Virtual Author Visit with Julie Elizabeth Powell

[Bobbie Crawford-McCoy]

A warm welcome to author, Julie Elizabeth Powell!

 

Author Bio: "Hello everyone. If you haven't guessed by now I have a passion for words and have nine books published so far...all thanks to 'Lulu', much hard work and sleepless nights.

I am happily married and live in the south of England.

My eldest daughter has flown the nest and is married to a man who doesn't mind his mother-in-law, although my son is still fluffing his feathers.

My middle child is off on a mysterious adventure, the like of which I can only guess...and tried to do so in my first book, Gone.

I love to read and am looking for ways to double time so to indulge in the mysterious and wonderful and delicious and strange...my favorite kind of story.

Writing is my passion, though I enjoy creating handcrafted cards, jewellery making, scrapbooking and dabbling in encaustic art whenever I can.

Oh yes, I used to teach or mark exam papers but now concentrate on writing and enjoying my new life, which materialized, as if by a miracle. Though still dislike all those necessary domestic chores that would, for me, be included in the Rings of Hell!

That's it. Thank you to anyone who reads my books...enjoy the flight!"

 

Julie Elizabeth Powell - Interviewed!

 

"I’ve always loved to read and dabbled with words.  But the ‘push’ to actually keep the words that flowed into a book came from what happened to my daughter, Samantha.  Below are some of the frequently asked questions about my first book and the reasons for writing it."

Why did you write Gone?

"It was after what happened to my daughter, Samantha, in 1984, when her heart stopped and she died but was brought back to be left severely brain-damaged.  A question kept nagging at me – Where had she gone?  I mean, her body was lying here, true, but what had made her who she was had just vanished…her memories, her character…everything!  On one of those many ‘not able to sleep’ nights, this idea came to me…she must be somewhere else, what if?…and Avalon was born.  I just had to write the story."

What did you hope to accomplish?

"I suppose at first it was about satisfying myself...helping me understand her tragic life – and mine.  Then, as I continued to write, the world I’d created evolved and I thought this could really help others too.  Though I don’t know how many other people that have suffered these exact circumstances, in my experience I don’t think there are /have been many cases like Samantha (brain okay, then wiped, to put it crudely) that lasted for so many years.  I thought this book might be an answer that could satisfy a sorrowful heart.  Whatever the circumstances, for those left behind, loss is loss…and love gets so tangled; this was one way of trying to sort things out.  After Samantha died the second and final time, things didn’t improve for me much (you never get over it), but writing definitely helped…and it’s a tribute to her now.  I also like to think it could be true.  Imagine that!"

Who inspired you?

"My daughter, Samantha.  What else can I say?  When you read the book, you’ll maybe understand the mixed feelings involved in a relationship like that – but there is no denying, she was my inspiration for this book."

What will readers gain?

"Whenever I choose a book to read, I tend to go for those involved in fantasy, mystery, magic…that sort of thing.  So, anyone of a like mind will immediately appreciate the setting etc. and I hope enjoy the story.  However, I feel sure that even those who don’t necessarily select this type of genre would be helped or maybe given a lighter heart, if they read Gone, even if they’ve never suffered loss.  I know that many will relate to the themes of love, loss, hope, fear, guilt and so on – especially those who have lost a child – and understand the bonds of love and all the strands that can become jumbled.  They will gain more than they could guess…I’m sure of it."

Why is your book different from others?

"I think Gone is different because, yes it’s a fantasy, yes it’s about loss and grief…and finding a way through those things, but this story is about following an identity, which has been stripped from its owner.  While a withering body lies waiting to die, its essence, its character, its memories are seen in another place, a mysterious land found by a mother (who thinks she’s crazy, of course who wouldn’t!) where she tries to come to terms with the tragic circumstances of her daughter’s situation.  It’s not about Heaven, although some may have that opinion, it’s not about death even, as no one has actually died in the true sense, it’s about life and what makes us who we are and how the bonds of love can never be broken.  It’s a battle against fear and guilt, sorrow and all the other emotions put upon us in the wake of loss.  I’ve never heard of another story quite like this, not least due to the fact it was inspired by an exceptional truth.  It shifts from supposed reality to other plains of existence, not least the added, and most surprising, adventure (which of course is a test) where the mother encounters a talking flower who has trouble remembering jokes, goblins and fairies…just to mention a few.  But, more importantly it demonstrates the embodiment of fear, which is a huge hurdle for her to overcome – like for most of us, I would say.  I also think that it’s funny as well as sad, enjoyable as well as emotive and will, I hope, help others as well as entertain.  I don’t think it’s ever been done in this particular way before.  Yes, there are stories about ‘after death’ and there’ve been dramas looking into the effects of such things as Alzheimer’s and cases where people have been brain-damaged in other ways…but nothing like this – the whole unique package."

How does this book fit into the rest of your life?

"I can tell you that Gone will always be the most important book in my life but that’s not to say that every book I write doesn’t have my full attention and interest.  Gone broke my heart and in a way mended it, and I love to think of Avalon being there ready and waiting for when my time comes, and welcome the idea that Samantha and I will one day be together."

What would you say to your readers?

"Wow…thank you so much for buying my book…I really hope you enjoyed it…and that it made you think differently about things.  I hope it helped too, if you needed it.  Sorry if there are any mistakes but I’m editor, publisher, designer and writer so I might have missed something.  And you never know, earlier prints with errors might be worth a packet one day!  If anyone wants to talk to me about any of the issues email me at [e-mail] .  Oh, and…please be kind!!!  Thanks."

................................................................................................................................

"I've always loved writing but writing Gone, and then being able to have it published, awakened a need, as if a dam had burst and all those submerged ideas swam to the surface and gulped greedily at the air.

But for now there are nine books of mine available in either paperback (Lulu) and Amazon (Gone as a paperback and it (and the others) as Kindle editions).

I'm currently working on my tenth story - the final book in the Avalon trilogy of the epic children's fantasy.  It's a marathon and keeping all the threads of it whilst keeping secret its surprising end is not easy.

I am a self-published author and have tips and advice on my website.

That's it from me - thanks for your time."

--Julie Elizabeth Powell

 

Gone by Julie Elizabeth Powell

Gone was inspired by a tragic event in the author’s life. Its first draft was written more than ten years ago.

When only two and a half years old, in 1984, Julie Elizabeth Powell’s daughter’s heart stopped and she died. Unfortunately, doctors resuscitated too long and too late and brought back into this world a severely brain-damaged child, who was wiped clean of her memories and anything that had made her Samantha.

Her ‘life’ (and that of her mother) became a nightmarish one of pain and suffering for seventeen long years until she died for the second time. One vital question haunted the author throughout those awful years: Where had her daughter gone?

Gone is one answer to the question.

This story is about a mother who finds herself inexplicably taken into a mysterious world, where the impossible meets the undeniable. The fantasy sees her struggling against insanity and fear. She encounters extraordinary characters and grapples with the awakening of a dream.

 

Complete list of works by Julie Elizabeth Powell:

Gone (fantasy, some say paranormal fantasy), 2007
Slings & Arrows (non-fiction), 2008
The Avalon Trilogy:
The Star Realm (children's epic fantasy), Book 1, 2008
Invasion (children's epic fantasy), Book 2, 2008
Knowing Jack (mystery adventure for children), 2008
A Murderer's Heart (murder mystery), 2011
Of Sound Mind (Fantasy), 2011
Misadventures Of Fatwoman (comedy), 2011
Figments (short stories and poems variety), 2011

 

You can pick up Julie's books at:

Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, www.lulu.com/julizpow

 

Links to visit:

Author Website: http://www.julizpow.webs.com/
2nd Author Website: http://alchemyuk.yolasite.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/starjewelz
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1349023.Julie_Elizabeth_Powell

 

Thanks for visiting with us, Julie!

[Helen Hanson]

I think you're quite brave to share your story. May others find peace in your words. All the best, Julie.

[Jaidis Shaw]

I agree with Helen! I think its wonderful that you used writing as on outlet for not only yourself, but hopefully others as well.

Thank you for making a visit today!

 

[Darcia Helle]

Julie, I had no idea you'd been through such a horrible tragedy. Your ability to take all those emotions and build them into a story is inspiring. I know two people who lost children and neither ever recovered. I can't imagine what it must be like. But Samantha lives with you always and, through Gone, a bit of her spirit will touch us all. I'm looking forward to reading this book.

[sue brandes]

Very emotional post. I cannot imagine the loss of a child. What a wonderful outlet to write a book about your loss and we have the privilege of being able to read it. Going to have to add this to my reading.

[Martha Rodriguez]

Hi Julie,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are a strong lady and a wonderful mom! I look forward to reading your book.

I wish you much success and peace always.