Embarking on the rollercoaster of single parenthood is no easy feat, but for authors like Yvette Manessis Corporon and Charles Bock, it becomes not just a chapter of their life but the whole story. Their personal journeys speak volumes about love, resilience, and the delicate balance between parenting and pursuing personal dreams.
Yvette Manessis Corporon’s life appeared picture-perfect from the outside. An Emmy Award-winning producer, she juggled the roles of being a mother to two kids and maintaining her career. Yet, she found herself feeling overwhelmed and unfulfilled. "I was so depleted," she admits, reflecting on those days filled with both gratitude and exhaustion. Like many working parents, she got caught up on the hamster wheel of life — juggling endless to-do lists without finding the time to nurture her own dreams.
This persistent feeling of emptiness nagged at her, pushing her to reflect. Everything changed during her interview with singer Carrie Underwood, right after Underwood won American Idol. Struck by Underwood's infectious energy and joy, Corporon realized what was missing from her own life. "That’s what’s missing from my life," she told herself. This experience ignited her passion for writing once more, leading her to set her alarm for 4 AM to carve out writing time before her busy day began. Suddenly, her characters transformed from mere thoughts to companions waking up her imagination before the dawn would break.
Years passed filled with writing and rejections. She persevered until she finally published her first book, When the Cypress Whispers, marking the beginning of her literary career. Corporon’s story isn’t just about literary triumph, though. It's about finding oneself again as she balanced work and motherhood. “I hope people realize it’s okay to chase their own dreams,” she reflects, urging others to carve pathways for their passions even amid the chaos of parenting. Her newest work, Daughter of Ruins, scheduled for release on October 8, hopes to be this beacon of inspiration for countless others feeling their identities fade amid the demands of family life.
Meanwhile, Charles Bock’s narrative takes readers through the complex realities of single fatherhood shaped by loss. His memoir, I Will Do Better: A Father’s Memoir of Heartbreak, Parenting, and Love, recounts his heart-wrenching transition when his first wife succumbed to cancer, leaving him as the sole parent to their nearly three-year-old daughter, Lily. "I was bereft to the bone," he reflects, detailing the heartbreaking transformation from husband to single father.
Bock recalls the struggles of those early parenting years, where the support of family, friends, and therapists made all the difference. Together, he and Lily created their own world of love, laughter, and learning—navigated within the cramped walls of their rent-stabilized Manhattan apartment.
But after rebuilding his life and marrying again, life took another turn when Bock faced yet another wave of sorrow. His second wife left, complicatiing his life with two daughters instead of one. The dilemma of sharing his love and attention between Lily and his baby daughter, Ione, became his new normal. Bock reflects upon how he adapted to being both caregiver and parent, searching for ways to create familial bonds even through the pain. "We want to be glitterbugs," he muses, symbolizing their desire to shine bright and colorful, instead of allowing life to weigh them down.
Living in Brooklyn, he and his daughters embarked on routine activities filled with joy: they’d travel to their local laundromat, where they celebrated minor victories over old arcade games. Simple outings like selecting ice cream flavors or visiting local bakeries turned mundane moments special. Bock’s candidness in sharing their small joys contrasts deeply with the seriousness of his situation, painting the picture of what it means to find the light even when life is heavy.
Both Corporon and Bock emerge as reflections of tenacity and hope, offering stories not only of personal strife but also of survival, healing, and success. They serve as reminders to readers everywhere: Despite life’s challenges and transitions, pursuing passions and building strong familial connections can coexist beautifully.
Their tales resonate with anyone grappling with their own identity amid tumultuous life changes, particularly single parents traversing similar paths. Yvette’s dream of writing and Charles’s evolution as a loving father showcase the power of storytelling—how it shapes lives, offers wisdom, and inspires others to embrace every moment, savoring both the joy and heartbreak.
Through their endeavors, both authors encourage embracing personal dreams without sacrificing family bonds, affirming the importance of pursuing one’s passions no matter the hurdles. It’s clear—they’re not just writing their own stories; they’re offering comfort, guidance, and hope to countless others finding their way through the beautiful chaos of life as single parents.
