In June, I’ll be leaving my position at the Alzheimer’s Association to pursue a full time career in writing.  Working for the Association not only led to professional growth, but also served as a catalyst for my own healing.  I learned more about the disease than sometimes I ever wanted.  I made lifelong connections with colleagues and volunteers throughout the nation.  And, I was able to lend my voice in a way that I couldn’t while my mom was living with Alzheimer’s.  This alone has profoundly altered me, and I’m forever grateful for the experience. 

There were so many times I could feel my mom’s energy and spirit cheering me on.  Just as I can imagine her nudging me forward now, reminding me that it’s okay to let go and carve out whatever comes next.    

Speaking of what’s next, my plan is to write what I love which has manifested in two ways.  First, my not-so-secret vice is mystery novels, so I’ve decided to try penning a sleuth series.  Outlining, plotting, and character mapping have begun, but I’m eager to dig in to actually writing the book soon.  Second, as a magazine and news enthusiast I’ll continue my freelancing gigs, and will soon be announcing the launch of a new collaborative project.  Saving the best news for last, Underneath the Ash is due to be re-released.  As you can see, I’ll have plenty to blog about in the coming months so stay tuned for details.

First and foremost, thanks to all of you who’ve taken the time to read the book.  Launching in the height of the holidays didn’t exactly lend itself to light reading.  As most of you know I’m a mystery junkie (in fact I’m fast at work on my second book, a mystery at the moment) which seems like the ideal holiday read.  I was touched by how quickly many of you read the book, despite my warnings and the madness of December.  Not to worry, if you haven’t read it yet there’s plenty of time.  In fact, I think it’s a perfect post-holiday read.    

Secondly, thanks to those of you who’ve emailed, written, facebooked, tweeted, and called me with your feedback and response to the story.  This by far has been the highlight of the entire process.  It’s so fascinating to learn what each person takes away and brings to the book based on their own personal journey.  I feel like this alone is the best gift of all and has allowed for such interesting conversations and connections with friends and strangers alike. 

And, finally thanks to those of you who’ve reviewed the book and sent it on to friends, colleagues, and neighbors.  If you haven’t had a chance to review the book, please do so on Amazon.  I promise all reviews are welcome.  Clearly, if you’ve read the book you understand that honesty is a critical value to me (sometimes at my own detriment) so whether you have glowing or constructive feedback I’d love for you to share it.

It’s onward to the next project for me.  I’m looking forward to writing something entirely different and hopefully fun.  Next time, I can almost guarantee a light holiday read!

The process of writing was cathartic, painful, and transforming.  I’m so thankful to my incredible family who willingly allowed me to share our worst and best moments in print.  I hope that in sharing our story, we’ll help smooth the path for those who come behind us.

My deepest thanks also go out to my network of friends and fellow writers, who provided insight, painstakingly edited the manuscript, and cheered me on in the process!  I’m forever grateful for your feedback, listening ears, and coffee runs. 

Alzheimer’s may have stolen pieces of my mother, but writing this book has made her whole again, something I never would have imagined four years ago. 

Click here to buy your copy of Underneath the Ash today!

But on to other news…my blog is just one of many things that has sat neglected while enjoying this near-perfect Pacific Northwest summer.  It’s been an unusual summer in some ways as we’ve flipped between a flurry of events and ultra-lazy days lounging in the sun.  We’ve been reading some of my childhood favorites, including John D. Fitzgerald’s The Great Brain.  I so love hearing Luke laugh out loud at the adventures of J.D, Tom and Sweyn.  “The Water Closet” chapter has gotten a ton of play in our household.  Some stories, particularly those involving toilets and first grade boys, stand the test of time.

Our trip to Italy may have permanently ruined him for childhood camps.  After talking up how cool the Dino Camp he attended last week was going to be, he was convinced that he and his buddies would be excavating and searching for actual dinosaur bones and historical sites.  His comment after the first day, “Uh, Mom, we just dug for plastic stuff, it wasn’t a real dig site like in Rome.”  Right.  Good to know.

Summer vacation has also consisted of building a secret passage in the hedge between our house and the neighbor’s, S’mores on the BBQ, sleeping in, hours spent exploring outside, and an addiction to the mindless TV show Wipeout. 

While the boys have gone off on muddy fishing adventures, I’ve been working with my publisher on the launch of Underneath the Ash!  I still pinch myself sometimes when I think about it.  Check back tomorrow for a sneak peek of the cover design.  I love it.  I know my mom would have too, and that’s the best gift of the entire summer.

First, the Vancouver Voice, where I write my column Couv’ Connections, is venturing into subscriptions.  Now instead of grabbing a copy of the Voice at your favorite coffee shop, it will arrive nicely bundled in your mailbox for a steal of a deal.  Click here for more info on how to subscribe and kick back in your pj’s to read the next issue of the Voice.

Second, I recently learned that I’m a finalist in the Oregon Quarterly’s Northwest Perspective’s essay contest for an essay I wrote titled, “Pack It Up Kids-We’re Leaving:  Lessons Learned from an Unlikely Football Fan.”  I love the kind of writing and features that the Quarterly publishes and am thrilled to be connected with their incredible writing community.  Plus, this essay is an homage to my Duck-loving dad who so deserves to be recognized.  As soon as the essay’s live on the web, I’ll share it widely. 

Third, early this summer I’ll be writing a column about Alzheimer’s for a new publication.  More details to come but as always, I welcome your suggestions, and for this particular column, any caregiving stories you’re willing to share.  I promise to change names and protect the innocent!

Saving the best for last…a release date for Underneath the Ash is coming soon.  That’s all I can say for now, but stayed tuned!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how strategic planning comes into play with writing a book.  Take the example of urbanabox, a company I co-founded back in 1999 long before anyone was blogging.  I’m happy to report that nearly ten years later the company is still alive and kicking up in Seattle.  According to the Small Business Association over 50% of businesses fail within the first two years and 95% fail within the first five years.  I can’t take credit for any current success the company may be experiencing, but I sold it well past the seven year mark and I’m convinced we beat the odds because of our ongoing strategic planning.

Can the process of writing and selling a book fit into a master plan?  I’m hoping the answer will be yes.  Feel free to chime in if you have a thought or experience on this one. 

In the beginning when I was writing it was organic, unfiltered, without direction and certainly lacked any sort of plan.  The need to create outweighed the structure and form which came later–after my initial purge.  Now nearly two years later, the plot and pacing have been written and re-written.  That initial creative burst has turned into a focused marketing plan complete with target audiences and statistics, a flashback to my days of business planning.   It seems almost as if I’ve come full circle, finding the perfect blend of syntactic planning. Of course I’m not sure I’ve found my planning nirvana quite yet.  I just drafted an email about Easter plans.

Writing the book, which took the better part of two years, now seems like the easy part.  Now it’s all about platform, which is another word for marketing.  When I mention how important marketing the book is to my dad, he scoffs and mutters things like, “can you imagine Shakespeare selling the queen on his platform?”

Fortunately and unfortunately I have two things in my favor:  extensive marketing experience and extensive personal experience with Alzheimer’s disease.  That translates into platform.  Alas, even this might not be enough.  I also need “by lines” those little words which appear under a feature article in a newspaper or magazine.  So here it is, in print, my first “by line“.  The feature appeared earlier this week and for those of you wanting a taste of the book-read away.  Although the process of marketing a book before it’s even sold sometimes feels daunting, seeing my first ”by line” is definitely worth it.