Unfortunately there are way too many of us out here. Who has not been touched by cancer? Telling our stories is not only healing for us, but also healing and helpful for others. I know I have read many, many books and stories about other people’s struggles up, over, around and through this nightmare in the last 4 years. I just don’t think this genre can be saturated. We NEED to hear these stories, some of us NEED to write them.

It is so good to be back in touch with all the people and resources online. I have spent many hours researching the things I need to know about writing, publishing and author platforms. More specifically, I’m making online connections in the world of widows, writing memoirs and publishing. I have the material from our year of struggling to keep my late husband alive; my care pages updates, my personal journal, our medical journal, and my 3+ years of unofficial email grieving “blogs” to/from family and friends. I also have mounds of medical documents that tell that part of the story.

What my research is helping with is knowing the best way to tie this journey into a book that will be marketable. My late husband encouraged me to write this book in order to help others who are on this awful path. I am “meeting” so many others that have gone through similar struggles, that I know it will help me also.

Emotionally gearing up for this book journey is not easy. It is very painful; feels like I am opening a fresh wound. That is why I am working on other forms of writing. Poetry, short stories, and various writings for children helps me stay more balanced. I do have to be careful not to lose that balance and lean too far away from the pain of writing the book. Hey, I know me. I’m a chicken. I’ve spent the last 3 1/2 years hiding from the pain, which doesn’t work, by the way. All I can do is try. That’s the plan.

Peace,

Patti