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Advice from IR Approved Author Peta-Ann Wood: “Have the faith in your ability to write and write from your heart and soul.”

What Happens When They Don’t Grow Back: The upside down view of life after a bilateral mastectomy received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.

Following find an interview with author Peta-Ann Wood.

What is the name of the book and when was it published?

What Happens When They Don’t Grow Back: The upside down view of life after a bilateral mastectomy. Published July 2022.

What’s the book’s first line?

A few years ago, I got me a-thinking… what does happen when your breasts don’t magically grow back after a bilateral mastectomy?

What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.

To quote Dr Suess – “there’s noone youer than you.” I celebrate uniqueness and am quite proud of the fact I haven’t ever fitted into society’s ‘normal’ mould.

But what has this got to do with my book, What Happens When They Don’t Grow Back, you ask? Have you ever had the thought or has someone said to you, they need to “find themselves” after a life altering event? For us Gen Xers, this used to involve popping off to India or Tibet, like we’ve been cloned and somehow our other self ended up on a continent miles away.

What if I was to say, your life altering event wasn’t about finding yourself, but rather the cue to remind yourself exactly who you are, instead of conforming to some version of normal you’re told you should be? Too cerebral? Luckily, my book is the quirky, chatty somewhat simple view of exactly this concept.

To quote Black Adder, I used to have enormous breasty dumplings. Then they decided to try and shuffle me off this mortal coil and I subsequently had a bilateral mastectomy as treatment for breast cancer.

What Happens When They Don’t Grow Back is about my life altering event and is an insight into how and why I went against society’s need for normal and the perception that women need breasts to be accepted and numerous other aha moments along the way.

And as I do in almost every situation, I decided to elegantly rebel and chose to stay flat – meaning no prosthesis, no reconstruction, and very concave ribs. If you were standing in front of me right now, I can all but guarantee your inner voice would be saying “I didn’t realise she doesn’t have breasts!” My book also covers how I achieve this illusion and trickery.

Bottomline – my book is filled to the brim with the science stuff, the woo-woo and everything in between. I use the circumstances and events surrounding my version of the breast cancer odyssey in the hope to assist others discovering you don’t need to find yourself, just a reminder you are enough as you are. Stylishly. Authentically. And for me – no boobs required.

What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?

I received a very out of the blue breast cancer diagnosis in 2015 at the age of 45.

Post diagnosis I discovered, like many folks, I did not fit into the media driven stereotypes of a breast cancer survivor – I didn’t find a lump; I didn’t lose my hair; I didn’t have radiation. And I do not claim to have an inkling of understanding of what it is like to go through these versions of breast cancer.

I did, however, have a bilateral mastectomy and revision surgery. Subsequently I have ribs that move around due the amount of scar tissue involved with the various surgeries. Additionally, I have had numerous people tell me I can’t have had cancer because I didn’t lose my hair or I look so well etc etc… or I didn’t have THE cancer. Whatever that actually means.

And then there was the “Save the Boobs” sticker sighting – which I go into detail in my book. This event was the moment I pulled the WTAF face and started down my ‘where’s the acceptance for everyone and why are we allowing society to tell us what we need to look like’ path.

Then I found myself having a ‘but why?’ whinge to one of my brothers about the lack of information available specifically for those of us youngish bilateral mastectomy owners and how there seemed to be an unbalanced focus on being ‘normal’ again – meaning reconstruction or wearing prosthesis.

The brother I was chatting to is very action oriented, so he threw the challenge out – “instead of bleating about it, what are you going to do about it? You’re a journo remember – so you CAN write!”. Challenge accepted. I penned the first draft of What Happens When They Don’t Grow Back in 2016. Numerous drafts later – a wee bit of a hiatus while I attempted to return to my former career – and cut to November 2021 when my Business Coach gave me an ultimatum and a deadline. Another challenge accepted. Another re-write and it was ready for the world!

What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?

My hope is that by reading my wee tome, others will have a giggle and find the information and adventures I share freeing and provide the impetus to rebel against or at least question societal norms. Ultimately, I would love folks to recognise we don’t need external permission to be our truly authentic selves.

What Happens When They Don’t Grow Back is a different point of view – an upside down one even – of choices post bilateral mastectomy. With an emphasis on choice. And what I love is that many of the topics I write about are transferable across any circumstances in life – I just happened to have been through the breast cancer odyssey.

I fervently hope my book disrupts our society’s obsession with needing breasts to be classified as female and provides the momentum for others to make their personal choices for themselves – no one else.

Through my book I also am hoping there is a little less judgement and a whole lot more acceptance of everyone – irrespective of your diagnosis and treatment regime – and that we all feel visible throughout our whole odyssey.

Additionally, I wish to share general information on how to keep thriving beyond breast cancer. This includes sharing with readers the occasional odd things that may occur to your mind, body and spirit post bilateral mastectomy. Situations which are not normally discussed at time of diagnosis and treatment. These include physical changes; how movement assists; how using colour helps; how knowing your personal style helps with clothing choices post mastectomy; understanding the role intuition plays in re-finding yourself and celebrating all that is uniquely you.

Laughter is another reason for reading What Happens When They Don’t Grow Back. I want people to laugh at all the crazy scenarios I have put my body, mind and soul through post mastectomy and have similar aha moments to what I had, when I found out that the crazy scenarios aren’t that crazy – simply consequences of a bilateral mastectomy.

Ultimately, I want readers to feel, irrespective of what life throws their way, they can navigate the odyssey elegantly, stylishly and authentically. And for those of us bilateral mastectomy owners, it is a reminder to celebrate our uniqueness whether this means staying flat, having reconstruction or being in between and wearing prosthesis.

When did you first decide to become an author?

I was 15. Sitting in a chemistry class watching my classmates working out exactly how much acid it would take to burn a hole through the almost 10cm thick textbook – we’re talking the early 80s when W&HS wasn’t really a thing, and this was definitely an unauthorised experiment – and I simply started jotting down ideas for a book. No idea where it came from. While I loved writing, the reason I was in a chemistry class was because I wanted to be a pharmacist. The universe had other ideas. Chemistry and physics went out the window and a world of writing-based studies and careers took over. I’m yet to write that book, but it and the title I came up with way back then remain a firm addition in my writing to do list.

Is this the first book you’ve written?

As the Cheshire Cat declared, “Every adventure requires a first step.” Writing What Happens When They Don’t Grow Back proudly as an indie, is my first step.

I’ve been a writer most of my life, however this is my first foray into the world of book publishing as an author, and didn’t I choose quite the disruptive topic to kick things off. And because I am well known for having a coffee and a natter, the writing style I chose is intentionally akin to hanging out and having a cuppa with me. Even the use of sentence fragments and the occasional quizzical spelling choices are all intentional and have artistic meaning – well to me at least!

What do you do for work when you’re not writing?

Being medically retired post bilateral mastectomy comes with many challenges in being able to work consistently. However, when my body is in sync with my mind and soul and I’m not writing, I am a Happiness Coach and use tools such as Reiki; Soul Coaching with Oracle Cards; colour therapy and automatic writing to assist clients find joy and contentment within themselves.

How much time do you generally spend on your writing?

To quote Rainer Maria Rilke “Find out the reasons that command you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write.” (Letters to a Young Poet, 1929)

Naïvely I cannot begin to imagine a world where anyone is forbidden to write. Emphasis on the word naïvely. I personally write every day in some form or another. I feel completely out of sorts if I do not write.

Because of my breast cancer treatment, when I am writing, either typing or longhand – which is how I prefer to do my drafts – it is under strict practices, developed in conjunction with my Exercise Physiologist and Physiotherapist, to limit the effect on my body, mind and spirit. There’s no other way to describe it other than interval writing!

And ever so oddly, I have come to really enjoy the twenty-minute sprint sessions of writing followed by a twenty-minute cooldown. In fact, I use the cooldown times to clarify what I have written and what I am going to write next. This is the unexpected magic breast cancer has brought to my writing.

What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?

From my point of view – as an introvert – the most challenging part of being an indie is simply the sales marketing and gaining traction developing your author profile.

Intentionally putting myself at the centre of attention is incredibly challenging. And yes, I am very aware the book genre I choose has landed me right in the centre of things! In fact, there was a moment after my book had gone through its final proof when I almost pulled the plug at the realisation by the simple act of publishing I would, by default, be the centre of attention. But thankfully, I made a coffee, pulled up my big girl pants and breathed… the rest is developing history.

There are so many positives of being an indie, the main one for me – freedom. I am actually a journalist by trade and worked predominantly in the government arenas and in particular for police. Throughout my career, my writing was always directed by a style guide; or a media owner; or a Police Commissioner or some other box my writing needed to fit into. And while I am well known for my ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking, being an indie means I can write without the additional level of contemplating how to say what I need to/want to in a manner which will fit the box I’ve been given. Being indie turns the box into a Rhombus without a lid!

This sense of freedom enables me to use a writing style which resonates with me and my niche market – no more infomercials; PR spin or cold hard ‘person walking in a westerly direction’ facts here. By being able to use my easy-going style, I feel I am better able to achieve my writing goals of assisting like-minded souls with rediscovering their uniqueness and celebrating all that they are and can be.

What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?

To me, it’s an obvious answer – have the faith in your ability to write and write from your heart and soul. For me, overthinking is a death knell for any writers – and I’ve learnt this from experience.

Although this is my first book, this is not the first time I’ve been published. I am fortunate enough to have had a long career in writing – anything from publications; copy writing; speech writing to ghost writing as well as editing. And while I know I can write, the little voice inside my head sometimes tells me I am dreaming and I cannot write, let alone believing anyone would be interested in anything I had to write about!

It took a long time to work out this was simply a fear response stemming from overthinking. We’ve all been there. That age old thought process of – ‘have I done enough research; have I got the tone correct for the target audience; are the legals correct; are the…; have the… ; is everyone going to like what I have read’ …. etc etc etc. I discovered all these processes appear to become exponentially more challenging issues in your head as an indie!

If you find yourself following a similar path, work out how to calm your overthinking monkey mind – for me I box breathe or go for a walk or make a coffee. If you’re a list writer – go for it, brain dump those fears and thoughts! Whatever works for you to regroup and re-find your heart centre, so you can keep writing. And do this. Please. Just keep writing.

Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling?  If so, why?

Being as ancient as I am, being published by a giant publishing house seemed to be on everyone’s bucket list and the theme of so many movies when I was growing up! A traditional publisher coming a-calling was a thing dreams were made of. And then I grew up – well as much as I could, of course – and discovered a brighter world of storytelling.

Prior to publishing as an indie, I could have gone either way. Now, I’m not sure I would fit or want to fit into the traditional publishing box. I write from my lived experience and having worked in the Media and PR fields for so long, including being an Executive Editor, I feel being an indie is the only way I can maintain the integrity of my key messages and my writing style.

I am so proud to be an indie, to go traditional now would involve a great deal of negotiation and agreement, particularly around creative freedom. I may also fall into the ‘nightmare client’ category for a traditional publisher, as I NEED to spell ok, as ‘okeh’ you see!

Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)

My motivation comes from the simple hope of inspiring others and being of service. My focus is on, and was on, how will What Happens When They Don’t Grow Back help someone else or inspire someone else to follow their uniquely authentic path in life.

I am motivated by hearing the stories of other people enduring similar circumstances; feeling invisible and not knowing where to turn next.

I’m also inspired by laughter and seeing the quirky, upside down, sometimes funny view of events and people and how sharing serious topics in a light-hearted manner can make life easier for folks travelling a similar path.

I am inspired by the possibility that readers will feel, irrespective of what life throws their way, that they can navigate the odyssey elegantly, stylishly and authentically. To discover they don’t need external permission to be their truly authentic selves.

Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?

As I sit here staring at my Trixie Belden collection – Kathryn Kenny for gifting me escape and adventure; Lewis Caroll for so many reasons; Dr Suess for teaching me about green eggs and ham; Maggie Alderson for opening my eyes to being able to use wit when writing about everyday situations; Paulo Coelho for simply being so inspirational – my life changed immeasurably after reading Brida. John Stuart Mill was life changing for me too – once I worked out how to process the contradictions in his words.

This list could be incredibly expansive. I am not sure I have admiration for a single writer. I have been influenced by so many, that my admiration is for anyone who takes quill/pencil/pen to paper to write and share from their heart centre.

Which book do you wish you could have written?

Simply so many choices to answer this question! It won’t be a surprise to anyone that Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Peter Pan – think about my name – are two of my all-time favourite books! These books are filled with curiosity and unlimited possibilities and lots of giggling at life and its obscurities.

I firmly believe my love for these works is why I am one of those very curious souls who chooses to laugh at the challenges life throws us, as opposed to crying, and who looks for all possibilities in the seemingly impossible situation. I do believe the Cheshire Cat’s character taught me to look at life upside-down.

However, the book which changed my world and I would’ve loved to have written is Jonathan Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach.

And if I think about it, my own book has a very similar understory. Jonathan encouraged us to follow our hearts and dreams; and to teach others the joy of freedom, to follow their dreams and that there’s more to our lives than meets the eye. Jonathan taught me to elegantly rebel and to be that soul encouraging others to follow their version of elegant rebellion too. He taught us ‘it’s time to fly’.

Why have you decided to self-publish?

This is simply my story. It’s my lived experience. Having worked in the Media and PR fields for so long including being an Executive Editor, I felt the only way I could have my story published and maintain the integrity of my key messages of choice; acceptance and celebrating uniqueness was to self-publish.

We know you are thriving beyond breast cancer, but who is P-A?

I’ve been a writer most of my life, however this is my first foray into the world of book publishing, and didn’t I choose quite a disruptive topic to kick things off. And because I am well known for having a coffee and a natter, my writing style in my first book is intentionally akin to hanging out and having a cuppa with me.

Writing and asking ‘but why?’ has always been my thing, whether that was at school, university or my career. In fact, it is purported the first real statement I made at the age of eighteen months was exactly that – but why? Clearly I was an unconventional conventionalist from the get go!

I have also loved all things woo-woo. From the age of about seventeen I started my love affair with reading cards – even made my first set of personal Oracle Cards when I was nineteen. I have also been drawn to the energy of very shiny rocks – meaning crystals – from a very early age too.

Interestingly though, I wasn’t that person who kept a diary or a daily journal. For me this approach becomes task driven and lacks the freedom to do what you want when it’s best for you. Strangely I do journal, but only on the cards I pull. And although I pull cards every day, I only journal on days when my memory is really choosing to be challenging! Yes this is the conundrum that is P-A!!!

So when I was medically retired in 2019 from a career I loved, working for law enforcement and emergency services, it was no great surprise to me that my writing lead me back to my more esoteric path of holistic counselling, Reiki, colour therapy and intuition coaching.

It’s been through my writing that I rediscovered my main passion in life has always been to assist people find the positives in all situations and to be of service. I love being able to assist people in rediscovering their authentic self, and realising the answers are always within them—buried most of the time, but still there.

It won’t be a surprise to anyone that Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan – think about my name, jussayin’ – were my two favourite books as a child and still are at fifty-two! These books are filled with curiosity and unlimited possibilities and lots of giggling at life and its obscurities.

I firmly believe my love for these works is why I am one of those very curious souls who chooses to laugh at the challenges life throws us, as opposed to crying, and who looks for all possibilities in the seemingly impossible situation. I have a proclivity to look at life upside-down if you will. And to the chagrin of many, I am literally that person who sees the moonrise every day or the sunset and is still amazed by it every single time.

My somewhat whimsical approach to life can be quite annoying to some on occasion, however I have learnt acceptance is the key to understanding everyone’s individual life adventures and odysseys. I am also incredibly adept at shapeshifting to meet whatever situation I find myself in. My career was an amazing example of this – a high functioning, highly sensitive, introvert working in the media and public relations arena. I can guarantee any of my former colleagues would laugh loudly if I said I was actually an introvert!

I am over the moon about the next stage of my adventure and assisting like-minded souls with rediscovering their uniqueness and celebrating all that they are and can be.

As the Cheshire Cat declared, “Every adventure requires a first step.”

Writing What Happens When They Don’t Grow Back is my first step.

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