Review of My Not-So-Fairy-Tale Life by Julie Wright
by Julie Coulter Bellon

My Not-So-Fairy-Tale Life is a book that touched me deeply. Having watched my sister go through the agonizing decision of whether to give a child up for adoption or to keep him, and being an adoptive mother myself, I was curious as to whether this book would skim the surface of the unplanned pregnancy/adoption issue, or whether it would really tackle it. Ms. Wright tackled it, and she does it with an impressive amount of sensitivity and realism, as well as humor.

Suzanna Quincy has had a difficult childhood, and those scars follow her into adulthood. She makes poor choices, but you can really identify with her character and feel for her when she finds herself pregnant, with nowhere to live and no way to support herself. She begins her journey across the country to Utah, and she also begins her journey of self-discovery. Her character is full of so many human frailties, but she is framed with a core of strength that even she doesn’t seem to know that she has. Ms. Wright does an excellent job of revealing Suzanna’s weakness in a way that is so natural and so real. There are so many layers and an incredible depth to Suzanna’s personality and the way her character handles the situations that are thrown her way are very believable and laugh out loud funny in places. You can see the growth in her, especially when she’s trying to decide among the many options for her baby. She could keep the baby, she could offer the baby to her brother and his wife, or she could give it up for adoption. finitely have the tissues handy when you are reading this book. I cried many tears as I watched Suzanna struggle within herself as to what would be right for the child. Ms. Wright is a gifted author with a flair for dealing with important societal issues without any preaching or heavy morality lesson sprinkled in. The book stands on its own as a gritty, head-on approach to an issue that touches many youth today and I highly recommend it. .

As a special treat, I interviewed Julie Wright about this story and here is what she said:

Julie Bellon: Did you get to choose your own title? How did it get named My Not So Fairy Tale Life?

Julie Wright: I didn’t get to choose my own title. I'd tell you what it was originally called except I'm still too humiliated by my own lack of creativity. The novel was given its title by Chris Schoebinger, my product manager. He is the genius at work there. I love the title and think he chose well.

Julie Bellon: It seems very realistic. Is it based on a real person or did you have to do a lot of research?

Julie Wright: There was a lot of research involved. I actually didn’t know anyone who had been through this situation until after I started writing. I have made some great friendships with people who have been in similar situations. The research was heartbreaking, but there was a lot of hope to be found too. I cannot tell you how many wonderful couples I met that have adopted children and every one of them praise the birth mother to the sky for loving their baby enough to give it the best life they could. I've also met a lot of birth mothers who have found a peace in knowing they made the best choice they could make for their child.

Julie Bellon: Were you worried about addressing such a delicate issue as unwed pregnancy?

Julie Wright: I didn’t start to worry until after the book was complete. Once I was finished and the novel was submitted to the publisher, I realized this was a touchy issue. I didn’t worry at all while I was writing it, but I worried a ton after it was written.

Julie Bellon: Now that the book is published would you change anything about it? What is your favorite part and why?

Julie Wright: I wouldn’t change a thing. I did hear there was a typo in there somewhere, but since I don't know where, I can't even say I'd change that. My first two books I would love to go over again, but with this one, it is exactly what I hoped it would be. My favorite part . . . there are so many favorite parts . . . I think my hands down favorite has to be after she is baptized. She pulls up a chair and inspects the painting "O Jerusalem." That is the moment when you know she has truly been able to let go of her battered past. That is the moment when you know she has chosen to trust the Lord and to let her future be guided by that trust.

Julie Bellon: Do you believe that your book has a message for young women?

Julie Wright: I think so. It had a message for me and I was the one that wrote it. :) I think there is a message in there for everyone, but what message each person comes away with depends a great deal on what issues or needs they had when they opened the book and started reading.

Julie Bellon: Have you received any reader comments about this book that particularly affected you?

Julie Wright: YES! In fact, most of the letters I have received regarding this book have reduced me to tears. So many women telling me about their own lives; so many girls telling me about their own hopes. I am humbled by their stories and grateful that they trust me enough to share with me. I think the ones that affect me most come from the birth mothers who have been through the same things as my character. They are all incredible women with incredible testimonies.

Julie Bellon: How did you conceive the book? Do you feel you were inspired? How long did it take you to write it? Were there any rough spots?

Julie Wright: The book wasn’t my idea. My aunt called me one day and told me she wanted me to write a sequel to my first book. I told her there was nothing left to tell and she told me I was wrong. She said I had done such a good job at making everyone dislike Suzie; she wanted to see if I could make her lovable. It was a fun challenge. I had no idea what I had agreed to, but I am grateful for the journey. I don't know that I would say I was inspired, but I cried a lot while I wrote it. I laughed a lot too. It took about a year to write, edit, edit again, and edit one last time. There were a few rough spots. I'm sure there were since there always is, but I can’t really remember what any of them were. When I was writing the beginning, I had a saying that ran through my mind as Suzie went through her trials and hit rock bottom. The saying was this: "No one journeys so far into the darkness that they cannot return to the light." This saying kept my focus on the ultimate goal. Suzie is redeemable, just like me, just like all of us.

Julie Bellon: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Julie Wright: I love dandelions.

Read the interview online: http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/article.cfm?articleid=87065&wherefrom=RESULTS