Processing a breast cancer diagnosis is hard enough for any woman. But how do you tell your kids without terrifying them? Our February author was able to put her own cancer journey in the form of a childrens book, “Mommy Has Boo Boos on her Boobies,” to explain and ease the fears a child might have.
Please meet Janice M. Woerner:
Question 1- When and how did you start writing?
When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, I found myself repeating my treatment status updates over and over again to family and friends. So, I decided to start a blog that would provide my loved ones information without me having to re-tell the gory details over and over. I started receiving feedback from people that my blog posts were so funny, sincere and authentic. When a friend of mine, who is a screenwriter in LA, told me that I had something special in my writing, I knew it was something I needed to pursue.
Question 2- What do you like to write about most?
I write about my struggles as a breast cancer survivor and a single mom. I feel it’s so healing to those communities of women to hear that someone else is going through similar struggles. As a healthcare clinician, I also like to write about health and wellness. There’s so much misinformation out there. And no matter what I’m writing about, I always inject humor.
Question 3-What do you find to be the easiest and hardest thing about writing?
The easiest is writing about the ridiculousness of situations – cancer, chronic disease, divorce, financial strains, grieving death. Writing about these struggles is very cathartic for me. I want to connect with people, educate people, and help them laugh at the insanities of life. The hardest is writing about my divorce because sometimes I still can’t even believe what I went through.
Question 4- What writers do you most admire and why?
Glennon Doyle. She shares her stories, regarding very difficult topics, in such an, amazingly, authentic way. She just puts it all out there for her own healing journey…and in that process, she opened a Pandora’s box that blew people away. She made it ok for women to release the guilty feelings about their marriage, motherhood, addiction, etc. And she started her writing as a blog, just like me.
Question 5- How do you get your ideas for stories and what’s in the future for you in writing?
My ideas come from conversations with close friends. That’s why I’m starting a podcast. I am so intrigued by people’s stories. I’m currently working on a book that is in the voice of me talking to my daughter, full of motherly advice through my own personal regrets. It’s full of hilarious stories that are all 100% true. I’m also working on the outline for my book about my divorce. However, that one will take some time due to legal reasons.
Closing – Can you share a memorable experience you’ve had purely because you are a writer?
I would say the best experience is connecting with people that reach out from reading my blog and my book “Mommy Has Boo Boos on her Boobies”. I’ve received emails from all over the US and even out of the country. Keynote speaking for events is always exciting, as well. I like to consider myself part motivational speaker, part comedian. I’ve always been an entertainer, so presenting my stories, live and in-person, is my favorite thing to do as a story-teller.
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