September 19, 2007
A few years ago Bekah Hamrick lost a friend who meant a lot to her. She shared her feelings about that amazing friendship, and her loss in a poem titled Sunrise, published in Real Teens, Real Stories, Real Life.
Where is Bekah now?
Suzie: Hey Bekah, or should I call you BJ?
Bekah: BJ’s my writing name, but my friends call me Bekah. So Bekah is great.
Suzie: Real Teens, Real Stories, Real Life came out in 2002, but we actually first met while the book was in progress in 2001. How old were you then?
Bekah: I was 17.
Suzie: I remember thinking that you were a talented writer. Did you want to be a writer? Tell us a little bit about that.
Bekah: I didn’t set out to be a writer. In fact, I loved writing as a kid but I hated writing when I was in high school.
Suzie: In the book, Real Teens, Real Stories, Real Life, you wrote a poem called Sunrise. What was that poem about?
Bekah: It was about losing a friend in an accident. One minute she was here, the next minute she was gone. It was one of the hardest things I’d ever been through.
Strangely, God brought me comfort in the sunrise. He showed me that just because things seemed dark without Sarah, it didn’t mean she wasn’t shining in another place. My heart found comfort in the fact that one day she would rise again.
Suzie: Do you think that a teen can find healing through writing in a journal, or writing poetry?
Bekah: Writing can be the beginning of healing. But I encourage anyone who is hurting not to just write about it. Share what you’ve written with a safe person — someone who won’t criticize what you’re feeling — someone who will help you through the grief.
Suzie: You’ve faced some other huge challenges. One was that you were really ill when you were younger. Can you talk a little bit about that?
Bekah: When I was ten years old I woke up with an infection that eventually affected my brain and my heart. For 11 years I struggled, much of that time without a diagnosis of what was wrong.
I spent a lot of time in bed, crying out to God to heal me. So many times He felt so far away. So many times I considered suicide… I just wanted the pain to end. But Jesus was always there, always caring, always holding me… even when I couldn’t feel Him.
Suzie: What would you say to a teen who is struggling with either loss or a personal challenge that seems too big to handle alone?
Bekah: Don’t try to do it on your own. Find someone who can help you deal with what you’re experiencing. Maybe the people you’ve talked with so far have turned you away, or maybe they don’t know how to help. Keep trying until you find someone who can be there for you.
You’re a part of God’s family, and He wants to love you through His kids. Most importantly, keep crying out to God. He hears you.
Suzie: Tell us about your life now. Where are you? What has happened in the past few years?
Bekah: God touched my body and made me whole almost 2 years ago. Several months later I started college. In 8 months I’ll earn my degree in journalism. 6 weeks ago I married my best friend, Ethan.
Life is really, really good — and I shudder to think of all the times I thought about ending it when I was ill. I would have missed out on so much.
Suzie: Are you still writing?
Bekah: Absolutely. After I published Sunrise, I went on to publish about 50 articles in magazines, books, and newspapers. Right now I’m writing a weekly humor column for my regional newspaper, and working with an agent on my first book, 40 Freaky Phobias: Finding the Faith to Face Your Fears.
I also blog about 3 times a week at http://www.xanga.com/writebrained .
Suzie: What advice would you give to a teen who wants to one day work full-time as a writer?
Bekah: Start now. Develop pieces and submit them to your favorite places. Find an experienced mentor. Don’t give up when you’re rejected — chances are, the same piece probably fits with another publication. Most importantly — have fun!
Suzie: Okay, let’s lighten this up. What is your favorite food?
Bekah: Pizza, pizza, and pizza. Did I mention pizza?
Suzie: Your favorite color?
Bekah: My husband says I paint everything green. And I do! Actually, I make him paint everything green. It’s less work that way!
Suzie: One more question. What is your most embarrassing moment?
Bekah: You have no idea how hard it is to narrow it down to one. So I’ll give you my most recent:
I was at a writer’s conference and had a chance to share my book idea with an agent. I nailed the interview, and was quite proud of myself when the agent told me she might be interested in the book. I went back to my room, looked in the mirror, and realized that there was a big booger hanging out of my nose!
Suzie: Wow. That is embarrassing, and you also must have done a great job with your pitch, because she picked you up that day as a client–even with a booger. : )
Thanks for stopping by RTF–again! It’s awesome to catch up with you. I love your message of trusting God, even in the hardest times. I’m amazed at what God is doing in you and through your message of hope.
Bekah: Thank you, Suzie. This was fun!
Debbie says:
Bekah’s AWESOME!
I know her from TL…sooooo many words to describe how wonderful she is! Truly, an inspiration to me. 
Debbie/Jade
T. Suzanne Eller says:
She is awesome, isn’t she? That’s why I love it when teen writers share their stories on RTF. We hope that many teens will find encouragement in their passion to share their faith through writing.
hannah says:
As someone who knew Rebekah when we were kids, I have to say she always had a sense of humor, even when she was sick. Any time we spent together quickly produced a lot of laughter… and some strange looks from other people. But hey, we’re aliens in this world, right?
Esi says:
I know Bekah from TeenLight (TL) also, and I wholeheartedly echo what Debbie: “sooo many words to describe how wonderful she is!” She was a huge inspiration (especially to me personally!), terrific mentor, and someone we all looked up to in the days of TL. Thank God so much for you like Bekah!
Esi