My husband and I had the pleasure of attending a special book launch recently.
It was special because the author, Birgit Ohms, is one of my writing students.
Birgit’s book, One Way Ticket, begins when she is a teenager, leaving her family and homeland to study art abroad. Soon after, she meets her future husband, and embarks on a life of adventure, luxury — and trouble.
We follow her from Europe to the USA and Canada, as she tries to reconcile her husband’s extravagant gestures and her quiet panic of knowing something is terribly wrong. (I won’t reveal more here.)
A talented fashion artist and illustrator, Birgit wrote and illustrated a children’s book in earlier years, but this is her first book for adults. Also interesting: English is not her first language, and she is physically disabled. Birgit uses a wheelchair and her hands don’t work properly, but she writes on her iPad with a commitment and discipline that many writers lack. She inspires me.
I started coaching writers at BOAA — the Bowmanville Older Adults Association (for people 55 and older) a few years ago, and have learned that if a person can tell you a tale or a good joke, they can be taught to write.
But one of the most interesting things about this work is the privilege of observing how each person’s writing develops. Of the writers I’ve coached, everyone has a different style, a different approach to storytelling.
Memoir-writing requires all the skills needed to write a good book. But, in the right context, memoir-writing is also a means of reflection, healing and growth for the author.
It’s all been moving to witness. And Birgit’s book launch on Sunday was one of the highlights of this journey.
Birgit told me on Sunday that when she started my course, she would not have believed she’d be at her own book launch, signing her own book, 18 months later. But it took me only a short while to realize that she had the trifecta of attributes needed to write a book.
She reveals the world around her, and the world inside her, with an unfiltered honesty and impressive attention to the telling details. As a result, she draws you into a scene so skillfully, you feel you’re right there. Second, Birgit listens to criticism and uses it to improve her work. And third, she writes unceasingly, always turning in successive chapters on deadline.
And now we celebrate Birgit’s triumph. All of us who have taken this journey with her – her family, friends, co-writers at BOAA and I, the teacher — are overjoyed for her.
Congrats, Birgit!
Cynthia Reyes 
Congratulations to Birgit on her new book, and kudos to you, Cynthia, for believing in her ability and helping it come to fruition. You are both inspiring women!
Thanks, Lavinia. Birgit and the other writers continue to surprise me with the quality of their work and their commitment to it. I guess I need a teacher like myself to help me!
There is a quote I’ve seen attributed to Katharine Hepburn that I have to remind myself of time to time, something to the effect of helping hands can be found at the end of each arm. One hand for helping others, the other for helping ourself.
I like it. Thanks for sharing, Lavinia. I will also one day write a blog post about how helping the students to learn how to write a book helped me too.
Oh my, Cynthia, what a wonderful story. Congratulations to the author and also to her teacher and mentor! I shall look for Birgit’s book. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Jane. Birgit is an inspiration.
Lovely seeing you, your husband and Brigit last weekend. I am so happy for Brigit and I know you are thrilled to see her success!
It was very lovely seeing you too, Fran!
Thanks for sharing this inspiring story Cynthia. Congratulations to Birgit on writing her first book. You both must be proud!
I am so proud for her, Brad. Thanks for your supportive comment, as always. I appreciate you.
You are most welcome. I’m proud of you and happy to know you are inspiring and teaching others to write. You have a gift for both.
Why do you think I know you could have a book of your own? Don’t forget, I read your stuff.
Thank you. I appreciate you and your belief in me.
Congrats to the new author and her teacher!
What a story! Yes, congrats, congrats. Love the cover, too. The urge to create runs strong in many of us, and where there is a will, there’s a way. Wonderful that you could help her on her writing journey.
I was one part of the journey and glad to be. Then it was on to the pros at the publishing company who helped her bring her manuscript to life.
Even though writing is a solitary profession, it takes many people to shape a book. Same is true for me, even though I self publish.
It takes many people for me too!
Well done, Birgit! And congratulations to you too, Cynthia!
Thanks from both of us, Clare. I hope Birgit will see these replies. I know she’s been very busy with her new book.
There is no bigger thrill as a teacher than to see a student succeed. Congratulations to both you and Birgit on her book launch!
Your mentoring and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated (I’m sure you were exhausted as well as exhilarated after the book launch). – Oscar
Truth is, I wish I had a coach and mentor like me!