The Winding Road, Journey of Survival – BOOK by MIRIAM HURDLE & PRIORHOUSE INTERVIEW

Today’s Priorhouse Interview features MIRIAM HURDLE 

MIRIAM: Hi Yvette, thank you for inviting me to share about my book with your readers. I also hope to get to know your readers as they find out a little more about me. 

Hello everyone. I am Miriam Hurdle. I grew up in Hong Kong where I finished college and worked for several years before coming to the United States for my graduate studies. After the schooling, I worked two years as a rehabilitation counselor, then went into education, taught for 14 years and was in administration for 10 before retirement. In my retired life, I enjoy volunteer counseling, reading, writing, blogging, gardening, photographing, and traveling. I’m married to Lynton and we have one married daughter. My older granddaughter, Autumn, was born on September 28, 2017, and the younger granddaughter, Nora, was born on March 22, 2020.

PRIOR: Congrats on your blessed grandchildren – and for those readers who already follow Miriam’s blog, you know how cute they are!

MIRIAM’S MEMOIR: THE WINDING ROAD

PRIOR: Many readers might already know about Miriam’s memoir, The Winding Road. I ordered a paperback copy of the book to read because I wanted to pass it along to a widow friend who lost her spouse to cancer in 2022. However, my second cousin’s wife, Nancy, was recently diagnosed with skin cancer and so I am going to gift her a copy of the book too. I think she will be encouraged from Miriam’s journey.

Can you tell us a little about The Winding Road? 

MIRIAM: I would love to share about my book, The Winding Road, Journey of Survival.

It is a memoir of my cancer journey during 2008 and 2009. Four of my close relatives had cancer, and three died from it. Cancer affects a lot more people than we realize. What I had was something terrible but it is also a common disease. Yet my cancer experience had several layers of impossibilities, which further complicated the disease itself. Each circumstance pushed and expanded my limit of patience, faith, trust, and gratitude.

My healing  journey taught me to let down my guard, show my vulnerability, and accept my being rather than doing.

I was diagnosed with melanoma in 2008. It surprised me because I only knew that melanoma was an external skin cancer. Through the research, I learned that Melanoma could happen in the internal organs, such as the female organ. My family doctor, gynecologist, and oncologist were new to my condition. Getting the right treatment was like going through a maze. By the time the health insurance approved my treatment by a private doctor, my cancer advanced to stage IV with a low survival rate. In addition to my illness, there were job and financial complications because I had to take six months off for a full-time treatment.

All the barriers seemed to be miraculously dissipated before the cancer outran me.

Once the treatment started, I had nothing left but my breath. 

PRIOR: Oh my goodness. That is a powerful sentence right there: “I had nothing left but my breath.”

Speaking of breath – if anyone wants to practice a helpful breathing activity – you might want to try “Box Breathing” or the “Square Breathing Technique.” It is really great for calming the body, lifting the mood, and some sleep clinics suggest folks practice box breathing to help fall sleep. 

Start with a count of four, work up to eight or more for each side of the box (inhale, pause, exhale, then pause before the next inhale).

Anyhow, your quote really gives us pause to remember the gift of life – to have breath in the lungs is no small matter. 

MIRIAM: With the support of family and friends, I went through the gruesome but favorable treatment AND SURVIVED! 

Whenever I had some energy in between the cycles of treatment, I emailed and updated my condition with family and friends. Halfway through the treatment, the fogginess of my brain was lifted off, so I started writing notes and journaling. All the written material became the major source of my book, and I could make direct quotes instead of depending on memories.

When I thought of writing my memoir, I wanted to do it well. I spent about one year reading “how to” books, taking online courses, and reading other people’s memoirs. 

PRIOR: I am glad that you shared this – about how you took the time, and made the effort, to do some research and learn the memoir genre. It is inspiring because you model gusto and an ambitious spirit that feeds an idea and then works to make things happen. I admire that so much! Sherri Matthews has similar grit and resilience, which we briefly mentioned in her interview last month (here). 

MIRIAM’S WRITING INSIGHTS

Do you have any takeaways to share from the memoir-writing process? 

Miriam: My major take away was “using the techniques of fiction to enhance nonfiction.” 

As a result of my learning, I started my book with the problem–the diagnosis of cancer, then I backed track the events leading to the discovery of it. After getting the attention of the reader, I followed the events chronologically. Even though I looked back on my journey and wrote the story, what I learned even more was that the memoirist must take the readers through this journey and there shouldn’t be retrospect. 

Another helpful writing takeaway was how feedback is crucial.  I belong to a writing group for retirees. During Covid, we met online and offered each other feedback. The members submitted one chapter or one poem before each meeting. The coordinator skillfully monitored and moved things along at a steady pace. We read our chapter aloud while members followed our documents on screen and made constructive comments and suggestions at the end. Members could add additional comments and offer suggestions through personal emails after the meeting.

PRIOR: One of my top takeaways from The Winding Road book was how clear your writing is – Your thoughts and ideas moved along seamlessly.

MIRIAM: I was thankful for the feedback from the group members who helped me to clarify my writing. I rearranged and rewrote a couple of chapters and resubmitted to the group for further comments.

For my final manuscript, I used the “Read Aloud” function on MS Word to listen to my writing. To find it, you go to the toolbar of your document, click Review, and find Read Aloud on the left. Click the button and it will start reading from the top of your document or at anywhere you click your pointer. I listened to one chapter at a time and made corrections. Then, I listened to the entire book several times. It helped me to focus on the flow of the story. I also used the “find” and “replace” function to check the consistency of word use and spellings of names and places.

In the beginning of The Winding Road book, I mentioned that my daughter and my husband were my motivation to fight for my life. In the final chapter, I highlighted our family life in traveling together and the joy of seeing my daughter get married and then seeing two granddaughters being born. 

Here is The Winding Road trailer:

PRIOR: Are you working on any writing projects?

MIRIAM: I do not have any writing projects going on right now, but I write in my head all the time. I have a writing folder with many sub-folders of short stories, flash fiction, travel journal entries, poems, and research notes. I’ll revisit these folders soon. I also saved the lessons from several writing courses and will revisit them as well.

PRIOR: I like how you said you write in your head all the time. How fun it must be to have a nice stream of creative ideas that come and go.

MIRIAM’S WRITING NOOK

MIRIAM: At this moment, I’m sitting in my writing room in my new house. I believe the previous owner used it as a sewing room. It’s a cozy room with the window facing my backyard. Beyond the fence is a side street with infrequent cars traveling. The other side of the street has tall pine trees reaching the sky. The view and the quietness will be my inspiration for writing.

MIRIAM’S RECENT MOVE 

PRIOR:  That writing space is in your new home in Oregon. How is the house coming along?

MIRIAM: Our move was chaotic and it is a long story. The essence is that we lived in our California home for 35 years. My daughter has been living in Portland, Oregon since she was a teenager. She went to college there, got married, and now she has two adorable daughters. 

Since the first granddaughter was born, I tried to visit them every six weeks except during Covid. I always wanted to move close to my daughter’s family, but my husband was not ready to move. Early in 2022, his mom passed away, and he felt released from the obligation of being around her. After staying with my daughter for a couple of weeks in August 2022, we talked about moving to Portland. The snowball started rolling from that point on.

We were fortunate to get two offers on our California home twelve days after the listing and closed escrow thirty-five days after we accepted one offer. We packed a few boxes, drove to Portland, and stayed with my daughter while searching for a new home. We had visited about twenty homes since August and knew what we wanted. We found our new home in less than one week and closed escrow in twenty-seven days. The new home is about 16 to 18 minutes’ drive from my daughter. It has everything we need, such as the gym, all kinds of shopping options, and health facilities are within 8 to 25 minutes’ drive. The location is perfect for us.

The new home originally was a custom home which had to meet certain requirements. The homeowners signed a covenant that they wouldn’t park their trailers on the street. So they built a garage that would be big enough for any trailers. My husband fell in love with the roomy garage. I fell in love with the big backyard where I could do my gardening. 

The downside is that the previous owner did not very much for the upkeep of the house. The owner before them gave up maintaining the home when the wife had cancer. Many things in this house were not our preference. Our agents did a good job negotiating down the sale price so that we could do the upgrades. 

PRIOR: I have followed some of the home updates on your blog. How are the updates going? 

MIRIAM: We did the refinishing of the hardwood floor downstairs and replaced the carpet upstairs. We’re in the process of remodeling the kitchen. Currently, I am setting up one room as the grandkids’ playroom with books, toys, and project materials. The backyard has no shrubs or flowers. Since it’s my project, I’m getting several bids to landscape the backyard so that I can start planting.

Since we moved into the house three months ago, we’ve been with the grandkids two or three times a week. 

Being s close to the family is wonderful.

We were close enough to see the family at Easter.

MIRIAM’S CHILDREN’S BOOK

PRIOR: Speaking of kids – can you tell us about your published children’s book?

MIRIAM: My children’s book is called Tina, Lost in a Crowd (2021). The page on my blog is here. Below is the Amazon description:  

Tina invited her friend Erica to attend a popular Tchaikovsky’s Spectacular concert on a summer evening with her parents. During the intermission, her dad left the seat to buy some snacks. Tina and Erica followed him wanting to use the restroom. The shoving crowd pushed them away, and they lost sight of him. It would be impossible to fight through the 18,000 people to find him or go back to Tina’s mom.

This story tells about what happened to Tina and Erica after they got lost. Children can adapt to learning from different situations they may observe or encounter. Adults could have discussions with the children about the situations to help them develop problem-solving skills.”

PRIOR: At the time of working with you on this interview, author lan Falconer passed away (August 25, 1959 – March 7, 2023). He illustrated and wrote the “Olivia” children’s books (and I guess Falconer was also a set designer and illustrator with 30+ magazine covers).

I remember buying the hard cover Olivia books for my stepdaughter and niece. I loved Falconer’s early choice of black, white, and red to go with his fun Olivia stories. Did you ever read any of the Olivia books to your children/grandchildren?

MIRIAM:  No, Yvette. I did not read Olivia to my daughter Mercy, and did not read any with my grandkids. 

The reason I never red them with Mercy is because lan Falconer’s first book was published in 2000. Mercy was 14 years old then. I didn’t read his books to my students because I went into administration in 1997. Mercy might have checked out Olivia books from the library to read to my grandkids, but I didn’t read those books to them. 

It was sad that lan Falconer died of kidney failure at such a young age of 63. He surely was very talented. His books are well liked, and he received numerous awards for his creations.

MIRIAM’S TO BE READ (TBR) LIST

PRIOR: What is on your TBR list? 

MIRIAM: I finished reading Robbie Cheadle’s new book, Lion Scream, and I am writing my review right now.  

PRIOR: I keep seeing posts about Robbie’s Lion Scream book and I need to read it soon. If anyone is interested – you can find a recent Lion Scream review here. 

MIRIAM: Also, I will be reading Denise L. Finn’s new book, In the Tree’s Shadow, and then hosting a blog tour for that book.  D.L. Finn’s book can be pre-ordered on Amazon:  http://a-fwd.com/asin= B0BWL7LX9K

I’ll host another blog tour for the poetry anthology,  Poetry Treasures 3: Passions (Word Crafter Press) in which you are a contributor, Yvette. I’ll read that book as well.  

PRIOR: Oh how exciting that you have some more book tours coming up. I really hope to do more book tours at my blog. 

While I look forward to all of your book tours, I especially look forward to the one for the Poetry Treasures 3: Passions. The four poems I wrote for that book are very dear to my heart. They unfolded during a time of persevering and then also a time of rich celebrating. Such a paradox – but then I guess that is how life can be – mixed with ups and downs.  I was happy that new poetry content came my way (the muse was awake and willing… and God really gave me “a shower of blessings” that month….) and I am excited to be a part of the book project.

If anyone wants to follow the book launch of Poetry Treasures 3,  go here for info as the tour starts next week: Writing to be Read

Do you have anything on your “To Watch List”?

MIRIAM:  I just finished rewatching Endeavor, which is a British television detective drama series set in Oxford.  The show starts in 1965, and then moves into the 1970s, as it follows Endeavour Morse as a police constable, and his partner Thursday.

PRIOR: I watched some of the Endeavor episodes a few years ago. The episodes were quite long, which surprised me. IT was also rewarding to get caught up in the show and I enjoyed “feeling the time period” with costumes, setting details, hairstyles, music, etc. 

MIRIAM: As far as TV/movie watching, I don’t watch movies often. I mostly watch dramas on PBS, especially crime thrillers. After enjoying Endeavor, I will now take a break from watching TV for a while.

MIRIAM ONLINE

PRIOR: How can we find you online?

MIRIAM: Thank you for asking, Yvette. Your readers can find me in the following sites:

Website/Blog: https://theshowersofblessings.com 

Amazon Author’s Page: https://www.amazon.com/Miriam-Hurdle/e/B07K2MCSVW 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17252131.Miriam_Hurdle 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mhurdle112 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miriam.hurdle.1 

The Winding Road is Available on Amazon

 Questions for readers:

• Any comments or questions for Miriam?

• One of my favorite takeaways was how Miriam noted that her healing journey helped her “to let down my guard, show my vulnerability, and accept my being rather than doing.” Did you have a favorite takeaway?

• Miriam has now moved closer to her family and gets to see her grandchildren ore. Have you made a major move to be closer to family?  

• Have you seen Endeavor or any other “good” detective series lately?

Thanks for joining us today. To see all of the Priorhouse Interviews  – go here.

REMINDER: The #Dickenschallenge runs until June 9th… Inviting you to read ONE novella (or more novellas) and then chat with us in June (info here) (hosts are Trent, Marsha, andYvette)

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