Welcome to my new blog about Fits, Starts & Matters of the Heart

Hi. For those who don't know me, my name is Marijke Vroomen-Durning. I am a writer who specializes in health writing, but I like to dabble in other stuff too. Luckily for me, other people seem to like my writing and now I'm pleased to announce the birth of a new book called Fits, Starts & Matters of the Heart: 28 True Stories of Love, Loss and Everything in Between.



The book is a labor of love that was conceived by Freelance Success (FLX) writers from across the continent.

According to Amazon.com:

"For anyone who has fallen in love, been betrayed, lost a parent or let a child fly from the nest, Fits, Starts & Matters of the Heart will resonate with your heart. A woman recalls her decision to lose her virginity at 17 - and the emotional roller coaster that ensues when her parents discover a secret stash of prophylactics. A mother comes to terms with her adopted daughter's quest to find her birth mom. A black Labrador wreaks havoc on one woman's idyllic relationship with her boyfriend- until she, too, falls in love with the beautiful canine. A pregnant woman discovers her husband's affair - and realizes that the baby she's carrying is her ticket to rebirth. A daughter learns that the way into her father's heart is through her hair. These are just a few of the essays in Fits, Starts & Matters of the Heart: 28 True Stories of Love, Loss & Everything in Between. In this compelling collection, a group of writers, who connected through a professional community called Freelance Success, share the joy and angst at the root of all relationships. Through stories of family and friends, lovers and exes, even pets and rock stars, these writers demonstrate the enduring power of relationships to drive, haunt, empower, and enrich us."

There are only two Canadian authors in the book. I am one and the other is writer and friend, Wendy Helfenbaum.

The beauty of this book the way it was put together. Everyone who writes essays knows of at least one that is good but hasn't found its way into publication. So, FLX as a group decided to gather these essays and publish them in this anthology.

The process was a blinded one. A committee was formed and many authors submitted their essays for consideration. All identifying information was stripped from the pieces so the reviewers would not know who had written them. Of the more than 100 essays that were submitted, 28 were chosen - one of Wendy's and one of mine.

The book is available through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. It is our hope that it will have a Canadian source shortly.

So, if you're looking for a great-curl-up-and-read book or you know someone who would love to receive this book as a gift, please consider ordering one. Or two. Or more!

We'll keep you updated on the book's progress and I'll post reviews if anyone wants to share.

Thanks!
Marijke