In this truly inspiring memoir, Janet Hatch shares her compelling story of raising her strong-willed daughter who, at age eleven, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Welcome to the September 1st stop on the blog tour for Zandra: My Daughter, Diabetes, and Lessons in Love by Janet Hatch with Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for spotlights, reviews, author guest posts, and a giveaway! More on that at the end of this post.
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Author Guest Post
There’s No One-Size Fit’s All
Whether you’re reading this blog post to connect as a parent who has a child with type-1 diabetes, or you’re curiosity has you tapping into the world of self published authors, you need to know that there’s no one-size fit’s all.
When I first began writing about my life and how it was impacted by diabetes, I couldn’t find a book like it. I had already read heaps of books throughout the years with diabetes in the title, however I had never read a book that spoke to how damn hard I would cry, or how proud I could be of the valiant fight my daughter was in every day. I wanted to write a book that would speak to the parent’s heart, so I set out in the vastness of the Internet looking for inspiration.
There’s a lot of information to help a person write a book, including many valuable tips. There’s certainly enough to get the wheels churning. Some authors suggest writing an hour a day, every day, until your book is complete. Some authors recommend organizing chapters ahead of time and others tell you to avoid pre-planning and go with the flow only to worry about the organization at the end. The choices are endless, so knowing yourself ahead of time will help you to find what feels right for you. By going through these motions I felt a greater sense of what goals were realistic in my own life.
Writing a book felt for me, much like I was jumping out of a plane. I felt like the moment my feet left the ground I was fully reliant on all of my preparation and fate. It’s a feeling like no other. It was exhilarating and yet frightening at the same time. I knew in my heart that I was writing a book I would have wanted to read, yet there was no way to affirm that others would feel this way; thus be able to sell my books. Not to mention the vulnerability that I felt putting my life story out for all to read – and to judge. This is where trust comes in. If I were to write a book that had a prescribed method with a sure to sell subject, I wouldn’t have been true to myself. I had to find my own way and navigate what felt right. I had to trust my path and have faith that the right readers would find my book.
Despite all the hardships in my life, I’ve been blessed. Although my path has been filled with peaks and valleys, I’ve always been able to look back and know that the journey was where my gifts were bestowed. I wrote my book to share with the world how I was able look for hope and enjoy some amazing experiences along the way. When faced with my worst fears, I found my purpose in and I wanted to shout it from the rooftops! I know that people are struggling as much as I did, even more. I wanted to help ease the way for someone else. Isn’t that what we’re meant to do for each other?
If you’re raising a child with a chronic illness, you will undoubtedly find this book touches your heart in some way. I believe it will even stir your emotions even if you don’t have any children, as we’re all part of the ‘village’ that raises children. I wrote about my life from my heart as to encourage faith in the journey of my readers. If you’re holding a story of your own, let me encourage and support you to draw inspiration from anywhere and everywhere. Be authentic. Be an artist. Find your own size.
About the Book
Zandra
My Daughter, Diabetes, and Lessons in Love
by Janet Hatch
Published 15 October 2020
Tellwell Talent
Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction
Page Count: 192
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!
In this truly inspiring memoir, Janet Hatch shares her compelling story of raising her strong-willed daughter who, at age eleven, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. From the beginning of her life, Zandra experienced being different as a result of dietary restrictions, but nothing would prepare her for the tumultuous feelings that Zandra’s diagnosis would bring. Janet’s story chronicles the day-to-day life of raising a child through the teen years and into young adulthood, while reconciling her own insecurities.
After experiencing complications and additional illnesses from diabetes, Zandra’s life became uncertain and bleak. When she learned of the death of her friend from diabetes, she began to spiral downward. This is a love story between a mother and daughter and demonstrates that although the bond may be challenged, it was created to endure. From travelling to Iceland in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association to receiving her beloved diabetic alert dog, Cinnamon, this story is one that will encourage all those who love a child, to look beyond fear and see beauty in every challenge.
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Excerpt
It would take me many years to understand that an ordinary emotion such as empathy was indeed an extraordinary gift. I could feel the emotions of others so deeply and on the same level as my own. I realized that I was different in this way. When friends could laugh at the expense of another, I never could, even as a joke. If I did, I was torn up about it inside to the point I felt ill. I was able to look at a photo and feel the mood in myself. I could walk into a room and know what others were feeling, yet there was no language to understand or express myself. These feelings further isolated me from others. I wasn’t able to be as carefree as I saw others were. I lost myself in the confusion of emotions within my home, school and outside world. I couldn’t separate my own feelings of despair from those I felt around me. I found it impossible to feel happy when I felt that others were not, and as I grew I became a sort of chameleon. Without effort, I knew what was needed. I could fill the gaps and be fun and spontaneous or a quiet listener for whomever needed me. At the best of times I felt I had a purpose and was needed, and at the worst of times I felt disconnected and out of tune with my own feeling.
About the Author
JANET HATCH is a mother of four who lives in Camrose, Alberta. She is passionate about using her experience of raising her diabetic daughter to support parents and caregivers through the emotional twists and turns of what can be a difficult journey of having a child with a serious illness. She is a lover of animals and enjoys spending time in nature with her dog, Axel.
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads
Giveaway Alert!
Janet Hatch will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway| July 28 | Uplifting Reads | Aug 4 | Straight From the Library |
| Aug 4 | Christine Young | Aug 11 | All the Ups and Downs |
| Aug 18 | Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews | Aug 25 | The Avid Reader |
| Sept 1 | Westveil Publishing | Sept 8 | Aubrey Wynne: Timeless Love |
| Sept 15 | Our Town Book Reviews | Sept 22 | Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books! |
| Sept 29 | Novels Alive | Oct 6 | Fabulous and Brunette |
| Oct 13 | Long and Short Reviews |
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Thanks for hosting!
Sounds like a good book.