Throughout my life I’ve always had a secret passion for writing. Stacks of journals accumulated over the years line my office book shelves. My first journal dates back to second grade. Back then I wrote about the activities of the day, the weather or the food I ate. Over time the writing became more inspired and more of an expression of my inner world, my relationships, losses, successes, dreams and aspirations.

In college and graduate school, I wrote as a way of communicating ideas, research and different views with others. My career as a psychologist led me down the path of writing extensively about the lives of my clients. Writing always inspires a deeper understanding and connection with my inner world as well as the particular subject about which I write.

For a long time I knew that I had at least one book to write. It was only a matter of time. Three years ago I attended Harvard Medical School’s Publishing and Writing Course organized by Dr. Julie Silver. The course jump-started the process of writing my book. What Women Need: The 12 Prescriptions for Gaining Balance and Happiness became the working title after a brainstorming naming session with twenty dear friends.

Twice I attended the Harvard Medical School Writing and Publishing Course. By the time I took the second writing course, my proposal had been drafted and I had the opportunity to pitch my book at the conference. The support, information and guidance offered during this course catapulted my wish to write a book into a reality.

Twelve months were spent outlining ideas, gathering information and collecting women’s compelling stories. Then, by following the format of Michael Larsen’s How to Write a Book Proposal and taking some additional writing courses, I wrote the first draft of my book proposal. With persistence I pursued a wonderful literary agent whom I had initially met at the Harvard Writing Course. I knew I wanted Jeanne Fredericks to represent my book. Jeanne’s warmth, intelligence and insight immediately won me over.

Almost nine months after our first meeting, Jeanne Fredericks offered to represent What Women Need, which of course I enthusiastically accepted.

Last year I had the opportunity to present on the topic of Overcoming Writer’s Block at the Harvard Course. It was thrilling for me to present at this illustrious conference. Veteran writers and “newbies” from all parts of the globe come together and share their passion for writing. They find the guidance and support needed to push them to the other side. Their dreams become manifested at this conference.

Recently I was asked by writing coach Lisa Tener to discuss the process of getting a literary agent. Lisa and I first met at the Harvard Writing Course, where I attended one of her workshops. Please visit Lisa’s site and read that story at Lisa Tener’s writing blog.

What do you do to express yourself, your experiences and your inner world?

By Randy Kamen Gredinger, Ed.D.

Loneliness, troubled relationships, failing marriages, serious parenting concerns, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and complicated pain problems. No one escapes being affected by one or more of these serious issues at some time in life. These difficulties can be managed and in many cases overcome. The secret to successfully moving through many of life’s challenges lies in establishing and maintaining healthy relationships. At times our own light goes out and can be rekindled by a spark from another person.

What Women Need: The 12 Prescriptions for Gaining Balance and Happiness delivers the most effective strategies for establishing a healthy relationship with oneself, with others and gaining balance in everyday life. These are the stories of courageous women who were willing to put themselves on the line in an effort to find greater inner peace and joy. Each chapter reveals different relevant life struggles that we collectively share as women. This book can save the reader years of struggle in navigating through difficult life experiences.

What Women Need examines key factors for promoting women’s health, happiness and well-being. One of the central premises woven throughout the book is that when relationships thrive, women find themselves better equipped to face life’s challenges and realize their potential. Also, strong relationships and solid support systems contribute to both physical and psychological well-being. If one does not know how to develop and sustain healthy relationships, the loneliness, isolation, and pain that ensue can wreak havoc.

What Women Need teaches specific tools and strategies for navigating the stormy challenges of life’s transitions, losses, and disappointments. This book also provides a valuable, practical guide for women wanting more satisfying, resilient, and fulfilling relationships. Using compelling cases and narrative stories of women who suffer challenges in various life situations, this book explores universal themes of alienation, pain, happiness, and love—with friends, colleagues, partners, spouses, and children. Stories involve women ranging in age from mid-twenties through late fifties.

In addition, this book provides prescriptive advice at the end of each chapter and at the end of the book for easy reference.  These prescriptions highlight the strategies for women overcoming life’s challenges, gaining balance and learning strategies for happiness. The seven prescriptions focus on the relationship with oneself, with others, and the building of a support network. Each chapter’s text and prescriptions help the reader in:

• Developing a comfort zone with oneself and appreciating time alone
• Unleashing personal empowerment
• Transforming relationships through better communication
• Creating and sustaining reliable support networks
• Balancing love, work, fun and adventure
• Saving years of unneeded struggle