I Am Becoming the Woman I've Wanted

With over 200,000 copies in print and winner of the 1995 American Book Award, I am Becoming the Woman I've Wanted delves into the sometimes hidden and always powerful feelings that women have about their bodies. Far broader in scope than books now on the market that focus on women and body image, this emotionally evocative collection of short fiction, poetry, and photographs explores the intriguing dynamics of women's relationships with their bodies. Never one to shy away from the challenge of so many emotional complexities, editor Sandra Martz (When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple) has brought together a powerful anthology that covers a myriad of topics. From a girl coming to terms with her budding sexuality to a young woman's decision not to continue chemotherapy; from a vivid description of what it really feels like to give birth to the bittersweet celebration of physical changes that come with age -- this comprehensive collection is filled with insights, humor, sadness, and joy.

Tied together with the stunning title poem, "Finding Her Here" by Jayne Relaford Brown, which speaks of the ultimate goal of self-love, I Am Becoming the Woman I've Wanted explores women's feelings about their bodies from a refreshing perspective, connecting on a personal level with readers experiences and emotions. This is women sharing their lives.

I Am Becoming the Woman I've Wanted, the latest in the series of best-selling anthologies (When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple and If I Had My Life to Live Over I would Pick More Daisies), delves into the sometimes hidden and always powerful feelings that women have about their bodies. In the emotionally evocative style that characterizes Martz's previous collections, this book explores coming of age, sexuality, child-birth, physical power, menopause, aging, and much more.

This is more than just another book about body image. Using her talent for bringing together extraordinary stories, poems, and photographs about women's lives, editor Sandra Martz explores the broader question of how the physical aspects of being female affect women's experiences. This best-selling anthology will have women reading and thinking and sharing for a long time.