VBT: Interview with J. Aday Kennedy, author of “Klutzy Kantor”

This month, J. Aday Kennedy, the “Differently-Abled Writer,” was gracious enough to answer a few questions for us about her life, both as it is and was, how she was able to conquer the challenges ahead of her, and the first book in her children’s book series, “Klutzy Kantor.”

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Your story–your personal one–sounds quite moving to me. Do you mind me asking what happened?

I woke up on Friday the 13th with an earache. Not a big deal – At least that‘s what I thought. I went to work, but went to an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor later that day. He drained the goop from my ear, but didn’t test it. He gave me Cipro for Otis Media. Over the weekend, I grew sicker. Sunday I vomited all night. Monday I went to another doctor. He diagnosed me with the flu & gave me an anti-nausea shot. He told us I’d be “out of it” and not to worry about it. I was definitely “out of it,” but Mom insisted I wasn’t right and rushed me to the hospital.

They immediately suspected spinal meningitis. After I was diagnosed Mom asked them to transfer me to a Dallas hospital three different times. I was in a small hospital without a neurosurgeon on staff. They had no ability to monitor the pressure in my skull. The major concern with spinal meningitis is high pressure in the skull which can result in a stroke.

They called my doctor, but he didn’t come to the hospital. The pressure grew too high and I had a respiratory arrest. The doctor finally showed up, and informed my family, “This is bad, really bad.”

I was in a coma and on a ventilator. Arrangements were made and I was transferred. The new doctors took me into surgery and gave me a bolt in my head top monitor the pressure in my skull and gave me a shunt to pull fluid off of my brain. A few days later I was declared brain dead. Two hours after that I regained consciousness.

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How had your life changed when you woke up?

I couldn’t move anything, but my eyes, and I was on a ventilator. I planned on getting married and having children. That was two things, I was positive would happen. I’m single without children. I’m so glad I never had children. My stroke would’ve devastated children.

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When I think about your physical problems, I’m just blown away at the courage and determination it has probably taken in order to go for your writing goal. How did you pick yourself up afterwards?

For a long time (6 years), I didn’t. I was bitter and angry. That got old. I couldn’t take doing nothing, but physical therapy every day. I prayed even when I thought God wasn’t listening. Out of desperation and boredom I took classes on the internet and started writing. It was something to do. I found out I was good at it and I loved it.

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I don’t want to offend you–please don’t take any of these questions the wrong way. I honestly can’t imagine what it must have felt like to wake up one day and to not be able to move and to be dependent on a machine to breathe.

I’m not offended at all. To be frank it was the pits. My whole life was messed up. I was devastated. I wanted to die and couldn’t even move to kill myself or I would have. I’m actually thankful to be alive today. I have no children and spend each day doing what I love-writing. While most people are tending their house and family, working and cooking, I’m pecking at my keyboard making my dreams come true.

I speak to groups of medical professionals and to groups in the community.

With each success I crave more. Thank God it’s not harmful, because I’m a junkie.

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You write children’s books and have several that are under contract. That’s very exciting! How did you decide you wanted to write children’s books?

I’ve always been a big kid. My mother’s been shaking her head at me watching animated movies, collecting stuffed animals, McDonald’s kid toys and coloring books for years. You should see all of my shirts and sweat shirts with cartoon characters. I enjoyed being a kid so much. At family gatherings I was always with the kids. Writing for children lets me give that part of me an outlet. It’s a lot fun. When I’m not writing for or about kids, I write Christian and inspirational pieces for adults. I’m so blessed to be able to spend my days doing something I love. How many people can say that?

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Can you tell us a bit about Klutzy Kantor? How did you come up with the idea for him?

Klutzy Kantor and I have a lot in common. Our bodies don’t work right. I’m paralyzed, and he’s a klutz. We both rely on our minds.

My sister was the inspiration for Kantor. She’s the biggest klutz I’ve ever seen, but smart and funny.

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In one of our private emails, you stated that you had all sorts of “extras” to go along with the book itself. Can we have a few links to those? Also, how did you decide what “extra” items to create?

The coloring pages, teacher’s guide, bookmarks and dance steps to the “Go Me” song are at Klutzy Kantor on jadaykennedy.com. A book trailer can be seen on that page, also..

To hear the “Go Me!” theme song, visit the Klutzy Kantor series page. In late August, participants can enter a dance contest to get a cameo in the music video for “Go Me!”. Through the end of the contest interested parties can get a free download of the song.

At Klutzy Kantor’s character blog, you can meet Kantor and read his interviews and musings.

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Finally, if you were to give one piece of advice to all the unpublished writers out there, what would it be?

Write what you love and read it. You’ll learn from others. Write all of the time whenever you get a minute. The more you read and write the more you will improve.

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You can see the trailer to the first Klutzy Kantor book below.

Tagged as: Authors, Book Tours, Books, Children's books, Series, VBT