An Emotional Journey Humor and Hope Through Breast Cancer is a cartoon book drawn with a unique humorous twist on an emotional journey of breast cancer patients. The chapters are broken into the stages a person undergoes: discovery of the cancer, surgery, radiation, chemo, and finally, the happier days after all treatments. Heather did not back away from the silent emotions one goes through; it truly touches on many of the emotions of this journey in a distinctive way to assist that others will know they are not alone and understand there is hope. This book has been reviewed by cancer survivors, mental health professionals, and clergy, and has been found to be supportive for those fighting for their lives. Regardless of where you or a loved one is along this individual journey; these cartoons will be inspiring and humorous. Reading this gem of a book will make you laugh and sometimes cry-it's a cathartic experience for all. -Irene K. Rickus, MS, LMHC Hess leads us through Humor and Hope to the other banks of the ocean of pain and anxiety where one can sprout again with hope and peace from the rubbles of cancer. -Father Sebastian Earthedath, MST, Pastor, Our Lady Queen of Peace. When Heather called me after her breast cancer diagnosis, I was heartbroken. Our sorority of breast cancer fighters and survivors is exclusive, but not coveted. The attitude Heather had was positive, just like her attitude toward life. Her unique insight into life situations has been well-illustrated within her artwork for many years. I know her collection of comical viewpoints of the uncomfortable, quirky positions that cancer fighters and their caregivers face will bring many laughs, lighten the uneasiness of sensitive topics, and encourage hope for the future. -Paula S. O'Neil, PhD, Author of Fighting Cancer like a Girl, Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller

This book captures not only my journey from Seattle to Brooklyn and back, but the emotions that, on a daily basis drove so much of my behavior. Laced with the adventures of my rich life as a teacher, real estate agent and mom, I seemed to be able to glean from the past as I navigated towards the future. Always finding the silver lining in each crossroad, the entries are short, raw and real and even manage to find humor amidst the trials. My writing has been my best friend and continues to be as I take each day's ups and downs and write until I find solace and acceptance of who I am and who I am is complete as-is. Perfectly imperfect! My hope is that you embark on this emotional journey with me, laugh a little and ponder a little on what it means to be human and to love yourself in the process!

Parenthood transforms you. Even before this crisis, you may have experienced a wide range of feelings triggered by pregnancy, birth, and welcoming a new baby. The NICU experience challenges your emotional coping, your developing parental identity, your relationship skills, and your ability to adjust.Intensive Parenting explores the emotions of parenting in the neonatal intensive care unit, from in-hospital through issues and concerns after the child is home. Deboral L. Davis and Mara Tesler Stein describe and affirm the wide range of experiences and emotional reactions that occur in the NICU and offer strategies for parents coping with their baby's condition and hospitalization.

Using the relational development approach of Gordon Neufeld, the author offers a road map to making sense of the behavior of young children and understanding their developmental growth.

Following on the heels of Lisa Cron's breakout first book, Wired for Story, this writing guide reveals how to use cognitive storytelling strategies to build a scene-by-scene blueprint for a riveting story. It’s every novelist’s greatest fear: pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into writing hundreds of pages only to realize that their story has no sense of urgency, no internal logic, and so is a page one rewrite. The prevailing wisdom in the writing community is that there are just two ways around this problem: pantsing (winging it) and plotting (focusing on the external plot). Story coach Lisa Cron has spent her career discovering why these methods don’t work and coming up with a powerful alternative, based on the science behind what our brains are wired to crave in every story we read (and it’s not what you think). In Story Genius Cron takes you, step-by-step, through the creation of a novel from the first glimmer of an idea, to a complete multilayered blueprint—including fully realized scenes—that evolves into a first draft with the authority, richness, and command of a riveting sixth or seventh draft.

Discover the Difference Between a So-So Manuscript and a Novel Readers Can't Forget We've all read them: novels by our favorite authors that disappoint. Uninspired and lifeless, we wonder what happened. Was the author in a hurry? Did she have a bad year? Has he lost interest altogether? Something similar is true of a great many unpublished manuscripts. They are okay stories that never take flight. They don't grip the imagination, let alone the heart. They merit only a shrug and a polite dismissal by agents and editors. It doesn't have to be that way. In The Fire in Fiction, successful literary agent and author Donald Maass shows you not only how to infuse your story with deep conviction and fiery passion, but how to do it over and over again. The book features: • Techniques for capturing a special time and place, creating characters whose lives matter, nailing multiple-impact plot turns, making the supernatural real, infusing issues into fiction, and more. • Story-enriching exercises at the end of every chapter to show you how to apply the practical tools just covered to your own work. • Rich examples drawn from contemporary novels as diverse as The Lake House, Water for Elephants, and Jennifer Government to illustrate how various techniques work in actual stories. Plus, Maass introduces an original technique that any novelist can use any time, in any scene, in any novel, even on the most uninspired day...to take the most powerful experiences from your personal life and turn those experiences directly into powerful fiction. Tap into The Fire in Fiction, and supercharge your story with originality and spark!

The train tracks ran right by Bigmama's house in Cottondale, and the children were warned to stay off the tracks. But one night they were late, and the tracks were a shortcut, so they started off. And when there was no turning back, they heard the train coming.

Named a 2010 Self Help Best Book by Library Journal Saying Goodbye To Someone You Love consists of moving narratives about end of life and grief. These personal histories are complemented by practical guidelines for those caring for their loved ones through the last stages of life. For those who are grieving, the true-to-life-stories demonstrate how others have navigated through the tidal wave of emotions and reactions that characterize the grief process. For health care professionals and those who are offering support to grievers, Saying Goodbye To Someone You Love provides a new perspective on the challenges of caring for the dying and living with grief. Hundreds of poignant, touching, loving, humorous personal experiences address readers' concerns and curiosity about how others have faced life's final chapter with love and dignity. Specific issues include talking about death, hospice, funerals, grieving, and celebrating life. Saying Goodbye To Someone You Love empowers readers by Bringing compassion and awareness to end of life issues Providing examples of loving care at the moment of death illuminating uncharted territory Demonstrating how others cope Demystifying the grief process Inspiring hope The narratives and advice in Saying Goodbye To Someone You Love benefits family members, friends and health care professionals as they travel the emotional journey through end of life and grief.

This unique book focuses on the healing potential of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum rather than on the medical aspects. In Birth as a Healing Experience: The Emotional Journey of Pregnancy Through Postpartum, you will find childbirth preparation discussed as a means to empower women and their partners in the childbirth experience.