Author Spotlight: 'Pain in the Mask' by Yvonne Murray

During lockdown, when the world was forced into isolation, inspirational motivator, creative, and author Yvonne Murray found solace in her love for poetry. It was a time of reflection, both personally and creatively, and it led to the birth of her first poetry collection, Pain in the Mask. Yvonne's poems are a deep exploration of love, trauma, and healing that speak to the universal experience of hiding behind emotional masks.

Pain in the Mask is not a commentary on COVID-19 itself, but rather an exploration of how we mask our emotions and experiences—especially during difficult times. Yvonne explains, "We were all wearing masks, not just to protect ourselves, but to hide our pain and struggles. This book is about those masks we wear to shield ourselves from reality."

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In her poems, Yvonne invites readers to peel back the layers and confront their own emotional truths. Her writing captures the moments of joy, sorrow, and everything in between, creating a collection that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt the need to hide their pain.

"We were all wearing masks during lockdown—not just physically, but emotionally, too. 'Pain in the Mask' reflects that, using poetry as a way to uncover the truth."

The book's title also takes inspiration from the phrase, "You’re on mute," which became a familiar phrase during virtual communications in lockdown. Yvonne cleverly weaves this metaphor into her work, symbolising how we often mute our own voices and feelings.

Through her writing, Yvonne transforms her personal journey into a shared experience, inviting readers to connect with the raw emotions behind their own "masks." Pain in the Mask is available to buy through the WRC Online Shop (£21.44), offering readers a chance to reflect, heal, and find strength through poetry.

The WRC Online Shop is an online gift shop featuring a wonderful selection of products made by women.

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