The third message is a note about why she put the word terrible in quotes in the book ’ s title . “ Not all bullies are terrible . There might be a reason they are acting this way that you just don ’ t know about .”
One of the bullies in The “ Terrible ” Bullies ultimately confesses to having been bullied themselves , suggesting that someone must eventually be brave enough to stop the cycle .
Patel turned to friends , family , and a counselor to help support her through those difficult days , though there were many days when she called her parents to pick her up early from school . “ I would try and find activities I liked to do so the bullying didn ’ t distract me ,” she said .
Though high school has been a kinder experience for Patel , because , she finds , the kids have matured some , the wounds of middle school remain in her memory . “ People would make fun of me , they would talk behind my back , they would make weird faces at me , and when I would do my tics , they would mock me ,” she said .
Writing about these experiences through fiction has been healing for Patel . She wrote her first book with the support and encouragement of David Chappell , founder and president of the non-profit organization , Literary Legacies , when she was 12 , and used the skills she learned then to write her second . “ It did help to work out some emotions while writing .” Moreover , an unexpected side effect of writing for Patel is that when doing so she experiences no tics whatsoever .
Patel considers herself an advocate for others who might not know how to stand up for themselves yet , through her writing , through her community event , and even in supporting another girl with Tourette Syndrome in India . Her pediatrician connected the two of them . “ I mentor a girl in India . She talks to me about how she can control her tics and what to do when you get bullied . I just give her advice and walk her through that .”
Though her senior year of high school has been keeping her quite busy , she has made some time to work on her third book , which she said is about 80 % finished , and it ’ s about “ cyber bullying , vaping , and bulimia , all rolled up in a football story .” She sees herself continuing to write into college and beyond . “ I do plan to keep writing books , but I would also like to be a Hollywood screenwriter .”
She ’ s finishing college application essays , and hopes to get into her “ dream school ,” Chapman University here in California .
When she ’ s not writing or advocating , she ’ s drawing , watching Netflix and hanging out with friends and family and planning for the future .
Learn more at : RiyaniPatel . com
MAIN IMAGE : Riyani Patel , Morgan Hill resident and Sobrato High Senior stands ready backstage at the National Bullying Prevention event held in Morgan Hill in October 2021 . The event was facilitaed by her dad , Yogesh Patel and local advocates .
TOP LEFT : Riyani addresses the crowd and reads from her latest book " Terrible " Bullies .
TOP RIGHT : The anti-bullying event drew attendees from thoughout the south valley , including Morgan Hill community champions Brian and Kathleen Sullivan , City Council members , educators , and residents of all ages and demographics .
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