Praying for a Miracle

Amanda, Its such a shame you dont get onto the site often to promote your book. Wow, what a read. Its when you read something like this then we realise how lucky we are. For this book to have this effect on me like this is enough to tell me your book worked. Its really well written and certainly gets the reader going. Well done. I can see this doing well if you push it on the site. Big score from me.
Sean Connolly. British Army on the Rampage. (B.A.O.R) Please consider me for a read or watch list wont you?? Many thanks. Sean

Amanda, my journal and yours are so similiar, it has been nice to read someone else's experience and know that many of the feelings i have and still are experiencing are not abnormal. My husband and I have been trying for nearly 8 years and only 2 months ago had our first IVF with ICSI to again only get a negative result. For us we also dont have age on our side as i am just about to turn 38 and my husband is 40. I pray with everything that my journal ends how yours has, but am losing hope and am just starting to unfortunately contemplate a life without children. Like you my husband is my rock and i dont know where i would be without his constant support. Infertility is so damn difficult and is a very lonely journey, just writing this i cry as i have this emptiness in my heart. Thank you Amanda for writing such a true account of this journey and giving people who dont know the unbelievably hard deep side to infertility an insight to it , and of course for us still going through this a feeling of maybe we arent as alone as we thought we were.
Carolyn

Amanda, I've never known anyone to go through IVF except those I've seen on TV. This diary of the roller coaster ride of mood swings and emotions is absorbing and introspective. You tell of the anger, fear and frustration of not being able to conceive. It took me three years, and I was depressed after every cycle when I failed to conceive. I wish you well with this writing journey.. I certainly will continue to read and follow as your writing continues.

Debbie Martin
IN THE FAMILY WAY
I appreciate all return reads. : )

Amanda, I've never known anyone to go through IVF except those I've seen on TV. This diary of the roller coaster ride of mood swings and emotions is absorbing and introspective. You tell of the anger, fear and frustration of not being able to conceive. It took me three years, and I was depressed after every cycle when I failed to conceive. I wish you well with this writing journey.. I certainly will continue to read and follow as your writing continues.

Debbie Martin
IN THE FAMILY WAY
I appreciate all return reads. : )

Amanda, I've never known anyone to go through IVF except those I've seen on TV. This diary of the roller coaster ride of mood swings and emotions is absorbing and introspective. You tell of the anger, fear and frustration of not being able to conceive. It took me three years, and I was depressed after every cycle when I failed to conceive. I wish you well with this writing journey.. I certainly will continue to read and follow as your writing continues.

Debbie Martin
IN THE FAMILY WAY
I appreciate all return reads. : )

From reading this, I can understand why you appreciated my book!

This is heart-wrenching, Amanda. It's raw and real and full of grief and pain, a rollercoaster of emotions - and only another woman I think can identify with what you are describing...

I have really really difficult pregnancies...I get very ill...and I turn totally psycho when I'm pregnant. My poor poor husband. I have not gone through IVF treatments myself but I have friends who have and I know that it's been hell for them...

I also know exactly what you mean when you say you feel like you are putting your heart on a plate by posting your book here!!

All the best,

Rena (Bunderful) author of Master of the Miracles

First off, I'm not your target audience so some of the emotional impact of this is lost on me. I'm also not a huge fan of a straight forward diary format to story telling because it tends to put a little filter between the events and their telling. In some ways, this filter can be interesting. What aspects of the day were highlighted, what aspects ignored or played down. In your case, it showed how your main character was aware of how she was being abusive to her husband.This creates some sympathy for her and the husband.

Another thing that always bugged me about diary entries is that they are not meant to be so play by play and detailed. I think of them as sober (hopefully) assessments of what has come before. For the sake of story telling there is a temptation to tell the whole story through these summaries. Have you considered writing each day in two parts? The first part could be a straight showing what happened, or at least some interesting moment in the day like a fight with the husband. The idea would be to drop the first person narrative and write in either Third person or Omni. This would be a unblemished account of what happened. The reader may come out of it feeling like she hates you and they wont get why you are being so harsh on your husband.

Then when we get to the diary format you bring back the first person again and let us back in. It's a crazy idea, but it could be a real emotional roller coaster for the reader.

As is, you combine these ideas by telling the story of the day in the diary while giving a running commentary on your behavior at the same time, "my poor husband." Again, this works, but for me the high level of detail combined with the rational exploration of emotions seems strange. I'm hoping some of this detail is related to the newness of the experience of shooting up drugs. I'm expecting that as we progress the types of details in the diary entries will change dramatically.

As an aside, you have some typos and grammar issues(don't we all) that you need to take care of. The grammar issues are probably fine, maybe even preferable since you are trying to be true to the character. Who edits their diary right?

I can see why this novel has been so successful.

Thanks for the read.

I found this story sad, happy, funny and a roller coaster of emotions. This could do really well.
I like your approach. It's sort of down to earth and real. I really did feel emotionally connected to you as I read.
At first I hated you, you were so cruel to your long suffering husband.
Then I could have cried with you as your inner pleas for a child were so obvious.
Then I laughed out loud at some of your expressions.
This is really good writing where the reader connects with you on an emotional level.
There are a few issues with some sentences. I've noted just a few. When you do your editing you need to know what to fix and I think a fresh pair of eyes helps. It did for me, still does.
This sentence (I had spent most of the evening saying and thinking the worst and totally irrational things to him.)
It dosen't make sence in this format. EG: ( I had spent most of the evening saying and thinking the most totally irrational things to him.) I think that's what you mean.
infact is two words (in fact)
(Hummmmmm ) seems like you are humming. I think you mean (hmm) a thought.
Dam is spelt (Damn)
This next sentence made me laugh ( I pulled the plunger down and shit it very quickly filled the syringe.)
I can't decipher this one.
To fast should be (too fast)
Those are just a few of the little errors I found in the first chapter. But it's nothing major. I think you talk and write fast, creativity taking over and that's actually a good thing. You can always fix the errors later.
I definitely think you've got a good story here. Just needs the final polish, like all our books on here.
Anyway all the best with this and good luck with it. I don't know how you went through all that!

hello Amanda--

book--praying for a miracle-

read all eleven posted,- only a woman could write this, of course- and you have told a moving story here.
In hindsight, if i had read a book like this, it would have helped me to understand better,
i just not had a clue about anything, i am ashamed to admit,
You create a very vivid picture as you take us from chapter to chapter.
it's written in a style that filled with emotion, and and it will certainly touch many a heart, of many who will relate to your story.
in it's genre i give this book six stars with pleasure;
tom bye
from hugs to kisses'
you could i think find chapters one, 23 and 26 interesting , that is if you can spare time to glance at it, thanks

I like the premise of this a lot... there's a lot of emotion to be explored in this, and I think a lot of women can relate to the pain of wanting children and not being able to have them for whatever reason. Sounds like you are writing from your heart, and if it's something you are passionate about, then it's easier to pass that passion onto the reader...

Your pitch sounds like I could be reading 'The Baby Trail' by Sinead Morriarty. Maybe it's not that similar once you get started. Anyway I have watch listed and look forward to reading soon.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my book and for commenting too. Really do appreciate it. Im so glad you felt the emotions and also enjoyed the humour.....if we didn't laugh at time we would have started crying and not stopped. Thanks so much once again and I hope you do find the time to finish the book.

Hi Amanda

I liked this, although I do think your first paragraph could be a bit more punchy to really lure the readers in. for example, 'Tears. Who knew they could make your eyes feel so sore?' I liked your writing but I do think that as most people judge by the first line, let alone the first chapter, it needs to be as tight as possible. I was a bit confused with the second paragraph, 'I was so unprepared, you see the night before I wasn't even having this IVF...'. I knew what you meant but I didn't think it read right. Were you unprepared for the injection? Or the emotional turmoil of it all?

I really liked your humour, sticking a torch up my fanny, lol and the angst and emotional upheaval came across very well. It is very intense, which I think is the point, and it's an interesting insight into the stress and desperate need to have children.

I have starred etc and will be back to read some more

Silvachilla

Hi Amanda

I liked this, although I do think your first paragraph could be a bit more punchy to really lure the readers in. for example, 'Tears. Who knew they could make your eyes feel so sore?' I liked your writing but I do think that as most people judge by the first line, let alone the first chapter, it needs to be as tight as possible. I was a bit confused with the second paragraph, 'I was so unprepared, you see the night before I wasn't even having this IVF...'. I knew what you meant but I didn't think it read right. Were you unprepared for the injection? Or the emotional turmoil of it all?

I really liked your humour, sticking a torch up my fanny, lol and the angst and emotional upheaval came across very well. It is very intense, which I think is the point, and it's an interesting insight into the stress and desperate need to have children.

I have starred etc and will be back to read some more

Silvachilla

Amanda,
Chapters 6 and 7 really include us in your roller-coaster account, very real and well done. And I enjoyed Ross' account (diary entry) as he reveals his feelings for you ("I have my Amanda."). I am starring your book generously.
Best,
John B Campbell

How valuable to have such book as this on the site. WLd. Will comment on specifics soon.
Best,
JBC

Wow thank you for taking the time to read and comment, my spelling is poor due to being uneducated and I worry and cring at this fact, however I am so proud that you felt the feelings I was writing and you understood our journey from my style of writing. Thank you so much once again for your time and comment it has put a huge smile on my face, and I will contiue to try and get my book, my soul and a major part of my life published. Thank you :0)

If the title is an indicator, then at first sight, the curious reader might think this book is an example of spiritual or religious literature: they would be mistaken. Praying For A Miracle, the title of this compelling read, is therefore something of a misnomer for aspiring readers. Additionally, they would seek in vain for any invocations to a range of exclusively roman catholic saints who are venerated as patron saints of infertility: St. Gerard Majella, St. Anne, St. Anthony of Padua and St. Rita of Cassia. It is principally a narrative describing a secular journey and a most educational one. Anyone unfamiliar with in vitro fertility (IVF) methods and techniques will gain valuable knowledge from Amanda Elliott's very personal account of her experience to conceive a child. As a reader, I could feel the love as Amanda and Ross experience and share a veritable physical and emotional roller-coaster. Some may find the journey harrowing: a few may be repelled but most will empathise due to Amanda's skill in conveying its complexities with her non-technical style of writing. With the benefit of a close edit, I could see the final product as a sound publishable investment. Thank you Amanda for your invitation to read your story with I star rank highly and will Shelve as soon as practicable. Tony Brady - SCENES FROM AN EXAMINED LIFE - Books 1,2 & 3.

YEs, sometimes people get rotten luck and it's so painful watching fertile women who then neglect their children. when you are desperate you will do anything - that's true - and it's heart-warming in places as well as sad. Starred. Good for you. Lara
Good for Him

First of all, I'll let you know that I am a male.

Though I only read the first chapter, I found it interesting and immediately I could tell what market this book is being targeted. That being said, it obviously took me a while what IVF is and some other terms but that's okay, it is for a certain reader.

Love the format of being a diary and that you have literally left a piece of your soul on the pages. Your descriptions will certainly entice the reader(it did for me) and, certainly empathy. I would recommend this to anyone who is about or has embarked, on the same journey you have.

I had no problems with your pitch, in fact it was what lured me tor read it. However, maybe you could add this is in the format of a diary and it might lure more readers.

Best of luck.

Don

This is a fantastic story. I haven't read all of it but I'm sure I'll have to. There are a lot of women out there who would know exactly what you're going through in this, so many that would be able to gain inspiration from your words. I'm amazed at how you can share something so personal, it touched me even though I've never been in your shoes. It's very well written and pulls the reader in. And you make us feel, which is a great talent. Good luck with this, I think it would do well out in the world!

Missy

This is a painful read in places but its also smattered with humour. I would think that would be an essential in order to go through the dairy gring of wanting a baby so much that you put both your body and mind through hell and back. Thank you for sharing your story. I wish you luck with your diary.

Amelia
A date in the diary

Read five chapters but had to leave it there, run out of lunch break. I felt for you and shared your journey My yonger son and his wife had a similar experience,. I think you have done well to add humour. Its the resilliance that keeps you going. I love the fact its written as a diary I could start and stop where I wanted.
All the best
Sue
Knowing Liam Riley

Amanda....Amazing story, all to real for me! Brought back many memories and tears for me.
Wishing you all the best.
Cindy

Amanda
You know I have loved your diaries from the beginning and am so grateful that you shared them with me, i feel very privileged, and even more so after reading your book..xxx

amazing story, made me laugh and cry, wat an inspirational family xxx

Amanda,

Happy to place your book on my shelf. A few suggestions for you to consider:

Your short pitch is a little too generic and needs a little more of a hook. I don’t think any woman wants to ruin her figure if she is happy with it.

A little more background on Amanda is needed in your full pitch. How old is she. Does she work? Is she married?

Your full pitch is partially written in the present tense and partially in the past tense. I’d suggest you write the pitch in one tense or the other, but not both. You also need to break your full pitch into 3-4 paragraphs with a line of "white space" between eachparagraph.

The ups and downs and her raw emotions are written in detail, (the comma should be a period. See how she copes/coped should be a new sentence.

In your chapters, you might want to eliminate as many of the words that are in all caps as you can and use italics for emphasis. I also think the use of multiple dots is distracting. A three-dot ellipsis is a suitable form of punctuation and is usually used in a piece of dialogue in which the character who is speaking stops talking before they finish a sentence.

Lastly, there are several places in your pitch and your chapters where numbers need to be spelled out.

Hope these comments are helpful.

Rodney Battles

Amanda, what you went through must have felt like being pulled from the wreckage of a car crash, with the amount of pain and despair you suffered.
IV- F treatment is such a traumatic time for a woman and her partner, catapulting them both into a kind of hell of the unknown . something that will test all marriages to the limit, I guess.
My big marshmallow heart felt for you and Ross, when those hormones reared their ugly head.
Most of us know of some couples that have suffered in a similar circumstances, whether it be family or close friend. so we can sympathise.
I felt for you in the cold kitchen in the early hours when the world around you still slept. Feeling all alone
with the terrible guilt after those earlier thoughts of leaving Ross had gone through your mind and saying the worst irrational things to him.
But the red swollen eyes gave the show away for me. It showed how much you truly love your husband. Remember we only hurt the ones we love like that. I, for one, am guilty of that sin, too. I couldn't put in print what I have sometimes called my husband! But as long as you can both laugh after, then that's the main thing.
I had to chuckle when I visualized the scene on the second morning : you still couldn't do the injection again, then frustrated you marched in into the bedroom shouting for Ross get up. He must have nearly crapped himself with your hormones raging like a bull in a china shop, then he appears in the kitchen, you said, looking like a lost puppy. You weren't in any kind of mood to think he was cute then.But I bet you do now.Ha Ha
But thank goodness most stories give us a happy ending (in your case a nappy ending) with an adorable precious son, Max. By the way I think the little man looks the image of his daddy.
Any one who reads your story and going through a similar plight right now, will see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
I wish you all a very happy lifetime, together.
Kind Regards, Kat xx (Hens from Hell)

What I read of Ross you have been blessed by having a perfect partner.

brilliant, wonderful,excellent, superb, loved every single word of it. amanda i followed your journey on facebook and reading your book is just the perfect end to your incredible journey. wishing you all the best and i will be recommending this to all my friends. Toni x

You are totally fantastic, Amanda!! :) How can I ever thank you enough for backing my memoirs/testimony book? :) God bless you. :) Love, Susie :) p.s. I have also gold ******-rated your book :) - could you please gold ******-rated my book, too? :) Every ****** -ing & backing more than 24 hours moves our books up authonomy's lists. :) I want to ask you if you could please keep my book on your bookshelf because I'm #6 on the editor's desk & have to be in the top 5 to be chosen, the end of January :) - I had a mini-stroke Nov. 10 with slurred speech for an hour & numbness of tongue still & over 24 smaller ones where I couldn't speak since & I"d sure like to cross the finish line of the editor's desk after 10 months trying on authonomy. :) Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me :) - I have lost 3 sisters to strokes & my last sister, Mary had 2 heart attacks this past year.

You write with such beautiful candor and originality. Fabulous! Backed with pleasure.

Liz
The Cheech Room

For anyone who has suffered from infertility issues and undergone treatment or indeed is waiting to start treatment - this very personal journal, is an eye opener. It is also very funny and poignant at the same time.
The words pore out of Amanda in the same way that her obvious emotional ups and downs do.

In fact most women, regardless of fertility issues, will find something endearing about her refreshing honesty.

Good luck, Amanda.

Amanda,
I would not normally reach for this topic, but your family photo is so beautiful and your pitch so good, I gave it a try. Starred and WL'd.
JB Campbell (Walk to Paradise Garden, historical fiction)

Dear Amanda, I love that you are telling about trying to get pregnant for 10 years, as your pitch portrays :) - my sister tried 5 years, then applied for adoption & got pregnant right off the bat & ended up having 4 children. :) After reading though your chapters, I felt so sorry for you in trying to get pregnant & going through all of that - I have 3 children & miscarried a lot, too, so had to be down to not lose them, but it was well worth it. :) You are so very fortunate to have such a loving patient husband :) - & please tell him thank you for me, for all of his love, support, & patience to you through all of this :) - because I have had 6 abusive husband, all selfish little boys in men's bodies, going, "me, me, me." :( Max will be 1 year old 6 days before my & my twin brother's 71st birthday. :) Thank you for sharing your wonderful touching story & especially that you & Ross didn't give up to get your precious Miracle Max Preston Elliot. :) I have read & commented on your book & will back it more than 24 hours when space opens on my bookshelf :) - could you please back my memoirs/testimony book? :) I would so appreciate it because I have been trying for 319 days. :) I have also gold ******-rated your book :) - thank you for ****** mine, too. :) Love, Susie :) p.s. every ******-ing moves our books up authonomy's lists, as does backing-more-than-24-hours & the longer on our bookshelves, the more they move up :)
None of this comment is copy/pasted & is written arduously my best from my heart, as I'm sure your book is, too. :)

a very well written and emotional true life story read with happyness and tissues!!!!.
have recomended this to others to read.
very inspirational amanda..xx
cant wait till next book!!!

Fantastic Amanda, such an inspirational story. Thankyou for sharing it with us. Six stars rated. Anita Crawt

Amanda,
I enjoyed reading through this true life account. It was like peeking inside someone's private journal. I applaud your bravery in sharing your story. Rated with six stars.

Walden Carrington
Titanic: Rose Dawson's Story

Well done, I love a happy ending and it really couldn't have been more deserved. Your journey was told with honesty and humour x x

Well done, I love a happy ending and it really couldn't have been more deserved. Your journey was told with honesty and humour x x

AMAZING!!! This book really tells it how it is, what an inspiration you are. X

:) I will comment on your book as soon as I have read it - read & commented on 5 hours later :)

A fantastic book about the ups and downs of trying for a baby,i have been there too so i know how difficult it it,.If it gets published ti would reccomend it to all my friends :)

PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE

Amanda,
Great title - fabulous short pitch.
The long pitch is good too. Although I might suggest breaking it into two paragraphs for easier reading on the screen.
Welcome.
I have starred your book and will read as soon as I can.
A zoomer