Why did you write this book and what do you hope to accomplish with it?
I began working on this book several years ago, then came back to it seriously over the past year. Early on, I wanted to find a way to tell the story of Chloe’s birth and death and the very hard work of those first years of adjusting to that experience. Over the past couple of years, I’ve realized that coming to terms with this kind of loss in a healthy way is a life project—I wanted to catch some of the threads of that process.
As a reader and writer, I looked to books for help and solace when I was most distraught. Much of what I found was patronizing, stupid, or distracting. In a way, I’m writing the book I most wanted to find when I was wandering through my darkest days. If it reaches others who are struggling with grief, I will be gratified. But I’ve also talked with many readers who find the book resonates with them—it’s really about carrying our various kinds of grief and still finding the joy that comes with being alive.
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