Today’s special guest is participating in a virtual tour to recognize infertility awareness week. For 10 percent of women worldwide, the road to motherhood is bumpy, painful, and heartbreaking. For some, it can cause a complete collapse of emotions. This is the reality for those plagued by infertility.
Christina Oberon is chatting with me about her book, Hope Strong, a book meant for men and/or couples on their journey to parenthood to help them discover that infertility doesn’t define them.
During her virtual book tour, Christina will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to a lucky winner. Click here to enter!
Bio:
Christina Oberon grew up in Hawaii with a large family of ten siblings. When she relocated to Southern California, she met and fell in love with her husband, Kevin. They experienced nearly four years of infertility before conceiving their son, Kai, via in vitro fertilization. Kai was born in 2018. He is a wonderful blessing and reminder of Christina and Kevin’s faith and hope for a family of their own. Christina enjoys raising her son, traveling with her family, reading, writing, hiking, and taking photographs.
Welcome, Christina. Please tell us about your current release.
Hope Strong is a book meant for women and/or couples on their journey to parenthood. It is specific to the rollercoaster of emotions felt during infertility and meant to remind readers of the hope that can still be found in the midst of such emotions. The chapters are broken down uniquely by emotion so that the reader can easily flip to the emotion they are feeling in that moment. One of the things I love about Hope Strong is that it can apply to anyone experiencing a difficult situation and feeling overwhelmed by the emotions that accompany, unrelated to infertility.
What inspired you to write this book?
Hope Strong was written and released during a very vulnerable and raw time in my life, first through infertility and then into postpartum. During my years of infertility, I started thinking about how great it would be if there was a book that was specific to the wide range of emotions felt and included something inspiring to bring you out of that feeling. I couldn’t find a resource like that so I began journaling. I initially considered creating an app but eventually felt led to instead create a book. It was important for me to include scripture because prayer and my faith were huge factors that carried me through my own struggles with infertility. I wanted women to know that they are not alone and can sit with these feelings but to remember to find healthy ways to cope and pull through them. Ultimately, I felt hope was the most powerful pillar through each of the emotions. I didn’t finish Hope Strong until after I had my son and was in the thick of postpartum complications but I felt strongly that I was meant to complete it and I am grateful I did.
Excerpt from Hope Strong:
The problem with persistent infertility is that it can push us to our limits, completely baffling us. We can become confused and discouraged when we are unable to find guidance and answers. But our “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace,” (1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV) and he desires that we live with confidence and hope, trusting his wisdom and his guidance.
What exciting story are you working on next?
I never write and tell. <smile>
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I didn’t consider myself a writer until Hope Strong published. It was surreal because I had loved to read and write all of my life, had been on the newswriting team in High School and even won a Quill & Scroll Award in high school, but never considered myself a writer until it was official through publication.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I do not write full time. My toddler keeps me busy most days. I work as a legal secretary and also in direct sales in the health and wellness industry but have plans to work entirely from home within the next few years which should allow me more time to write. I find that I am most inspired to write at very late hours of the day, even into the early morning.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I don’t know if I would call it interesting, but I like to include a lesson in my writing, or ah-ha moments.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Happy and confident. I grew up as one of 11 kids. There was joy and good memories, but also chaos, trauma and divorce. I used to escape in the books I read and imagine all I was capable of doing in life and deciding to go for it.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I want to remind readers of the power of our thoughts and words. They truly are the starting point to what evolves in our life so I encourage readers to be mindful of their thoughts and the words they speak to themselves. We should try our best to speak life over our lives.
Links:
Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram | LinkTree
