How did the author learn about in vitro fertilization? What special memories does she have about time she was in labor with Ferris? Why did she and her husband choose such an unusual name for their son? How many books will be in this series? And what advice does she have for authors?
Did it scare you when you realized that to have a child you would need in vitro fertilization? How much did you know about this medical procedure?
Scared was a feeling but not the first feeling to come to mind. I remember sitting in the doctor’s office thinking, “Is this really happening to me? Out of all the people in my world is this really happening?” I also felt as if, initially, infertility was because of me. My husband and I soon talked and knew this was not going to be a blame game, but as a woman, I felt it was inevitable that this was mostly happening because something was wrong with me. Disappointment followed the shock, but soon (believe it or not) became excitement for the unknown. If this was the way my husband and I had a chance to have a baby, we were going to fully embrace in vitro fertilization. So we did a lot of research, looking online and watching documentaries. We also learned a lot as we went along the process. We were the first of those around us going through IVF so we were open books to the procedure and all that went along with it.
How many embryos had to be implanted before you had a successful pregnancy?
Two. The first embryo resulted in a miscarriage. The second, and last, embryo is whom we know now as Ferris.
When did you first know that you wanted to share the story of Ferris’ birth to teach other children about IVF? And why do you feel that other children need to learn about IVF?
It was literally a now-or-never moment. I was at a point in my life where the timing and my entrepreneurial drive were all in line for me to take the jump into becoming an author. I knew that I had a solid, positive product that the market and world needs because there is nothing out there in picture book format for children to learn and understand the basics of IVF. It’s not a topic only for “grownups.” Why shouldn’t children learn about the many ways families come about? Children from all walks of life need to know IVF and not be scared if the medical procedure is going on in their homes. I, honestly, did not grow up knowing anything about this topic until I experienced it first-hand, and I refuse to make the same mistake with my son. He deserves to know in vitro fertilization because, essentially, it’s how he came to be. And if it is good enough for my son, then I got to believe there are other families out there looking for this book to fill a void in their libraries as well.
Do you have any special memories of the time you were in labor with Ferris? Any keepsakes?
My water broke naturally. I was on day four of my leave, and I was at the gym that morning. After an intense workout, I got a Starbucks and decided to get a car wash. Ironically, the car right behind me (thank God the driver let me go first when we were lining up to go in) went off track in the wash and shut the entire thing down! I was far enough along in the wash to where I was under the dryer and the owner of the carwash had me drive out of the facility. I called my husband on my way back home to shower to tell him about the carwas, as I had never seen anything like that before! When I got home, I thought about having some lunch but was so sweaty that I decided I would shower first. That Starbucks was still untouched, mind you. I went to the bathroom, got ready to get into the shower, and my water broke! I looked down at my little dog as he was with me the entire time (coaching me, I like to think). My husband will tell you when I called him to say my water broke, and it’s time to go to the hospital, he already knew something was happening before he picked up the phone. He told me there was no reason I would be calling back so quickly. We like to joke about what might have happened if the car that threw the carwash off had gone in front of me!
A keepsake I have from labor is the cup the hospital gave me to drink from after I gave birth. I went for over twenty-four hours without eating (remember I was going to have lunch but decided to shower first). Once Ferris came that Friday, April 20th, all I wanted was Sprite. I don’t drink pop, but because I could only have ice chips for twenty-four hours (and got sick from those because I hadn’t eaten), the nurses joked that all I was saying was I wanted Sprite and “get this girl some Sprite!”. I kept that cup, and to this day, I reflect upon the hospital experience and smile.
Ferris is still very young, but does he realize that the way he came into this world was very special? Have you read this book to your son yet?
People tell me when Ferris holds the book in his hands there is a special twinkle in his eyes, almost as if he knows it’s about him. I read it to him often, as I want him to know how much we wanted him. His life has changed mine in so many ways; my purpose, my career, my social circle, and my respect for science and nature. It’s truly amazing how this little human can make such a huge impact.
This is the first book in a series. How many books will be in this series? What will the next book be about?
My goal is to see how this succeeds with the public, so I will not put a limitation on how many. I can tell you there will be at least three books for sure. The second in 2019, and the third in 2020.
The next book is going to be about Ferris taking a bubble bath. It will be a way to invite more families into the series that perhaps have not gone through infertility and strayed away from the initial book. The reader will still learn about IVF but will follow Ferris on his next adventure, which is the common theme of taking a bubble bath. I am going to incorporate water safety into this book so everyone can feel connected to the character while sticking to my purpose, which is seeing IVF through a child’s eyes.
Do you have plans to write any other books or series of books once you’ve completed this series about Ferris and IVF? If so, what?
Yes. I am working on an infertility book geared toward women.
This book is meant for children, but do you see it being a valuable resource to introduce adults to IVF?
It’s funny you ask me that because I say this to people who do not have children and have found it to be correct. This book series puts IVF into simplistic, basic terms for understanding and respecting the process. I have seen firsthand, myself included when I think back to the very beginning of IVF for me, that this is a great resource for adults to learn about one aspect of infertility without getting into heavy details that might not be of relevance to them.
The illustrations are wonderful. Are you the one who did them? If not, who?
I know . . . I love the way the illustrations came out. I will give credit where credit is due: Carla Castagno. I was involved in every detail, and she brought my characters to life!
The name Ferris isn’t one that you hear every day. Why did you decide to give your son this name?
That’s the main reason: it’s different and unique and not many people have it for a first name, along with a few other reasons. For instance, Ferris cannot be shortened. Also, Ferris means rock, and he is the rock of my husband and me. Finally, Ferris means best choice, and he was the “best choice” embryo we had. (And did you see the movie? We are from Chicago, ha-ha!)
How long did it take you to decide on a title for your book? What is special about the title you chose? (By the way, it took me quite some time to notice how the first letters of each word were IVF even though they are outlined in red.)
I knew I wanted to make the title simple, powerful, yet stand out. I had to be creative with how I brought IVF into the title, as well. “I’m Very Ferris” actually happened rather quickly . . . one day, it came to me, I wrote it down, and never looked back.
I do love the “ah ha” moment when people realize IVF in the title though.
Do you have a special room to write in? What is this room like? Is this where you do your best writing?
I have the most beautiful, peaceful, at-home office. It has a ton of natural light, it’s spacious, has one wall that is all pink flowers wall paper, and most importantly, it’s mama’s office. No one goes in there except for me when I am working (along with Mr. Big, our pup, who has been deemed assistant manager). I can shut the door when I am done and come back when I need to begin again. It reflects my professional personality, and it’s where the magic happens!
If you don’t have a special room to write in, where do you write?
Right now, I am writing on my laptop in the playroom while Ferris plays. Multitasking is one of my specialties!
How do you manage to balance your time between family, friends, and writing?
Ah, the million dollar question. I will tell you the only thing I know for sure: block out the noise. Noise is a different definition to everyone. For me, I do what works best for me and my family. I make a ton of mistakes, and I know I need to get back up and try again. No one is going to make this happen except for me. You can have it all, maybe not at one time, but you can make it come true. Don’t get discourage by the “noise” around you. Misery loves company.
If you could spend one hour with just one person, dead or alive, whom would you choose? Why?
I have two and both deserve to be named. Ironically, one is alive and one has passed.
First, Joy Mangano. She is my entrepreneurial role model. I quote her all the time in my life, home, and work. I feel as if I have lived a lot of the same experiences, personally and professionally, and I would love to have a moment to tell her she is one of the people who inspired me to make the jump.
And lastly, Steve Jobs. His quote about “Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits…” You know how it goes. That’s me, entirely. My husband calls me his real-life Steve Jobs. Ferris’s middle name is Jobs to tie me into his name. Steve Jobs made such a huge impact on the world, and he wasn’t perfect by any means. He was real. He was human. He is one of the biggest role models in my life to this day.
What advice do you have for other authors or for those aspiring to be authors?
We have a voice and a story to tell. Block out the noise and make it happen. It takes one positive to erase the negative you will experience. And don’t forget where you started from and where you continue to land. This isn’t easy. Think of how many people you have heard say, “I always wanted to write a book” but never do. Stay focused and remember the drive you have to speak to the world through your work. I love to connect with others and would be glad to speak with any author in further detail. It’s those who dare to dream that do, and as authors, we give others a reason to turn the page.
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