Interview with memoirist Janet Hatch

My special guest today is Janet Hatch and we’re chatting about her memoir, Zandra: My Daughter, Diabetes, and Lessons in Love.

During her virtual book tour, Janet will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
Janet Hatch is a mother of four who lives in Camrose, Alberta. She is passionate about using her experience of raising her diabetic daughter to support parents and caregivers through the emotional twists and turns of what can be a difficult journey of having a child with a serious illness. She is a lover of animal and enjoys spending time in nature with her dog, Axel.

Welcome, Janet. Please tell us about your current release.
My current release is a memoir that chronicles some of the ups and down’s of raising a child with type one diabetes. My daughter, Zandra, was diagnosed with type one diabetes ten years ago at the age of eleven. At the time of her diagnosis I had a limited understanding about how that would change my life, not to mention hers. I knew that teenage years would be tough, but when adding the responsibilities and risks of her illness, our relationship was really put to the test. The last ten years have been heartbreaking, yet beautiful at the same time.

I’ve been so blessed to travel to Iceland to raise funds and awareness for diabetes as well as be a part of Zandra’s experience of receiving her beautiful diabetic alert dog, Cinnamon. There have been many peaks and valleys in our lives and I’m grateful to for each and every one of them.

What inspired you to write this book?
I felt inspired to write my book after realizing how many other parents were experiencing the same things. It isn’t uncommon for someone to call me out of the blue after being given my number to reach out and talk about his or her experiences. Parents need encouragement and support, especially in those times where we question ourselves. I wrote this book to all those parents who have connected with me and for those who don’t know yet that others have walked their path.

I wanted to write this book to encourage and support other mothers who know exactly what it’s like to raise strong, independent, beautiful children alongside difficulties such as an illness. What feels much like a curse can be the most beautiful blessing if we choose to embrace the strength we gain from it. I’ve learned that when tested, people can be stronger than we ever knew as possible. It’s hard to let go and let our children make choices that are difficult, perhaps even dangerous, however the toll on the relationship when holding too tight can eclipse the light that comes from letting go. It’s a delicate balance, but we’re never alone.

Excerpt from Zandra: My Daughter, Diabetes, and Lessons in Love:
“What’s the reason for your visit?” The admitting nurse at our tiny local hospital was staring at me impatiently while my eleven-year-old daughter, Zandra, shuffled nervously at my side.

“She’s showing signs of type 1 diabetes,” I explained, the words sounding unbelievable as I said them out loud.

“Well, we’ll see”, the nurse huffed in frustration. “We don’t appreciate people looking up “Doctor Google” before they get here; that’s the job of the actual doctor.” She tapped heavily on her keyboard while processing the paperwork. “We don’t have time for everyone who thinks something is wrong because they looked it up on the Internet.”

What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m working on an exciting fictional story of a teenage girl who is coping with depression. She befriends another troubled teen whose influences are concerning to her parents. The story revolves around the mother’s actions and inner turmoil as she crosses a line she never thought she was capable of.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
In truth, I never considered myself a writer until I held my book in my hands. When my book arrived in the mail, it felt so surreal as I turned the pages and read the first few paragraphs.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I don’t write full-time, yet if the urge strikes, I will absolutely put in full time hours when time permits. Every day is different for me and often depends on what’s happening around me. With Covid, my youngest children who live at home were at home much of the time while trying to complete school. This left less time than usual for me to write, yet I tried to find some time every day to put towards writing. If I feel the urge to get up in the early morning hours, that’s what I’ll do. I like to be flexible and have never held “office hours”.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I have a lot of quirks and writing is no exception. I’d say that when it comes to being creative, it’s the process I need to arrive at a vulnerable place. I have to “feel” what I’m writing and sometimes I need to close my eyes and get the details in my mind’s eye first. This is especially true with my new fiction novel. To achieve this level of creative exploration, I grab a sleeping eye mask and put it over my eyes. I take noise-cancelling headphones and often sit with a cat on my lap to let myself “see” the story. I can appreciate that anyone walking by me must see how ridiculous I look!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a veterinarian, yet I didn’t know enough to have limitations on what that would look like. I saw myself travelling the world, helping endangered animals and restoring balance to their natural habitats. I always saw myself working mostly outdoors, while dedicating my life to nature and others.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
For me, watching my children hurt is the worst pain I can think of. Once we make the choice to become a parent, we’re opened to vulnerability in a way that can override anything else in life. We look to protect them and keep them from harm, yet they are individuals and are at risk for illness, accidents and hurt as much as any other person. When a parent has to watch a child go through difficulties, it can open up pain within us that we have no idea how to manage. Living day by day, needle by needle, test by test, brought out the worry in me like nothing else I had ever known, and led me to face my greatest fears.

I know that there are so many other parents who have children whose life is in the balance and have powerful hope within them. Childhood illness is increasing in our world and for each family, there’s a need for hope and support. It can be hard to feel that there’s a gift in every experience when we’re living through out greatest fears. Fear isolates us and prevents joy from leading us to a higher place. It’s my greatest hope that my book helps parents to embrace experiences and allow those challenges to strengthen themselves and their children.