Bettirose's Novel Wish
Diagnosed with cancer on the first day of eighth grade, Bettirose started a journey she never imagined. Her battle with cancer had a huge impact on her life, her friendships, and her family. She wanted to tell her story: Bettirose wished to write a novel – we checked in with her now that the manuscript is complete!
Q: How does it feel to have officially finished your first novel?
A: One of my biggest “bad habits” is starting things and never finishing them. Having the diligence and determination to finish this book couldn’t have happened without the support from my family, friends, and Make-A-Wish. Finishing the novel feels like a big weight off my chest but it is also sad as I no longer have this outlet. When I started this novel, I was 13. Since then, my interests and writing style have changed, but I am extremely proud of my present and my younger self for being able to accomplish such a big task.
Q: As part of your wish, you had writing guidance and support along the way, including a mentoring session with the one and only Ann Martin, author of the famous Baby-Sitter’s Club series. How was that?
A: Having the support of an accomplished female writer was truly inspiring and so helpful. Talking to Ann helped me further motivate myself to continue the process. Writing a book is not an easy task, and I’m so grateful for her help and support.
Q: You wrote your novel as a young adult fantasy story, based on your battle with leukemia – did it feel therapeutic at all to write about it?
A: The writing process was not therapeutic in a traditional sense, where it allowed me to process everything that was going on, but more in a way that it was something to do. Writing my story gave me a hobby where I was able to distract my mind from everything going on, and just immerse myself into the story and world of the book. Instead of watching endless amounts of TV and movies, I was able to use my creative side again, to bring forth something that will be a part of me forever.
Q: How are you doing right now? What are your plans for the future?
A: I have been done with chemotherapy treatments for about two years now, and am still recovering from some residual physical and emotional damages. Surprisingly, when I started this novel, I was not a big reader or writer. But now, being a few years older and figuring out my future in college and so forth, writing does seem like a possible career path to pursue. Writing has become a way to vent all of my feelings and emotions, especially when I’m in a bad place. These couple of years post-chemo have in a way felt harder than during the treatment itself, because it feels as though I got thrown back into everyday life without the ability to slowly adjust, especially with the COVID quarantine. But through all of this, writing has realized itself as an outlet for overwhelming emotions, and I do want to have it as a part of my future whether it be journalism or creative writing.
Q: How have you changed since you started writing?
A: Throughout this journey, I have learned a lot about myself, and my creative limits. My writing skills have been strengthened, and I am able to appreciate books and literature a lot more. I am truly grateful for that.
This experience has allowed me to realize that if you set your mind to something, it really can be accomplished. There were moments throughout the writing process that I lost motivation, or lost the creative flow and got stuck, but with all the support I had, I was able to pick myself back up and continue. I really hope this book provides younger kids that were sick like me, a hero they can relate to, and look up to. I will be forever grateful to Make-A-Wish for the opportunity they gave me.
We’ll be following along with Bettirose as she navigates the next step of the process – publication!