ink well sitting on book As a child, Denise Monique loved to read just about anything. It began a lifelong interest in the written word.
"I loved the places a writer's imagination could take me," she said in a recent interview with Pretty Women Hustle magazine.
Monique is a licensed social worker who graduated in 2009 from Cuyahoga Community College, where she earned an associate degree in human services. She went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in social work from Cleveland State University and is in the process of completing a master’s degree in social administration from Case Western Reserve University.
But whenever she has spare time, the mother of five and grandmother of eight writes. She’s penned several children’s books as well as a book aimed at adults, Despite My Odds: A Memoir, which is available as an e-book on Amazon.
Monique — who also writes under her married name, Denise Caviness — encourages young writers to keep practicing and honing their skills as she did.
"Aspiring writers should write, write, write," Monique told Pretty Women Hustle. "Write something each day — it doesn’t have to make sense. A true writer also reads. Allow your mind to take you on journeys you’ve never seen."
To learn more about Denise Monique, visit her website.
September 10, 2020
Erik Cassano, 216-987-3577 or erik.cassano@tri-c.edu
September 20, 2020
April 26, 2020
What about YOU?
As many of us are limited from partaking in our community activities during this quarantine, what about YOU? What are you doing to care for yourself physically, mentally and emotionally? Are you adhering to a schedule to reduce anxiety? Do you workout daily with a walk or bike ride? Could it be you're getting good use of that yoga mat? Are you sitting in your vehicle, at the lake, watching the water thump against the dock? Maybe you're painting on your canvas or adding a new color of paint to a forgotten room in your home. Perhaps you're reading books at the speed of lightning. This way of social distancing is tough but it's temporary. Make the most of these days. Allow your body and mind this time to reset. Whatever you may be doing, please be safe and don't forget about YOU.
April 19, 2020
Relationships Gone Bad
Have you even been in an intimate relationship and gave your all, only to receive nothing but headache and heartache? Did you find yourself making sure you kept your appearance up, always smelled good, dressed nice? Did you fix his/her favorite meals, watch shows they wanted to watch, gave award worthy performances in the bedroom? Were you the only faithful one? Perhaps you were in love with someone that may not have been in love with you. Did you find yourself settling time and time again, telling yourself your mate could change.... They care about you enough, right? It was all about you, right?
People are exactly who they are. We make the mistake of placing our own expectations on them and then are lost when we get mistreated in return. With everything you gave to an undeserving person, I encourage you to take the time and date yourself! Learn who you are. Once you truly know and embrace yourself, you will no longer settle for less than your worth.
People are exactly who they are. We make the mistake of placing our own expectations on them and then are lost when we get mistreated in return. With everything you gave to an undeserving person, I encourage you to take the time and date yourself! Learn who you are. Once you truly know and embrace yourself, you will no longer settle for less than your worth.
