Writers Tricks of the Trade ISSUE 3, VOLUME 7 | Page 9

Morgan’s Corner
Morgan’s Corner
#VegasStrong
M ORGAN S T . J AMES , E DITOR
A WORLD CHANGED
Morgan St. James, Editor
Editor
Silver Sisters Mysteries
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Normally I begin this page with good or inspirational news. This
time I can’t do that. The horrendous event on October 1 in my
hometown of Las Vegas resulted in the deaths, injuries and trauma of
over 500 people in just a few minutes—all by the hand of one crazed
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human
being.
A man
who carefully planned the mass assassination of
innocent people like one planning a military assault. This wasn’t an act
of impulse. He scouted music festivals in other cities before choosing
Las Vegas. The question on everyone’s mind is “WHY? WHY THIS
SENSELESS CARNAGE?” We don’t have answers about motivation at
this point, but Las Vegas Metro, our Fire Department and the FBI are
conducting extensive investigations.
I am so proud of the way our citizens, businesses, casinos and
organizations have come together to do anything and everything they
can. Not just Las Vegans, which has been absolutely amazing, but
people worldwide. And the GoFundMe account has raised millions to
help victims and survivors and their families. If only we could turn back
the clock to September 30. If only there had been some indication of
what this madman would do the following day. But, nothing aroused
suspicion.
People I know lost loved ones or their family or friends were
injured. This is close to home. This is not something in a book, on TV or
the big screen for our entertainment. This is the real world, Baby.
These were people like you and me. For those who survived, those
who watched this horrendous carnage on TV, lives will never be the
same.
I had PTSD 30 years ago from a life-threatening auto accident. I
have worked with people who have far worse PTSD than I had to help
them write their books (Incest, Murder and a Miracle and No More
Crying Angels.) You have no control when you begin to cry, which is
only one of the symptoms. So many will walk in these shoes now and
need to seek counseling.
It is hard for me to write this because I have to hold back the tears.
Not the tears someone who has never had PTSD sheds, but the
uncontrollable tears that cascade at the mention of a word or any
number of images. I got past it years ago, so at this point I had to
wonder if some level of PTSD had been triggered. I reached out to my
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