To Where You Are received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Jason Fisher.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The name of the book is To Where You Are. It was published on Valentine’s Day – February 14, 2022.
What’s the book’s first line?
“Babe!” Mandi’s scream echoed through the house, piercing through the quiet June morning.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
When I met my wife, Mandi, I instinctively knew she was “the one.” Her gregarious laugh. Her charisma and humor. Her emotional intelligence that allowed me to be so comfortable that I learned how to give and receive the unconditional love that defined who she was as a person simply by being around her. After nearly a decade of dating, engagement, and marriage, tragedy took her from this world at just 30 years old. Suddenly, I was a single father of a 2-year-old daughter with special needs, trying to find my way in a world where every day felt like the day she died.
Learning how to rebuild my life after such a profound loss was not easy. There were setbacks as well as triumphs. I navigate the reader through the ups and downs of my journey; from the best of times with my wife to the worst days I’ve had thus far walking through this world without her. Following years of contemplating the significance of my loss, I ultimately found the best version of happiness within myself simply by embracing all the wonderful memories and characteristics I was gifted with by loving Mandi.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I simply had to tell my story to heal properly from my grief. For years, I lived with such vivid memories of our many years together as well as the aftermath of that horrible day. For my daughter, to honor my wife, and most critically for my own mental health, I had to share what I learned through the trials and tribulations that followed her passing.
Mandi was the most selfless and charismatic person I have ever met. I knew almost instantly that she was “the one.” Growing our relationship over nearly two years of long-distance dating was challenging at times, but it made the foundation of our partnership rock solid. At 30 years old, I finally found what I had always sought – unconditional love.
After nearly six years of marriage, I lost Mandi tragically to an unforeseen sudden illness. We had one child at that point in time, Mackenzie, who has a rare chromosomal disorder. Just 2 years old when Mandi passed, Kenzie really didn’t understand all that was happening. But I certainly did. At that moment, I was faced with grieving the death of my soulmate, raising our physically and cognitively challenged daughter largely by myself, and navigating a personal heartache that made the single parenting process profoundly difficult.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Finding perspective and meaning in life during difficult events can be challenging. Yes, the book is based on the sad event of losing somebody special so early in her life. But the story and lessons learned go well beyond the grief. There are many funny moments. Many triumphs. But I had to learn how to live again; how to navigate a new world with a heavy heart and piece together the resources needed to give both me and my daughter the best life possible. I also had to let go of the guilt I faced, deserved or not. That hidden emotion caused me great pain and challenge for many years following her death.
Those who read this book not only will understand what a truly special human being my wife was, but they will hopefully find meaning they can transfer to their own lives from my unique emotional journey. Readers can hopefully understand from my story how they may be able to overcome their own challenges, whether it be grief, heartache, depression, or other emotional obstacles.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I made the decision in 2016 to write the book, but struggled with the memories initially brought up during the writing process. Ultimately, I reopened the project in 2020, finished in 2021, and published in 2022.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
I co-authored an industry publication for higher education fundraising in 2008. However, I consider To Where You Are my first book, largely because of the nature of the content and the overall process of publication.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I enjoy reading, spending time with my daughter, finding new challenges to keep me growing intellectually, and doing my best to stay healthy and fit.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I write every day in some fashion or form. Sometimes it’s a business or marketing piece. Other times it may be a piece of personal reflection that nobody sees. But I’m always attempting to refine how best to articulate my thoughts and tell the story that dwells inside me.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part of being an indie author is collaborating with wonderful people in the indie space – publishing, marketing, editing, and other areas. There are fantastic professionals in this industry! The hardest part of being an indie author is knowing that you have a great story and well-written book, but sometimes may struggle to find ways for your book to be recognized for the quality of the narrative.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
I would tell them to trust their writing instincts; to believe in their story. Listen to the editors and fellow authors you respect. They can not only help make your project come to life, but they can refine it so that the quality of the final version is truly remarkable.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Yes – mainly because I could potentially reach a wider audience with my story. That said, because it was such a personal labor of love to write, I would be hesitant to give create control to anyone else.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Fame and fortune were never primary motivating factors in writing my book (though if it happened, I would not be upset). I was primarily focused on telling my story so that I could personally heal from the grief, tell the world about my wife and why she was such an amazing soul, and leave behind a book for my developmentally delayed daughter in the event that she someday could understand more about her mother.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
I personally enjoyed Barack Obama’s memoir, Dreams From My Father. I believe it was a thoughtful, deeply reflective narrative of his journey to that point in his life. It was extremely captivating and descriptive.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
Honestly, none. I believe writing comes from a very personal perspective that cannot easily be transferred from author to author. I will likely write additional books in the future, but I cannot fathom anything being more personally meaningful than To Where You Are.