Ask the Author: J.J. Johnson
Answered Questions (3)
J.J. Johnson
Hi Jack! I am so glad you noticed that I wanted the book to focus on RECOVERY! And yours is a great question.
—SPOILERS BELOW—
I consider Believarexic to be an autobiographical novel. I took some liberties with the timeline and compressed some characters. I want/ed to be very honest and transparent about the process, and what I changed,, so I posted my actual journal from my hopsitalization on www.believarexic.com.
I think (and honestly, it’s been a few years since I wrote it!) that the main things I totally made up were:
1. Being accused of weight-ing myself, and then accidentally peeing, that first weigh-in. I exaggerated this scene because I wanted Jenifer to hit absolute rock-bottom, and to show just how nasty Nurse Ratched could be. They did accuse me of looking like I should weigh less than what the scale said, but things didn’t go that extreme.
2. Nurse Chuck did not take me on my “meal out.” It was another nurse, and a lot less poignant, thus the change. (I wish it had been Nurse Chuck!)
3. There wasn’t a dance party. (There was that little booby-trap, though.)
Anyhoodles! I hope that answers your awesome question.
Wishing you good health and lots of fun adventures in life—
J.J.
—SPOILERS BELOW—
I consider Believarexic to be an autobiographical novel. I took some liberties with the timeline and compressed some characters. I want/ed to be very honest and transparent about the process, and what I changed,, so I posted my actual journal from my hopsitalization on www.believarexic.com.
I think (and honestly, it’s been a few years since I wrote it!) that the main things I totally made up were:
1. Being accused of weight-ing myself, and then accidentally peeing, that first weigh-in. I exaggerated this scene because I wanted Jenifer to hit absolute rock-bottom, and to show just how nasty Nurse Ratched could be. They did accuse me of looking like I should weigh less than what the scale said, but things didn’t go that extreme.
2. Nurse Chuck did not take me on my “meal out.” It was another nurse, and a lot less poignant, thus the change. (I wish it had been Nurse Chuck!)
3. There wasn’t a dance party. (There was that little booby-trap, though.)
Anyhoodles! I hope that answers your awesome question.
Wishing you good health and lots of fun adventures in life—
J.J.
J.J. Johnson
Ooooh my goodness - somehow JUST saw this question?!?!
1. Thank you so much for reading, and for your praise. I'm so glad it felt real and honest to you.
2. Stenn and Stiv aren't short for anything. They are fairly common Scandanavian names (although Stenn is usually spelled with one 'n') :)
1. Thank you so much for reading, and for your praise. I'm so glad it felt real and honest to you.
2. Stenn and Stiv aren't short for anything. They are fairly common Scandanavian names (although Stenn is usually spelled with one 'n') :)
J.J. Johnson
Hi Sarah! I'm so sorry I just saw this message now, but I think we've already touched base by now? Yes, I speak when invited and when I can work it into my schedule! Hugs to you and your child.
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