Debra. This has not only educated me but it demonstrates the work you have put into it. It grabbed me in the early stages and no matter how much I knew I had other things to do, I couldnt put it down. It has a nice feel to the delivery and your narrative stands out a mile. So well done with this. 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

Hello, Debra Mattson – Carry me Gently I am always fascinated by true stories and I think the ways you have chosen to relate yours make for something out of the ordinary. In many places it is what I think is meant by lyrical, like poetry. Having said, that, I sometimes felt the writing was perhaps a little self-indulgent but this is where writing memoir is so tricky. We have so many memories, impressions, etc, - there seems to be so much to say we can lose objectivity. I think this is where editing comes in as I understand even famous authors have editors who can be objective on a book's behalf. Looking forward to hearing how the completed version fares. Jane Mauret (formerly Shannahan)

Amazing, its like reading about myself as I too have Cystic Fibrosis, its a cruel disease and you are getting a lot of people knowing what its about .. Your writing is honest like it should be. You are a very talented writer and totally back your book . Will be talking about your book

This is exceptionally good writing. I especially enjoyed the depiction of detail. How much poignant meaning you get into the details. The objects you describe having a speaking part like characters in a play.

Hello Debra thoroughly loved the book...I am 18 and I have CF...have had it since I was 4 mnths old...the way you speak candidly about even the not-so-pretty realities in the life of a CFer is truly praise-worthy....It was a pleasure reading every single chapter...anyone who has read this book would already know that CF people cant hang out with each other because of the risks of cross infection etc and even if they do meet up its never without one of those lousy looking masks....while reading this book I felt like i was sitting in the company of a fellow CFer and hearing her side of the experience....good to know a girl's perspective on CF....it was a treat....thanks a ton Debra help find a cure for CF

Hi Debra, what n uplifting book. I myself have Parkinsons disease . I was diagnosed in my 40s. Disease can bring out the nobility om people as it puts life in perspective.backed , God bless, if you get a chance , take a look at YOu Turn. best wishes. lynne

This is a well written book with skill and intelligence. well worht a backing. BACKED Hope you get the chance to peek inside The Russian Hat. warm wishes Brendan

I don't know what to say and I guess I am among friends there as I see you have very few long comments on your work. For me it is because I am left in awe and with a guilt. Awe at how you cope and manage to write about it - not with - Oh pity me - but with real courage and feeling and a desire to help others to cope, too. Guilt, because I ask myself, how often have I moaned at little irritations and health problems, when others have so much to cope with and how little thought I have given, other than pity to those who are suffering. I am here to apologise for that and to say, I will from now on donate regularly to the cystic fribrosis charity to help in the research and care of this condition. On the writing front, I think you have handled this so well. You have used skills and talent to make the experience of reading material that isn't easy to read, a lot easier, though I would just say, look out for repetition, for instance the phrase -and all you remember- crops up a lot. Maybe you could vary this a bit by using phrases like: pictures of - memories visit you - images come to your mind of - like looking at old photo's you see - Just a few ideas. I wish you every success with this and hope it finds a publisher. love, Mary - An Unbreakable Bond PS, I am going to post something on the forum, too.

This decribes the brutal diease with dimilnating factors that patients have to live with the rest of there lives. To those within the medical field realize honesty is a line to a patient. C W

Moving and engrossing in equal measure. The world is a better place now that this book has been written. It will be even better when it's published. Backed Mal Muirhead - Marvellous Mavis and the Devolve-o-Meter

This is a book that will surely educated us all. Backed. Gabriel (It Goes On Forever)

I'm backing your book Debra. Good luck with it. Sheila The Mainstay Annie of Empire Street

I nearly fainted just thinking about the rectal prolapse condition. Love thyself, love thyself . . . Beautifully rendered. Backed. Marianne (Saint Paddy and the Sundial)

The honesty and courage it must take to record such memories makes the work of fiction look trite and irrelevant...good on you...the rest of us have more to learn from you than anything we may have to offer! Very best of luck with this Stewart

I'm glad you are able to stay positive through this personal disaster. To allow us all a view into your thoughts and feelings is an honor, Debra. The very best of luck to you. BACKED -Elizabeth Wolfe (Memories of Glory)

What an extraordinary book. I shall read more,but it's too harrowing to take other than in small doses. Backed.

What an extraordinary book. I shall read more,but's too harrowing to take other than in small doses. Backed.

Backed with pleasure! This is an awesone undertaking and you have done this with such passion and grit. A very important read and as a nurse I can see this helping many people! I am sure you will find a publishing home for this soon and bless you that it is all uploaded so I can return later to finish. Liz The Cheech Room

Hi Debra, I hate commenting on books like this, I never know what to say without sounding patronising - So... Well done and shelved??? Good luck, James (The Lycetta Legacy).

Inspirational. My friend's little girl had CF. She was a lovely, happy girl, too, but died when she was 20. All my best wishes with this. Barry

A heart wrenching short-pitch followed by a main submission which definitely reitereates what I frequently say - "there is always someone worse off & suffering more." This is a very informative and educational book but written in such a way that it doesn't lecture and doesn't read like a textbook. It is well written & professionally presented & is certainly deserving of success. Best wishes - Paula (Cuthbert: How mean is my Valley?)

When you think you have it bad you must always remember that someone has it worse! How horrible to have had to go through that. It's amazing what you learn, I had no idea what Cystic Fibrosis was. Happily Backed Denise

This is IMMENSELY moving and emotional. I can feel the pain and the anxiety the child is undergoing. Scarry stufff and the Daddy with the lace dool makes me want to cry. Life realities are hard for those who read about them far less for those who actually have them. The suffering comes over fantastically and I can only say that this book will do wonders to teach us about this dreadful disease and help those with it. Many many thnaks for your story Painfull stuff backed The Lord of the dawn

great work. Happy to back it! Christopher Crossing The Line

Hi Debra, I have backed your book because I was hooked by the pitch, loved the introduction and read on. How much more I read depends on time and commitment. Enjoy everything and good luck. Rusty Bernard Psychiatric Evaluation

I think one of the most frightening things about having a serious illness is feeling singled out by fate. This book will remove that fear for whoever reads it and will have a more beneficial effect than any work of fiction, no matter how talented. Brilliant. Backed. Lynn

I just want to back this work immediatly. I loved what I have read so far. This is an honest abd brilliant piece of work. BACKED ENORMOUSLY Hope you get the chance to take alittle peek inside The Russian Hat Sincerly Brendan Doherty The Russian Hat

Oh and you make me cry

Debra, heartfelt. The honesty of your writing pleads the heart. I was taken aback by your profile, and this is written in a style unique in the way it is expressed. This is a book about courage and one that I truly wish to see in book stores to open eyes and also to give permission for others to tell their stories. Thank you for writing this book Debra. BACKED for sure by me and the BEST of luck with this strong piece of heart. I would be so happy if you would read some of my book, it too is non-fiction as I would value your comments. Denise

Heartfelt and humuliating. Well written and hard to read - in the way it is meant to be I suspect! Pete

You are a wonderful writer with a courageous and heart-warming story to tell. I'm wishing you every success in the future. Melxx Happily shelved. Melxxx

This is a really good story - CF or no CF, I don't think it would matter. I suspect you could write about anything and it would be good. I spent the better part of the evening with your story, and finished all that you have uploaded. I now feel I am sufficiently qualified to back your story based on its total awesomeness. Amy Love Match

Deb, There’s magic to be found right in the middle of 30 pills ground up in applesauce… here: “Like squid and sushi and oysters when she’s older, and chocolate pudding or truffles.” Trauma is still trauma – no matter the cause or the cure. “The little girl is responsible for saying goodnight to her stuffed animals. If she forgets they may die.” The chapters are long, but the memories were writhing over you when you wrote, I'll bet. Quoting the Indigo Girls, eh? More reading tomorrow night…kindred soul. Oh, and before I forget… “On the day I was born, said my father, said he… I have an elegant legacy waiting for ye. Tis’ a rhyme for your lips and a song for your heart, to sing it when’er the world falls apart. Look, look, look to the rainbow. Follow it over the fields and streams. Look, look, look to the rainbow – follow the fellow who follows a dream.” – Finian’s Rainbow SueAnn Jackson Land The Truth About Whales

Deb, Just from your pitch... you had me at hello. I'm going to read and will comment more in depth, but right now at this moment, the backing is a welcome. The backing is a congratulatory cheer for claiming life with all of its hard bits and holding on to it. "This is not a book about disease, but rather, a book about a life worth living." Exactly. SueAnn Jackson Land The Truth About Whales

Welcome aboard, Deb. This website will improve your writing craft, if you allow it. I'm a bit of a pitch doctor, having read thousands of pitches in my time on this website, so I want to share my insight here with you. You have to think of your pitches as your sales tool to grab the casual reader's eyes. The short pitch TELLS instead of SHOWS but it works because this is non-fiction. The long pitch works, too. Perfecting your pitches is how you climb in ranking to gather more exposure and comments to better your novel. The writing is good so I am SHELVING you. Though I have been a very active member for over a year and have the most commented book, I can still use your comments on my book when you get the chance. Every little bit helps. Cheers! JC The Obergemau Key

CARRY ME GENTLY This is an interesting account of what it feels like for a young child to have a chronic disease – and not receive enough explanations of what all the tests she is having are about. It’s a book that should be required reading for respiratory therapists and nurses so they can fully understand the impact of what being so sick at an early age can mean. I’m adding it to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

This is difficult to read, and yet I don't want to fault your approach to it. While I find it awkward to read, your opening makes clear that your first and foremost audience is those who "really know what it is like." For them, this may be the perfect approach. Still, you have a tendency towards run on sentences and I do think you would do well to pare some of them down. That said, what you actually have to say, so far as I've read, is heart felt and honest. It's the kind of honesty people recognize when you talk about things that most of the time it's more polite to ignore.

Dear Debra, I love that you told in detail about Cystic Fibrosis & that it affects the lungs & pancreas - my Mom died of pancreatic cancer at age 74 in 1986 (she had lupus, too, which I have had since I was 15 & am now 70 - every other year I have a blood test for it - should it be more often? My Mom's was inoperable as too far gone, but took a year to die :( - I have it in my memoir. Thank you so much for giving me a head-up because I get pneumonia twice a year & you said it affects the lungs. Before I began to read your book, I was prepared by your pitch, which was very well done. :) Your story is good because you create interest by having short paragraphs, which makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm "backing" your book: When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved...authonomy. :) Please "back" my TWO memoir books, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" & my completed memoir unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories," which tells at the end, my illness now & 6th abusive marriage." Thanks, Susie :) additional quote from authonomy: Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs. :)