Author, Mother, Survivor
Amy Norman is the author of Dancing with the Devil, a mother of two and a survivor of domestic violence.
My life has changed enormously over the past 10 years or so. My children have grown into wonderful people. They are caring and intelligent. They were my reason for fighting and I rejoice in them every day.
I think one of the main things that kept me going is that I never thought of myself as a 'victim'. It used to surprise me that people would describe me that way. I used to want to scream at them "I AM NOT A VICTIM". Thinking of myself as a victim seemed to weigh me down, it didn't make me feel good about myself or the situation I was in. I was a SURVIVOR, I liked the way that sounded, and it made me feel empowered. It was then that I realised the power of words.
I no longer live in fear, and live life to the fullest. I know what it's like to almost lose life, so I take nothing for granted. I am thankful every day for all I have, all I am, and all I will be. Because although my life is fantastic now, I still have a lot of life left, and a lot left to learn.
I do not regret anything I have gone through. Do I have regrets? No - I came to the realisation long ago that regrets are soul destroying. You can't go back - so why wish for something that can never be.
Instead, learn by your experiences. Learn, grow, live and, love. Because with time, you can have it all.
Amy xoxoxox
Dancing with the Devil
Dancing with the devil recreates the terrifying life Amy Norman experienced for four years with her violent, drug addicted boyfriend. Amy went off the rails and left school after her beloved ballet teacher told her she was too fat. She fell for Dean and his heady world of drugs and excitement.
At 17 she left her middle class family and moved into a flat with him. Within three years she had two children to him and numerous abortions. She had dealt drugs, become hooked on marijuana and had been bashed countless times. She left him a few times, returning each time to her parents, brothers and sisters who welcomed her back with open arms. But each time she returned to Dean, out of fear that he would kill her, her children or her parents - as he had threatened.
Finally, after four years of unspeakable torment, she packed up the children and spent three years travelling around Australia - changing her identity time after time to avoid him.
This book will hook you - everyone who has read it hasn't been able to stop until they know Amy survives and escapes. Her final triumph makes you forget the nastiness and violence and leaves you cheering her on as she launches a new stage of her life.
Dancing with the Devil was published in 2005 by Bantam Books Australia.
Dancing with the Devil was published in the UK in 2006 by John Blake Publishing under the title Living with the Devil.
