An Adoption Story
Memoir
Date Published: October 22, 2024
Publisher: Double Entendre Ink
A twin herself, Lisa Crawford Watson believes she has the insight needed to
mother twins. Mounting obstacles impede the adoption process, and she
examines whether such setbacks are signs that she shouldn’t adopt. But
when identical twin infant sisters in need of a permanent, stable home come
into her life, she falls in love with them and knows what she must do.
Adopting premature twin girls who were born drug- and alcohol-addicted, and
jostled, separately, from foster home to foster home, creates one hardship
after another. Lisa quickly learns that raising children is a feat of
sacrifice and unpredictability, and caring for children born into trauma may
be more difficult than she ever could have imagined. Over the years, the
twins wreak havoc on every relationship within the family and on
Lisa’s heart. Has adopting the girls caused more harm than good?
What We Wished For: An Adoption Story shares a woman’s quest to build
a loving family. It is a tale of courage, perseverance, and what remains
when things don’t go as imagined. This memoir speaks to anyone who has
ever struggled with a life-altering decision, one from which there is no
turning back.
INTERVIEW
Can you tell us a little about the process of getting this book published? How did you come up with the idea and how did you start?
I always imagined “What We Wished For” should and would become published. The idea came to me and grew throughout our adoption process, 21 years ago. Along the way, once we had adopted our twin babies, I made notes now and then to help me remember. But I didn’t find the time, the emotional bandwidth, or the writing community to push me to develop and complete my memoir until two years ago. And then it became a calendar of writing conferences and retreats, paired with writing and editing in earnest.
Sitting in a Master class at the Kauai Master Writer’s Conference last November, I heard Holly Kammier, a principal at Acorn Publishing, give a brief guest presentation on her hybrid publishing company. I had been pursuing a conventional publisher through the assistance of a New York agent and was fairly committed to that process. Yet three colleagues taking the course with me leaned out and whispered, “Are you hearing her? This is YOUR PUBLISHER!” After two subsequent months of inertia from my chosen agent, I decided they were right and called Kammier, who had followed up with me immediately after the conference, and I signed with her. It turned out to be the right, the ideal decision.
What surprised you most about getting your book published?
I was surprised and pleased to learn that pursuing a less conventional publishing route was not only acceptable—I had believed there was only one way to define “success” in publishing—but it was highest and best for me, for this particular book. I knew the process would be demanding, nevertheless, and it did not disappoint.
Tell us a little about what you do when you aren’t writing
When I am not writing books, I am writing articles. I am a freelance feature journalist, with many thousands of articles in print. When I am not writing, I am teaching writing and other communication courses at Monterey Peninsula College and at CSU Monterey Bay. Apart from that, I run, bike, swim, bake cookies, set beautiful tables, and call my twin sister every day.
As a published author, what would you say was the most pivotal point of your writing life?
I have written seven other books, which have been published, and all have been someone else’s novel, memoir, history of somewhere. This memoir is my first published book that carries my story. The process of writing and publishing this book not only has served to elevate my writing, but it also brings an achievement many years in the making. This is my pivotal point.
Where do you get your best ideas and why do you think that is?
I get my best ideas from the people I interview, the stories I hear from friends and family, the one-liners I hear on television, at the market, in the gym, in the classroom. . .everywhere. I think this is the case because people are infinitely interesting and complex and wise, and this all seeps out, leaving me inspired to write. My favorite phrase, perhaps among others, is, “That’s a story.”
What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
“You shouldn’t write this book.” Fortunately, legions more said I should, and when I listened to my truth, I knew I must.
What has been your best accomplishment as a writer?
In addition to publishing this book, my best accomplishment has been when my writing elevates someone else, changes their life for the better, puts a spotlight on their needs or achievements, shares their worthy story.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
This is my eighth book, which has achieved publication. All of the others besides my new release, was someone else’s story, which sometimes, I was hired to ghostwrite. In addition to “What We Wished For,” I currently have two more in the works, also my own inspirations.
Thank you for asking,
Lisa Crawford
Watson
About the Author
A fifth-generation Northern Californian, Lisa Crawford Watson has published
seven books and thousands of articles in local and national newspapers and
magazines. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociolinguistics from the
University of California, Davis, and a master's degree in education
administration from California State University, Sacramento. She currently
teaches communications, writing, and journalism at California State
University, Monterey Bay.
Lisa lives with her husband in Carmel on the legendary Monterey Peninsula,
where she focuses on fitness, family, and philanthropy. As a resident of the
“Canine Capital of the Country,” Lisa has a devoted following
for her weekly dog column, for which she has profiled more than
seven-hundred furry friends.
Contact Links
Website: lisacrawfordwatson.com
Facebook: Lcwcarmel
Instagram: @lisacrawfordwatson
Substack: Lisa Crawford Watson
Purchase Link
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