Midwives and Writing

When I was pregnant, it never occurred to me not to give birth to my child at home. Not for a moment. I never wavered or wondered if I was making the right decision, nor was I at all anxious. When a friend remarked how brave I was, my response was that I thought it would be a lot braver to give birth in a hospital! I knew all the statistics about hospital births – especially with regard to over-medication and C-sections. And don’t let me get started on germs! No, thanks, we’d be much better off at home.

I had a midwife with me, of course. Sandra Fields was the best midwife I can imagine. She helped me through 24 hours of labor with both my children. She never for a moment made me feel helpless or anxious. She was calm, professional, loving, and serene – and constantly reminded me that this was my labor, not hers, and that I was in charge of any decisions, if and when they needed. I will always remember her with devotion and gratitude, and I recommend her 100% to anyone who wants a safe, cozy, amazing way to birth your child in your own home.

I thought about Sandra a lot recently, now that Claudia Jackson has come into my life. Claudia is like a midwife in this new birthing process I’m undergoing: publishing my latest novel. From the beginning, Claudia has called herself the ‘promise-keeper’ of her publishing house, Telemachus Press. I think her job title was the first thing that drew me to her when we met on Twitter. As I’ve come to know her better, I see that this quality is a vital aspect of her work with authors. Like my other midwife, Claudia is absolutely clear about what her role is. This is Your Book, she keeps saying. You are in charge. You can make whatever choices you want.

At the same time, she has expertise I simply don’t have. Just as Sandra constantly checked the baby’s heartbeat to make sure all was well, so Claudia constantly checks the course of the birth of the book. She knows that the first step is to format it in e-book format, then in paperback and, if I choose, hardcover. She knows how to create a cover, and what needs to go where, and all the details of bar codes and ISBNs.

When I was a new mother, we lived in a tiny apartment in the heart of Greenwich Village, New York City. The place was hardly big enough for a king-size futon, when it was open. But we had a working fireplace, and small garden, wonderful neighbors, the loveliest landlady, and a glorious city. This is where I wanted to give birth.

Now I live in a tiny laptop in the heart of a brave new world of writing and getting published. The traditional avenues are changing, everything is evolving – but I published ‘Heaven Falls’ with a fire of enthusiasm, amongst a blooming garden of other brave, adventurous writers, with the help of enormously supportive friends, and a midwife who is making sure the birth is organic, wholesome, serene, and pleasurable.

I am wholly satisfied.