Join us for this tour from May 17 to Jun 4, 2021!

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Author Interview

If you could tell your younger self anything, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self that although not everyone will have your back, you have your back and that is the most important.

I would remind myself not to stress about the outcome of things, because things work out how they are supposed to. That you are where you are supposed to be at any given time, so stressing doesn’t help.

How important was it to you that you write with complete honesty about your experiences?
For me writing with honesty is essential. However, I have learned through my writing experiences that’s not always easy, particularly where others have shared their life with you.

But no matter what your truth is, it’s still your truth and as long as your writing is expressed in a way that is respectful and considerate, others should understand and be okay with your reasoning. If the shoe was on the other foot, and someone else was writing, they would expect the same of us.

How do you balance the demands of writing with the stresses of daily life?
Living through the pandemic has been enormously stressful for me, and I have had to learn how to juggle that with my daily writing routine, but my writing helps me take the edge off anxiety and stress. It is because I have autism that I struggle with anxiety, so for me it’s less a case of balance, but rather a case of having to manage. There are days when I fair better with my anxiety, than other days.

What makes your non-fiction book different to other non-fiction out there?
My book is different to other non-fiction books because my writing is based around my unique experiences of growing up with a disability that I didn’t know I had and how that impacted on my physical, mental and emotional well-being. It is part memoir, part motivational guide, written on universal principles, which affect, concern and involve us all. My book can be read by everyone to help us navigate our lives more easily.

Your book is based on spirituality, how does spirituality help us navigate our lives?
We don’t always recognise that we are affected by external influences. Once we understand we are, it becomes easier to manage our emotions and understand our feelings, enabling us to navigate certain aspects of our lives, including potentially challenging situations. Being able to understand things in the whole, can give us a different perspective on our lives.

Meet the Author:

"Living with cerebral palsy is enormously difficult. But what if you never knew you had it? This is the incredible story of Ilana Estelle. Born the second of premature twins, an hour apart, from a young age Ilana knew she was different, but for all the wrong reasons. A child of the 60s, Ilana experienced first-hand the way that disability was, so often brushed under the carpet, not spoken about. Her constant physical and mental struggles made her feel isolated, alone, frustrated, and misunderstood… and it took 46 years for her to find out why. Part memoir, part motivational guide, Cerebral Palsy: a story 'Finding the Calm After The Storm' is Ilana’s open and honest journey from an angry, confused child, knowing something was wrong, not knowing what was wrong, what her disability was, or that there was a diagnosis, to the ‘real’ her – a courageous woman using her experiences and lessons to create inspiring messages about mental and physical health, positivity, resilience and change.”

Connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ pinterest ~ goodreads

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