A WRITER from Bridestowe has had her short story published in a book designed to help people live a more healthy lifestyle.

Rebecca Mansell has seen her short story 'The Joy of Living' published in 'Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive for Great Health'. The story is about how Rebecca overcame agoraphobia through positive thinking, determination and emotional support.

The book is one of a series that consist of motivational essays and inspiring stories to help people through personal problems. Rebecca submitted the story after finding some of the previous books in the series helpful.

Rebecca said: 'I got involved with "Chicken Soup for the Soul" because they publish inspirational stories and I wanted to help others face their fears, to show them that there is light, even at the end of a very long and dark tunnel, and to reassure them that with positive thinking, anything is possible.

'It felt fantastic to get my story published as I have loved their books for years and had found them to be very inspirational myself. I am also the only UK writer in this particular book.'

Rebecca is a freelance writer and teacher of psychology, and has had work published in magazines and books. She writes educational resources for colleges, and is currently editing her first adult novel while working on her second, which is about a young women caring for her agoraphobic mother.

To find out more about the books, visit http://www.chickensoup.com">www.chickensoup.com