Maria Housden

About me:

Ringo Starr quoted this line from my first book, HANNAH'S GIFT, on the inside cover of his RINGORAMA CD, "If I am not myself, then the one they are loving is not me." Ten years ago, I realized it was time to live the life I'd always wanted to live. Since then, I have traveled the world, published two books, co-written a screenplay, and started smoking (occasionally) since I wanted to and could.

I now know that half the fun in life is the costume you wear, and honesty is the most important thing to me. I am a loyal friend, a good, loving mother, a passionate (although inconsistent) gardener, late to bed, early to rise, and commited to growing and learning from experience.

I have published two non-fiction memoirs - my first, HANNAH'S GIFT (Bantam 2002) is the story of my daughter Hannah's life and death from cancer. Its subtitle, "Lessons From A Life Fully Lived" pretty much says it all. HANNAH'S GIFT has been translated into 13 languages, and it is now being made into a full-length feature film by Christophe Dimitri Reveille, a French actor and film director.

I'm sharing the making of the film on my blog. It is an amazing opportunity for me as a writer who has always dreamed of working with film as a medium, and I am grateful.

My second book, UNRAVELED (Harmony 2005) shares the more intimate parts of my journey as a woman and addresses a provocative decision I made regarding custody of my children when I divorced.

I moderate a group on myspace, FRIENDS OF HANNAH'S GIFT, which allows readers and friends to meet and talk about the book and their lives, and it also features photographs of Hannah. If you'd like to join, message me for an invite.

I have been a contributing editor to SELF magazine, and my books have been reviewed or excerpted in PEOPLE, THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY, O, Oprah's magazine, and PSYCHOTHERAPY NETWORKER, which inspired The Red Shoe Award at Riley Children's Hospital. If you want to know more, there are various articles and radio and print interviews on the web. My life and work have opened doors to some amazing experiences. I have led or participated in silent walking journeys through Death Valley and the Sahara desert. I lecture & lead writing workshops and retreats all over the world. Some of my friends on here are people that I met in Australia, a place I love and feel a lasting kinship with.

My Today Show Interview ~ July 29, 2009

Also, at the insistance of a few friends and readers, I have a similar profile on facebook and on the Hospice Community Forum.

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