I wanted to sort through my experiences and insights for myself—and share them with others. We’re all different, but maybe my knowledge, humor, and perspectives can encourage and uplift others going through tough times.
Barbara Wolf Terao – 18 July 2023
The Back Flap
When Barbara Terao moves into a new home in Washington, two thousand miles from her husband in Illinois, she doesn’t know when—or if—she’ll ever live with him again. Her diagnosis of breast cancer three months later changes both of them in ways they never imagined.
In the ensuing months, Barbara’s husband and adult children show up to help her through a year of difficult treatments and surgery, and Barbara, in her Whidbey Island cottage, learns to listen to her heart and intuition. Nurtured by Douglas fir forests, the Salish Sea, and her community, she changes her life from the inside out. Her journey, she realizes, wasn’t about leaving her husband so much as finding herself. Reconfigured in body, mind, and spirit, Barbara finally has words for what she wants to say—and the strength to be a survivor.
About the Book
What is the book about?
My memoir, Reconfigured, is about moving from the Midwest to an island in the Pacific Northwest, not sure if I’d ever live with my husband again. Less than four months later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, starting me on a karma-busting journey, and that changed everything. With medical care, the love of family and my new community, and the healing powers of mountains and forests, I found the strength to be a survivor—and the wisdom to listen more deeply to myself.
When did you start writing the book? How long did it take you to write it?
I’ve been working on personal essays for a decade or more. In January 2020, when COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, the imposed isolation gave me time to write with no guilt about being antisocial and no worries about FOMO (fear of missing out). I sat down at my desk and declared to myself, “I am a working writer.” That word, “working,” made a big difference in my attention span. I was seriously writing a book! It took me a little over a year to have a first draft and several more months to expand and polish my manuscript and have it edited.
Where did you get the idea from?
I learned so much going through two diagnoses of cancer and their treatments, I wanted to sort through my experiences and insights for myself—and share them with others. We’re all different, but maybe my knowledge, humor, and perspectives can encourage and uplift others going through tough times.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
For the book to make sense and reveal my transformation, I had to include some backstory about both my childhood and my marriage. I also had to write about my HMO, which brought up old frustrations and disappointments with the medical care system. Revisiting bad memories and writing them as scenes was often painful for me, and reopened wounds that had to heal again over time.
What came easily?
After the completion of chemotherapy, and again after the completion of radiation treatments, I visited Mount Rainier (Takhoma), the tallest mountain in Washington, and found healing of body, mind, and spirit in the presence of that glaciated elder. Writing about Mount Rainier National Park came easily to me because it’s so beautiful there and the beauty came pouring back to me as I wrote.
Are your characters fictitious?
I write nonfiction. People in my memoir are real, though I changed the names of a few of them for various reasons.
Any particular authors influence you?
Reading other writers’ memoirs, such as Educated by Tara Westover, or spiritual books about Buddhism and other topics, inspired me to go deep into my own writing. I particularly loved Tina Turner’s 2020 book, Happiness Becomes You because she integrated her life experiences with life lessons. As a long-time Buddhist practitioner, she shares her hard-earned happiness with her readers to give them hope, inspiration, and courage. Though not the queen of rock and roll that Tina is, I try to do the same for my readers!
Do you have a target reader?
Great question! My answer has evolved over the last year. At first, I assumed only people with breast cancer or affected by serious disease in some way would be interested in my book. But after receiving positive reviews and endorsements from a wide variety of men and women, most of whom never had cancer, I’ve raised my expectations regarding the number and scope of my readers. I think my memoir is for all humans pondering life and, in particular, wondering how to deal with medical or marital issues. My message for them? When your life is calling, listen.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so, can you please describe it.
I used to compose in my head at night and make notes on a pad by my bed, which was often undecipherable in the morning. But with my memoir, my muse awaited at my desk. I typed my manuscript on a MacBook Air laptop. When I sat down, I could focus and even surprise myself with new ways of expressing myself. I left room for serendipity, often finding a quote or snippet of wisdom by shuffling open the pages of one of my favorite books, such as John O’Donohue’s Anam Cara.
Do you outline?
Other than jotting down some thoughts on how to begin and end my book, no.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I plow ahead, editing as I go. I’m too fussy to leave a roughly composed sentence as it is. I want to polish it, even if its fate is to be deleted later.
Did you hire a professional editor?
As I was finishing my memoir, I hired a developmental editor, which I highly recommend, if you can find one compatible with your goals. I reached a point where I needed a pair of fresh eyes to see my work because mine were glazing over. The editor helped me regain direction and make thoughtful decisions about what to delete and what to keep. Writing is so often a solitary endeavor, and having the editor join me for a few months in the process made my book a reality. Later, my publisher, She Writes Press, provided editors for copy editing and proofreading, which is necessary, even for fussy, self-editors like me.
Did you listen to music while you write?
Rarely. A few times while proofreading, I played classical or Native flute music, but nothing with lyrics. I have enough words dancing in my head!
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to agents?
No.
What made you decide to go indie?
As a writer of many decades, I’m aware of how rare it is to be picked up by an agent and have your book published. Though I’ve published articles and essays, I’m not a celebrity or social influencer, so my chances would be very slim. I chose to have my book published by She Writes Press because the people there are open to writers like me. I appreciate the way they elevate women’s voices.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or do it yourself?
Professionals at She Writes Press are known for creating good-looking covers—and mine is one of them!
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I hired BookSparks publicists for my marketing plan.
Any advice?
Keep improving your writing and keep submitting your writing.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Northfield, Minnesota, known as “the city of cows, colleges, and contentment.” Every summer, we went up north to Bay Lake.
Where do you live now?
Whidbey Island, Washington
What are you working on now?
I’m in the early phase of writing a book of humorous and spiritual essays, and I’m revising a children’s book of historical fiction for an agent. My newest article for The Seattle Times, about visiting Mount Rainier, was in their May 28, 2023, Sunday magazine.
End of Interview:
For more from Barbara Wolf Terao visit her website and blog, follow her on Facebook.