A Couple of Great Weeks!
I remember the very first day I began to write my book. It was about 5 years ago and I had just started my research to see if I even wanted to pursue my book project. I like to see what is out there to see if what I say is different or can add to what has already been said. I decided that I had something to add to the body of work that was out there on infertility related issues. I put down my pen and closed my eyes. I initially don't write on the computer. I just sat there a moment imagining what would be the most personally gratifying response I could get on my book. I didn't think about awards which I couldn't even imagine. Making money wasn't in my realm of thinking. ( My personal money goal was to just break even. ) I imagined receiving a letter from somebody struggling with infertility, what it would say, and how my words, my book, might have impacted the author.
My dream came true not once but twice in the last couple of weeks. I received an email from a woman who had an incredibly painful infertility journey. She had been distraught and feeling hopeless. This was her last chance at becoming a parent. She had bought my book months ago and never picked it up. In desperation she picked up my book and described to me how she read it through the night and cried as she read it because it helped her feel less alone, it gave her hope, and it told her how to cope with some of the people and issues she had been struggling with. She attached a letter she had written to her family. She was empowered in the midst of her sadness. She had gotten the courage to write the letter from reading my book. She explained after she read my book she called her doctor's office to explain to them what she needed from them. I cried as I read her letter because it was the letter I had dreamed of. The best part was the next day she wrote to tell me she was pregnant. I confess I cried again for her joy and the fact that she shared it with me.
The next week I led a workshop on infertility. I co-led the workshop with a couple who had read my book. We had not met. They started the workshsop by saying that they were thrilled to read a book where "somebody gets it, she really gets and writes about what we are going through." They advised the participants to read my book to feel less alone and learn how to cope. I was living my dream again. It felt wonderful and gratifying. I love a happy ending!!!
I hope you dare to dream as you write your book and that your dreams come true as well. Good luck to you!
I am Iris Waichler, author of Riding the Infertility Roller Coaster: A Guide to Educate and Inspire
Iris Waichler, MSW,LCSW
