My Medical “Fate”

Muffy Walker Author Interview

Memory Weavers follows Rachel, who is haunted by past trauma, and Hadley, who is unraveling from memory loss, as their lives intertwine in a journey of heartbreak, resilience, and self-discovery. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

My mother had Alzheimer’s disease, and I was her primary caregiver. I am also a Master’s prepared psych nurse (U of Pa, ’84) and drew from professional experience.

The contrast between Rachel’s deep friendships and Hadley’s more performative relationships is striking. Was this intentional from the start? 

No, it was not intentional.

The GenSeq DNA-testing subplot adds a unique element to Hadley’s story—what drew you to include this? 

I knew a woman who was asymptomatic and suddenly learned she had a large brain tumor. I decided to get my genome sequenced to learn my medical “fate.” While doing so, I learned what was involved in the sequencing and experienced the angst associated with waiting for and learning the results.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

I am working on a novel about a person with bipolar disorder. I founded the International Bipolar Foundation and have extensive experience in this field. I do not know when the book will be ready.

Author Links: LinkedInFacebookWebsite

From her office in Manhattan, Hadley is preparing for her twenty-second wedding anniversary. She surprises her husband, Bergen, with a gift to get their genomes sequenced to proactively counter any disease risks.In the East Village, twenty-seven-year-old Rachel reluctantly goes to therapy for her panic attacks and flashbacks from a college rape. Her mother is overprotective, and her father has left the family.When the genome results come back, Hadley learns her fate and spirals into depression. Her family struggles to help while grieving her mental decline.Rachel and Hadley meet in the therapist’s waiting room. One woman is desperately holding onto her memories, while the other tries to banish them. They form a supportive friendship, each filling a void in the other’s life. As their bond strengthens, both struggle with suicidal ideations, threatening their progress.
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Posted on February 24, 2025, in Interviews and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.

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