Author Interview with Emily Owen

Author interview with Emily Owen about her new book for young readers, 'My Diary: Emily Owen'.

Emily Owen was an energetic teenager who loved music – and life. But dreams of becoming a teacher, enjoying music and sport all crashed as she was given the shocking news that she had NF2 which had caused tumours in her brain that would lead to deafness. Written as diary entries, children can see first-hand how Emily learnt to trust God in all her circumstances. Real, raw, honest but ultimately inspiring, My Diary demonstrates that even though life might not work out as expected, God has a plan – and there are still everyday rainbows to be found.

Emily Owen grew up in Leicester. Aged 16, she was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition, neurofibromatosis type 2, which has led to numerous operations and left her deaf. Emily speaks at meetings and events, both Christian and secular, and enjoys sharing her life experiences.

This is your first book for children, why did you want to write this book?

Children today grow up surrounded by perceived perfection: on television, social media, in magazines, films, etc, and can feel that they don’t match up, which can lead to mental health issues, physical harm, self-rejection. I find it incredibly sad that children feel a lack of worth, and I also know what it is to feel that way. I wanted to offer an alternative narrative, that who we are goes deeper than the surface, and that our identity does not need to be based on what we look like or what we do.

How different an experience was it writing for children?

My first attempt was deemed (rightly, I’m not disagreeing!) ‘too raw’ for children. My writing style, up ‘til now, is often quite raw and so, when I began rewriting, I bore that in mind, and softened the structure a little.

It covers your life story -who do you think this book is for?

• Key Stage 2, primarily (though I do know a 15-year-old who enjoyed it!).
• Prize-giving’s.
• Church youth groups. Although faith and hope in God is not pushed, it is definitely there throughout the book.
• To help a child understand disability, and to think through wider issues such as image and identity.
• A child who likes life stories.
• A child who is disabled themselves, and children who know others with a disability.
• People who are exploring the idea of dreams and aspirations, and how these can change.
• It could help children look for positives in their lives.

You write this book in the first person as diary entries – what do you think this brings to the book?

I hope it helps the reader feel as though I am writing/talking straight to them, and that they are part of my story, and – particularly if they are going through a tough time – that they are not alone in finding life hard. I think the use of the diary adds authenticity to the book.

You have dealt with some difficult things in your life, was it a challenge making this accessible to children?

Yes! At first, I was tempted to shield children and shy away from some of the ‘difficult’ things but, in my experience, children want to know. They ask questions, and they are very accepting when given real answers: I wanted to respect that. Of course, there are some issues it might not have been appropriate to mention in a children’s book, and I didn’t, but in the main, as I say, I wanted to respect children enough to be real.

If you could say something to your teenage self what would it be?

Keep enjoying the moments. As I say in My Diary, my childhood wasn’t all rosy, but in the main it was pretty good. Since I lost my hearing, as a young adult, people often ask me if I wish I had never been musical. No, I don’t wish that. I enjoyed music so much, and so I’d tell my teenage self to keep playing on. Perhaps also to practice more (!).

How do you think Sunday School leaders/ teachers can use this book?

My story is of growing faith in disability, not of finding faith through healing. Many stories, including stories in the Bible, tell of miraculous healings, and that is wonderful, but what about when healing doesn’t happen? What about the child sitting in the group, listening to stories of miracles, thinking of themselves - or someone they know - who is ill or different in some way, feeling miserable and wondering if God really cares about them? My Diary will show them that being different doesn’t chase God away, and that each one is precious to Him.

You visit schools – what type of thing do you offer schools?

Anything they’d like, really. Assemblies, lessons, one to ones. I can cover disability, ethics, faith, communication, writing…

Have you had any feedback about My Diary so far – anything in particular stand out?

My goddaughter, who is 9, read the manuscript for me. Apparently, it kept her up late - ‘Please, mummy, just a little bit more’ – which I take as a good sign! Another 10 year old girl, an avid reader who doesn’t know my story, found the book engrossing and particularly loved the diary format. Feedback received from a 10 year old boy and his younger brother was also very positive. They read it with their mum who was delighted with the conversations it provoked.

What was the most surprising lesson you learnt from writing this book?

That having a niece, as well as being a wonderful thing, is rather useful! I would text my sister; ‘Does X know what such-and-such a word means?’ If she did, it stayed in the book. If she didn’t, it got the chop. She also brought me a bit up to date: anyone who reads about a ‘Movie’ in the book, rather than a ‘Film,’ has my niece to thank (turns out Aunty Emily is SO behind the times…). It’s interesting how language moves on, and how I miss some of those changes through being deaf.

You are passionate about identity and who we are in Christ – what would you say to any young person who ever feels a little bit different from their peers?

That’s a hard one to answer in a sentence or two! The Bible talks about how, even though people – and we ourselves – might focus on how we look, or what we can do, or what we have, God looks past all that and sees who we are inside. He loves us and doesn’t compare us with anyone else.

What do you hope the reader will take from My Diary?

Hope. Security. Intrinsic value. Freedom.

How would you describe the book in one sentence?

I think I did that on the first page of the book: ‘This diary is about real life. Sometimes sad things happen.’ Oops, that’s two sentences! Perhaps: Sometimes life is hard, and it hurts; we can still find hope if we look.

Is there anything we can pray for you?

Particularly in view of the Pandemic, please pray that God would open ways to share this book in schools, and churches, and shops, and groups. More personally, prayers for my own health are always appreciated. Things are pretty stable at the moment, but you never know what lies around the corner.

Click here to by My Diary: Emily Owen by Emily Owen.