Julianne Heagy Interview Published on: 30, May 2022
Tell us a little bit about your childhood and where you grew up.
I am the middle child of 5. I grew up in Ontario and moved to Saskatchewan in late my teens by myself to help friends with their foster kids. I ended up taking my grad 12 in Saskatchewan while living with friends.
Were you a big reader as a kid too? If so, what were some of your favourite books then?I was more of a reader when I was a young adult.
At what age did you begin writing your first story? What was it about?About 40 years ago I started writing a book, "Lord, what a wonder you are". It continues to grow. My first, and only, published book I started writing at 61 and published when I was 63.
Which of your childhood dreams was the first to die?I don't really remember having many dreams as a child.
Who all are a part of your family? How critical are they of your writing?My dad passed away April, 2021. Mom is turning 90 on May 22nd, my oldest sister passed away in 2009. I have 2 brothers and a sister. One brother and one sister still live in Ontario. Maybe because of our physical distance, they know about my book but rarely talk with me about it. They are not critical of my writing.
How did you come up with the idea for your book, A Stroke of Grace: Companion Journal?The companion journal is due to be released in June. It is a companion book to A Stroke of Grace - A guide to understanding and living with an acquired brain injury. We decided to add a companion journal so people who have experienced a stroke and/or their caregivers can journal their first year - doctor appointments, struggles, successes, gratitude and general thoughts.
What are the challenges of writing a nonfiction book?I'm not sure what a notification book is.
As a writer, what consumes most of your time?I have a fairly active facebook page with a weekly live video, "What I have learned Wednesday". The page is "A Stroke of Grace - Book by Julianne Heagy". I'm starting to book up with speaking engagements.
What is the best review you have got for your book, A Stroke of Grace: A Guide to Understanding and Living With an Acquired Brain Injury?My greatest reviews are from fellow stroke survivors. My heart is happy when this book helps them with their journey or helps their community of friends and family better understand what they are going through. Best review - "Thank you. You get me. I didn't feel as alone".
What is your writing dream? How close do you think you are to achieving it?My dream is that this book makes into the hands of people who want a better understanding of the stroke experience and/or some guidance through it.
When you're not writing or reading, what are some other things you like to do for fun?I enjoy cooking and we are avid campers.
What did being an author mean to you as a child? What does it mean to you now?I never really had a desire to be an author. As I was writing this book I felt an urgency to get it to press. With the cognitive impairments from my stroke I had know way to research how to make that happen. Actually, I put editing and publishing of my book on my vision board and prayed over it that if this was meant to be to educate, encourage and empower others, then it would happen. It's a beautiful story in itself how I found the editor and publisher.
Do you ever leave book reviews on other author's books? What do reviews mean to you?I haven't left reviews but now that I know how uplifting and encouraging they are, I will. Reviews make me know my book did a good job explaining my journey and they also confirm that there was a purpose for it happening.
How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?I don't have plans for another book. However, I never really planned this book so another one could happen.
When did you join AllAuthor? What has your experience been like?My publisher recommended AllAuthor just before our release date. She thought the graphics would be a useful tool for our facebook page and other marketing.
