Waiting. No one likes waiting, especially at the end of a journey.
This particular journey of writing a book about my son and our life with autism started about 5 years ago. As I would share stories of happenings in our life friends began telling me, “You really should write a book!” Being the mother of 4 children, my time is limited as well my energy. But as time went by I couldn’t get the idea of a book out of my heart. Finally, when I couldn’t ignore the calling any longer, I started writing back in May of 2014.
I found my writing process to be rather smooth for a first book, time being my enemy. When I had a minute or two in my day I would write a quick note of a memory that had occurred within the last 15 years of being the mother to a child with autism. A surprising aspect of the process was the emotions that returned as I retold events, at times my heart racing, and tears flowing.
Within the past several days I’ve finalized the manuscript and the cover. Today my manuscript is at the printer. The book should be released within the month of April, which was my goal since April is Autism Awareness Month. Titus, the main character in the book, is very excited as well. I’ve tried to include him in as many aspects of the book as possible. His question at the moment is “how many books will you sell?” Once again, a question that I cannot answer.
This is the first review that I received about the book:
If you know one child with autism, you know one child with autism. But not
everyone gets that chance. In Life Amplified, Karen Haslem gives readers
an honest, intimate, remarkably engaging look at the struggles and triumphs
of her oldest son, who has autism. Drawing strength from their faith, the
Haslem family strives every day to embrace, not just tolerate, Titus’s
differences. Written with humor, grace, and a gift for lucid detail,
Haslem’s memoir captures a sequence of vivid episodes that convey the joy,
heartache, pride and terror of being Titus–or being Titus’s mom.
Life Amplified will bring new understanding and inspiration to other
families touched by autism, as well as anyone seeking insight into their
world.
My hope is that many people will be encouraged by our story.
Life Amplified 