&bsp;”Womansong: Balance and Harmony in a Feminine Key” is Gwen Suesses first-born book, nine years in gestation.

In 2001, she began the focused work of converting years worth of journals into the book she felt was contained within them. Nine years later, in April 2010, she received the efforts of her labor 2,000 copies of “Womansong.”

Nine years off and on, says Suesse, for a book conceived more than three decades ago.

Suesse tells the story of the conception, during an evening when her first-born child, Jennifer, was about a year old.

At a party, I was asked, What do you do? Im home with a baby, I replied, to which the inquisitor turned and began a conversation with another partygoer. With someone more interesting, I surmised.

I felt uninteresting and anonymous. And even though it was a personal experience, I knew on some level it was an experience shared by millions of women.&bsp; How do we balance being a mom, a wife, a worker, a daughter, a caretaker, an involved citizen, an interesting person?

The book, she says, is really letters to herself.

When I dont know what to do, explains Suesse, I write. I write to figure out what I think and how I feel.

“The book, it turns out, is all the messages I need to hear again and again about keeping my life in balance being involved with and helpful to those in my life, and yet not losing myself in the process. I know its easy for women to do this because of traditional roles, and I suspect for some men, too, to be so accustomed to meeting others needs that they dont meet their own needs, or even realize they have any.

“The book is about seeking balance helping others and also getting your own needs met. Its about having a turn.

Suesse loves words, and in writing the first draft of the book, she followed the best writing advice she ever got: just write and dont let the critics show up too soon. By the end of year two, she had finished the first draft and met and sealed a deal with Rene Locks of San Francisco to illustrate the book.

During the next six years, “Womansong” underwent three professional edits; several readings by trusted friends; countless author revisions; and an introduction to the less-than-perfectly enjoyable world of publishing and marketing that left Suesses head spinning. &bsp;

She did the work, pushed through at the end, and got it done, and in April of this year, Suesse made room in her basement for 83 cartons of books.

And it feels Fabulous! she exclaims. I have a great sense of satisfaction in being able to see ‘Womansong’ to completion. And one of my chief joys has come from having conversations with women, using the book as a springboard. I have loved the opportunity to speak, sign books, talk with other women. Women universally ‘get’ the premise of the book. Women of all ages, from all walks of life. Im finding that though our circumstances have differed, the issues have been the same.

The response to “Womansong” is humbling and gratifying, says Gwen. Six weeks after it was launched at The Book Shelf, Tryons independent book seller, more than 500 books have been sold. Another hundred are spread among bookstores from Tryon to central New York, where Gwen and her husband Jack raised their two children and lived until moving to Tryon in 1999.

The book has won two awards.&bsp; It was a winner in the National Indie Excellence Awards, recognizing books that meet the highest standards of independent publishing. And it won a bronze medal in the Womens Issues category from the Independent Publishers Book Awards. &bsp;

More importantly to Suesse, “Womansong” has generated countless good and positive responses via letters, notes, phone calls, and e-mails. One excerpt from a treasured hand-written letter, dated the day after the book launch, reads as follows: Womansong is splendid: warm, personal, yet universal. I found myself identifying with every page. The beautiful illustrations are perfect for your opus. I will pass this on to my three precious granddaughters and to friends of more than 50 years, struggling still to be authentic amid lifes onslaughts. Your writing flows, is easily parsed, carves a lovely path clearly quite an accomplishment when dealing with serious matters of the brain and heart. I read 135 pages before stirring. Thats huge kudos for a non-fiction book! Thank you for your fine message for any era, any culture, any milieu.

And then, there are the responses from Suesses children.&bsp; Son Ned, her second-born, has this to say: “As a child, you think your parents have all the answers. As you mature, you begin to realize that they are struggling with questions just like everyone else. For me, reading ‘Womansong’ had two effects. First, to recognize some of the struggles my mom was facing as I, a child, was present but oblivious. And second, to see her wisdom in understanding and dealing with these conundrums. I’m really proud of her for having the courage to write the book.

And daughter Jennifer, the first-born child, says: By publishing ‘Womansong,’ my Mom has realized one of her dreams as an artist, and I am thrilled for her. As I flip through the pages, I hear her voice in my ear giving hard-won advice she’s learned and passed along throughout my life. It is especially moving to read her words and see Rene’s beautiful illustrations now, as I’ve just become a mother myself. Juggling many responsibilities, I am wrestling with the challenge of ‘balance’ in a new way. I always thought Mom was an outstanding role model, but now that I’m trying motherhood out myself, I feel evermore lucky that she’s mine!

As Suesse revels in the positive response her book is gleaning, she continues to schedule marketing opportunities and seek out prospective venues to talk about balance and harmony.&bsp; Presently, she is booking signing and speaking events in North and South Carolina, Virginia, New York, Tennessee, California, Oregon, and Colorado during 2010. &bsp;

Suesse says she is open to going anywhere, and appreciates having expenses covered when possible.

Shes also working on a second book. Its working title is “Solo: A Widows Journey.” Suesse lost her beloved Jack in 2007 to a sudden, vicious illness.&bsp; She has remained in Tryon and shares her home with Daisy, their spoiled Corgi.

For three years, says Gwen, I have been on an unexpected journey. After Jack died, I read everything I could find about loss and grief and I wrote, because thats what I do. Well see if the journals from the past three years hold a book within their pages.

Meanwhile, “Womansong” is available at The Book Shelf in Tryon and online at womansong.com.

Suesse invites women everywhere to enjoy the book.

Then, she says, “go out and have your turn.