A local writer will share her stories at an upcoming double book launch, and everyone is invited to attend the novel event.
Flo Bambenek will launch two books — Country Girl and Yearning — at a Winnipeg-based event in April.
Country Girl is a memoir that Bambenek felt compelled to write in the hopes that sharing her story might help others who are struggling to live with an alcoholic.
The story starts with Bambenek sharing her experiences growing up in the rural Manitoba community of Clarkleigh before moving to Winnipeg.
“I describe the culture shock I experienced as I moved from a simple, sheltered life into the strangeness of city dwelling. I found myself pregnant and in love at the legal age of 18 — how life changed for me, married to a man who was seven years older than me and loved to drink beer more than he was able to love his family,” she said.
“I explain how I moved through 13 years of living with an alcoholic. I explain how Al-Anon saved my life and my daughter’s life. I share how my life is today and how I got there.”
After 13 years of marriage, Bambenek divorced her alcoholic husband. She remarried nearly 35 years ago, and the happy couple lives on an acreage outside Stonewall.
Bambenek started writing Country Girl in 2020, during the pandemic when everything was shut down.
“My volunteer work was no longer necessary and the part-time job I held was closed. I had time on my hands, so I wrote Country Girl. I went out and bought a laptop for me only. I set up a space in our basement and began to work. I spent one or two hours every day writing, but I spent all my awake and asleep hours thinking about what and how I should share my story,” said Bambenek, who recently became a member of the Manitoba Writer’s Guild.
“I had to be careful not to let the story consume me. I had to be careful not to relive the horrific times. I had a friend read through the manuscript to ensure it read well enough to publish. We made a few changes and then I began to seek how I would publish. I was new to self-publishing, but with the help of the Internet, I found a Canadian publisher (called Tellwell) who agreed to publish and distribute the book online.”
At first, she felt shy about opening up with her story, but she knew sharing was important.
“I felt vulnerable and slightly afraid to share what I had not ever shared before. But with the encouragement from friends and my loving husband, I pressed on. Now I am proud to be able say that I have written and published my memoir. My hope is to help someone out there who is struggling. I hope to give them hope knowing that there is a way to find peace and happiness,” she said.
“I want people to know about Al-Anon, how it helped me through a very difficult time in my life. I was inspired by a recovering alcoholic who helped me to see how I could dig myself out of my situation. She encouraged me to share my story — to not be ashamed or hide.”
For her second book, a piece of fiction called Yearning, Bambenek began the writing process in about 2022.
“A friend had asked me to write her memoir as a ghostwriter, which I did. So I would write for her and then while waiting for more insight on my friend’s story, I would continue with mine,” she said.
“Yearning is a story of hope, a story of learning to let go of what can never be and to accept what is. A story of how to live in the moment rather than to dwell in the past.”
Bambenek was inspired to write the story by her Auntie Helen, who is now 101 years of age.
“She wrote a bit of her life story a few years back. I have read it many times and started to visit her in the personal care home when my mother passed away. Auntie never married or had any children, so I took it as my privilege to visit with her,” she said.
“While visiting with her, I started to realize that I should write a story based on the idea of feeling abandoned and yearning for love and belonging. I feel grateful to my auntie as she allowed me to use her poem in the story. I like the story. I think there are some lessons to be learned.”
Bambenek asked a friend to draw sketches included in the book. The cover of Yearning showcases a sunset photo she took while fishing at Hecla.
“Looking at it, I always feel a yearning deep inside of me,” she said. “I thought the photo was appropriate for the book.”
The cover of the Country Girl shows a painting of the farm where Bambenek grew up. The artist, Ron Glowe, is originally from Inwood and now lives in B.C.
Country Girl and Yearning also include some of Bambenek’s favourite recipes.
Both publications can be purchased through multiple online sites, including Amazon, Pinterest, AbeBooks and Barnes and Noble.
Copies will also be available at the book launch, which will take place on Sunday, April 7, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Artspace, located at 521-100 Arthur St. in Winnipeg. She encourages Al-Anon members to attend the event.
