Across the Back Yard

So I’ve just achieved another dream as I’ve self-published my second book, “Tessa – Portrait of a Survivor.”  It took about three years from conception, to story development, to writing and editing, along with life getting in the way here and there, culminating in a book that, I feel, has something significant to say to women.

While the book is a fictionalized account  based on my personal experiences with metastatic breast cancer and the resultant amputation of my left arm, the essence of the plot addresses a middle-aged woman’s self-esteem at a time in life that can be challenging enough without a life-threatening illness and a drastic change in appearance.

So here I am with my book, available on Amazon along with my first book, and now it’s up to me to make people aware of it.  This involves putting myself “out there,” reaching my market and saying more than, “You wouldn’t want to buy my book, would you?”

This reminds me of when I was five years old and my mother pushed me out the back door and told me to go across the yard to where a little neighbor girl about my age was playing outside.  “Go tell her your name and play with her,” were my instructions.  Painfully shy, I replied, “But I don’t want to.”  “Just go,” I was told as the door closed behind me.

I slowly started across the yard, aware that Mom was watching out the window, but after a short distance, I got so scared that I ran back, sobbing.  By then Mom was back at the door where she turned me around, closed the door again and returned to the window until I awkwardly reached the neighbor girl.

I understand what my mother was doing.  Shy herself, she wanted me to make some friends.  I guess the reason I’m reminded of that incident is that getting myself “out there” seems as daunting a task now as it was then.

With all that being said, I am basking in my first few days of semi-retirement and am quickly realizing that I have considerably more time to get organized and pursue my goals.  I feel empowered and more confident about what I can accomplish and I think I’m going to be just fine.  In fact, I’m halfway across the back yard!

  For More About Kathleen Kifer, CLICK HERE